Family vacations in Tucson can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters -- it all depends on pretrip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Tucson family vacations.
Reid Park Zoo
Escape to the arctic and African savannah in the middle of Tucson at
, situated inside the city's sprawling, shady Reid Park. Children and their families will enjoy touring this small zoo, which offers up-close encounters with a polar bear, Chilean flamingo, jaguar, giant anteater, and other exotic animal species.
Address: 1100 S. Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ 85716Phone: 520-791-4022Hours: June through August: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. September through May: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.Price: Adults, $7; children, $3
Flandrau Science Center
The
, located on the University of Arizona campus, features a planetarium, hands-on science exhibits and a mineral museum. Not to be missed are the center's spectacular evening presentations and laser light shows, especially the "Legends of the Night Sky," a fun and informative guide to the night skies, and the family-friendly laser light show, which is choreographed to a medley of pop hits.
Address: 1601 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85719Phone: 520-621-7827Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Laser light shows Thursday through Sunday evenings (times vary).Price: Adults $7.50; children, $5. Does not include admission to laser light shows.
Children's Museum of Tucson
Children and their families will be impressed by the hands-on exhibits and displays at the
. Explore Dinosaur World, featuring three life-size dinosaurs robotically animated and choreographed to video and sound, or see an electrical Jacob's Ladder at the Electri-City station. Visitors will also enjoy the Ocean Discovery Center, where kids can listen to whale sounds and experience the underwater thrills of a submarine.
Address: 200 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701Phone: 520-792-9985Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day: Monday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for other dates.Price: Adults, $8; children, $6
Old Tucson Studios
Family fun abounds at Old Tucson Studios, Southern Arizona's world-famous Western movie studio and outdoor entertainment venue. Enjoy the thrills of dramatic Old West gun fights and daily stunt shows, explore the historic film and TV sets and try your luck at the shooting gallery. Kids will love riding the miniature antique cars and touring the studios aboard the C.P. Huntington Train.
Address: 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85735Phone: 520-883-0100Hours: June 1 through Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.Price: Adults, $16.95; children, $10.95
Pima Air and Space Museum
The
in Tucson is one of the largest air and space museums in the world and a great place to introduce children to the wonders of aviation. Take a tour of the famous aircraft "boneyard," get a close-up view of a large and pristine collection of restored World War II-era planes and enjoy the hands-on, kid-friendly exhibits at Hangar 1 North.
Address: 6000 E. Valencia Rd., Tucson, AZ 85756Phone: 520-574-0462Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. dailyPrice: Adults, $13.75; children, $8
Breakers Water Park
Catch a break from the desert heat at
, where the whole family can cool off on Breaker's Bay, southern Arizona's largest wave pool. For thrill-seekers of all ages, enjoy the twists and turns down the two tube slides of Splash Canyon or take an unforgettable ride down The Riptide, the largest water slide at this popular family destination.
Address: 8555 W. Tangerine Road, Marana, AZ 85653Phone: 520-682-2304Hours: May 28 through Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.Price: $10.95 to $20.95, depending on age
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has been welcoming visitors from around the world for over half a century, showcasing the unique biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert on over 21 acres on Tucson's west side. Don't expect boring exhibition halls or one-dimensional dioramas at this must-see destination -- this is a living museum where kids will come eye-to-eye with coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions and Gila monsters. Part zoo, part natural history museum, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum also boasts one of the best botanical gardens, featuring over 1,200 desert plants and trees.
Address: 2021 N. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743Phone: 520-883-1380Hours: June through August: Sunday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. September: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. October through February: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. March through May: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily.Price: June through August: adults, $12; children, $3. September through May: adults $14.50; children $4.50.
What are your favorite family vacation spots in Tucson?
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