Tucson Mountain Park

The very interesting Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has more than 300 species of animals.The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden - all in one! Displays of living animals and plants native to the Sonoran Desert are featured including some endangered species such as the Mexican wolf, thick-billed parrot, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, desert pupfish, Sonora chub, bonytail chub, razorback sucker, and Gila topminnow.There are over 40,000 plants representing 1,200 species as well as a gem, mineral, and fossil collection.The museum also features bird shows, with hawks flying over the audience. Afterwards, information on the birds is provided, and an opportunity to see them close up.

The little make-believe Western town of Old Tucson, in the style of the late 19th century, was reconstructed in 1940 as the setting for numerous Western films. It is located out on its own in the desert, with surrounding hills.These sets have been used for decades, with movies like Young Guns, and many films starring John Wayne, being shot here. There is a concert series and dance hall revue, along with other forms of live entertainment. Wild shoot-ups are re-enacted here by actors.Visitors can take a guided tour to see which sets were used in various films and learn about the history. You can also wander through the "town" on your own, have lunch, and enjoy the setting.Other attractions for kids include a mini-train, antique cars, panning for gold, and trail rides.