Things To Do In Tucson with Kids

There are dozens of  fun things to do in Tucson with kids. And most are not very expensive.

Arizona-Sonora Desert MuseumSince they were young, our four grandchildren have been visiting us here in Tucson twice a year (Spring or Summer and always Christmas) for a week or three at a time. They are, in descending order of age: Jessie, Colby, Jon & Morgan.
I can’t tell you specifically what fun thing you can do with your kids. Depends on age, ability, and interests. But I can tell you what our grandchildren enjoyed over the years.
I asked them what they enjoyed most. Here is their list of favorites. This website has VIDEOS related to almost all of them.

When They Were Young

1. The Desert Museum

Gila Monster
Strange plants and stranger critters. Young children have a fascination for the strange, the dangerous, and the mysterious. Thus, they were particularly intrigued by rattlesnakes, scorpions, tarantulas, and other creepy-crawlies.
They also enjoyed the program called “Live & On The Loose” where they got up close and personal with unique and deadly creatures, such as the Gila Monster and Mexican Beaded Lizard. The staff is particularly good at explaining each animal’s unique characteristics and what to do should they get bit by one.

Harris' Hawk in flight

Raptor Free Flight

Also, two other perennial hits at the Desert Museum:  (1) the dark, mysterious cave with meandering crawl holes and many underground exhibits, including exotic, stunningly beautiful Arizona minerals; and (2) the Raptor Free Flight Program, where they stood in awe as hawks, falcons, and owls swooped untethered right above their heads. Amazing!
Visit the Desert Museum website.

2. Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon Falls

Boyz at Falls – Sabino Canyon

We generally take the tram to the end (Stop #9), walk down to Stop #7, then make our way to the creek where the kids can play in the stream and pools of water. No matter the season, hiking Sabino Creek and Bear Canyon to Seven Falls is delightful. Sometimes we take a picnic lunch. Great fun! Watch our video on Sabino Canyon and then visit the Website. Note: the tram isn’t  expensive, but they only accept cash.

3. Tombstone

Acting up in Tombstone

Fun in Tombstone

On the weekends and major holidays, Tombstone Vigilantes and other groups recreate the Old West in the middle of Allen Street, complete with 1880′s fashion shows, desperado hangings, and loud, raucous gunfights. Great fun! The kids particularly enjoyed riding in the stagecoach, lunch at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, and the Old Courthouse – a fine museum that offers a realistic picture of historic Tombstone. Next time we go, we’ll reserve a Walking Tour with Dr. Jay.

4. Rocks & Ropes

Climbing at Rocks & Ropes

Morgan at Rocks & Ropes

Here they learned the techniques of safe rock climbing before they set out to conquer a hoodoo on the road to Mt. Lemmon. Generally, an hour of climbing walls was all it took to wear them out. But they loved it and always want to go back. The staff at Rocks & Ropes is very good about safety and each child is given thorough instructions before being allowed more than 5 feet off the ground. Rocks and Ropes hosts outings to cliffs such as Mt. Lemmon as well.

5. Learning About Guns

Many an hour was spent shooting tin cans with their BB gun on our property before they were old enough to handle the big guns. I’m not a gun nut. Nor do I support NRA ideology. But I think children should learn gun safety and shooting skills. Thus, I have taken them to Marksman on Prince Road for a five-hour class on firearms and indoor shooting range time with a professional instructor.

6. Off Road Adventures

ATV's

Riding ATV’s

When we first moved here, we rented ATV’s and the kids rode around for hours. What great fun they had. You can take your kids on ATV Tours. They shall remember it fondly for the rest of their lives. Guaranteed! For Off Roading in the Arizona Desert, visit the State Park’s Off Highway Vehicle Program page.

As They Became Teenagers

Everything they liked doing here when younger, they still want to do when they come. But as they grew into their early teen years, we added other activities per their request.

7. Golf

Morgan Tees Off

Morgan Tees Off at Silverbell Golf Course

The Municipal Golf Courses are inexpensive and fairly easy – perfect for teaching youngsters the great game they can play for the rest of their lives. If your children are new to the game, give them at least one professional lesson. It will make all the difference in their enjoyment of the game. One of the first things the boys want to do when they arrive in Tucson for a couple of weeks is to go to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls. And I delight in taking them. Once they get their shots under control (relatively speaking) we make a tee time.

8. Trap & Skeet

Our grandchildren have outgrown their BB gun and tin cans. Now they want a 12 gauge and a fast-moving, unpredictable, clay target. So, we take them to the Tucson Trap & Skeet Club where we rent shotguns ($12) and blast away for an hour or two. This is a fine facility for teenagers. Before they are ever handed a shotgun, the expert staff gives the kids a lesson in gun safety in general and safety procedures on the range in particular. The staff here is great. Strictly safety first.

9. Horseback Riding

Horseback RidingSouthern Arizona has many stables and miles of horse trails. Horseback riding is particularly enjoyable if you are staying at one of our fine dude ranches. Jessie prefers horseback riding to golf. Jon – just the opposite. But we do it all and have a great time together.
Watch our Bandit Outfitters Video.
A few recommended stables are:
A review of the White Stallion Ranch or  visit  their website here;
Tanque Verde Ranch
Bandit Outfitters at Colossal Cave Mountain Park.


In between all of the above, we’ve enjoyed:

10. Historical Museums

Many fine Southern Arizona historical museums can be found in our Southern Arizona Guide Museums page.

11. Hike Mt. Lemmon

or for more ideas visit our page on Hiking in Southern Arizona.

12. Observing the Night Sky

See our Kitt Peak and Mt Lemmon videos, and my review of the Sky Center and visit the websites.

13. Learning at the Science Centers

Biosphere 2 north of Tucson.
Flandreau Science Center at the University of Arizona Campus.

14. Visit Historical Sites and Reenactments

such as the Civil War Re-enactment every year at Picacho Peak State Park.

15. Learn to appreciate the Arts.

Visit the Center for Creative Photography;
The Tucson Art Museum;
& the U of A Art Museum

16. Visit the Reid Park Zoo

17. Hands on Learning Programs.

Kids Create Family Fun Program at the The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.
The Tucson Museum of Art offers Free Classes for Kids as well as sponsoring other events.
Pottery Classes for youth at the Romero House.
Visit the Gadsden-Pacific Toy Train Museum open every other Sunday.

18. Swimming and so much more.

Our next big adventure: A Hot Air Balloon Ride.

Balloon Over Our House

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Summer Art Classes for Kids At TMA

TMA Summer Art Classes for Kids

If I still had school age children or grandchildren, I would be instantly attracted to the Tucson Museum of Art’s summer art classes for kids. When our grandchildren were still young and being home schooled, my contribution to their worldly education was a weekly field trip. So I was always on the lookout for fun [...]

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A Time Machine Right Here In Tucson

Our unique Tucson Museum of Miniatures, The Mini-Time Machine, is one of our favorite local attractions. We’ve taken visiting friends and family here for the past few years and all have found it fascinating. The first thing visitors usually notice is the state-of-the-art facility. The Mini is definitely not a dusty garage stuffed with old [...]

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Ghosts of Bisbee

Upstairs at the Grand Hotel in Bisbee Historic District

I stayed overnight at the Eldorado Suites Hotel in Bisbee, but did not encounter any ghosts. Nor was I promised any such encounters. Lots of places in Bisbee are “said” to be haunted. The historic old Grand Hotel on Main Street, for example. Lindsey, the bartender there described to me several otherworldly “events” she had personally experienced. Spooky.

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Bats Under The Bridge: Who Knew?

Campbell St Bridge Bats

I had heard rumors that thousands of bats live under the North Campbell Street bridge (just south of River) and that they take flight at sundown in the summer. This urban legend seemed more plausible when I found out that docents from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum are there every Thursday evening to share their knowledge [...]

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25 Cool Things To Do This Summer In Tucson and Southern Arizona!

So, What Fun things are there to do in Tucson when it is Hot Hot in the Summer? Read on.
Summer is here. The thermometer says so. The snowbirds have left for cooler regions, shops have closed up for the off season or downsized, and we who live here year ’round search for entertaining things to do, especially with the kids, that won’t result in heat stroke.

Here is a list of fun things you and your family can do to cool off or stay cool. No surprise that most involve water, air conditioning, or higher elevation.

1. Museums

. They offer much to learn and appreciate about our art, history, and cultural heritage. And it’s cool in there. Tucson & the rest of Baja Arizona have many excellent museums. See our Museum page for ideas.

2.Sabino Canyon

Cool off in Sabino Creek. Hike in the early morning or late afternoon. There are several interesting trails here for hikers of all abilities. See the map at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center also has many fine exhibits about the Canyon.
Note: the creek may not have much water in it during our dry summer months. But come the monsoons, the water will rise. Just be cautious of heavy rains in the mountains above and the resulting possibility of flash floods. Very dangerous!
Get an introduction to this natural treasure from our original video here. No restaurant at Sabino Canyon. Bring lots of water and a picnic.

3.Roper Lake

Roper Lake Cabins

Camping in Comfort

Go fishing, camping and swimming at Roper Lake State Park near Safford. Visit the official Website here. Rent a cabin if you like air conditioning.

4.Patagonia Lake

Take a boat out on Patagonia Lake State Park and do a little fishing for the dinner table. Available for rent are canoes and row boats at the marina. Or, with certain restrictions (no cruise ships or submarines), you can bring your own boat. For more information visit the website here.

Near Patagonia there are many things to do. For instance, there are ghost towns not too far away, such as Duquesne, Kentucky Camp, and Washington Camp.

And the wineries of Sonoita and Elgin are fairly close. Canelo Hills Vineyards is having a Summer Wine Festival over Memorial Day Weekend.

But whatever else you do around Patagonia, do dine at our favorite pizza parlor, the famous Velvet Elvis.

5. Parker Canyon Lake

Parker Lake viewed through trees

Photo: Beverly Holmes

Rent a row boat or kayak at Parker Canyon Lake. At 5400′ elevation, it’s a lot cooler up here than on the desert floor. See our review here. For more information visit the Parker Canyon Lake website here.

6. Public Pools

Go for a swim at the Y or one of the Tucson Parks and Recreation pools around town. For a Map, locations and hours visit the official Tucson Parks and Rec Website here.
In Marana has the Wade Mclean-Marana High School Pool. Check it out here. Our grandchildren went last year. It was uncrowded and they had a blast. Most pools open Memorial Day Weekend.

7.Matinees

Take in a matinee at one of the many modern movie theaters in town. Click here for a list of theaters.

8.The Loft

Enjoy a cult classic or documentary film at The Loft. Visit the Loft Website for a complete schedule.

9.Fox Theater

See a movie classic or a live performance at the Fox. There are some movie matinee’s this summer. Visit The Fox Website for a calendar.

10.Rialto Theater

The Historic Rialto Theater has plenty of summer offerings for the young and young-at-heart.

11. Mt. Lemmon

Butterfly Nebula

Butterfly Nebula

There is plenty to do in the cool heights of Mt. Lemmon. Camping, hiking, and of course stargazing through a large telescope at the Sky Center at the top. View the article about our visit to the Sky Center here. Make a reservation.

View our Mt. Lemmon video. Then take the scenic drive up the mountain for some chili and pie at the Iron Door or try out the new Sawmill restaurant in Summerhaven. Let us know what you think.

12.Breakers

Breakers Water Park

Breakers Water Park

Take the kids to the Breakers Water Park. Open Memorial Day weekend and daily through July, except Mondays. See the whole schedule here.

13. Caves

Colossal Caves Overlook

Descend into a cool cave. Visit Colossal Cave Mountain Park or Kartchner Caverns State Park.

14.Desert Museum

Visit the Desert Museum after the sundown for Summer Saturday Evenings. Check the schedule of events here.

15.Earth Camp

Find camps for kids here at the Desert Museum’s Earth Camp page. There are 2 overnights for Middle school scheduled in June and an extended camp for high school students in late June, early July.

16.Titan Missile Museum

The Titan II Missile Museum tour will warm you up then drop you into the cool underground silo where the mightly missile still stands at attention.

Discover the fascinating local history of the Cold War, check out our video here. Then visit the official website here for Special Tours, including Moonlight Madness tour, the Top to Bottom tour of all 8 levels and an overnight stay.

17.Bisbee

It’s a trek for a day, but a tour of the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum and Copper Queen Mine will keep you cool. And at 5500 ft. elevation, the Bisbee’s great out-of-doors is  considerably cooler than Tucson’s . For a taste of the adventures before you head out, see our page on Bisbee.

And if you’re going to stay overnight, which we recommend, check out the Calumet & Arizona Guest House in our Dining and Lodging Reviews section.

18.0.Kitt Peak – Daytime

Head up to Kitt Peak for a daytime picnic. Bring your own food. There is no restaurant here. At 7,000 ft elevation, temperatures on Kitt Peak are typically 15-20 cooler than the valley floor. Day tour information can be found here including a 10 am tour of the solar telescope. The Day use area closes at 4 pm, but if you have tickets and are so inclined you can …

18.5.Kitt Peak – Nighttime

… remain at Kitt Peak for a cool evening of astronomical wonders during their Night Observation Program. See our video on Kitt Peak, then visit the website here for more information. There are Youth Group overnights available as well.

19.Madera Canyon

An Elusive Coati in Bonita Canyon

Madera Canyon is great for a hike, a picnic and serious bird watching. Who knows, you may even see an elusive Coati, like this one we photographed at Bonita Canyon in the Chiricahuas last April.

20.Chiricahua Mountains

Roughly two hours east of Tucson, the Chiricahua Mountains are one of our favorite places in Baja Arizona. This was once home to Chief Cochise and his band of Chiricahua Apaches.

Bonita Creek Campground

Bonita Creek Campground

On the west side of the mountains is Chiricahua National Monument with its camping and picnicking area along Bonita Creek and, at the top, the strangely beautiful place named “Wonderland of Rocks”. Great hiking here! And at 7,000 ft. elevation, relatively cool in the summer. If you go, be sure to get a tour of Faraway Ranch. Tour schedules are at the Visitor Center.

Portal, AZ. Store, Cafe, and Lodge

Portal, AZ. Store, Cafe, and Lodge.

On the east side of the mountains is Cave Creek were you can camp and hike or stay in a cabin or a room at Portal Peak Lodge. You can read about our road trip out that way by clicking here.

21. Ramsey Canyon

Ramsey Canyon Preserve is near Sierra Vista. It is owned by the Nature Conservancy. Near the top of the canyon use to be a mining camp. You can still see the remnants. On the way is one of the finest hikes in all of Baja Arizona.

Elegant Trogon

Elegant Trogon

This is a beautiful, cool forested area with a year ’round stream and amazing plant & wildlife diversity, including 15 species of hummingbirds and dozens of other bird species, such as the rare elegant trogon. Here you will also find bears, deer, and other wild critters. Bring your camera.

OK. I said 25, and so far we only have 21. I promise to find 4 more cool things to do in or near Tucson in the summer months, but I need your help.

What is your favorite thing to do to beat the heat? Suggestions are welcome. Contact Southern Arizona Guide or just send us an email at: info@southernarizonaguide.com.

Tucson, AZ: There’s A Guy Here Who Wants To Bug You!

androctonus bicolor thumb

Ken “The Bug Guy” MacNeil is a bugologist who has opened his mid-town Tucson pet store with an inventory of over 10,000 bugs. Spiders of course. And scorpions, tarantulas, millipedes, and dozens of other crawling species. Having a bug for a pet has several advantages over the usual dog or cat. Less maintenance. Less cost. [...]

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Things To Do In Graham Country: Roper Lake, Dankworth Ponds, & Discovery Park

Black Hills ByWay Picnic Area

The area near Safford has several worthwhile things to see and do: Roper Lake State Park, Dankworth Ponds, and Discovery Park. Just to the west of Safford is 10,000 foot-high Mt. Graham. At the top are some of the most powerful telescopes on earth. The road to Mt. Graham is about as steep, narrow, and windy as you’re likely to find in the United States. There’s a nice picnic area about 8 miles up this road from Rt. 191 a few miles south of Safford.

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The National Park’s Junior Ranger program

The Junior Ranger program exists throughout the National Park Service. Last weekend we took Anna and Isabella to Tumacácori National Park. Isabella (7) enjoyed finding the different pictures along the way. She received a badge and a certificate at the end. There are other Junior Ranger programs at other National Parks, including Saguaro National Park. Visit the National Park Website for more information. … Continue reading