Rest and Relaxation in Tucson, Arizona

By Lincoln McElwee

Though summer travel may be over, you can still look forward to a fall retreat! For an award-winning take on rest and relaxation, visit Tucson, Arizona.

With a projected temperature in October and November in the 80s and 70s, respectively, it’s no wonder why travelers from the world over flock to this desert oasis, basking in the hot deals and sizzling fun!

More than just the heat, Tucson offers a large range of family-friendly activities that will have your kids begging to stay longer.

Before embarking on any of the city’s adventures, however, be sure to pick up the indispensable Tucson Attractions Passport – The Book of Fun, which will provide you and your family with amazing deals and discounts on the city’s wide array of kid-friendly attractions!

You can get the free app for both Android and iOS, and then download the deals you want, pick up the book in person at the Visitor Center or purchase it online.

The following list of family-friendly favorites will keep you occupied with hours and hours of educational fun!

Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium

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The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is located on the University of Arizona campus, and with its hands-on exhibits and programs, is a treat for visitors of all ages.

“Puzzles, Proofs and Patterns” is a current exhibit focusing on the different shapes of mathematics. It delves into the layered world of numbers, measures and dimensions to look at where mankind has been, where we are and the possibilities that lie in our future.

“Meet the Trilobites – Arizona’s First Inhabitants” is a special exhibit that’s produced in collaboration with the UA Mineral Museum, also on-site. The breathtaking exhibit showcases a variety of trilobite specimens from various collectors, and provides information on trilobites in relation to the geological time scale, as well as what trilobites have taught us about the history of life on earth.

A visitor favorite, the Flandrau FullDome is an immersive ultra-high-resolution projection system that allows viewers to explore planets, moons and asteroids. The UA Mineral Museum also houses one of the top five mineral collections in the country. Be sure to check out the 16” telescope at the Planetarium.

D&D Pinball

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Sure to delight kids of all ages, as well as adults who are kids at heart, D&D Pinball aims to bring back a bit of nostalgia by introducing this invigorating arcade game to new generations of fans.

The outfit offers an impressive collection of vintage and newer pinball machines, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch one of them for sale.

Funtasticks Family Fun Park

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This place definitely has it all, and will delight everyone in the group! The park also happens to feature Tucson’s largest indoor laser tag arena, as well as mini golf, go-karts, bumper boasts, an arcade, and batting cages!

The arcade uses an arcade fun card as well, so e-tickets can be automatically loaded as opposed to carrying around clunky tokens or tickets. The laser tag arena covers three separate levels and comprises 5,200 square feet of indoor fun! The experience is perfect for players of all ages and skill levels.

Funtasticks Family Fun Park also features the one-of-a-kind 5 Ride Kiddie Land, which is a space for younger guests. Kiddie Land offers Rookie Go Karts, the Kiddie Land Dragon Ride, a roller coaster, an air bounce jump castle and the Crazy Taxi ride.

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure – Tucson

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Urban Adventure Quest provides interactive smart phone tours in a variety of major cities across the U.S. Think of the show Amazing Race mixed with an interactive city tour! The scavenger hunt allows you to play when you want and at your own pace anytime during daylight hours.

With the Tucson scavenger hunt, participants can take part in an engaging walking tour of Tucson and Tombstone while solving clues, completing challenges and learning about local history while working with family members or other scavenger hunt adventurers to unravel city secrets!

Adventurers can explore Hotel Congress, the Presidio, the Transportation Museum, and other hot spots of Tucson tourism! The Tombstone mini-quest will allow adventurers to explore the Epitaph, the Birdcage Theater, the OK Corral, and other famous sites.

Sonoran Glass School

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For a truly unique experience, why not visit the Sonoran Glass School. The school teaches students, as well as the general public, how to both create and appreciate glass as a visual arts medium. Through its education courses, one-on-one experiences, visiting art seminars, and community events, families can better understand this unique medium and spend quality family time together in making commemorative glass art souvenirs. Even if you don’t want to partake in the action yourself, this non-profit organization features a glass art gallery for one-of-a-kind gifts. Visitors can also stop by and watch live glassblowing in the Hot Shop studio. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead (520-884-7814).

Children’s Museum Tucson

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Kids will get a kick out of a museum designed especially for them! At the Children’s museum Tucson, kids and family members get to explore and connect to each other and the surrounding environment in a myriad of ways, including touring museum exhibits, and partaking in educational and entertaining events.

Don’t miss the Gravity Room, which features impressive objects that defy gravity! Kids can spin the Recycle Bicycle Wheel or play with Marble Madness. Families can create their own gravity maze as well, with the Ball Wall or Caterpillar Thriller!

Build It! Allows kids the chance to partake in experiential building with oversized construction materials, such as Kiva Planks and Imagination Blocks. The exhibit encourages constructive problem solving.

There’s also Wee World, for children under 4, which features a rock-climbing wall and a playhouse; Imaginarium, where child-artists can create their own masterpieces; the Investigation Station, which showcases hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities; Techtopia, a fun and digital trip involving bugs, shadow mosaics and reading; Bodyology, a health and wellness exhibit with a farmer’s market, garden, orchard, and juice bar; and much more!

Kartchner Caverns State Park

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Experience the amazing limestone cave first discovered in 1974. The park is noted for many world-class minerals and formations, including calcite formations and stalactites. Guests can take advantage of fun and educational guided tours into the underground landscape of the park.

Younger explorers will enjoy the Discovery Center, especially the scavenger hunt it offers. There’s a “caving wall,” which will allow kids to experience crawling through several narrow cave passages. Animal displays will help to introduce kids to the local wildlife. Kids can even have their picture taken with the Giant Sloth! The Discovery Center Scavenger Hunt can be downloaded and printed out beforehand as well!

There’s also a curriculum guide for teachers and interested parents, and the park allows kids age 6-12 to pledge to help preserve nature with its Junior Ranger program.

 

 

wmanning

Associate Publisher