Long weekends were made for adventure.
Even if there aren't many organized events going on, we live in a place that is full of unique things to do.
Check out our list and get the kids out of the house this weekend to make some memories, and maybe start a new tradition.
The main pond at Agua Caliente Park, seen here on Dec. 11, is looking more like what past visitors would recognize. Increased groundwater and a new pump system have helped.
Picnic at Agua Caliente Park
Located on Tucson's east side is an oasis called Agua Caliente Park. It's a 101-acre park that features a warm spring and pond that serves as a home for a variety of plants and animals.
Your kids will love spotting turtles and fish in the water. You'll love all of the amazing photos you get of the kids playing by the water. There are also walking paths, hiking trails, restrooms, tables and grills. You won't find playground equipment here, so pack a picnic, a ball, your camera and binoculars and go explore.
Address: 12325 E. Roger Road
Turtles bask at the main pond at Agua Caliente Park, where the county is hosting a free family scavenger hunt Saturday.
Explore Colossal Cave
Take a guided tour and learn about the cave's history, legends and geology, as you see awesome formations like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, boxwork and helicites. You'll walk up and back down about six-and-a-half stories. Tours are $16 for adults and $9 for children ages 5-12. (Budget tip: If you have the Tucson Attractions Savings Passport, there's a two for one deal on cave tours that has to be used by Sept. 15.)
Colossal Cave Mountain Park also offers a petting zoo, trail rides and a cafe. You can also camp there for $5 per night, but that might be better once it's a little cooler.
Address: 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail
Guide Lauren Hohl, left, shines a light on some of the features during a tour of Colossal Cave in Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, in 2015.
Walk or ride on the Loop
If you don't know what it is, the Loop is a network of shared-use paths around Tucson. Think the Rillito River or Santa Cruz River Parks.
The paths are basically for anything without a motor — running, walking, cycling, skating — making a nice place to take the kids for a bike ride or evening stroll.
There are several parks, such as Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, located along the Loop to stop, get water and cool off.
Click here for maps and more info on the Loop.
Humane Society of Southern Arizona volunteers Tom Carpenter and daughter Kasey, 16, walk dogs along the Rillito River Trail on a Saturday morning in Tucson, AZ. The two are long-time volunteers; Kasey comes daily and Tom comes with her on Staurdays. They also have 4 dogs of their own at home. Photo taken Saturday, July 18, 2015. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
Wander through a garden
Located in the center of town, the Tucson Botanical Gardens offers a respite from the city and a place for kids to explore and learn about plants, butterflies and birds. It features a backyard bird garden, butterfly garden, children's discovery garden and more. There's even a model train that winds through a miniature town.
Make a day of it and get lunch or dinner at the Cafe Botanica.
Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children through the end of September.
Address: 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Tour Kitt Peak National Observatory
Go to Kitt Peak Observatory for a guided tour of its telescopes. The kids will think it's so cool to go inside the world's largest solar telescope. It costs $9.75 for anyone age 13 and up; $3.25 for ages 7-12 and free for kids ages 6 and under to tour all three telescopes.
You can also look through solar telescopes to see the sun, docent staff and weather permitting, and check out the visitor center which houses a gift shop and museum.
Address: Kitt Peak does not have a street address. It is located 56 miles southwest of central Tucson. Its website recommends entering "Arizona State Route 86 and Arizona State Route 386" into your GPS device to get to the turn off for the road leading up the mountain to Kitt Peak.
Kitt Peak National Observatory, 56 miles from Tucson, has the world's largest solar telescope.
