Heading to Southern Arizona and looking for fun things to do in Tucson with kids? We have you covered here with our top 10 epic things to do in this adorable town.
Surrounded by 4 mountain ranges, bookended by a national park and situated on the banks of a river is one of Arizona’s most welcoming towns. Tucson, Arizona is well known for being a fun loving college town and a haven for star watchers looking to study the skies. It’s newest claim to fame as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy is quickly making a name for the town with the foodies.
Even with all the accolades, families often overlook Tucson, instead focusing their holidays on the big names of the state like the Grand Canyon and Route 66. And that is a shame. After 10 days in Tucson, we found it to be the perfect destination for a family vacation, especially for families who love the outdoors.
Additionally, Tucson provides a great deal of activities combining history, culture and science, making it a dream for homeschoolers or any family who likes to add fun, engaging educational experiences into their travels. Read on, for our top 15 things to do in Tucson with kids.
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15 Fun Things to Do in Tucson with Kids
1. Stay at a Dude Ranch
Staying at a dude ranch is one of the best things to do in Tucson with kids. There are several great dude ranch experiences in Tucson to choose from. Two of our favorites that we visited are the White Stallion Ranch on the border of Saguaro National Park West and Tanque Verde Ranch on the border of the eastern side of Saguaro National Park. Get your inner cowboy fix by riding horses every day and soaking up the desert sun at the comfortable but rustic surroundings of the ranches. Even if you cannot stay at one of the ranches, find the time to go horseback riding somewhere in Tucson to get a feel for the wild west.
2. Go Hiking at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is one of the best places close to the city center of Tucson to go hiking, especially for families. While there are many trails in the canyon, families will enjoy the 45 minute narrated tram ride into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. There are 9 stops along the way (some with restroom facilities and water) where you can get on/off. I suggest riding to the top, stop #9 and walking down on the paved road until you are tired. Once back to the bottom, check into the visitor center to inquire about other short trails located here. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot some animals.
3. Visit Saguaro National Park
Saguaro park bookends the city of Tucson on both the east and west sides of town. It’s a treat to spend some time wandering around massive fields of saguaro which only grow here in the Sonoran desert. If you are limited with time, I suggest visiting the western side of the park which has the most concentrated areas of saguaro with many hiking trails. If you want more information on what to do and see there, read our guide to visiting Saguaro National Park. Definitely make time to see at least one sunset here – it’s truly magical.
4. Learn at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Part natural history museum, part zoo and part botanical garden make the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum a special place to visit while in Tucson. The Arizona-Sonora Desert museum sits on the outskirts of the western Saguaro National Park, and is well worth a visit to learn more about the flora and fauna that call this region home. Docents are located at various parts of the outdoor museum with exhibits providing hands on learning for both children and adults. Think of the museum as a zoo, in that you will be outside and walking quite a bit. More than 85% of the museum is outdoors leading visitors through 2 miles of various habitats, so bring the strollers and lots of cold water. We heard nothing but rave reviews about this museum prior to our visit and it did not disappoint.
5. Experience the Biosphere
Have you heard of the Biosphere before? I hadn’t, but several friends had and told me all about it. And it’s one of the 50 must see wonders of the world! The gist – a crazy, amazing science experience gone haywire. In the late 80s a group of scientists began construction on a building that would help them research self sustainability in terms of space-colonization technology. The scientists were meant to be locked into this facility with no one coming or going for several years. In the meantime, tons of experiments were conducted and data was collected. As you can imagine, a small space with many people cooped up for years on end did not end well.
The building and property was tossed around for several years until it came into the hands of the University of Arizona who now uses the facility to advance the world’s understanding of natural and man-made environments through scientific experimentation. It’s super cool and a must visit when you are in the area. Our favorite part was seeing the “lungs” of the building move up and down with the pressurization. Some really cool stuff went into the building of this space and will be a favorite for both kids and adults who are into science and the natural world. For smaller kids, there are coloring books at the front to keep them occupied if they get bored while on the guided tour.
6. Witness the Wild West in Tombstone
Tombstone is technically not in Tucson, but if you are in the area, you need to make a detour to the old wild west! I was skeptical thinking this was going to be a tacky tourist stop, but it was actually pretty fascinating and ended up being a favorite. The town of Tombstone has stayed the same for many years and has turned into a place where locals and visitors alike dress in period clothing to relive their fantasies of the wild west, guns and all! It’s a mesmerizing place. If you want to delve deeper into the actual history of the town (which I highly recommend you do), take a tour with Dr. Jay (a former dentist) for an entertaining account of the famous “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral”. While in town, don’t be shy, spend some time chatting to the locals who are dressed up. They were all so welcoming and loved to chat about how they found themselves living in this wild west recreation.
7. Go Back in Time at the Presidio San Augustin Museum
Step back in time to 1775 to be exact, at the Presidio San Augustin Museum. This museum showcases a recreated Presidio as well as a collection of old row houses. Sleeping quarters, wells and more are brought to life with living history volunteers recreating life in the past. Additionally, docents host exhibits for families to present different things from the past. During our visit, the kids got to crush up cochineal bugs (found on the prickly pear cactus) to make paint. It was so cool to see how this was done. We used to have these bugs on our cactus and had heard you could use it as a dye, but had no idea how. It was amazing to learn how it was done and to actually use it. If you have history buffs or kids who like to see how life was in the olden days, this is a must visit in Tucson.
8. Study the Sky at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
One thing Tucson is widely known for is it’s dark skies. Classified as a dark sky city, Tucson takes their mission seriously by limiting light pollution throughout the city with special types of lighting. That said, you can’t leave without spending some time just soaking up the insane amount of stars displayed above you. To educate yourself a bit more on what you will see in the sky, take a trip to the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus. Ticket prices include a planetarium show, time to explore the hands on science center exhibits as well as the mineral gem museum. The museum is small, but provides a great deal of things for kids to check out, play with and learn more about. This is a great alternative for families with kids of all ages when it is way too hot to be outside hiking around!
9. Kid Time at the Children’s Museum Tucson
If it’s hot, the kids need to just play and be surrounded by other kids for a while in air conditioned rooms, then head to the Children’s Museum Tucson. Re-designed for children of all ages, the museum features hands on exhibits throughout several rooms. Kids will have a ball playing on the police motorcycle, driving a firetruck and playing EMT in a walk-in ambulance. There is an art room with a variety of art supplies and crafts depending on the current them, science exhibits, a train room and a super cool vet’s office for kids to play pretend. Our favorite was the “bodyology” exhibit where my son stuck his head in a mouth and got surprised with a burp! This is a top Tucson attraction for kids under 12.
10. Chill at Kartchner Caverns State Park
Kartchner Caverns State Park is also not quite in Tucson, rather a bit of a drive from town. However, if you have some extra time, it’s well worth venturing out for. Note, they are very specific about their formalities here. There is absolutely no photography allowed. You cannot even take your bags inside, so leave everything in the car or prepare to pay for a locker once you are inside the visitor center. This was a bit of a disappointment to be honest, but we survived without our phones or cameras for the duration.. just barely though! Also note, the park rangers are very particular about any body parts touching the rocks, so keep the little ones with you as much as you can and inform the rangers if any accidental touches occur so they can mark it for cleaning.
Formalities over, this cave is pretty cool to see and is easily accessible for all in the family if you have never seen a limestone cave before. There are two different cave tour options ranging from 1.5 hours to almost 2 hours. The actual walking distance is only about 1/2 mile on a paved path. Reservations are required and it is suggested that visitors arrive no later than 1 hour prior to tour time. During this time you can check out the exhibits in the visitor center, have a snack at the small cafe or buy some goodies a the on-site shop. The caves remain at approximate 70 degrees year round with 99% humidity. It will definitely feel much different than outside, especially during the summer heat.
11. Take Off at the Pima Air Space Museum
This 80 acre space and aviation museum is high on most to do lists for things to do in Tucson with kids for good reason.
12. See Animals at Reid Park Zoo
For families that love animals and enjoy checking out local zoos, the Reid Park Zoo should be on your list of kid friendly attractions in Tucson.
13. Get Hands-on at the International Wildlife Museum
The International Wildlife Museum in Tucson is another great places for families to visit while in town. The hands on natural history museum is a great place to explore when it is too hot to venture outside and the splash pads aren’t open yet! There are dioramas depicting wild animals in their natural settings on display, videos, interactive computers, as well as hands-on exhibits about wildlife appreciation and conservation.
14. See Tiny Things at Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
While we didn’t have time to make it here, some folks in our group did and they said it was fantastic! I can imagine that this would be a super fun thing to do in Tucson with kids – especially those who are into tiny things! The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures houses a extensive collection of pieces including over 500 dollhouses and roomboxes, with special exhibitions throughout the year that highlight the diversity of the art of miniatures. A unique museum well worth a visit if you have time.
15. Eat all the Delicious Food in Tucson
One of the best things to do in Tucson is to eat! Tucson is classified as a UNESCO city of gastronomy and loaded with delectable options for all palates big and small. And if you know me, you know I love it even more since there is an abundance of Mexican food scattered around the town with 23 mile stretch of amazing Mexican food waiting to be samples. We share all of our favorite kid friendly places on our where to eat in Tucson post, but for starters… check out Poco & Mom’s Cantina and El Charro Cafe our two favorites.
Where to Stay in Tucson with Kids
Now that you know all the amazing things to do in Tucson, I am sure you are wondering where are the best places to stay with kids. Apart from the awesome dude ranch options provided above, we highly recommend checking out the Westin La Paloma, which is a gorgeous resort and spa overlooking the Santa Catalina mountains.
Another fantastic option for families is the JW Marriott Starr Pass. Set on 50 acres of land located in the saguaro-covered foothills, this property provides exceptional views of the mountains and valleys around Tucson in a luxurious setting.
For those a bit more budget conscious, the Hilton Conquistador is another large resort in Tucson providing much of what the other two hotels mentioned above provide – golf, pools and expansive views, but at a bit lower of a price tag.
To read more about our hotel recommendations, check out our post on Where to Stay in Tucson with Kids!
Have you been to Tucson? What are your favorite family friendly activities?
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**Thank you to VisitTucson for sponsoring part of our 10 day visit to Tucson. As always all opinions are my own.