Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix, Arizona

• travel to the tropics
• see the plains of Africa
• explore the wilds of Arizona
• and paddle across a lake

At the Phoenix Zoo, of course.

This 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 definitely a family friendly Phoenix attraction with its petting zoo, water sprayground, old fashioned 36-animal carousel and "make your own stuffed animal" factory.

The zoo entrance

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 destinations like the Desert Botanical Garden and the Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum, the Phoenix Zoo is one of the most popular Arizona vacation attractions in the area.

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 like the Arizona Trail, where we saw animals from the many diverse habitats found throughout the state.

Mexican gray wolves, mountain lions, coatimundis and coyotes live in exhibits that mimic their natural habitats.

The Arizona Trail is lushly planted with mesquite trees, prickly pear cacti and other native plants

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 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:

• majestic African lions
• massive white rhinoceros
• thick-tusked warthogs
• sleek and super-fast cheetahs, which can reach a speed of 70 mph in a few seconds.

The 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.

This baby giraffe was born at the Phoenix Zoo and named Makope, which is Swahili for "eyelashes"

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.

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.

The tree house in the Enchanted Forest

The Phoenix Zoo designed the Enchanted Forest for parents and their children (0-5 years) to have a place to use their imaginations to explore the natural world.

Kids will love the many climbing structures such as the tree house and benches shaped like lizards and turtles.

The recreated Latin American plaza at the entrance to the Forest of Uco Trail

We especially enjoyed the Forest of Uco Trail.

Here, 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 first stop here was a large, open-topped aquarium with huge Amazon river fish.

Unfortunately, there was no sign to indicate which species they were, but that didn’t stop kids from running their fingers through the water to entice the fish to rise to the surface.

The Forest of Uco Trail is also home to spectacled bears, the only bear species found in South America.

Colorful toco toucans and scarlet macaws as well as the white-faced saki monkeys round out the exhibits.

A spectacled bear along the Forest of Uco Trail

Ocelots, orangutans and 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 October through April, features a 14,000 gallon tank where you can see 30 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.

For the 2007 - 2008 display, the zoo 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 will close for the year on April 20th, 2008.

Squirrel monkeys can leap up to 8 feet in the trees

As a matter of fact, it’s 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, this 10,000-square foot habitat is the newest feature on the zoo’s Tropics Trail.

Here, you have the unique opportunity to actually walk into the exhibit with the monkeys.

It’s the only one of its kind in the United States.

These adorable, diminutive monkeys are amazingly active and agile.

We found it a real delight to watch them romp and play through their exhibit’s 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’ inquisitive nature often brings them close to people.

One of the four lakes at the Phoenix Zoo

The zoo also has four, large manmade lakes.

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 birds, including ducks and herons.

Kids of all ages will enjoy riding on the Endangered Species Carousel.

Each handcrafted animal 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.

If you want to try something a little more exotic, visit the zoo during the summer for a camel ride ($5).

The camel rides are located in a shady area next to the upper lake.

During the hot weather months, adults and children alike can play in the Leapin’ Lagoon Sprayground.

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.

Another popular zoo activity for children is the "Make Your Own Stuffed Animal" at the Animal Factory. Here, kids can choose their favorite zoo animal and stuff it by hand.

The white rhinoceros can reach a weight of up to 4 tons

Daily Zoo Encounters gives 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, the African Wild Dog Feeding and the "Wild About Animals" Show at the enchanted Forest Amphitheater.

For those who aren’t up to walking the large grounds, there’s the narrated Safari Train Ride that stops at all of the zoo’s highlights.

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 Phoenix 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.

• The Monkey Village has reduced hours during the summer months. Call ahead for specific times.
• Stingray Bay is only open during the regular season, October to April.
• We recommend that you wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes when you visit. In colder months, bring a jacket.
• Always carry a bottle of water with you while you walk the trails. There are plenty of drinking fountains where you can refill your bottle.
• The zoo has many picnic areas and you are allowed to bring in your own food, coolers and ice chests.
• Prohibited items include glass, balloons, frisbees, balls, radios, whistles, skatebaords, skooters, firearms, weapons, knives, toy weapons and bare feet.
• Smoking is prohibited on zoo grounds.
• Pets are not allowed except service animals.
• There is plenty of free parking.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle and always lock your doors.

Phoenix Zoo Location: The zoo is in Papago Park, which is central Phoenix and 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 11 and January 7 through May 31: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm .

Summer Season: June 1 through September 30:
Weekdays: 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
Weekends and holidays: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
Starry Safari Friday Nights: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

ZooLights Season: November 27 through January 11: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Evening Hours for ZooLights: November 23 - January 7: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed December 25.

Phoenix Zoo Ticket Prices:
Regular Zoo Admission:
Adults (13-59): $14
Seniors (ages 60+): $9
Children (3-12): $6
Children 2 and under: Free all year.

Exhibits such as Monkey Village and Stingray Bay may have additional fees.

The Phoenix Zoo Discount Tickets: the zoo often has special zoo admission promotions and pricing during the summer months. Call for details.

Amenities: Several 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:

• Daily educational demonstrations including keeper talks, animal encounters and animal feeding times.
• Family programs include Phoenix Zoo Camp, which has both day camp and overnight camps, birthday parties and animal care giving workshops.
• Adult programs include Keeper For a Day, birdwatch breakfasts and adventure travel tours.

Seasonal Phoenix Zoo events include:

• Zoo Brew - a large annual fundraiser featuring live music, specialty food and beverages and special event activities.
• Dia del Nino, an annual Hispanic holiday that celebrates kids, features Mariachis, folkloric dances, bilingual storytelling and pinatas.
• World music concert series.
• Phoenix Zoo Lights at Christmas
• ZooFari - a benefit that features food and beverages from the area’s finest restaurants, caterers and beverage purveyors
• Winter in July – for one special day, the zoo brings in 50 tons of "snow" for both visitors and zoo animals to play in.
• Starry Safari Friday Nights – the zoo opens in the cooler evening hours during summer. Enjoy discounted prices and special animal encounters.

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