A spontaneous long weekend in Tucson with kids

Sometimes plans don’t go as expected and honestly, those trips often turn out to be the best ones. We originally planned to spend our long Easter weekend in New Orleans, but when the forecast showed rain all weekend, we made a last-minute decision to change course.

With two young kids, the idea of walking around in the rain didn’t sound very appealing. So we started looking for a sunny alternative. Since it was Easter weekend, many destinations were either too far, too expensive, or fully booked. That’s when we came across Tucson, a place we had never visited before, but known for its nature and outdoor activities. It felt like the perfect fit.

Where we stayed: relaxing… with a bit of chaos

We ended up booking the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort last minute. It’s not the most kid-focused resort, but the location is absolutely stunning. Surrounded by nature, with beautiful views and plenty of walking trails nearby.

We had a spacious suite, great on-site restaurants, and a big highlight for the kids: an Easter brunch with an Easter bunny and egg hunt. That alone made the trip unforgettable for our son.

This kind of spontaneous trip is definitely not our usual style (we normally plan everything), and let’s just say Seb felt a bit stressed about that all weekend… But in the end, everything worked out.

Mornings in nature, afternoons by the pool

We quickly found a rhythm that worked so well:
-> Early morning hikes
-> Relaxed afternoons at the (heated!) pool

Saguaro National Park

A must-visit is Saguaro National Park, where you’ll see iconic giant cacti everywhere you look.

What we did:

• Valley View Overlook Trail (short and rewarding with beautiful views)
• Bajada Loop Drive (perfect if you’re traveling with kids)

Tip: go early, it heats up quickly!

Sabino Canyon

We also loved Sabino Canyon. There’s a trolley starting at 9:00 AM that takes you to different hiking points, but we started earlier and walked.

Our route:

• Began on the paved road (no shade, but stunning views)
• Sabino Lake Trail
• Crossed the dam to Dam Trail → Creek Trail

Even with our daughter in a carrier and our 4-year-old walking along, this was very doable. As it got warmer, we took the trolley back — a perfect combination.

We ended with iced coffee and ice cream near the visitor center (well deserved!).

Other tips in Tucson

• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (great, but entirely outdoors — so very hot!)
• Old Tucson (opens after 11:30 AM)

Looking back

By Monday morning, we were already heading home again. It was one of those weekends that had everything:

• Lots of pool time (the heated pool was a big win)
• Beautiful hikes
• Impressive desert landscapes

And most of all: so many cacti, I’ve honestly never seen that many in my life 🌵

Final thoughts

Tucson turned out to be an unexpected but perfect destination for the weekend. If you’re looking for a mix of nature, relaxation, and kid-friendly adventures, it’s worth visiting for a few days.

Let me know if you’re planning a trip, happy to share more tips!

Interested in other nature / hike trips in the USA? Check-out my other blog: USA Southwest Road Trip with Kids