Things to do with kids in Tucson

Things to do with kids in Tucson

1. See

   Arizona History Museum

   This museum is devoted to the history of Tucson and the surrounding area, with relevant displays.

   Mon-Thu 9AM-4PM, Fri 9AM-8PM, Sat Sun 11AM-4PM·$8 (adults), $6 (seniors), $5 (students), $4 (children 7-17), free (children under 7)

2. See

   Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

   More like Biosphere II than a walled institution, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is part zoo, part natural history museum and part botanical garden all in one Tucson attraction. From tarantulas to black bears, coyotes to scorpions, the museum-zoo is an entrancing and full-contact tribute to the Sonoran desert's wildlife (the wire fences are nearly invisible and the hummingbirds in the buzzing, walk-in aviary seem to think you are the attraction). Give yourself time to soak in the Southwest splendor and if time is all you have, the Museum is also on the fringes of Saguaro National Park, home to the world's largest forests of Saguaro cacti.

   Oct-Feb 8:30AM-5PM, Mar-Sep 7:30AM-5PM·$14.50/adult, $5/child (Sep-May); $12/adult, $4/child Jun-Aug

3. See

   Colossal Cave Mountain Park

   A "dry" cave with 3½ miles of mapped passageways. The cave was used by pre-Columbian Native Americans, and rediscovered in 1879. Also on park grounds are a cowboy ranch museum, a butterfly garden, horseback trails, and picnic and camping facilities.

   Daily 8AM-5PM, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tours hourly, last tour at 4PM·Park: $5 (auto), $1 (bicycle); cave: $16 (adults), $9 (children 5-12)

4. See

   De Grazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District

   A collection of buildings on a 10-acre site, designed and built by well-known Arizona painter Ettore 'Ted' DeGrazia (1909-1982); the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A gallery showcases the artist's work in six permanent collections as well as special rotating exhibits, and a gift shop onsite sells good quality reproductions of some of his work. In early December the grounds also host the annual Fiesta de Guadalupe. The chapel is closed due to fire damage.

   Daily 10AM-4PM; closed 1 Jan, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas·$8 (adults), $5 (children 12-18), free (children under 12)

5. Eat

   El Charro Café

   Opened in 1922, El Charro is the oldest continuously-operated, family-owned Mexican restaurant in the United States. The food is classic Southwestern, with more Sonoran influences than many Tucson restaurants.

   Daily 10AM-9PM

6. See

   El Tiradito

   The Castaway

   El Tiradito is the only shrine to a sinner in North America. In the 1880s, a young man had an affair with his mother-in-law. When caught in the act, his father-in-law shot him and he stumbled from bed and ran out of the house. He dropped dead on this spot, and because he had not confessed his sins, he could not be buried in the church yard. His family and friends interred him where he fell, but remembered him with candles and flowers. People still burn candles and leave offerings today. Best visited at dusk or after dark.

7. Do

   Funtasticks Family Fun Park

   Park with different activities such as waterslides, bumper boats, go-karts, minigolf and arcade games. It has a fast food restaurant.

8. See

   Pima Air & Space Museum

   Features over 400 historic aircraft on an 80-acre (32 hectares) site with five hangars, three of them devoted to World War II. Veterans and volunteers are often on hand to answer any questions, and there are daily walking tours of the grounds. There is an onsite restaurant.

   Daily 9AM-5PM (last admission at 3PM); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas·Admission for 1-day pass: $19.50 (adults), $15.25 (Pima County residents), $16.75 (seniors), $13 (children ages 5-12), free (children under age 5); for 2-day pass: $26 (adults), $20.25 (Pima County residents), $22.75 (seniors), $15.50 (children ages 5-12), free (under age 5)

9. See

   Reid Park Zoo

   Cares for more than 500 animals. The zoo has a state-of-the-art facility for treating cancers with radiation and heat therapy, and treats animal patients from zoos all over the country.

   Jun-Aug: daily 8AM-3PM, Sep-May: 9AM-4PM·Adult $9, senior $7, child 2-14 $5

10. Eat

    Rosa's Mexican Food Restaurant

    Excellent Sonoran-style Mexican food in this family-owned and operated storefront restaurant. Rosa's salsa is consistently voted one of the top three in Tucson by the readers of the Tucson Weekly. The food is heavy on the meat and cheese, with buttery tortillas and delicious refried beans. Main course $7-$10.

    Daily 11AM-10PM

11. Eat

    Teresa’s Mosaic Cafe

    This long-established family-owned restaurant serves authentic Sonoran Mexican cuisine, and they make their own tortillas onsite. The albóndigas (Mexican meatballs) are especially recommended.

    Mon-Sat 7:30AM-9PM, Sun 7:30AM-2PM·Mains $9-16

12. See

    Tucson Museum of Art

    A museum complex housed in a collection of historic adobe houses, this museum hosts exhibits of regional contemporary art, as well as the Arizona Biennial. Its permanent collection of Latin American and pre-Columbian art is particularly noteworthy. There is a well-stocked shop in the lobby that is open during museum hours.

    Tue Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·$12 (adults), $10 (seniors), $7 (students/children 13-17), free (children under 13); free on 1st Th of month from 5PM-8PM

13. Do

    Wa:k Pow Wow

    This annual two-day event showcases traditional dancing from a number of different regional tribes. Booths offer crafts and jewelry for sale, as well as food and beverages.

    2nd weekend in March; activities begin at 10AM on Sat and extend until 6PM on Sun·$7 (adults), $5 (children), free (children under 6); $3 for parking

14. See Not mapped

    Tram Tour

    As the grounds are so large, a tour tram is offered for those who do not wish to walk. The guided tour lasts one hour and covers 1½ miles and more than 150 planes. Departure times vary, so it is best to call ahead or inquire at the entrance.

    Price is in addition to museum admission: $6 (adults), free (children under 6)

15. See

    Children's Museum Tucson

    200 S 6th Ave

    Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM·$6 (children 1-18), $8 (adults), $6 (seniors); $2 2nd Sa of the month

16. See

    Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson

    MOCA

    Hosts exhibits of regional and national contemporary art.

    Wed-Sun noon-5PM·$8 (adults), $5 (students/seniors), free (veterans, military, children under 17); free on last Su of every month

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tucson (CC BY-SA 4.0).