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FAMILY
PLACES
While
some afternoons are undeniably sizzling, summer is your
opportunity to experience the more relaxed side of the
Sonoran Desert. Take a moment to marvel at the monsoons,
and slow down to inspect the toads, tarantulas, and other
creatures that set this season apart. You may be surprised
at how refreshing summer in Tucson can actually be.
But
a word to the wise – many of the marvelous museums,
exhilarating zoos, and other unique amusements in Southern
Arizona meld innovative indoor exhibits with the outdoor
wonders of our particular corner of the desert.
So
arm yourself with sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes,
hats, multiple water bottles, and snacks – unless you
want to spring for concessions – and plan outdoor
excursions during the cooler hours of early morning or
late evening if possible.
ARIZONA-SONORA
DESERT MUSEUM
2021 N.
Kinney Road (520) 883-1380
A
multitude of unusual presentations, interpretive
activities almost too cool to qualify as educational, and
displays of more than 300 live amphibians, animals, birds,
fish, insects, and reptiles in their natural habitat
distinguish the museum as unique not only to the American
Southwest, but to the world. In virtually one stop, you
can experience the natural essence of the Sonoran Desert,
from mineral sources and geography to plants, wildlife,
and history.
Associate
Director for Development and Marketing Robert Edison said
that two new mountain lions are a must-see. “These young
siblings are a male and female and are very interested in
people. We have a viewing area for the mountain lions that
allows people to get right up to the glass (window) and
see them. The male lion especially is fascinated with that
opportunity,” he said.
Another
favorite, the hummingbird exhibit, allows
up-close-and-personal contact with the fascinating birds.
Early-morning
hours encourage summer visits. The museum is open daily
from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Saturdays,
when hours are extended until 10 p.m. through September
30.
Summer
Saturday Nights offer the opportunity to explore the
desert’s nocturnal activity. In addition to the regular
exhibits (excluding aviaries), enjoy docent presentations
on nocturnal wildlife – including owls, bats, moths,
tarantulas, and toads – from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
“People
have a chance to see the animals up close in a controlled
situation at night in the desert. We want them to become
comfortable being in the desert at night,” said
Interpretive Programs Manager Rich Dulaney.
FUNTASTICKS
221
E. Wetmore Road (520) 888-4653
GOLF
n’ STUFF FAMILY FUN PARK
6503 E.
Tanque Verde Road (520) 885-3569
Fun
is par for the course at these miniature golf/bumper
boat/go-cart/batting cage/ laser-tag/ video game
extravaganzas. Individual attractions vary, with
Funtasticks featuring a Kiddie Land complete with a
children’s roller coaster, rookie go-carts, and a
jumping arena.
OLD
TUCSON
201 S.
Kinney Road (520) 883-0100
Relive
the Wild West in all its glory! Originally established as
a movie set in 1939, Old Tucson was rebuilt several years
ago to focus more on family fun. Part historic buildings,
part amusement park, and part Hollywood-style
entertainment, this attraction offers an entire day of
enjoyment for all ages.
“The
Wild West seems to intrigue the family and that is
definitely part of our emphasis. Our educational
programming has increased immensely, because we are
finding parents would like to bring the kids to a park
where they are entertained and still take home a
historical and cultural experience,” said General
Manager Tom Moulton.
Interactive
educational activities include pony rides, the Old West
Carousel, a wild ride into a haunted mine, and shows with
professional sets featuring slapstick comedy, gunfights,
and Western stunts.
PICTURE
ROCKS MINIATURE HORSE RANCH
6611 N.
Taylor Lane (520) 682-8009
Good
things come in small packages, as shown by the captivating
creatures at this hands-on ranch/petting zoo featuring 300
chickens, Nigerian pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, and, of
course, miniature pintos.
“You
can scratch the horses on the back and they will nibble on
your shoelaces.It is a wonderful photo opportunity. Always
bring tons of film because everyone runs out,” said
Connie Kazal, who has owned the ranch with her husband,
Al, for almost a decade.
The
ranch is handicap accessible and provides ample seating
and picnic facilities. Reservations are required.
PIMA
AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM AND AEROSPACE MAINTENANCE AND
REGENERATION CENTER
6000 E.
Valencia Road (520) 574-0462
With
more than 250 aircraft and 60,000 flight-related
artifacts, the Pima Air and Space Museum offers more than
just a summary of the development of aviation. The
facility is rich with history of the industrialization and
growth of America, providing today’s high-tech kiddos
with an inkling of the rapid development of technology
during the past century.
Definitely
a hands-on adventure, children’s imaginations will soar
as they board a presidential plane and ride the Morphis, a
movie-theater-style, full-motion flight simulator.
“The
museum is a good place to visit with kids because we have
docents in each of the hangars, most of whom have
experience flying in at least one of the aircrafts. So you
not only see a World War II plane, but talk to people who
flew them. It is a very intergenerational experience,”
said Deputy Director for Development and Community
Relations Elissa Lines.
Enjoy
summer hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday,
through the end of August. In addition, a special summer
package includes breakfast and tram tours of both the
museum and the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration
Center.
Located
on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, this 2,700-acre
“aircraft graveyard” features 90- minute docent-guided
bus tours originating on weekdays from the museum. The
regeneration center features 5,000 military aircraft from
as far back as the Korean War era, all of which have been
retired, need repair, or are being prepared for use by
another country. Reservations and a picture I.D. are
required.
REID
PARK ZOO
22nd
St. between Country Club and Randolph
(520) 791-3204
Lions
and tigers and bears, oh my! You’ll find not only these,
but 500 other exotic animals and birds from around the
world at this convenient midtown zoo. Easily viewed within
two hours, it’s an ideal outing for the very young, the
very old, and everyone in between. Allow extra time for
children to check out the enchanting baby gibbon, and be
sure to visit the “Flight Connection,” a new
full-flight aviary showcasing birds of the world with a
focus on African and Australian species.
Need
a little extra incentive? U.S. West is sponsoring a free
weekend on Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15.
“If
people haven’t seen the zoo recently, it’s a wonderful
opportunity to catch up with the exotic animal residents
of Tucson,” said Curator of Education Vivian Van Peenan
Celebrate
Howl-o-ween from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 27, and
Saturday, October 28, with trick-or-treating, costumed
characters, and more.
ROCKS
& ROPES
330
S. Toole Ave., Suite 400 (520) 882-5924
If
summer heat makes you want to climb the walls, this is the
place to do it. With more than 9,000 square feet of
climbing space and 100 different routes, his indoor
climbing facility caters to all skill levels, from
beginner to cliff-hanger.
SABINO
CANYON
5700
N. Sabino Canyon Road (520) 749-8700
This
is the Coronado National Forest at its family-friendly
finest. Nurture a love for nature at the free interactive
Exhibit Gallery and Visitor Center, featuring exhibits on
the natural and cultural history of Sabino Canyon and
distinctive Sabino Creek.
“The
water is what makes this area special. Our facility offers
the opportunity to learn about the kind of flora and fauna
the area supports, the geology, the different seasons, and
how humans have used the area both prehistorically and
historically,” said Visitor Services Coordinator Heidi
Schewel.
Put
newfound knowledge to use on an easy walk up the paved
road into the canyon, marked by numerous gentle mountain
trails for hiking. The entire family will enjoy the
45-minute round-trip narrated tram ride to the top of the
canyon, with periodic stops allowing opportunities to
disembark and explore the terrain. So pack a picnic and
make a day of it.
SKATE
COUNTRY EAST
7980
E. 22nd St. (520) 298-4409
SKATE
COUNTRY NORTH
2700
N. Stone Ave. (520) 622-6650
Blading
and skating are cool summer pastimes at these unaffiliated
facilities, both of which feature diverse schedules
tailored to a variety of ages and interests.
At
either rink, enjoy birthday parties, tiny tot sessions,
adult nights, family skates, Christian Music Night, and
Top Pop 40 Nights.
TITAN
MISSILE MUSEUM
1580
E. Duval Mine Road off of I-19 (520)
625-7736
The
only place in the world where you can view an
intercontinental ballistic missile in its silo, this
national historic landmark is a larger-than-life reminder
of the cold war and the Kennedy era.
You
can enter the silo of the 103-foot missile and experience
the reenactment of a missile countdown on a one-hour,
information-packed guided tour. The facility, located both
on ground level and underground, is handicap accessible,
and reservations are recommended. Closed Mondays and
Tuesdays through October.
TUCSON
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
200
S. 6th Ave. (520) 884-7511
The
young and young at heart can explore and learn together
through interactive displays focusing on science, the
arts, and nature at this downtown museum.
Music
takes on new meaning in “Life Rhythms,” an
introduction to musical instruments, and a traveling
children’s art exhibit, “The Temple of Art,”
showcases the talents of local schoolchildren. Enjoy
diverse classes for everyone from toddlers to the entire
family.
“During
the summer we have daily arts-and-crafts activities, as
opposed to just weekend activities, and that makes
visiting the museum even more fun. We conduct activities
related to the topic for the summer, which is ‘Pirates,
Potions, and Parachutes,’” said Programs Director Meg
Balaconis.
Join
the classes from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday,
through the end of August.
HAPPY
MEALS
Pinnacle
Peak and Trail Dust Town
6541
E. Tanque Verde Road (520) 296-0911
Pinnacle
Peak, “home of the Famous Cowboy Steak,” is a favorite
for little buckaroos. Kid meals (age 10 and under) start
at $2.25 and include the “Little Cowboy Steak,” a
“Little Wrangler Burger,” chicken fingers, and even a
child-sized rack of ribs, all served seven nights a week.
And
the meal is only part of the fun. Nightly after 4 p.m.,
board the C.P. Huntington Narrow Gauge Train and tour
Trail Dust Town, a quaint collection of shops peddling
everything from handmade leather to Arizona souvenirs.
Take an old-time photo, ride Tucson’s oldest operational
carousel, enjoy Western stunt shows and entertainment,
visit the Western arcade, and even pan for gold on weekend
evenings in this charming reproduction of a frontier town.
“And
we have one of the premier collections of authentic U.S.
Cavalry artifacts – the Museum of the Horse Soldier –
which also houses our wagon and carriage museum,” said
Wayne Oxtoby, vice president of Agro Land & Cattle
Company, which owns and operates Pinnacle Peak.
DINOSAUR
McDONALD’S
6651
E. Tanque Verde Road (520) 298-2490
Visit
the tamest T. rex in the West, check out dinosaur trivia,
and pick up a Happy Meal. What more can you ask? Just let
the little ones expend some energy in the large indoor
play area at this popular eastside McDonald’s known for
its life-sized replicas of the world’s most fascinating
reptiles.
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