Touring Tucson with parents in tow

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat A child's hand reaches out toward a giraffe's head at Reid Park Zoo. Reid Park's other facilities include a picnic area, golf course and the Tucson Toros AAA minor league baseball field.

Well, don't worry because there are plenty of fun, wholesome-type activities to take part in right here in Tucson, most of which won't kill you.

For example, two weeks ago my parents came down from Phoenix for my 21st birthday. Now, the three of us could headed to O'Malleys On Fourth and subsequently gotten plastered. Somehow it didn't happen. Go figure.

Instead, we went to the Reid Park Zoo, which I didn't know existed until last month. And we had fun. Real fun.

So, after you give your parents the mandatory tour of campus and show off your dorm room, do them a favor. Take them out, show them Tucson and have fun, too. The house party will be there next week.

Reid Park Zoo

Admission: Adults: $3.50, Seniors: $2.50, Children (5-14): 75 cents, Children under 5: free.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday.

Location: 1100 Randolph Way. Call: 791-3204

Perks: The opportunity to stand about 5 feet from the most amazing animals you've ever seen, not to mention the aesthetic beauty of the zoo, which is a small paradise right in the heart of Tucson.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Admission: Adults: $8.95, Children: $1.75, Children under 6: free.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday.

Location: 2021 N. Kinney Road. Call: 883-2702

Perks: Although it takes a little while to get there, there are some great exhibits, some cool animals and an awesome cave my dad always spends about three hours in.

Old Tucson Famous Movie Location & Studio

Admission: Adults: $14.95, Children (4-11): $9.45, Children under 3: free.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Location: 201 S. Kinney Road. Call: 883-0100.

Special Events: "Nightfall VI," held through Halloween daily at 5 p.m. Admission is $9.95 a person.

Perks: Recently rebuilt saloon-type town with lots of cowpokes and barmaids rambling around. Need I say more? The voice on the recording said to plan on being there for at least five hours.

Biosphere 2

Admission: Adults: $12.95, Children (6-17): $6, Children under 5: free. Discounts for college students with identification, seniors and Arizona residents.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday.

Location: 30 minutes north of Tucson on Oracle Road. Call: (520) 896-6200.

Perks: Everyone's heard of it, but who's actually been there? Another earth living under a dome. Takes a while to get there, but for those with inquiring minds, this will definitely peak the interest of your brain cells.

Pima Air & Space Museum

Admission: Adults: $6, Seniors (62+): $5, Children (10-17): $3, Children under 9: free.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday.

Location: 6000 E. Valencia Road. Call: 574-9658

Perks: My parents always took me here when I was little. One time I found $5 in change in one of the soda machines. This probably won't happen to you, but if you have any interest in aviation or history, definitely check this out.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Admission: Adults: $6.50, Juniors: (11-16): $5, Children (6-10): $3.50, Children under 6: free.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Location: Head south on I-10 and get off on Exit 279. Call: 647-7275.

Perks: Just "a really cool cave" according to the cashier who answered the phone. My parents took me there, and we really appreciated the year-round 70 degree temperature. You will too, just remember to watch out for bats.