Dessert Country Family Adventure

Saturday September 30: Exploring the Sweet Desert

Start your two-day family adventure with a visit to the Desert Museum, an interactive and educational experience for all ages. In the morning, explore the various exhibits featuring desert wildlife and plants, and even participate in a live animal encounter. Afterward, head to the Saguaro National Park for a scenic desert hike and picnic among towering cacti. In the afternoon, satisfy your sweet tooth at the Desert Candy Factory, where you can watch candies being made and sample delicious treats. Finish your day at Old Tucson, a theme park that offers entertaining shows, thrilling rides, and an authentic Wild West experience.

• Desert Museum: Estimated Cost - $25 per adult, $12 per child | Estimated Time Spent - 2-3 hours
• Saguaro National Park: Estimated Cost - Free | Estimated Time Spent - 2-3 hours
• Desert Candy Factory: Estimated Cost - Samples available for purchase | Estimated Time Spent - 1-2 hours
• Old Tucson: Estimated Cost - $20 per adult, $15 per child | Estimated Time Spent - 3-4 hours

Sunday October 1: The Sweet Oasis

Embark on a sweet adventure at the Oasis Water Park, the perfect place to cool off and have fun. Spend the morning enjoying thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and splash pads suitable for all ages. Grab a quick lunch at the park's food court. In the afternoon, continue your desert exploration at the Botanical Garden, where you can marvel at a variety of desert flora and learn about their unique adaptations. Before the day ends, visit the Sweet Souvenir Shop to pick up some local delicacies and souvenirs to remember your dessert country adventure.

• Oasis Water Park: Estimated Cost - $35 per person | Estimated Time Spent - 4-5 hours
• Botanical Garden: Estimated Cost - $15 per adult, $5 per child | Estimated Time Spent - 2-3 hours
• Sweet Souvenir Shop: Estimated Cost - Varies based on purchases | Estimated Time Spent - 1-2 hours

Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

While exploring the dessert country, make sure to visit the Kactus Korner, a unique desert-themed mini-golf course that offers a fun-filled experience for the whole family. Another local favorite is the Desert Dunes Adventure Park, where you can experience exhilarating camel rides and dune buggies in the vast desert landscape. Don't forget to try the famous Prickly Pear Ice Cream at the Sweet Treats Café, a local favorite ice cream parlor known for its unique flavors sourced from local ingredients.

For the adventurous spirits, a guided off-road Jeep tour through the desert dunes is an excellent option to discover hidden gems and experience the breathtaking beauty of the dessert country from a different perspective. Wind down your trip by stargazing from the comfort of a campsite nestled in the desert, creating lasting memories under the twinkling night sky.

Check out hotel and flight prices here.