Phoenix ZooAnimals and Outdoor Fun Make This a Great Family Friendly Phoenix Attraction
This diverse, 125-acre zoo has over over 1,200 animals - including 200 endangered or threatened species - from all over the world along 2.5 miles of easy walking paths.
The beautifully landscaped grounds offer much more than that, however. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the most family-friendly attractions in Phoenix, Arizona with its petting zoo, water sprayground, old-fashioned carousel and "make your own stuffed animal" factory. You can even bike ride and rollerblade on the zoo grounds. The zoo is in the heart of scenic Papago Park, not far from downtown Phoenix, along with other Papago Park attractions like the Desert Botanical Garden and the Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest, private, non-profit zoological parks in the United States. It is divided into four distinctive trails, each focusing on a specific theme - Africa, Arizona, The Tropics and Children.
We liked the Arizona Trail, where we saw animals from the many diverse habitats found throughout the state. Mexican gray wolves, mountain lions, pronghorn antelope and coyotes live in exhibits that mimic their natural habitats. Along the way, interpretative displays describe the many adaptations that animals have evolved to live in dry climates. The Africa Trail is one of the longest trails at the Phoenix Zoo. Many of the species here inhabit the grasslands of East Africa made famous by countless nature films.
Some of our favorite animals on this trail include:
The African Savanna exhibit is also on this trail. Here, giraffes, zebras, gazelles and African Watusi cattle roam a wide open grassy field reminiscent of the plains of Africa. The front of the savanna exhibit includes the Giraffe Encounter, a wooden observation deck where visitors can feed the zoo's reticulated giraffes. This is a great opportunity to get "up close and personal" with these magnificent, long-necked beauties.
The Giraffe Encounter is only open an hour or two each day. When it's closed, you may still be able to see the giraffes closer than normal when the zoo keepers place leafy branches high up in a basket fixed to a pole, drawing the giraffes to browse. Near one end of the Africa Trail lies the Desert Lives area. These expansive, naturalistic spaces incorporate the area's indigenous red rock buttes into the exhibits. Look for the long-horned Arabian oryx and native Arizona bighorn sheep deftly climbing the rocky crags here. The Children's Trail features the Harmony Farm where kids can see what life is like on a working farm. Everyone can get up close to the animals at the petting zoo in Phoenix Zoo's Red Barn Petting Zoo. Here, you can touch goats, sheep, ponies and a miniature Zebu cattle at the Red Barn Petting Zoo There's also a Toddler Yard play area.
Other Phoenix Zoo attractions that kids will love include:
Highlights at the Phoenix ZooOn the Tropics Trail, you’ll see animals representative of tropical forests all over the world.
We liked the Forest of Uco Trail where the zoo has recreated the plaza of a Latin American village, complete with storefronts and a fountain. Walking along this trail made us feel like we were embarking on an ecotourist adventure. Once we left the Uco Plaza, we followed narrow, dirt paths thickly planted with dense, leafy vegetation. The Forest of Uco Trail is home to spectacled bears, the only bear species found in South America. Colorful toco toucans, huge Amazon river fish and scarlet macaws as well as the white-faced saki monkeys round out the exhibits. Jaguar, orangutans and Asian elephants are among the other species found in the Tropics area. Another popular Phoenix zoo attraction is Stingray Bay.
Although there is no Phoenix aquarium, the Phoenix Zoo's Stingray Bay adds a bit of underwater adventure to the zoo every year. This seasonal exhibit, open from mid-October through mid-April, features a 14,000 gallon tank where you can see cownose and southern stingrays. This is an interactive experience, so it's o.k. to lean over the tank's edge and touch one of the stingrays as they glide by. Not to worry though - these stingrays have had their barbs painlessly trimmed, so you won't get stung. You may even get a chance to feed the stingrays during designated feeding times. The zoo has also added bamboo sharks and nurse sharks to the Stingray Bay exhibit. You might be surprised to learn that these sharks are gentle and will not bite you. As a matter of fact, they are a bit more shy than the stingrays and do not as readily approach visitors. Because of the summer heat, the Stingray Bay exhibit closes each year around the end of April. But this popular Phoenix aquarium exhibit will return with the cooler weather in the fall. Favorite Feature at the Phoenix ZooIt's a rare treat to walk inside a zoo enclosure.
As a matter of fact, it is practically unheard of unless you're an animal keeper. Well hold onto your pith helmet because the Phoenix Zoo's Monkey Village let's you do just that. Home to a troop of squirrel monkeys, the 10,000-square foot Monkey Village habitat is the one of newer features on the zoo's Tropics Trail. Here, you have the unique opportunity to actually walk into the exhibit with the monkeys. This is exhibit is currently the only one of its kind in the United States. The adorable, diminutive squirrel monkeys are amazingly active and agile. We found it a real delight to watch them romp and play through their habitats tall trees and climbing ropes. There are no barriers between you and the monkeys. You keep to a roped trail while the active and playful monkeys are free to wander wherever they please. Although you should not attempt to contact the animals, the petite squirrel monkeys's inquisitive nature often brings them close to people. Note that Monkey Village may close during periods of very rainy weather. You'll still be able to see the monkeys from the viewing platform outside the exhibit though. Visitor Amenities at the Phoenix ZooThe Phoenix Zoo makes a great outing because it has so many fun things to do in addition to seeing all the amazing animals.The zoo is so big and spread out that you might want to consider taking the zoo's Safari Train.
Besides riding along in comfort,the train guide will point out interesting animals and give a wealth of commentary about the animals lives at the zoo and in the wild. The zoo's four, large manmade lakes make a welcome respite from the desert climate. You can rent paddleboats on the largest lake and cruise by the Spider Monkey, Stork and Lemur Islands. Keep an eye out for the many species of ducks, herons and other birds. Kids of all ages will enjoy riding on the Endangered Species Carousel. Each of the 36 handcrafted animals has been designed to be unique and resemble a different animal such as a lion, elephant, hummingbird and rhino. All proceeds from the Endangered Species Carousel rides goes to caring for the Phoenix Zoo animals. During the hot weather months, adults and children alike can play in the Leapin’ Lagoon Sprayground, open from April to October. This fountain area also has plenty of seating well out of the way of the water for those who don't want to get soaked. The Phoenix Zoo offers a variety of activities for children including the "Make Your Own Stuffed Animal" at the Animal Factory where kids can choose their favorite zoo animal and stuff it by hand.
Daily Creature Features are special animal encounters that give everyone a chance to ask the zoo keepers about the animals they care for. Some of the most popular are the elephant feeding and chat and the "Wild About Animals" Show at the enchanted Forest Amphitheater. You can also rent a variety of bikes for getting around or bring your own. You can even bring your own rollerblades and skate around the grounds. During the Christmas holiday season, the zoo lights up the night with their annual Phoenix Zoo Lights. The zoo re-opens after dark to display over 2 million colored, animal-themed lights and hundreds of animal-themed light displays and music throughout the zoo. This is one of the largest holiday displays in the Southwest. Fast Facts: Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix ArizonaWhat to Know Before You Go:
Phoenix Zoo Location: The zoo is in Papago Park, which is in central Phoenix, east of downtown Phoenix. Address: 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008. The entrance to the zoo is just off Galvin Parkway between McDowell and Van Buren. Phoenix Zoo Phone: (602) 273-1341. Phoenix Zoo Hours: Open daily except December 25. Regular Season Hours: October 1 through November 3 and January 11 through May 31: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Summer Season: June 1 through September 30: Phoenix Zoo Lights Season: November 4 through January 10: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Phoenix Zoo Ticket Prices: Exhibits such as Monkey Village, Giraffe Encounters and Stingray Bay, various zoo rides and and special events such as Zoo Lights have additional fees. Call the zoo for specific prices. Zoo Discount Tickets: the zoo often has special zoo admission promotions and pricing during the summer months. Call for details. Amenities: Several cafes and snack bars serving hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, deli sandwiches and Mexican food (note: some snack bars are closed during the summer months); picnic areas. Stroller and manual wheelchair rentals; Two gift shops plus Animal Factory for making own stuffed animal; Paddleboat rentals; Zoofari train ride; Bike rentals.
Activities:
Seasonal Phoenix Zoo events include:
The information in this review was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Arizona Zoos page from Phoenix Zoo page
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