Tucson's Ultimate Family Adventure

A 5-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary  

Embark on a captivating family adventure to the Sonoran Desert, where age knows no boundaries for thrilling exploration and unforgettable experiences. Tucson, with its vibrant blend of nature, culture, and gastronomy, sets the stage for a legendary family vacation.

Show your children the magical wonders of the desert – from slithering snakes to elusive scorpions, towering saguaros to refreshing swimming pools. This perpetually sunny state is the ideal destination to experience a memorable family getaway.

DAY 1: Sonoran Desert Discovery

Experience: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 

Explore: Rocks & Ropes

Stay:, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Westin La Paloma, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort 

Start your day with an up-close encounter with the desert's diverse wildlife. Over 52 species of snake call the Sonoran Desert home. Common snakes in Tucson, include the Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Sonoran Coral snake. Kids and adults alike will have a blast getting up close and personal with some of the 230 animal species who inhabit this diverse ecosystem. From stingrays to scorpions, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum promises an immersive experience on its 21-acre haven.

Next, climb to new heights, securely tethered in an air-conditioned environment at Rocks & Ropes. Climbers of all ages and experience levels can get all the thrills of rock climbing on the 35-foot vertical wall.

From a winding lazy river and upscale spa services at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa , to the Kids Club at the gorgeous Westin La Paloma, there are plenty of family-friendly options to check into tonight. You can even try drive-in movies during the warm months at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (where parents may also appreciate the spa and babysitting services on site).

DAY 2: Planes and Pancakes

Explore:  Pima Air & Space Museum

Experience: Musselman Honda Circuit

Eat: Millie's Pancake Haus, Guadalajara Original Grill

Choose from the short stack or the tall stack at Millie's Pancake Haus, which has been serving up this fluffy breakfast staple since 1964. You can go regular buttermilk or get fancy with one of the other 10 kinds of pancakes Millie has on the menu.

Kids and planes are always a winning combo. At the Pima Air & Space Museum, you can get right up to, underneath, or sometimes inside some 300 different aircraft from over 100 years of aerospace history. If it's a Saturday, kids can even participate in a STEM activity that might include shooting off a rocket or building a model airplane.

Staying with a transportation theme, zip over to Musselman Honda Circuit where the fastest fleet of go-karts in the state are waiting for you at the starting line. You might also consider harnessing the power of the wind and jumping onto a Blokart, also known as a land yacht, for an exciting (and swift) ride.

It's time for some authentic Mexican cuisine and mariachis. As you make your way back up north to your resort, stop at Guadalajara Original Grill where the tortillas are made by hand every day and the menu comes straight from owner Emma Yolanda Vera's Mexican hometown.

Day 3: Mini Museum Adventures and Mini Golf

Explore: The Children's Museum of Tucson

Experience:  Mini Time Machine Museum, Golf N' Stuff 

Let your kids' imaginations run wild at The Children's Museum of Tucson with two locations for double the fun. In Tucson, the museum is located in an historic 1901 building downtown that was once a library. Or you can visit the Oro Valley museum at the stunning Tohono Chul, where kids can enjoy both indoor and outdoor adventures surrounded by the nature and culture of the Sonoran Desert region. Among many activities, kids can pick a giant nose, become a veterinarian or launch a plastic bottle rocket to the ceiling. Andra's Garden on site grows veggies used at the Butterfly Garden and was created in conjunction with the local charity group, Ben's Bells.

Then, pretend you're a giant as you wander through The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. This magical collection of 300 tiny artifacts will transport you to different eras and places throughout history. Finish off the day, where quality family time is guaranteed with arcade games, miniature golf, bumper boats, and more at Golf N' Stuff.

DAY 4: Animal Day 

Explore: Reid Park Zoo

Experience: Tanque Verde Ranch

Eat: Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery

Get up close with animals at Reid Park Zoo, chat with monkeys, walk with peacocks, or experience a Giraffe Encounter! Stroll through 24 acres of lush habitats including a flamingo lagoon, South American rainforest, African wild dog territory, two walk-through aviaries, and so much more. 

You won't want to miss Expedition Tanzania, a Savannah habitat home to an African elephant herd with rambunctious youngsters! On your safari, catch a chat with educators to learn about wildlife and wild places and what you can do to protect them — and what the Zoo is doing too! When you're done exploring, enjoy lunch at the Zoofari café or catch a ride on the Wildlife Carousel or Zoo Train.

Next, saddle up for a horseback ride through the desert at Tanque Verde Ranch. This rustic yet relaxing dude ranch is surrounded by the Saguaro National Park and the Rincon Mountains and offers a myriad of activities for the whole family. You can experience all Tanque Verde has to offer even if you're not a guest of the ranch — everything from Jeep adventures to fishing and guided desert hikes.

Finish off the day with a stop at Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery on historic Congress Street where, sure, you can have dinner, or you can just skip right to dessert and sample some of their 20-plus flavors of ice cream. Are you more of a Nutter Butter or a Strawberry Tres Leches Cake kind of person?

DAY 5: Caves and Dinner Theater

Explore: Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Experience: Gaslight Theater

Eat: Beyond Bread

Discover the fascinating world of stunning rock formations, mysterious caves, and desert beauty at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. The guided tour into the cave is an easy half-mile walk that will take you about 40 minutes and is perfect for young families. Older kids and teens may also enjoy the nearby Kartchner Caverns with its abundance of stalactites to explore.

After a morning of exploring, treat yourselves to breakfast at Beyond Bread, which, as the name implies, is known for its amazing bread — and so much more. Try one of their egg sandwiches and be sure to spring for a pastry to share.

The Gaslight Theater has been called one-of-a-kind for its often-hilarious take on dinner theater. There's no pretentiousness here — get comfy, order a pizza and enjoy such performances as The Lone Stranger, Gnatman or Scrooge the Musical.

Discover the heart of family joy in Tucson, where each moment becomes a cherished memory. Discover more Tucson adventutres by downloading the Tucson Official Travel Guide.