Tucson offers lots of family-friendly fun, and great eating too

Flexibility is key when travelling with an infant. Amusement parks, aquariums, museums and even zoos are of minimal interest to these tiny humans. I learned early on that carefully planned travel itineraries are absolutely worthless. You are no longer in charge.

With this in mind, I forged ahead with planning a weekend getaway to Tucson, Ariz. Bursting with Southwest charm, Tucson offers a host of cultural, recreational and educational experiences, and has a fantastic foodie scene.

Tucson is a recreational paradise, with activities ranging from rock climbing to horseback riding, and everything in between. The adventures I chose for our little family were slightly tamer, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. Natural history at Desert Museum

The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a must for kids of all ages. The rolling hillsides covered in saguaro cacti on the drive from Tucson to the Saguaro National Park (to which the museum is adjacent) was some of the prettiest scenery we encountered while in Arizona. The museum is a unique blend of zoo, botanical garden, natural history museum and art gallery. Old Tucson a western fan’s dream

My husband loves westerns, so Old Tucson was on our itinerary.

Since 1938, more than 300 movies and TV shows have been filmed in Old Tucson, including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, The Frisco Kid, Three Amigos and Tombstone. The on-site Story Museum speaks to the history of Old Tucson and displays some of the original costumes from these productions. Kids can pan for gold, ride a miniature antique car and take a spin on the carousel. Check out Children’s Museum

There is something for everyone at the fully interactive Children’s Museum Tucson, and even pre-toddling kids will enjoy the bright colours, music and array of textures, sights and sounds. Included in the many exhibits are the Enchanted Rain Forrest play area and the Music Room where kids can beat drums and create their own sound. Mini Time Machine memories

Although our daughter was too young to appreciate the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, it’s definitely worth a visit. There are more than 275 miniature houses, room boxes and other collectibles showcased in three main areas. Dining you will surely remember

Ambience and quality are often compromised when you have to choose kid-friendly dining.

Hub Restaurant & Ice Creamery serves up a mean homestyle lunch, but save room for ice cream as that is main event. El Charro Café, which has a few locations, is the oldest continuously family-owned Mexican restaurant in the U.S. The portions are large and the food is delicious.