🦓 I love the Phoenix Zoo and I’ll be a member as long as I live here. But if your kids love animals, there’s lots of other local places to see them too!
🐯 Wildlife World Zoo, Litchfield Park: I love that this one is a large spread out animal park with amusement park rides and a large aquarium!
🐢 Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, Scottsdale: This neat spot is a rescue center for reptiles. Sign up for a tour and you can get up close and personal with a ton of cool animals including gators, snakes and turtles!
🐻 Southwest Wildlife, Scottsdale: This sweet little rescue is the home to bears, mountain lions and a bunch of other wildlife in need of care. You can book a tour but I recommend booking a spot on a family day which is a more laid back experience offered one Saturday per month.
🦈 Odysea Aquarium, Scottsdale: this large multi-level aquarium is always a fun time. With award-winning bathrooms and a revolving theater, we love this one.
🐠 Sea Life Aquarium, Tempe: Located in the Arizona Mills Mall, it’s bigger on the inside than you think! I love how the exhibits are easily visible to kiddos as they are lower to the ground. And the walk-through tunnel always impresses.
🦋 Butterfly Wonderland, Scottsdale: While home to a beautiful arboretum for butterflies, this destination also includes reptile, fish and insect exhibits.
🐔 Superstition Farm, Mesa: You can feed and pet the animals at this rescue farm. Visit between 12 and 2 and you can jump on a dairy farm tour. See recent reel for a video preview.
🐢 AZ Science Center, Phoenix: If you’re a member you get free access to their newest exhibit featuring a sloth, tortoises a hedgehog and other animals known for their slowness. Checkout my “Survival of the Slowest” post on Instagram or Facebook for full details.
🐐 Mother Nature’s Farm, Gilbert(Weekends): So far I’ve only visited during their pumpkin patch season but they are also open to the public Sat-Sun 9-3. Bring a picnic, shop at their boutique and hang out with their farm animals!
🐰 Mortimer Farms, Dewey: There’s always something happening at this farm. From u-pick seasons to holidays or just a casual day at the farm. Check their website for the latest happenings.
🐑 Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, Picacho: Feed just about every animal you see including goats, mini horses, sheep, lorikeets, ducks, sting rays and yes, ostriches.
I’ll put together my list of spots to see animals a little further out too! Stay tuned! 🚘