Reid Park is definitely the best place in town for a family picnic. There are lots of places to cook your hot dogs, spread the blankets and open those jars of potato salad to the sound of the zoo animals nearby. Playgrounds with more and improved play equipment, party areas and public artworks are all around you. With good timing, you may even catch one of the popular DeMeester Outdoor Concerts.

The Reid Park Zoo is one of the major attractions in the city. Due to its relatively small size, the zoo can be explored at a leisurely pace in less than two hours. In their natural habitats, the wild animals make for a fascinating sight. From giraffes, tigers to peacocks, rhinos, elephants and bears, Reid Park Zoo has them all and many more.

Located at the University of Arizona campus, the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium is the place to go for astronomy buffs of all ages. Attend the special planetarium shows here, complete with high definition digital dome projection. Kids will have fun participating in the hands-on science exhibits and exploring the history of planet earth at the mineral museum. The planetarium show themes change every month, but the fact that their star projector can show over 8,000 stars never changes.

Located in downtown Tucson, the Tucson Children's Museum offers interactive exhibit areas that allow children to explore and discover things for themselves. The different exhibits here are constantly changing, but in the past have included Dinosaur Canyon, the TCM Bakery and Farmer's Market, Wee World, the ZOOMzone, and the Ocean Discovery Center. Parents just love bringing their children here because not only will the little ones have a great time, but they will learn something as well.

Built in 1927, the Temple of Music and Art is a proper cultural arts venue. Constructed in an elegant, Southwestern style, the Temple breathes grace and class with its beautiful surroundings of cobbled stone, fountain–splashed patio, and quiet tree-lined street. Now home of the Arizona Theatre Company, the spacious Alice Holsclaw Theatre with its 623 seats is a marvelous place to see either Shakespeare or concerts. If a smaller, more intimate setting is desired for a performance, upstairs the Temple has the Cabaret Theatre available.

Located next to the Plaza at Williams Centre and the Park Mall, Courtyard Tucson Williams Centre is within easy walking distance to a wide variety of shopping centers, restaurants and local attractions, and especially suitable for both business travelers and those in Tucson for pleasure. Like all Courtyard hotels, all rooms feature modern amenities and there is a top notch fitness center on-site. Be advised that room rates at Tucson's hotels and resorts vary widely according to season.

In 1775, the Spanish army staked its claim to this land (now the state of Arizona) by building the fortress, or presidio, which would soon become the center of Tucson. Both the Spanish and the fortress are long gone now, and all that's left of the presidio is a plaque reminding visitors of the events hundreds of years ago. It's a park now, used for fiestas and other celebrations, surrounded by tall 1970s style office buildings. There's not much history left here aside from the Pima County Courthouse, but it's still a nice place to rest and enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade.

Newly remodeled suites and meeting rooms at this conveniently located inn create a comfortable setting for business and leisure travelers. The University of Arizona and Tucson's Community Center make friendly neighbors for hotel guests. Toss a coin and choose one of two municipal golf courses within five miles of the hotel lobby; El Rio and Silverbell are both great places to practice your swing. A heated pool, Jacuzzi, exercise facility, restaurant and lounge provide additional options to relax and enjoy your stay. Room rates in Tucson vary seasonally.

The Mini-Time Machine Museum houses a vast collection of miniature artifacts. It has a large variety of antiques, meaning the museum itself could be seen as a miniature time machine. A large space for small objects is the perfect description for this place. Its wide array of exhibits appeals to all ages. Apart from the existing collection, several temporary exhibitions and programs are conducted here seasonally.

This is the closest thing in Tucson to a dinner theater. Patrons sit at tables munching on popcorn or ice cream while watching Western drama, science fiction, or the annual Christmas show. It's all parody, melodrama and audience participation through clapping, hissing and, of course, booing. The kids love it. So you are most welcome to enjoy this fun-filled roller-coaster ride at the Gaslight Theatre

Mildred and Dildred is the perfect place to find the perfect toy. Locally owned since its opening in 2007, this shop emphasizes the importance of imaginative play, and the goods they sell are not only fun to play with but will keep any child's imagination very busy. Kids will just love spending time here looking for their new favorite toy, while you'll appreciate the high quality products and excellent customer service. Events like storytime are constantly occurring here as well.

Located on the scenic Gates of Pass Road and surrounded by stately saguaros, the International Wildlife Museum invites visitors to take a grand tour of the fauna of the earth. African antelopes share their space with big polar bears here, who despite being taxidermied look very much alive. Apart from stuffed animals, the museum also features wildlife films, dioramas, and interactive computer games. If you are planning on bringing a larger group, discounted group rates are available.