The Scout Guide Tucson’s 2022 Guide to Family Friendly Spots
Have you ever wanted to experience an enjoyable family Tucson outing but didn’t know where to go? Then this guide is for you! Tucson is filled with many hidden gems and we have selected a few of our favorite places that are sure to give you a day full of family fun and adventure.
Why We Love It: The Mercado District is made up of two vibrant market hubs, Mercado San Agustin and MSA Annex. Both are amazing options for the family to get some fresh air and browse through a variety of unique shops, restaurants, and markets. The Mercado District is constantly hosting artistic markets and events so make sure to keep an eye out for those!
Mercado District / 100 & 267 S AVENIDA DEL CONVENTO / 520.461.1107 / Instagram
Why We Love It: This plaza is home to many locally owned businesses ranging from restaurants, charming boutiques, beauty salons, and fitness studios. Not to mention the thriving nightlife buzzing with live musical performances throughout the week. Make sure to check-out the farmers market that is hosted every Saturday and Sunday at the plaza, there is something for the whole family !
St.Philips Plaza/ 4280 N Campbell Ave / 520 529 2775 / Instagram
Photo: Reid Park Zoo
Why We Love it : A fun family day at the zoo is a timeless classic that everyone is sure to enjoy. This activity is ideal for children of all ages and is a great excuse to get the family outdoors! Experiencing the amazing animals featured at the zoo is guaranteed to be a great boding experience for the whole family.
Reid Park Zoo/ 3400 E Zoo Ct / 520 791 3204 / Instagram
Photo: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Why We Love It: Ranked one of the top 10 museums in the country (via Tripadvisor), this 98 acre museum is a blend of botanical gardens, zoo, art galleries, aquarium, and natural history museum. An enriching immersive experience for children and adults of all ages to learn about the natural beauty and wildlife that encompasses Tucson. They constantly hold family friendly events so make sure to follow them on social media to stay informed !
Arizona Sonora Desert Museum / 2021 N. Kinney Rd. / 520.883.2702 / Instagram
Photo: La Encantada
Why We Love It: La Encantada is the perfect location to go and enjoy an ice-cream with the family, have a lovely dinner together, or get some shopping done. Although there are limited children stores, this shopping mall is fully outdoors which makes it an enjoyable outing for everyone to walk around and window-shop. PS: you can even bring your furry friend, most of the shops are ready to greet their four legged visitors with water bowls and treats!
La Encantada / 2905 E Skyline Dr, Tucson / (520) 299-3566 / Instagram
Why We Love It: A unique 101 acre park featuring beautiful ponds, trees, and paved walking paths. This park is great for families looking to have a picnic, take a relaxing nature stroll, or simply hang out as a family and enjoy the view. If you are lucky you can get a glimpse of the turtles that live in the pond!
Agua Caliente Park / 12325 east Roger road / (520) 724-5000
Photo: Tucson Botanical Garden
Why We Love It: A nature filled experience that connects people with plants and culture, they offer a variety of classes with topics ranging from gardening, art, wellness, ecology, and nature for all ages. You and your family can enjoy different tours that vary depending on the season and enjoy the bountiful botanical garden of Tucson as a family.
Tucson Botanical Garden / 2150 North Alvernon Way / 520.326.9686 / Instagram
