How to Use These Itineraries

You have 4 full days in Tucson (Dec 26-29), but we've created 12 itinerary options so you can mix and match based on your interests, weather, and energy levels. Each itinerary is geographically grouped to minimize driving time.

Pro tip: Book Sabino Canyon tram tickets in advance, and remember it's CLOSED Dec 25 and Jan 1.

Itinerary Summary

Option Title Key Activities
1West Side AdventureDesert Museum, Saguaro West, Gates Pass
2Sabino CanyonTram Ride, Nature Walk
3Zoo + MercadoReid Park Zoo, Mercado San Agustin, 4th Ave
4Mt. LemmonScenic Drive, Mountain Village
5Mini Time MachineMiniatures Museum, East Side Parks
6Downtown CultureChildren's Museum, Downtown, Sentinel Peak
7Mission + South SideSan Xavier Mission, Mission Garden, Mexican Food
8Trail Dust TownWestern Theme Park (Evening)
9Horseback RidingDesert Trail Ride
10Second SkyIndoor Play (Dec 29-30 only)
11Central GardensTucson Botanical Gardens, Trains
12Northwest ChillTohono Chul, Nature Trails

Day-Specific Notes

Day Closures & Deals
Monday El Charro: Kids under 12 eat FREE all day
Tuesday El Charro: Kids under 12 eat FREE all day
Wednesday El Charro: Kids under 12 eat FREE all day
Thursday Children's Museum: FREE admission 5-7 PM
Fri / Sat / Sun Trail Dust Town: Wild West Stunt Show (only these days)
Dec 25 & Jan 1 Sabino Canyon: CLOSED
Dec 29-30 only Second Sky: Open play 9 AM - 2 PM

Option 1: West Side Adventure (5-STAR DAY)

Desert Museum + Saguaro National Park + Gates Pass Sunset

The iconic Tucson experience - all in the same area!

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Leave lodging
10:00 AM Arrive Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 30 min drive
10:00 AM-1:00 PM Explore Desert Museum Animals, Packrat Playhouse, exhibits
1:00 PM Lunch at Ironwood Terraces Kids menu $9 - burger, grilled cheese, pizza
1:45-2:30 PM Finish exploring / gift shop
2:45 PM Drive to Saguaro National Park West 5 min
3:00-4:00 PM Scenic loop drive + Desert Discovery Trail Junior Ranger program!
4:15 PM Drive to Gates Pass 10 min
4:30-5:30 PM Watch sunset at Gates Pass Sunset ~5:20 PM
6:00 PM Dinner at Seis Kitchen (Mercado) or El Guero Canelo

Pro tip: Stop at David Yetman West Trailhead first for variety, then Gates Pass Overlook for sunset (NYT recommendation).

Cost: ~$78 (Desert Museum) + $25 (Saguaro) = ~$103

Option 2: Sabino Canyon Day (5-STAR)

Tram Ride + Creek Splashing + Nearby Lunch

Active morning in the Santa Catalina Mountains

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Leave lodging
10:00 AM Arrive Sabino Canyon 20 min drive
10:15 AM Board tram Book ahead at sabinocanyoncrawler.com!
10:15-11:15 AM Tram ride up canyon Narrated, scenic
11:15 AM-1:00 PM Explore at top / splash in creek Bring towels!
1:00 PM Tram back down (or hike if energetic)
2:00 PM Late lunch at Prep & Pastry Grilled cheese + fries, nearby
3:00-5:00 PM REST - Pool / lodging downtime
5:30 PM Easy dinner near lodging

Note: CLOSED December 25 and January 1

Cost: ~$54 (tram + parking)

Option 3: Zoo + Mercado + 4th Avenue

Balanced Day - Animals, Food, Shopping

Central location cluster - minimal driving

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Leave lodging
9:45 AM Arrive Reid Park Zoo 15 min drive
9:45 AM-12:15 PM Explore zoo Giraffes, playground, carousel
12:30 PM Lunch at Seis Kitchen (Mercado) 12 min drive, quesadillas for kids
1:30-2:30 PM Browse Mercado San Agustin Treats, shops, La Estrella Bakery
2:45-3:30 PM Walk 4th Avenue shops Antigone Books, Tucson Herb Store, Pop Cycle
4:00 PM Return to lodging for rest
6:00 PM Dinner at El Charro Cafe Historic! Kids Happy Hour $2!

Cost: ~$37 (zoo)

Option 4: Mt. Lemmon Day Trip

Full Day Mountain Adventure

Only if weather is good - call 520-351-3351 first

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Leave lodging Check road conditions first!
10:30 AM Arrive Summerhaven (top) 60 min scenic drive through 5 climate zones
10:30 AM-12:30 PM Explore village, play in snow (if any) Fudge at General Store!
12:30 PM Lunch at Iron Door Restaurant Family-friendly
1:30 PM Scenic drive back with stops Multiple viewpoints
3:00 PM Return to Tucson
3:30-5:30 PM REST - Pool / downtime Let sore muscles recover!
6:00 PM Dinner near lodging

Note: Mt. Lemmon is its own day - don't try to combine with other attractions.

Cost: FREE (no entrance fee)

Option 5: Mini Time Machine + East Side

Magical Museum + Playground + Easy Evening

Lower-key day with unique museum

Time Activity Notes
10:00 AM Leave lodging (sleep in!)
10:15 AM Arrive Mini Time Machine Museum 10 min drive
10:15 AM-12:15 PM Explore miniature worlds 500+ tiny scenes - kids love it!
12:30 PM Lunch at Baja Cafe (Broadway) Nearby, grilled cheese, pancakes
1:30-3:30 PM REST - Pool / lodging
3:30 PM Playground at Brandi Fenton Park 8 min, let kids run!
5:00 PM Return to lodging
6:00 PM Dinner at Barnyard Crafthouse Outdoor play space for kids!

Cost: ~$48 (museum)

Option 6: Downtown Culture Day

Children's Museum + Historic Downtown + Sunset

Indoor option - good for hot or rainy day

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Coffee at Barista del Barrio Cute neighborhood spot
10:00 AM Arrive Children's Museum 15 min from lodging
10:00 AM-12:00 PM Play at museum Better for 6yo than 9yo
12:15 PM Walk to lunch at Cup Cafe 5 min walk, historic Hotel Congress
1:30 PM Walk 4th Avenue shops Indie shops, unique Tucson finds
3:00 PM Return to lodging for rest
4:30 PM Drive to Sentinel Peak ("A" Mountain) 12 min
5:00-5:30 PM Watch sunset from "A" Mountain City views
6:00 PM Dinner downtown

Cost: ~$44 (museum) - FREE Thursday evenings 5-7 PM!

Option 7: Mission + Gardens + South Side

San Xavier Mission + Mission Garden + Mexican Food

Cultural morning + famous Mexican food + agricultural history

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Leave lodging
10:00 AM Arrive San Xavier Mission 25 min drive
10:00-11:00 AM Tour "White Dove of the Desert" Free docent tours, fry bread vendors
11:15 AM Drive to Mission Garden 15 min, near "A" Mountain
11:30 AM-12:15 PM Explore Mission Garden See 4,000 years of agriculture, chickens!
12:30 PM Lunch at Mi Nidito 10 min drive. Famous! Try President's Plate.
2:00 PM Browse Mercado San Agustin 10 min drive
3:00 PM Return to lodging

Cost: FREE (mission & garden donation) + lunch

Option 8: Trail Dust Town Evening

Western Theme Park - Evening Focused

Combine with another morning activity

Time Activity Notes
Morning Pool time / light activity
12:00 PM Lunch at Bobo's Classic diner, grilled cheese + burger
1:30-4:30 PM REST - Lodging downtime
5:00 PM Drive to Trail Dust Town 15 min
5:00-7:30 PM Trail Dust Town Train ride, ferris wheel, gold panning
7:00 PM Wild West Stunt Show Fri/Sat/Sun only
7:30 PM Dinner at Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse On-site

Cost: FREE admission + ~$12 for rides

Option 9: Horseback Riding Day

Morning Ride + Relaxed Afternoon

Special desert experience for the family

Time Activity Notes
8:30 AM Leave lodging
9:00 AM Horseback ride Book ahead! Options: Tucson Mountain Stables ($50-80/person), Tattered Saddle (ages 6+)
11:00 AM Finish ride
11:30 AM Lunch at nearby restaurant
1:00-4:00 PM REST - Pool / lodging Let sore muscles recover!
4:30 PM Playground or easy activity
6:00 PM Dinner

Horseback options for 6-year-olds:

  • Tucson Mountain Stables - 1hr $50, 1.5hr $70, family-owned
  • Tattered Saddle - 45min "Conquistador Experience" ages 6+
  • Catalina Riding Club - Lessons + trail rides, sunset options

Cost: $50-80 per person (1-1.5 hr ride)

Option 10: Second Sky + Departure Prep

Dec 29-30 Only - Last Day Activity

Indoor play before heading to airport

Time Activity Notes
8:00 AM Wake up, breakfast at home
9:00-11:00 AM Second Sky open play Dec 29-30 only, 9am-2pm
11:30 AM Brunch at Prep & Pastry or Bobo's
12:30 PM Head to airport Pack up and depart
1:30 PM Arrive airport, return rental car
3:00 PM Depart Tucson

Alternative for other days: Skip Second Sky, do brunch + pack + airport

Option 11: Central Gardens Day

Botanical Gardens + Trains + Relaxed Lunch

A peaceful day in the center of the city

Time Activity Notes
10:00 AM Arrive Tucson Botanical Gardens Central location
10:00 AM-12:00 PM Explore Butterfly Pavilion & Model Trains Kids love the trains!
12:30 PM Lunch at Prep & Pastry Short drive, great brunch/lunch
2:00 PM Return to lodging / Pool time Relaxed afternoon
5:00 PM Dinner at Blue Willow Beautiful patio dining

Cost: ~$58 (gardens)

Option 12: Northwest Chill

Tohono Chul + Nature + Good Food

Explore the Northwest side of town

Time Activity Notes
9:30 AM Arrive Tohono Chul Ina/Oracle area
9:30 AM-11:30 AM Nature Trails & Children's Museum Branch "Nature Ninos" play area
11:45 AM Lunch at Tohono Chul Bistro On-site, excellent patio
1:00 PM Drive to Second Sky (if open) Check dates (Dec 29-30)
3:00 PM Return to lodging

Cost: ~$45 (gardens)

Recommended 4-Day Combo

Best mix for families with downtime built in:

Day Itinerary Option Theme
Day 1 Option 1: West Side Adventure 5 Stars: Desert Museum + Saguaro + Sunset
Day 2 Option 3: Zoo + Mercado + 4th Ave Balanced: Animals + Shopping
Day 3 Option 5: Mini Time Machine + East Side Chill: Museum + Playground
Day 4 Option 2: Sabino Canyon 5 Stars: Tram + Nature

Alternative if you want horseback riding: Swap Day 3 for Option 9

Alternative if Second Sky works for departure: Use Option 10 for Dec 30