Day at the Phoenix Zoo

S loves to visit zoos, so when we were visiting the Phoenix area we decided that we had to visit the Phoenix Zoo.  After all it is voted one of the top 5 zoos in the nation for kids.

The Phoenix Zoo is large with over 1,300 animals on exhibit.  The zoo features all of the usual big animals including lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and zebras.  There is also an entire section of the zoo dedicated to animals found in Arizona.  This trail was especially fun for S since we had been reading “Who Pooped in the Sonoran Desert?”and she got to see all the animals that are in the book.

Besides the animals, the Phoenix Zoo features various daily activities and experiences (some at an additional cost).

The petting zoo is a must for us on every trip to the zoo.  I have to say this is the cleanest petting zoo we have ever visited and the goats tolerated the children and brushing very well.  I think S brushed every goat in the enclosure.

Also in the Harmony Barn area, is the Fisher-Price® Little People® Discovery Farm.  This play area features fun for children ages 18 months – 5 years.  S enjoyed climbing on all the Little People Farm Animals and Vegetables.  I loved that the entire play area was covered with shade screens.

Leapin’ Lagoon is a great splash pad during the hot Arizona days.  There is a button that you have to push in order for the water to turn on.  We had to push the button multiple times during our visit.

Yakulla Caverns is an extreme splash pad with caverns to explore, a waterfall, and a stream that flows around the outside edge.  S played for a long time splashing in the water and laying in the stream. After we were done playing, I noticed a sign that said the Yakulla Caverns were best for children over 5 and that younger children would enjoy the Leapin’ Lagoon.  Oops!  But let me say that the majority of the children at the Yakulla Caverns were under the age of 5.

There is an area to change your child into a swimsuit at both Leapin’ Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns.

The Endangered Species Carousel is a beautiful carousel with 33 distinctive animals.  The carousel is one of those things that every time S sees one, we have to go on.  I was able to stand next to S on the carousel without having to pay to ‘ride’ the carousel.  Please note: that if your child wants to ride on the carousel they must be dry and sand free.  You may want to visit the carousel first before the splash pads.

Virginia G. Piper Enchanted Forest is a play area with some unique features like a stream that runs through it.  A bridge connects the seating area to the sandy play area that has a fort with a slide escape.  S really loves water, so of course she really enjoyed walking through the stream and dangling a stick in the water.

Additional Activities/Experiences at the Phoenix Zoo include:

• Giraffe Encounter
• Camel Rides
• Stingray Bay
• Monkey Village
• Safari Train
• Pedal Boat Rentals (seasonal)

We really enjoyed our trip to the Phoenix Zoo and while we stayed the majority of the day (about 6 hours) we still did not get to see the entire zoo especially all the additional activities and experiences.

Tip:  If you have a zoo membership to your local zoo you may be able to enter other zoos at a discount or for free.  We have a membership with an reciprocal zoo and were able to enter the Phoenix Zoo at half off the admission rate. That saved us $25.00!  Here is a link to the reciprocal zoo website to see if your zoo participates.

If you are looking to travel to Arizona, you may enjoy my other posts about our trip.