Phoenix Zoo

Over spring break this year, my family and I went to the Phoenix Zoo. It took about 20 minutes of circling the parking lot before we could park. When we got to the entrance, there was a line so long it looked as if the entire valley had come. With our membership however we were luckily able to skip the whole line. Inside the zoo didn’t seem to busy, either because it’s a big zoo, or maybe because everyone was still in line. One of the exhibits I enjoy most is the Grevy Zebra exhibit. Share an enclosure with the Marabou Storks. Which I think is excellent because having multiple species of animals in the same exhibit can make it less as if it’s a zoo and more as if it’s the real deal, especially if the two types of animals naturally live in the same areas in the wild as in this case. With our membership we go to the Phoenix Zoo at least twice a month. Generally the Zebras are just lying around or grazing, not doing much. When we walked up to their enclosure this time however, the two young foals they had were prancing and running around with tons of energy. I had never seen them this energetic. We enjoyed the rest of our trip and didn’t run into any major problems there. Over all I would recommend the Phoenix Zoo as a great place to go if you have kids, even older kids enjoy it. It’s an awesome place to take them to get all their extra energy out and have them learning about the animals while they do! I wouldn’t recommend the Phoenix Zoo to you if you are going to see the animals or for photography because the animals are most likely just hiding in the cool shade at the back of their enclosures. For photography I suggest you go to the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park, AZ. more

We bought a membership to the Phoenix zoo because we always have so much fun here. more

Well, in the summer, the splash areas are a life save if you go! Too hot otherwise! But in the cooler months you can really enjoy the animals and they are more active as well. My boys have loved the monkey exhibit since they were babies! more

We LOVE going to the zoo. My cousin and I split the cost of a membership and take our 15mo olds regularly. The kids really love the spider monkey exhibit, the monkeys are so bold and have no fear of the humans in their environment. I have a picture with my son and husband with a monkey literally less than a foot away from them. My son loved playing at the splash pads, especially the one by the monkeys this summer. And even when the kids fall asleep and miss all the animals, walking around the zoo is a fun way for me and my cousin to stay active, and it helped me get rid of some of the baby pounds. more

great, worth the price more

We go once a year to the zoo. My biggest issue with the zoo is that it takes you a long time to see everything. This past year we spent 5 hours and still did not see everything. I took two of my boys and three nephews. I also think that the cost is a little out of most people's range that have little ones. I would only consider going between November and April. They are updating the childrens area which was nice to see. My boys favorite though is still the treehouse area for them to play. more

My children have been raised in the zoo. We have a membership and go frequently. The zoo keeper talks are definitely ones you do not want to miss. The baboon talk is very entertaining as they feed the animals and watch them interact with each other. The elephant feeding is also a great time, as the people are given carrots to throw for the elephants. The children's part of the zoo is great. Zoo Lights is by far the best part about the zoo. It can be very crowded, but is so worth it. The dancing trees are timed to the music, which is usually "Carol of the Bells". It is a family tradition and have been doing it for 7 years now. Buy your tickets in advance and miss the loooooong admission lines. more

I took my 2 1/2 year old here during one of their free admission day's. It was pretty fun although very crowded, hot, and the animals were quite far away. I could see an older kid having fun seeing the animals, but my little one didn't care very much as they were far away and mostly sleeping. They do have some very fun play area's. One was a tree house with a slide coming down that my little one LOVED and was able to go up by himself (with me watching from the outside of course!). They also had a fun splash zone play area. I probably wouldn't pay the pricey admission to go back, but if you watch out for free admission specials it is a fun family activity! more

I am on my 3rd year of getting a Zoo membership for our family. For less than $100 a year, we have a fun, no-hassle, anytime, educational, and inexpensive family outing. I often meet other moms or take the kids just to get out of the house. On my husband's day off, we often do family days at the zoo. It is great to just go for a couple of hours and not feel the pressure to see to much. It is a win-win for us! more

It is a great learning environment! There are several events throughout the year that are fun to do and expose attendees to new and exciting types of animals. more

WoNdErFuL!!! great price, good for kids, worth the $$, i love you guys!!!! love, elephantlover54 more

The new exhibit "Sting Ray Bay" is so much fun. You can touch the Sting Rays, feed them, interact, and learn about them. They have staff there constantly teaching kids facts about the sting rays, what they eat, how they live, etc. Its great! more

Ok, clearly the writers of previous reviews are desperately hungry for entertainment. I just went through this "zoo" yesterday, and I found it nothing more than a bunch of displays with 1 or less animals in them. The animals always huddled towards the back of the areas making them completely unviewable. I guess it was a zoo of Rocks n Sticks. Furthermore, the prices for food (this isn't a suprise) is not just a ripoff, it's nothing short of thievery! No one item of food was worth what they wanted. Plain and simple - go find somewhere else to entertain yourself... Pros: Water fountains were free... Cons: Everything other than the free water fountains.... more

Obviously the zoo is VERY family friendly! Wide walkways, great views of the animals! more

The stroller rentals were reasonable and easy to navigate with lots of cubbies to keep things in while walking the zoo. All the kids loved it and we've been to the San Diego Zoo & the Wild Animal Park. This just seemed more intimate! more

This zoo is huge and you dont get close to the animals like in the wildlife zoo. It is a great place to take the kids. Admission is pricey so it is probably worth your while to get a membership if you plan to go more than two - three times a year. Make sure you have lots of time to go around though. more

It was fun before you walk the entire thing though (its huge) you might want to rent one of their family cycles they hold the entire family. You'll be able to peddle through the whole thing. Take the kids in swimsuits they have a fun water area to keep cool! Def. Worth the trip! Pros: kids water area, family bicycles, its huge Cons: you'll need an entire day if your walking it. more

The zoo is such a great place for a 3-4 year old. My daughter would go every day if she could. Be sure to bring cash for the merry go round. more

Very, very hot in the summer, even in early morning. Best in Spring and Fall. Excellent activities for young children. more

Buying a membership is well worth the $$. more