Top Things to do in Central Arizona
Top Hotels in Central Arizona
- 1. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 2. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport
- 3. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley
- 4. Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
- 5. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 6. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- 7. Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass
- 8. The McCormick Scottsdale
- 9. The Wigwam
- 10. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Tempe
Countries
The 7 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Central Arizona, Central Arizona
Home to the Phoenix metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents, Central Arizona offers an amazing array of museums, cultural venues and outdoor adventures. The Valley of the Sun boasts hopping nightlife and a thrilling selection of restaurants, resorts and spas. Discover Old West and Native American history. Hike among the cactus in the Sonoran desert. Try your hand at ranching in Glendale. Drive the Superstition Mountains. Visit Frank Lloyd Wrights Taliesin West in Scottsdale.
Restaurants in Central 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. 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.
3. 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...
4. Phoenix Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,984 reviews
Visit the Phoenix Zoo and explore a wondrous world of curiosity, imagination and discovery. For more than half a century, the Zoo and its animals have amazed guests from across Phoenix and around the globe. Whether you are on the lookout for awe-inspiring Asian elephants, on safari to spot the great Sumatran tiger or seeking towering giraffes roaming the savanna - a day at the Zoo offers adventures like no other place in the Valley. With cafes, shops, lush gardens and exciting experiences like Stingray Bay, Giraffe Encounter, Monkey Village, Safari Train, 4-D Theater and many more, your visit to the Zoo will be memorable for the entire family. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nation's largest non-profit zoos, committed to conservation and providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world.
Reviewed By paws0810 - Mesa, United States
Although we visited the zoo a year ago in August when it was way too hot to be at the zoo and I was extremely disappointed it is absolutely beautiful here and a cool crisp 51° seeing all the Christmas lights
5. SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 605 reviews
Dive in to SEA LIFE Arizona! Be wowed by the many strange, beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep as you journey through an amazing underwater world. Prepare for astonishingly close views of everything from sea stars to sharks, rays, octopus and a rescued green sea turtle! To get any closer you'll have to get wet! Enjoy, thousands of sea creatures in 30 displays, interactive touch tanks, an amazing 360 degree ocean tunnel, talks, feeds, and much more!
Reviewed By TexasAly - Mount Pleasant, United States
An Aquarium in the desert, Yes! it is a family friendly learning environment for kids of all ages and an unexpected find.
6. Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 962 reviews
Reviewed By Travelers2003
This zoo has more a natural setting than Phoenix Zoo. Made it seem like animals were in their habitat as it should be (for zoo life). The best parts are the Sky Ride and Tram Ride! The sky ride is great because you can see most animals that are in the central location and it cuts out on walking time, plus it’s a fun view looking down or across all animals. The tram was fun because you had close up views of some animals. Both rides were $6/per person....which was fine but website should’ve indicated this, so one can be prepared. Every zoo needs a sky ride!! The Aquarium was interesting but very dark. West entrance needs signage indicating two lines can form upon entering. People were confused and stayed in the Admissions line when in fact the gift shop entrance was accepting admission as well. This would’ve helped the long line! I had prepaid online and showed my tickets for them to scan but they said only the main entrance has a scanner so she wrote my name down. All entrances should be equipped with a scanner(s). Great zoo and would recommend!
7. OdySea Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,019 reviews
OdySea Aquarium, located in Scottsdale, is America’s newest aquarium and was recently voted Kids Best Indoor Entertainment. This multi-level, state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and is the largest aquarium in Arizona. OdySea Aquarium offers an educational, interactive and entertaining experience for guests of all ages by combining theme-park style amusement with highly engaging presentations of aquatic life. OdySea Aquarium features more than 65 exhibits, 370 species, the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit as well as 2 Stingray touch exhibits and a tide touch pool! OdySea is also home to Voyager, where guests take their seats in a stadium-seating style theatre with 46 ft. viewing windows for the “world’s only revolving aquarium experience.
Reviewed By C8088WRdavet
If you enjoy aquariums and the sea world, you must visit Odysea aquarium. From a full wall shark tank restroom to beautiful aquariums of all types of salt and fresh water exhibits, you will be continuisly in awe. I'm very happy that I went!
