The Phoenix Zoo has been voted one of the top five zoos in the United States for kids. With daily activities, family programs, and special events, it’s not hard to see why the Phoenix Zoo is such a fan favourite.
Phoenix resident Robert Maytag began collecting funds for a local zoo more than 50 years ago, and after his death, his heirs were able to make his dream a reality. Today, the space spans 50 hectares and is home to roughly 1,200 animals, including many endangered species. It is the largest non-profit zoo in the United States. The Phoenix Zoo has a sparkling reputation for its wildlife conservation efforts, which include a successful captive breeding program to reintroduce the rare Arabian oryxes into the wild.
The Phoenix Zoo finds its home in Papago Park, a twenty-minute drive east of downtown. It is easy to reach via bus or car and has a parking lot for those who drive themselves. There are plenty of places to eat on site, but visitors are always welcome to pack a lunch and relax in one of the zoo’s picnic areas. The park closes at 2 p.m. in the summer, so summer visitors should be sure to get there early in order to enjoy the full experience of the zoo.
The mission of the Phoenix Zoo is to provide experiences that will inspire and motivate people to care for the natural world. There are four kilometres of trails in the zoo, one of which is aimed at small children and includes interaction with farm animals. The other three themed trails take visitors on journeys through different parts of the world. Visitors can either walk the trails or take a ride aboard the safari train for a narrated tour of the attractions.
The animals that live at the Phoenix Zoo are varied and range from the Sumatran tiger to the Galapagos tortoise. The zoo also features animals native to the area, such as coyotes and javelinas. For a special treat, pay a few extra dollars to take a short ride on a camel, feed giraffes from the observation deck, or pet cownose stingrays in Stingray Bay.
