# Weekend getaways from Tucson with kids

Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/tucson/weekend-getaways/

> The best trip within about five hours of Tucson for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.

Last checked: 2026-10-29.

## Weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 6–8

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 13–15: Phoenix (about 2 hr)

Santa visits start at Chandler Fashion Center, and they're free.

- **Santa at Chandler Fashion Center**, Fri Nov 13, Varies by day; Christmas Eve 9am–6pm, Chandler Fashion Center, Macy’s Court. Visits free; photo packages for sale. Opens 11/13; runs through 12/24. Closed Thanksgiving. Official page: https://www.shopchandlerfashioncenter.com/

## Weekend of Nov 20–22

Nothing verified within reach is worth the drive this weekend.

## Weekend of Nov 27–29: Phoenix (about 2 hr)

Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden, with paths lined in luminarias from 5 to 9:30pm. Kids 2 to 17 are $18.95.

- **Las Noches de las Luminarias**, Fri Nov 27, 5–9:30pm, Desert Botanical Garden. Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95). Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days. Official page: https://dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias/

## Weekend of Dec 4–6: Phoenix (about 2 hr)

Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden runs Friday through Sunday.

- **Las Noches de las Luminarias**, Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6, 5–9:30pm, Desert Botanical Garden. Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95). Opens 11/27; runs through 01/03. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days. Official page: https://dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias/

## Other family getaways within 5 hours

We don't post event listings for these places. Check the official page for hours and what's on.

- **Tombstone**, Tombstone, AZ (about 1 hr 30 min from Tucson). Stand where the 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral happened. Official page: https://www.okcorral.com/
- **Queen Mine Tour**, Bisbee, AZ (about 2 hr from Tucson). The Copper Queen Mine Tour takes families underground into a historic copper mine. Official page: https://www.queenminetour.com/
- **Slide Rock State Park**, Sedona, AZ (about 4 hr 30 min from Tucson). Swim in Oak Creek at Slide Rock State Park, just north of Sedona. Official page: https://azstateparks.com/slide-rock
- **Flagstaff**, Flagstaff, AZ (about 4 hr 30 min from Tucson). Lowell Observatory on Mars Hill, where Pluto was discovered, runs stargazing for visitors. Official page: https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/
- **Grand Canyon Railway**, Williams, AZ (about 5 hr from Tucson). The Grand Canyon Railway has left from Williams since 1901, and it runs The Polar Express rides for the holidays. Official page: https://www.thetrain.com/

## Day trips any weekend

- **Tumacácori National Historical Park**, Tumacácori (about 1 hr from Tucson). The adobe mission church ruins are easy to walk through, and the Anza trail along the Santa Cruz River is shaded and flat. Hours: Daily 9am–5pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cost: $10 per adult 16+ for 7 days, kids free. Official page: https://nps.gov/tuma/planyourvisit/hours.htm
- **Biosphere 2**, Oracle (about 1 hr from Tucson). You walk through the glass-roofed rainforest, ocean and desert biomes on a self-guided tour that takes a little over an hour. Hours: Daily 9am–4pm, last entry 3:30pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cost: Adults $29, seniors $27, kids 5–17 $15 at the gate; online adult and senior tickets are $2 less. Official page: https://biosphere2.org/visit/visit-biosphere-2/self-guided-tour
- **Kartchner Caverns State Park**, Benson (about 1 hr from Tucson). A living limestone cave you see on a guided tour. The Rotunda/Throne Room tour allows kids under 7, so it suits younger families. Hours: Discovery Center 8am–5pm; book a tour time in advance. Cost: Tours $30 adults 14+, $15 youth 7–13, $5 under 7 on the Rotunda/Throne tour; park entry is separate. Official page: https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/cave-tours/tours

## FAQ

**Where can we go for a weekend from Tucson with little kids?**
Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Tucson are Phoenix. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

**What are good day trips from Tucson with kids?**
Tumacácori National Historical Park in Tumacácori (about 1 hr), Biosphere 2 in Oracle (about 1 hr), Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson (about 1 hr). Hours and prices are on each card, checked on the official pages.

**Which cities are within an easy drive of Tucson?**
Phoenix (about 2 hr). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

**What other family getaways are within 5 hours of Tucson?**
Tombstone (about 1 hr 30 min), Queen Mine Tour (about 2 hr), Slide Rock State Park (about 4 hr 30 min), Flagstaff (about 4 hr 30 min), Grand Canyon Railway (about 5 hr). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.

**Why is the same city picked more than once?**
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

**Are the times and prices current?**
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.