VISITING Tucson · The Old Pueblo
Visiting Tucson with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
The Children’s Museum and the Main Library are a few blocks apart downtown; Reid Park Zoo is a short drive east. Here’s a day or two, with nap time built in.
Top 4 can’t-miss spots
#1Downtown, 200 S. 6th Ave.
Children’s Museum Tucson
Thursdays 5–7pm are free.
$12.50 eachUnder 12 months freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2Midtown, 3400 Zoo Court
Reid Park Zoo
Go early before the heat.
See it in the guide→
#3Downtown, 101 N. Stone Ave.
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Bilingual Babytime is Monday mornings.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#4Midtown, 1377 N. Catalina Ave.
Martha Cooper Library
Saturday Family Storytime is at 10:30.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in Tucson
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGChildren’s Museum TucsonOpen at 9 (closed Mon) · Downtown, 200 S. 6th Ave. · $12.50 per person
LUNCHHUB Restaurant & Ice CreameryLunch and ice cream · DowntownNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPReid Park ZooZoo until 4 · Midtown, 3400 Zoo CourtIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGTucson Botanical GardensOpens at 8:30 · Midtown, 2150 N. Alvernon Way · $10 kids, $20 adultsLUNCHHUB Restaurant & Ice CreameryDowntown lunch · DowntownNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPMartha Cooper LibraryLibrary time · Midtown, 1377 N. Catalina Ave. · FreeWhere to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
DOWNTOWNMuseum and Main LibraryThe Children’s Museum and the Main Library are a few blocks apart.Near Children’s Museum Tucson and Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Tucson.
Before you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Library card perk
Pima County library cardholders can get two free museum admissions with an Act One Culture Pass.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in Tucson
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
This week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Tucson. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#16–9pm (timed entry)
Boo at the Zoo
A not-too-frightful evening in costume: trick-or-treat at candy tables, meet characters and play games in the Fall Festival Zone. Timed tickets every half hour from 6pm.
$16 adults and seniors
Hours, food & parking→
#2Wed 6–8:30pm (timed entry)
Sensory-Friendly Night at Boo at the Zoo
A calmer Boo at the Zoo night with no flashing lights or loud music and a limited number of guests.
$16 adults and seniors
Hours, food & parking→
#3Thu 5–7pm
Discovery Night at Children’s Museum Tucson
Free admission every Thursday evening from 5 to 7, a good time to try the museum without paying the regular $12.50 ticket.
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
#4Wed 10–11am
Family Garden Story Time at Tucson Botanical Gardens
This week’s story is Jim Weiss’s telling of The Crow and the Pitcher, followed by a handprint crow craft in the Education Building classroom.
Free with Garden admission
Hours, food & parking→
#5Wed 5:30–6pm
Evening Family Storytime (Woods Memorial)
Bring your children and enjoy stories, songs, and activities that promote early literacy and healthy development, now offered in the evenings!
Free
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting Tucson with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Tucson kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Tucson guide lists 15 places we checked for little kids, plus 3 free places and 4 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 1 easy restaurant near the big stops and free storytimes at 1 library system. This week’s list has 24 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Tucson and this weekend’s list.
How many days do you need in Tucson with a toddler?
Two: the Children’s Museum and the Main Library one day, Reid Park Zoo the next.
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