Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743 520-883-2702

Description: WEST TUCSON. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of Tucson's star attractions, with good reason. Part zoo, part natural history museum, and part botanical garden, the facility is set on 21 acres and is home to numerous animals that roam freely within invisibly-fenced enclosures. After checking out the exhibits in the main visitor center, wander along two miles of paved pathways, where you can catch sight of endangered species such as the Mexican wolf, thick-billed parrot, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, and the Gila topminnow; and not-so-endangered critters like leafcutter ants, black bears, river otters, bighorn sheep, coatis, beavers, coyote, javelinas, black-tailed prairie dogs, termites and roadrunners. And don't miss the captivating cactus garden or the Hummingbird Aviary!
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Breakers

8555 Tangerine Rd, Marana, AZ 85653 520-682-2304

Description: MARANA. One of Tucson's two water parks, Breakers boasts Arizona's largest wave pool, plus five super slides, two tube slides and an entire section set aside especially for little kids. When it's time for a break, huge shade umbrellas and covered ramadas protect guests from the blazing desert sun, and the snack bars offer cold drinks, pizza and other kid-friendly food. No outside food or drink is permitted.
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Catalina State Park

11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85740 520 628-5798

Description: CATALINAS. About 20 miles north of downtown Tucson, this popular park offers gorgeous desert vistas and plenty of recreational activities that allow you to take in the scenic beauty of the area. Have a picnic at one of more than 100 picnic areas, hike one of numerous well-groomed trials, or participate in a geological dig. Camping, horseback riding and bird watching are also available.
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International Wildlife Museum

4800 W Gates Pass Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745 520-629-0100

Description: WEST TUCSON. It may seem a bit unorthodox these days to center a museum around a collection of stuffed and preserved animals and insects, but this one actually succeeds. Starting with the holdings of numerous educational institutions and individuals, the curators here have developed an engaging, hands-on learning experience. True, the taxidermists' craft is well represented, but where else can kids (and adults) touch and handle real skulls, fur and skin? And unless you see them up close, it's difficult at best to envision the size and mass of a rhino, a grizzly bear or an elephant. And while you've probably seen "Ice Age" at least once, there are only a handful of places to see a real saber-tooth cat, and this is one of them! Those are some mighty long fangs...
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Old Tucson Studios

210 S Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85735 520-883-0100

Description: WEST TUCSON. The setting for many favorite Western movies (including Tombstone, Gunfight at the OK Corral, The Three Amigos, and countless John Wayne flicks), the Old Tucson Movie Studio had become something of a cinematic legend. Though a fire destroyed the studio in 1995, it has been carefully restored. Guests are treated to great views of the Tucson Mountains and the Sonoran Dessert. Attractions have been expanded to include pony rides, carnival games, stagecoach tours, exhibits and an Opera House featuring live performances. Shopping and dining are plentiful at this unique attraction that offers a nostalgic glimpse of the Old West.
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T Rex Museum

3861 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705 520-888-0746

Description: NORTH TUCSON. Although the T Rex Museum definitely strives to entertain and educate the under-12 set, there are plenty of adults who will find it engaging. The private museum is packed with cool stuff ­ fossils, dino replicas, displays of live insects and reptiles (for perspective), hands-on exhibits, and activities. At the end, venture in to the Paleo Pits where you get to dig for (and keep!) your very own dinosaur fossil. If you have kids, don't miss this one!
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Trail Dust Town

6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715 520-296-5442

Description: NORTHEAST. Way back in the 1950s, a Glenn Ford movie was shot on location in Tucson, and the various buildings left behind were converted into Trail Dust Town. Although the original burned down in 1970, the complex was rebuilt and thrives today as a fun commercial center with the Pinnacle Peak steakhouse, a museum, shops and attractions. Although most shops open around noon, things don't really get hopping until evening. That's when the miniature train and carousel start their nightly rounds, the Museum of the Horse Soldier opens up, and the wild west shows get underway. A fun time for the whole family!
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Tucson Children's Museum

200 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85702-2609 520-792-9985

Description: DOWNTOWN. This Tucson institution is brimming with fun learning activities that cover several topics. The Dinosaur World exhibits make this the perfect companion to the T Rex Museum for your little paleontologist. If you have a budding train engineer or firefighter on your hands, they'll love being able to dress up like their heroes and role play. Young scientists will be enamored of "ZOOM Into The Zone," which is based on the PBS show, and mini conservationists will appreciate the green approach in the "Electri-City" exhibit. The art studio appeals to petite Picassos, and the bakery and farmer's market are ideal for Julia Child wannabes. Whatever your little ones aspire to, they can try it out here first, and have a blast doing it!
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