24 Hours in Tucson: Guide for the Family With Kids

Day 1: Lunch

To start off, I'm going to recommend lunch at American Eat Co. It's kind of like a food court but with delicious local options — no need for everyone to agree on where to eat. Kids and parents can all order food from different places, and then have lunch around the same table!

Day 1: Field Trip

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a great place to visit — no matter how old you are! Much more than just a museum, it’s also a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden, featuring the plants, animals, and geology of this region. About 85% of it is outside in the desert adjacent to Saguaro National Park (dress accordingly). Daily events include live animal encounters and other demonstrations. Kids can play in the indoor (air-conditioned!) playground called Packrat Playhouse.

Day 2: Lunch

Finally, stop for lunch at the nearby Beyond Bread. On their menu is a variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads. There are plenty of familiar options for anyone not feeling adventurous, as well as items with a twist for those looking for something different. They use high-quality ingredients so that even simple sandwiches are elevated to another level!

Day 1: Dinner

Of course, it's all fun and games until someone — whether it’s a toddler or a teen — gets too tired or hungry. That’s when you head directly to El Güero Canelo to get some protein STAT before anyone melts down. The restaurant is especially known for its Sonoran dogs, which are hot dogs wrapped in bacon, topped with onion, tomato, mayo, mustard, jalapeño, and beans nestled into a soft bolillo roll. They also serve tacos, burros, quesadillas, and tortas (large sandwiches).

Day 1: Stay

Drive under Hotel McCoy’s rainbow entrance to check-in. It’s a fun place to stay with colorful murals inside and out. There is a heated saltwater pool for year-round swimming, free bike rentals, and games like pinball, ping pong, cornhole, and foosball! Every room is different, but all include amenities like mini-fridges for snacks and blackout curtains for naptime. Up to four guests can stay in their double queen rooms or “family bunk,” which has a queen bed and twin bunk bed. Another plus at Hotel McCoy is that it’s only about 25 minutes from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum! Use this link to get 10% the website rate at Hotel McCoy.

Day 2: Field Trip

Once everyone’s ready for the next activity, go to the utterly unique Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures! The tiny houses, scenes, and figures transport you to other places and times. See replicas of historic rooms, fairy tale lands, the captain’s quarters of a steampunk spaceship, a Victorian cigar box mansion, and micro-sculptures that fit on the tip of a pencil!

Day 2: Breakfast(s)

Included in your stay is Hotel McCoy’s oatmeal bar. (Not a granola bar-type bar. More like a sundae bar or a salad bar, except with oatmeal and toppings.) However, if you’re looking for something different, try a fun, kid-friendly restaurant downtown called The Monica. Or do both.