20+ Tucson Staycation Ideas

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Note this is an older post that hasn’t been updated to include possible closures/limitations due to Stay At Home orders in Arizona. Please double check with any locations/attractions before making plans.

It’s the last week of school for most of Tucson which means you might be looking for fun things to do in Tucson this summer. I think it would be fun to plan a Tucson staycation, stay a night or two at a local resort taking advantage of their low summer rates and spend time exploring some of the fun activities and attractions Tucson has to offer.

Cool Inside Fun

The Pima Air and Space Museum offers aircraft and exhibits both inside and outside.  Night Wings is offered three nights during the summer (4th Saturday of each month) with later hours, special activities and discounted admission. There Children’s Museum Tucson is a really fun museum dedicated and designed for kids. All the exhibits are interactive and periodically change, keeping it fun and fresh.

We are big fans of the International Wildlife Museum during the summer, it’s indoors with “animals” and is usually not very crowded. Plus there is a big indoor seating area where you can eat your own picnic lunch! The Mini Time Machine Museum offers week long themed summer camps and drop in day camps.

There’s no place cooler than an ice-cold movie theater. If you’re looking to just let the kiddos just run around and burn off energy don’t forget about the mall playgrounds which are free: Foothills Mall, Tucson Mall and Park Place Mall. Pump It Up and AZ Air Time charge admission but are even more effective at tiring those kiddos out!

Cool Outside Fun

It is possible to enjoy some outdoor activities in the summer if you plan to do them early in the morning or later in the evening. Luckily some attractions understand this and offer special hours and events during the summer. There are some shaded and indoor activities at the Sonora Desert Museum but your best bet during the summer is to visit on Saturday evenings during Cool Summer Nights. The museum is open until 10pm with special themed activities typically start at 6pm. The Reid Park Zoo is offering late night hours on Friday nights, Summer Safari Friday Nights runs 5:30-8pm with special themed activities and themes. The zoo is open starting at 8am in the summer, if you venture during the day. There is a fun splash pad for kids to enjoy once the heat becomes unbearable! If you do want to spend time outdoors during the day, head up to Mount Lemmon. The temperature is usually 30 degrees cooler, perfect for hiking or enjoying a ride on the Ski Valley ski lift.

Water Fun

The all around splash pad option is the Brandi Fenton Splash Pad, it’s fun and free. Another great free option is the Catalina Park Splash Pad. The Picture Rocks Pool, Ott YMCA & Oro Valley Aquatic Center all offer splash pad fun with various admission rates.

Tucson Resorts Deals

Tucson has some world-class resorts that can be quite expensive during the winter but the extreme heat of summer brings extreme deals! It’s the perfect time to enjoy the luxury accommodations and fun resort features like pools, splash pads and water slides!

You’ll find a lazy river, water slide, pool and splash pad at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. Rates start as low as $179 a night with a $100 resort credit. The Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain offers several pools including a 235 foot water slide and splash pad. Special summer fun includes summer star gazing on Friday nights and dive in movies on Saturday nights. Summer fun packages start at $259 with a $100 resort credit. The Hilton El Conquistador Resort offers four swimming pools with a waterslide, children’s pool, sauna, and hot and cold jetted tubs. Loews Ventana Canyon has plenty of kid friendly programs, a nature trail with waterfall and pools to enjoy. Plus Ventana Canyon is offer rates as low as $89 a night this summer. The Westin La Paloma offers 5 pools and a 177’ water slide, plus a Westin Kids Club! They offer special themed Beach Party Weekends with live entertainment, dive in movies and pool side activities through Labor Day. Rates start at $99 a night with a $50 resort credit. If you don’t live in Tucson, or plan on visiting other places this summer, check back tomorrow for a list of staycation ideas for 60+ other cities across the country!