{"id":273,"date":"2012-06-30T16:55:18","date_gmt":"2012-06-30T16:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.websitefix.net\/clients\/Generic\/?page_id=273"},"modified":"2021-07-13T16:39:54","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T16:39:54","slug":"exploration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/?page_id=273","title":{"rendered":"Exploration"},"content":{"rendered":"

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS \/ EXPLORATION<\/strong><\/p>\n

Discovery Museums<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum<\/strong>
\n2021 N. Kinney Road
\nTucson 520-883-1380
\nwww.desertmuseum.org<\/a>
\nDiscover a zoo, natural history museum, aquarium, and botanical garden all in one place. Stroll along desert paths and explore naturally landscaped live animal exhibits of 1,300 varieties of plants and 300 animal species native to the Sonoran Desert. Underground limestone cave galleries display subterranean life and geology.<\/p>\n

Biosphere 2<\/strong>
\nHighway 77
\nOracle 520-838-6200
\nhttp:\/\/b2science.org\/<\/a>
\nThe Biosphere 2 Center blends science exhibits, a college campus, research center, and amenities for an unforgettable experience. Visit a microcosm of planet earth in this three-acre, airtight, steel and glass structure with ecosystems from a tropical rain forest to savanna, ocean, and desert.<\/p>\n

Flandrau Science Center<\/strong>
\nUniversity of Arizona
\n1610 University Boulevard
\nTucson 520-621-STAR
\nwww.flandrau.org<\/a>
\nEnjoy hands-on science exhibits, laser light shows, multimedia planetarium, the 16-inch telescope for nighttime public observation, field trips, science demonstrations, and overnight science camps.<\/p>\n

International Wildlife Museum<\/strong>
\n4800 W. Gates Pass Road
\nTucson 520-629-0100
\nwww.thewildlifemuseum.org<\/a>
\nDioramas depicting over 400 type of mammals, insects, birds, and prehistoric animals from around the globe are displayed in a 38,000-square-foot replica of a French Foreign Legion Fort in Africa’s Sahara Desert. The museum offers interactive displays, hourly wildlife films, family nights, and classes.<\/p>\n

Kitt Peak National Observatory<\/strong>
\nState Route 86
\nTohono O’odham 520-318-8726
\nwww.noao.edu\/outreach<\/a>
\nUnlock the mysteries of the universe with the world’s largest collection of optical telescopes in the Quinlan Mountains on the Tohono O’odham Reservation. Home to 22 optical and 2 radio telescopes, this world famous observatory never fails to fascinate and inform.<\/p>\n

Pima Air & Space Museum<\/strong>
\n6000 E. Valencia Road
\nTucson 520-618-4800
\nwww.pimaair.org<\/a>
\nAviation history is the focus of displays that feature over 200 vintage aircraft. Five hangars on 85 acres exhibit military, civilian, and commercial aircraft from a replica of Wright Flyer to SR-71 Blackbird. Experience flight in a full-motion simulator at the Challenger Learning Center.<\/p>\n

Titan Missile Museum<\/strong>
\n1580 W. Duval Mine Road
\nGreen Valley 520-625-7736
\nwww.pimaair.org<\/a>
\nThe world’s only ICBM site features a Titan II missile in the launch silo. The complex offers exhibits above and below the ground depicting the Cold War era. Experience a simulated launch sequence and visually view the “fail safe” two-key system of protection.<\/p>\n

Tucson Children’s Museum<\/strong>
\n200 S. 6th Avenue
\nTucson 520-792-9985
\nhttp:\/\/www.childrensmuseumtucson.org<\/a>  
\nSee a Tyrannosaurus Rex or ride in a submarine. Hands-on activities and programs in science, health, technology, and the arts feature everything from Newton’s Cradle to a doctor’s office. Explore the natural history gallery and play area, children’s theater, and special programming.<\/p>\n

Natural Wonders<\/strong><\/p>\n

Colossal Cave<\/strong>
\n16711 E. Colossal Cave Road
\nVail 520-647-PARK
\nwww.colossalcave.com<\/a>
\nListed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park showcases crystal-filled Colossal Cave and historic La Posta Quemada Ranch. Cave tours, historical and caving museums, picnicking, hiking trails, and Western trail rides are all part of the fun. Located just 22 miles east of Tucson.<\/p>\n

Kartchner Caverns<\/strong>
\n2980 S. Highway 90
\nBenson 520-586-CAVE
\nhttp:\/\/azstateparks.com\/Parks\/KACA\/index.html<\/a>
\nThis geological jewel is a world-class, stunning limestone cave that has already been compared to the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Discovered in 1974, the caverns were placed under the protection of the state and required over a decade of painstaking preparation for the grand opening in 1999.<\/p>\n

The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve<\/strong>
\nRamsey Canyon Road
\nSierra Vista 520-378-2785
\nwww.nature.org<\/a>
\nRenowned for scenic beauty and the diversity of animal and plant life, the preserve is home to 14 species of hummingbirds. High canyon walls, a spring-fed stream, and mile-high elevation create an idyllic backdrop for year-round interpretive programs, hiking trails, a pollinator garden, and the bed-and-breakfast inn.<\/p>\n

Santa Catalina Mountains & Mount Lemmon<\/strong>
\nCatalina Highway
\nTucson Area 1-800-638-8350
\nhttps:\/\/www.visittucson.org\/things-to-do\/outdoor-adventure\/hiking\/santa-catalina<\/a>
\nOne of Arizona’s most scenic drives begins on the desert floor and climbs into Mount Lemmon’s high pine forest, peaking at 9,157 feet. During the warmer months, the area is ideal for picnics and hikes along 170 miles of trails with spectacular fall foliage and spring wildflowers. The 25-mile uphill climb passes through five of North America’s seven distinct life zones, leading to breathtaking vistas, a trout lake, and a downhill ski resort.<\/p>\n

Sabino Canyon<\/strong>
\n5900 Sabino Canyon Road
\nTucson Area 520-547-7510
\nhttps:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/coronado\/recarea\/?recid=80532<\/a>
\nJust 12 miles from downtown Tucson in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, this picturesque canyon features a 3.8-mile paved road with stone bridges over Sabino Creek and shuttles beyond that point. Hiking trails, swimming holes, abundant wildlife, towering rock formations, magnificent saguaro cacti, stunning canyon walls, and riparian vegetation make this one of the most popular recreational destinations in the metro area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS \/ EXPLORATION Discovery Museums Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 2021 N. Kinney Road Tucson 520-883-1380 www.desertmuseum.org Discover a zoo, natural history museum, aquarium, and botanical garden all in one place. Stroll along desert paths and explore naturally landscaped live animal exhibits of 1,300 varieties of plants and 300 animal species native to the Sonoran Desert. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/273"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=273"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/273\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":628,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/273\/revisions\/628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/Tucson3\/BHHSAZ\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}