City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 2520 N. Oracle Rd.
47. Studio Connections
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 731-1559
Address: 4625 E. River Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: DaVinci Kids (ages 7 to 12) and DaVinci Prep (ages 13 to 19) are the youth programs offered by this acclaimed theater group. The young thespians work with award-winning director Robert Encila to hone skills in stage movement, voice training, improvisation techniques, costuming, and production skills. The results can be viewed at performances of cutting-edge plays held several times a year for proud parents and guests.
48. Tucson Symphony Orchestra
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 882-8585 (box office)
Address: 2175 N. 6th Ave.
Description: The Tucson Symphony Orchestra offers 6 informal, interactive “Just for Kids” concerts designed to introduce quality classical music to children of all ages. Each concert highlights an ensemble of the orchestra in a presentation combining humor, storytelling, demonstrations, and audience participation. They’re held at the Tucson Symphony Center on the first Saturday of the month from October through March. Call for the exact dates and times. There is a suggested donation of $2.
49. Little Gym Of East Tucson
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 751-1107
Address: 7225 E. Broadway Blvd., Ste. 150
Description: Part of a national chain, this kid-friendly gym offers classes in gymnastics, karate, dance, tumbling, and more for tiny tots as young as 4 months. They also offer a parents’ night out on select Fridays so you can drop off the kiddies and get to know each other again!
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 200 S. Alvernon Way
51. Saguaro Aquatics
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 638-8040
Address: 2045 W. Omar Dr.
Description: Swimming is key in Tucson, where kids of all ages have almost 365 days of sunshine! Learn how to do it right at this year-round swim school for infants all the way up to adults. Swimming classes, swim teams, and the ever-popular kids’ night out every Friday with dinner and a movie make this a popular pick. There are 3 locations in town, some open seasonally, so check in advance.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 7980 E. 22nd St.
53. Breakers Water Park
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 682-2530
Address: 8555 W. Tangerine Rd.
Description: Kids can actually catch a wave in Tucson, but only at Breakers Water Park, which holds 1.3 million gallons of water. Unlike almost everything else in Tucson, however, water parks are summer season attractions, so Breakers is only open late May through Labor Day. But that’s precisely the time a splash in the cool water is most welcome. The 20-acre park in the far northwest also has 5 waterslides and a toddler pool, so it’s fun for kids of all ages. Don’t forget the waterproof sunscreen.It’s open in summer Tues through Sun from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission prices vary; there is a season pass, and kids under age 3 are free. Tube and locker rentals are extra. Admission is reduced after 3 p.m. No outside food or beverages can be brought into the park.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 221 E. Wetmore Rd.
55. Golf ’N Stuff
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 296-2366
Address: 6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
Description: This is a lot like Funtasticks (see above) but on the far east side. In Little Indy, kids can maneuver their own miniature racecars along a twisting track. Or they can bump around in bumper cars or bumper boats, bat a thousand in the batting cages, aim for a hole in one on the miniature golf courses, or test their skills in the huge video arcade. Older kids will love the rock climbing and laser tag. Some of the attractions have minimum age requirements, so you might want to call ahead instead of seeing the look of disappointment on little faces once you’re there. It opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Sun through Thurs and 1 a.m. Fri and Sat. Rides open at various times seasonally. Prices are per activity.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 2544 E. Allen Rd.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 3482 E. River Rd.
58. Create Cafe
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 298-3421
Address: 4660 E. Fort Lowell Dr.
Insider Pick:
Description: This brightly painted, low-key restaurant is one of the most kid-friendly locally owned restaurants in town. Create Cafe offers a great healthy (!) and delicious menu with tempting selections for even the pickiest eater. The kids’ menu features such popular items as organic “spaghettioos” and nitrite-free hot dogs. Family nights are from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sat and feature movies and a jumping castle. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
59. Chuck E Cheese’S
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (520) 745-8800
Address: 6130 E. Speedway Blvd.
Description: The pizza, burger, and salad menu isn’t really the main draw here; it’s the fun and games. It’s a madhouse with kids everywhere, and lots of noise. Young ones love crawling through the tubes and watching Chuck E Cheese in the mechanical stage show. Older ones gravitate toward the Skee-Ball or video games. Kids can win prizes, while parents can get package deals covering food and tokens (or “bags of gold,” as they’re known here). Chuck E Cheese’s is open daily during afternoon and evening hours.
City: Tucson, AZ
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 7010 E. Broadway Blvd.