Top Things to do in Arizona
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10 Zoos & Aquariums in Arizona That You Shouldn't Miss
The state of Arizona is one that features a fantastic diversity of landscapes and areas of geological interest. North Arizona is famous for the Grand Canyon, a colorful chasm with steep rocky walls more than a mile deep and stretching some 277 miles alongside the Colorado River. Other notable destinations in North Arizona include Flagstaff set alongside the San Francisco Peaks which has the largest ponderosa pine forest, Museum of Northern Arizona, and is close to a number of national parks and monuments. On the south side of Arizona lies the city of Phoenix, the largest in Arizona. Notable day trips in Phoenix include the Heard Museum which is one of America's largest collections of Native American art, Phoenix Museum of History, as well as the Desert Botanical garden which has a great collection of desert plants.
Restaurants in Arizona
1. Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is a statewide facility that includes a surrender facility, education program, summer camps and rescue and rehabilitation. Visit over 1700 reptiles in their natural habitat while expert guides describe origin, diet, and conservation status. Students may even interact with some critically endangered animals. See more than 230 venomous snakes in the Venom & Research Lab as well as alligators, crocodiles, Galapagos tortoises, Gila monsters, just to name a few.
Reviewed By Daryl0591 - Sanibel Island, United States
Must make appointment. Great to do with kids. Extensive collection of alligators, crocks, turtles and snakes. Took 2.5 hours.
2. Reid Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By PatN661 - Colorado Springs, United States
This was the most beautiful display of lights throughout the zoo that I've ever experienced at any zoo. Animals of all kinds (many fantasy animals/characters) and the colors were spectacular. Great to be able to enter the zoo at 6pm while it is still somewhat light and you can still see some of the zoo animals that come out in the cooler evening weather. Then, as it got dark, the lighted figurines all over the zoo were just gorgeous! There was also a demonstration in the park area of balance and acrobatics and another Chinese performance. All in all, well worth the price of admission. Give yourself at least 2 hrs.
3. Reid Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,016 reviews
Reid Park Zoo is a hidden gem, nestled in the center of Tucson, and is the perfect place to enjoy time outside while discovering the wonders of wildlife.
Reviewed By paws0810 - Mesa, United States
I’m worried that the zoo would be crummy. But it was. Good. Clean. Animals were out despite the early morning cold weather. Not too expensive as a senior. Spent two hours.
4. Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,511 reviews
Located in the heart of the Verde Valley, the mission of Out of Africa Wildlife Park is to create the ultimate animal adventure for all ages, one steeped in fun, immersed in learning, and inspired by a living and colorful world of astonishing wildlife. We strive to foster an appreciation of our planet's wild areas and wondrous inhabitants by supporting and promoting conservation awareness and action, practicing exemplary animal care, providing education and learning experiences, and establishing broad community support, through a peaceful and interactive relationship with our animal friends, who touch our hearts.
Reviewed By IowaGuy315 - Iowa, United States
We enjoyed a beautiful late November day at Out of Africa. It seems like there are lots of discounts around for this park, AAA offered on site, but the regular price would be worth it! General admission ticket includes everything you'd need for a great outing, including a shorter "safari" bus ride where the guide feeds animals and you also have the chance that you might feed a giraffe or camel from the bus. Our guide was amazing- energetic and quick witted- and she was extremely knowledgeable about her animals. It's obvious that everyone here really cares about the animals - and many shared stories about animals that were rescued, etc. SuperMog and zip line tours would be cool, but are definitely not needed to enjoy the park - especially if you have young kids with. Definitely worth noting that this is not (as they say everywhere)- not a zoo! Roads & paths are all natural surface (and can be dusty). All of the animals we saw seemed to be content (not pacing their cages/fence lines, etc), and very well cared for and loved. The tiger swim show was fun, even though the 2 brother tigers weren't apparently cooperating as well as they do some days - it was great to see how the handlers worked with them- clearly not forcing them to do anything, yet working to engage them. They are amazingly beautiful and capable animals! Overall, we felt great spending our money and time here, and would totally go again if in the area. Note that on slower days not all of the food/beverage options may be available- not a big deal, but we may have stayed longer if we could have grabbed a decent lunch & kept trekking about.
5. Heritage Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary is a non-profit wildlife sanctuary, dedicated to the conservation and protection of native and exotic animals. Located in scenic Prescott, Arizona, the sanctuary provides a source of recreation, education and entertainment for all ages. With the mission of "Conservation through Education," Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary provides a unique and up-close experience with animals visitors may see nowhere else. Animals at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary all have a story to tell and lesson to teach. We currently house more than 200 animals on our grounds - among them a Bengal Tiger, two Black Bears, two Clouded Leopard siblings, Mexican Gray Wolves, Bobcats, Lynx, Lemurs, various reptiles, and one of the largest tarantula displays in the Southwest.
Reviewed By Extraordinary530095 - Corpus Christi, United States
This gem close to town was an unexpected pleasure. We arrived just in time for the mountain lion feeding. Beautiful animal. The spokesman for the tortoises was extremely knowledgeable. All attractions were up close and personal. It is a small rescue and rehab sanctuary but very worth the time seeing. Would definitely go again.
6. Grand Canyon Deer Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Located on a section of old Route 66, the Deer Farm is 10 acres of absolute animal wonderland. Walk a path around our park to view wallabies, llamas, mini cattle, bison, peacocks, & much more. Walk with deer, feed the deer right from your hands. Chat with a parrot, Mozart is a very entertaining cockatoo, Scarlet (a lilac crowned Amazon Parrot) a bit more shy, pet a goat, kiss a camel. You will have a blast here if you are an animal lover.
Reviewed By Q8577QWjenniferc
The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is a must for all families visiting northern Arizona. It is so much fun. For a very small fee, you can feed the deer. They are so sweet and cute. There are also many other animals to see. It was a really good time!
7. Bearizona Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,634 reviews
Bearizona is a Wildlife Park featuring a drive through area as well as a walk through area. View animals in natural habitats during your drive. Check out more animals on exhibit in the walk through. There are several animal shows throughout the day as well as a complimentary bus tour through the park at several times throughout the day.
Reviewed By Berdy64 - Melbourne, Australia
This is the most amazing experience I've ever done, drive through forests of ponderosa pines and see bears, deer, wolves , bison and many other animals, plus walk through and see baby bears, beavers, jaguars porcupines and otters Just amazing
8. Navajo Nation Zoo & Botanical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By LocalAdventurer2018 - Gallup, United States
The zoo is small but free. There are many animals that are from the Navajo Nation such as wolves, bears, eagles, roadrunners, etc. Fantastic little zoo!
9. Butterfly Wonderland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,477 reviews
Reviewed By Mike-n-Inga - Williamsburg, United States
My wife and I really did not know what to expect when we visited this attraction. First: it is indoors, so offers a welcome break from mid-summer heat. Second: it has welcome hours (we visited late afternoon on a Sunday). You start off with an educational and entertaining movie about Monarch butterflies and their life-cycle. They really are a wonder and have a fascinating story for young and old alike. You follow this up with a visit to a room where the butterflies emerge from their cocoons (go earlier in the day to see more activity, later afternoon is too late). This is followed by the true wonder of the facility: the indoors butterfly sanctuary. My wife and I spent nearly two hours hunting through the foliage, each topping the other with the amazing pictures and movies we made capturing the various butterflies we found! We have many great pictures which we have shown to friends and relatives already and all are in awe. It's a great adventure and done at a leisurely pace away from the heat of the desert. Finally, we were surprised by the exhibits outside the sanctuary. We were awarded with dozens more pictures of various creepy critters! This place is a must-see, especially for parents looking for something educational and less hectic than some standard entertainment faire...
10. Funny Foot Farm and Tucson Petting Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
We are a different type of petting zoo. We take you on an educational tour of all our exotic animals and you get to learn about, feed and pet them all. Some of the animals you will get to meet include capybaras, porcupines, tortoise, rabbits, patagonian mara, emus, cow, donkey, chickens, goats and more!
Reviewed By BBDSC - Saint Matthews, United States
We relished our tour of the farm with the kind and knowledgeable staff. The visit was a pleasure! We were able to pet birds, hold baby goats, pet a kangaroo, pet and feed capybaras, sheep and many others. Worth every penny! My children will talk about this for years! I would highly recommend a visit!
