Tucson w/ 5 yr old - fun things to do?
 

We are taking an improptu trip to Tucson next week to escape the already dropping temperatures in Wisconsin!

We are outdoorsy people, like to hike, bike, et. Things on a potential to do list are Colossal Cave & Kartchner Caverns (my dd love caving) - if we only id one which is the best? Hiking in Sabino Canyon - any other really cool places to hike?

We are staying at the Radisson Suites downtown someplace - anything cool or fun to do around there in walking distance?

While on trips we like to scout out potential places to move to (the cold weather sucks more the older we get) - are there any town or areas of Tucson that are family friendly, good school districts, and has a small town feel? We really like areas that have home with character - not your typical cookie cutter subdivisions. Median price range around $500-$600K. Any areas that might fit the bill to take a look at?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Do go to the Desert Museum in Tucson, it is a wonderful place to visit, and your 5 year old will enjoy it.

Both Colossal Cave and Kartchner are neat experiences, but Kartchner has an edge IMO because it is a living cavern. It's spectacular. Check the website - there are certain times of year when only one of the rooms is open due to the bat nesting patterns.

I can't help you with family friendly stuff as we don't have children, but I have to tell you Tucson schools do not have a sterling reputation. For your price range, and looking for a non-cookie cutter 'hood, check out Sam Hughes and (I think) El Encanto. Both are real Old Tucson. I don't get a real neighborhoody feel anywhere here, personally - at least not the type of neighborhood you find in cities like Seattle and Portland. Definitely a great place for outdoorsy types though!

The only Radisson I know of isn't downtown, but if you have the address I can tell you what's nearby.

Thanks for the replys. I found out the hotel is near the dorado golf course - I know nothing of Tucson and we had Radisson points to use so just picked the one that wasn't at the airport - apparently we are in the middle of nowhere - but that's OK.

The more I read about Tucson the more it appears not to be on the list of places we would enjoying living fulltime - but it certainly will be fun for vaction! Portland would be great - but the weather - that's what I'm trying to escape :-)

Oh, I wasn't suggesting you visit Portland for a sunshine fix in November. :)

Honestly, I moved here a couple of years ago and am still waiting for it to grow on me. It has some great points for sure, but I don't love it, just doesn't feel like home.

The Radisson Suites on Speedway is hardly in the "middle of nowhere"!
Besides, it's a pretty great hotel.

A visit to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum with your 5 y.o. is a must.
www.desertmuseum.org
Your hotel is an easy drive
to Sabino Canyon. you might consider exploring one of the
Saguaro National Parks
http://www.nps.gov/sagu/
The one located near the Rincon Mtns. is closer to your hotel.

The Reid Park zoo is fun
www.tucsonzoo.org
and perhaps a few hours at the
Flandrau Science Center on the U of A campus - the planetarium is terrific !
www.flandrau.org

Those should get you started.
:)

R5

If your 5 y.o. likes airplanes, check out the Pima Air Museum.

Another good hiking location, but not in town is Madera Canyon. You could combine it with a trip to Tubac.

I just took the tram ride into Sabino Canyon and think it would be fun for a 5 yr old. You can get out at various stops, hike as much as you want and then take the tram back out. Otherwise, I think it would be a lot of hiking for a 5 yr old.