Tucson, Arizona has plenty of both fun and educational activities for kids and families. Here are some of the best things to do in Tucson:
Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: This outdoor "museum" offers its young visitors the opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert through interactive exhibits and live animal demonstrations. The Raptor Free Flight show is a fabulous attraction that displays our birds of prey in an open air show. Get there early for the best views.
Explore the Reid Park Zoo: This zoo is home to over 500 animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and elephants. Kids will love the giraffe feeding station and the petting zoo.
Take a trip to Old Tucson: This Western-themed amusement park has rides, live shows, and interactive exhibits that showcase the history of the Wild West. It is especially fun during October for a Halloween-themed scary adventure or during December for the Christmas-themed program to captivate the imaginations of kids.
Discover the Children's Museum Tucson: This museum is designed to engage children in interactive exhibits that teach science, art, and culture. Kids can explore a pretend grocery store, climb through a giant ant hill, and much more. There are two locations in Tucson - be sure to check out both!
Hike in Sabino Canyon in Coronado National Forest: This park features a variety of trails, several places to splash (in the summer months usually after some rains), and even has a tram ride for those who need a little help along the way.
Go underground at Kartchner Caverns State Park: Take a guided tour of the limestone cave system and see stunning formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the tours are limited to older kids, so be sure to check out each tour's description to see what may be the best fit for your family.
Attend a University of Arizona sporting event: The University of Arizona is home to many successful sports teams, including basketball, football, and softball. Attending a game can be a fun and exciting experience for the whole family. There are also many other programs available that appeal to audiences of all ages.
Visit the Pima Air and Space Museum: This museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world and showcases over 300 aircraft, including military planes and commercial airliners. This is great for young aviation enthusiasts, but may captivate audiences of all ages.
Visit the Pima County Public Library for books, learning, and cultural passes. Do you want to check out some of the local attractions while saving some cash? If you have a library card you can do just that! Cultural passes can be rented for: Amerind Museum, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Cave Creek Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, The Heard Museum, Pueblo Grande Museum, Reid Park Zoo, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Sedona Heritage Museum, Superstition Mountain Museum, Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Garden, University of Arizona Museum of Art.
Go on a day trip up to Mount Lemmon: Whether you go hiking, skiing, take an observatory tour to check out the stars, or simply to catch a monstrous-sized cookie at Cookie Cabin (be sure to brush afterwards!), Mount Lemmon offers a uniquely not-Tucson experience when you feel the mountains a calling.
