Phoenix Zoo

A Perfect Family Destination! Our recent visit to the zoo was an absolute delight, especially for our 3-year-old! Coming all the way from Seattle, we were thrilled to find that this zoo far exceeded our expectations. The exhibits were well-maintained, and the animals seemed happy and active, which made the experience even more enjoyable for our little one. The layout was stroller-friendly, but we highly recommend renting a scooter—it made navigating the park a breeze and added an extra layer of fun for our toddler. The zoo offered a fantastic variety of animals, and the interactive areas were a hit with our child. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions or share interesting facts. We also appreciated the clean facilities and plenty of shaded areas to take breaks. What stood out the most was how well-designed the zoo was for young children. From the petting zoo to the play areas, our 3-year-old was entertained the entire time. If you’re planning a visit with little ones, this zoo is a must-see. We can’t wait to come back! Highly recommend it to families looking for a fun, educational, and stress-free day out.

The Arizona exhibit was really neat. Loved petting the stingrays. Enjoyed the 20 min bus tour. The little monkeys were very cute and it was nice to be in the exhibit while they got enrichment. Animals are all very well taken care of. Snacks and cooling areas are all around.

This is one of the best zoo's I've been to. There is A LOT to explore so make sure you have enough time. We thought two hours was reasonable and we couldn't have been more wrong. They do close at 1pm I would imagine due to the crazy heat out here so plan ahead and get there closer to open. I appreciate that there were only about 2-3 exhibits that were currently uninhabited and the animals were easy to find/view

We love the zoo! Every trip is different and they are always improving it. The weather was great so the place was packed but still didn’t seem too crowded. We enjoyed the carousel and all the animals. It’s so nice to see the rhinos and big cats out. The leopard was looking quite regal today.

What a massive, absolutely beautiful zoo. There’s an impressive variety of animals to look at and stuff to read, so plan to spend a good few hours here. The pathways are long but easy to follow, make sure to wear some good walking shoes because you will be doing a lot of it— great exercise! There are plenty of shaded areas to sit and water refill stations so that you can stay cool and comfortable when it’s hot out. Lots of spots to get food too if you need it. The zoo was clean and well maintained, the staff were friendly, and all the exhibits were a fun learning experience.

Had a great time at the Phoenix Zoo! It’s a really nice place to walk around, and there’s a good mix of animals and interactive spots. Loved the tigers and Flamingo. It’s family-friendly, lots of shade, and easy to get around. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Always a great time at the zoo! Highly recommend getting there when they open during the summer months so you can catch the animals out. They enjoy the cooler mornings and are more active, if its past 10am they are mostly sleeping in a cool spot, and some are hard to find. They have several spots to cool off now, a restaurant, the bathrooms have ac, and of course the splash pad, which is a big hot with the little ones. The adult price is a bit high, but that's up to you to make the most of your trip!

It was a beautiful day at the zoo! I lived in Denver for 9 years and thought they had a nice zoo, but Phoenix knocked it out of the park! Lots of beautiful stops and the animals were all pretty much out also. Lots of shady spots, misters, and drink stands along the whole zoo also. The staff was friendly and informative. Highly recommend for families, friends, or adult singles just wanting to walk around in the sun and look at wonderful animals.

We FINALLY made it to Roars and Pours (plus it was Zoolights preview night) and we were blown away. The place was packed! Everyone was in line for drinks and such, huge party atmosphere and the lights were just incredible. Not sure why it took us so long to finally get over here for this event. It was $13 entry per person (no discount for members) plus whatever you eat or drink. Highly recommend!!

We love the zoo animals looked well takes care of .. very lively in the mornings .. needs more drink stand open when it's above 100 at 10 am.. they also penny-eny you..money to get in to see the string rays .. I don't mind paying to feed them but just to see also money to ride the train around why not just charge a little more and get it all included?? Also no bags they force you to buy a recycled bags I'm not against offering these bags but not to have a free bag available when your buying 100$ worth of souvenirs.. My problem was they offer first responder discount my husband has been LVMP for 30 yrs and they refused to give the discount to me his wife we serve as a family not just him.. made us feel very unwelcome.. Over all I'd visit this zoo again but not in the 100 heat

The flowers and landscaping at the zoo are just as impressive as the animals. It does not feel like you're walking through a desert, instead it feels like you're in a garden at a tropical destination. I was also surprised and impressed at how big it is, my GPS clocked almost 3 miles by the end of the day. The staff is friendly, the grounds and animals are impressive, and there is plenty of educational material to let you know what you're looking at . We stopped by the shop on the way out and picked up some native honey, it was delicious. Highly recommend this as a break from the desert heat.

Surprisingly my favorite exhibit wasn't even alive albeit live like. I found the dinosaur section to be memorable. Although the Phoenix Zoo pales in comparison to the San Diego Zoo, it's an affordable option for AZ residents. I bought my tickets online and I noted that they close at 1PM. Notably online tickets cost $2 less but there was also a $2 convenience fee so there wasn't a difference. It was best to arrive early to beat the heat and many animals get fed then. I was able to observe all the exhibits over the span of 3 hours. The gift shop was near the entrance and they had a huge collection of strollers and rentals. Most of the food options and souvenirs were located at the front. I recommend starting on the left trail with larger children and on the right with younger children. Younger children could enjoy the children's trail, park, carousel, and petting zoo. The large mammals were located in the center of the zoo while the more Arizona exclusive animals were on the left. I especially enjoyed the recreations and animatronics of the dinosaurs. The tortoises were amongst the liveliest creatures so look out for them. There were a lot of activities that families could pay extra for although I didn't find them necessary to have a good time. If you have money to burn, ride a camel or feed some animals. Although the desert animals seemed to be fine, I noticed that the tropical animals were on the leaner side. I hope that the zoo manages to keep them cool and full with the infamous AZ heat. Some exhibits had only 2 animals and they looked a bit lonely. There weren't many covered areas or seating so it wasn't disability or walking friendly. Volunteers were concentrated near the entrance and it would be more enjoyable if more staff members were spread throughout. I don't know if it was just during my visit but the cafes were closed so it was difficult to grab a snack or drink. While I always love a good zoo, the Phoenix zoo could make it safer and more pleasant for their patrons. The price tag was a bit high but there are unique exhibits and animals that were worthwhile.

Love our city zoo. I have since I was a kid. They've added so many animals and exhibits. It has lots to see. The zoo a number of big cats, elephants, rhinoceros, a bear, cheetahs, all kinds of monkeys, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. They have a place where you can feed and pet stingrays and a petting zoo for the little ones. I really enjoy the Arizona portion called the Arizona Trail. It's kind of pricey but it is what it is. Nice things cost. And the money is used to support the zoo. If you can swing it it's probably best to buy a yearly membership. It can pay for itself after a few visits. I've been a member for years and I plan to continue to be for the foreseeable future. And of course when the holidays arrive, you should check out Zoolights.

We finally made it to the Phoenix Zoo after moving here a year and a half ago, and it was a great experience! It is expansive and there are so many unique animals to see. We went on a 72 degree day in November so we had perfect visibility of basically all the animals. Our daughter got to do a camel ride which she loved. It was not too crowded despite being a weekend. The two lion cubs were definitely a highlight! The animals looked well cared for and we appreciate their conservation work and educational program offerings.

The Zoowalk for Autism Research at the Phoenix Zoo wasn't just an event; it was a testament to the power of collective compassion. It reminded us that, like the diverse species within the zoo, our strength lies in embracing differences and walking together towards a brighter, more inclusive future. Kudos to the organizers, volunteers, and participants for creating a day filled with laughter, awareness, and a profound sense of unity. The Zoowalk has left an indelible paw print on the hearts of all involved, proving that when we stride together, we stride towards hope.

Positives about the Phoenix Zoo: You can bring in food and drinks. There was plenty of parking. The gift shop is well laid out with plenty of walking space. The prices are high but not ridiculous. We visited the bathrooms twice and they were clean. There was an attendant stationed there that was keeping things neat. She was doing a great job!! The photo that was taken at the entrance was super well done! Areas of Opportunity: The lack of paper maps makes it difficult to navigate the zoo. I did use the QR code and the picture of the map provided at the entrance that I took with my phone. But, trying to chart where we were in relationship to the picture was very frustrating because the sidewalks aren't clear. We arrived around 10:30am and it seemed the animals had already eaten and were all hiding. There was so much side moneymaking happening - trolly, little drive-able animals, camel rides it was a bit distracting. I do recommend the zoo but I do see some areas for growth.

I have been visiting this zoo since I was a kid. I went on so many field trips as a little boy growing up here in the Valley. The Phoenix Zoo is a non-profit zoo and was established in 1962 in Papago Park. They have over 3,000 animals that include tigers, lions, elephants, Komodo dragons, monkeys and giraffes. The Phoenix Zoo hosts lots of community events like ZooLights, Roars & Pours, Night Camps and an annual 5K. Some of my favorite attractions are Stingray Bay, the Safari Cruise, Monkey Village, the petting zoo and the Giraffe Encounter. The Phoenix Zoo does a lot for animal conservation efforts and provides sanctuary to animals that need a place to live for various reasons. Even though I frequent ZooLights a lot during the holidays, I was able to visit during the day recently. I enjoyed my stroll down memory lane and interacting with the animals. I wasn't aware that they erected a Wallace and Ladmo statue here in the zoo. This statue honors "The Wallace and Ladmo Show" - a longtime Valley children's show that us Phoenix natives grew up watching. Ladmo was present at my 10th birthday party and I received a Ladmo bag full of goodies. There is lots to do inside Papago Park. Have a picnic lunch or visit Hole in the Rock after your visit to the zoo. The Desert Botanical Garden is also in Papago Park and is just north of the Phoenix Zoo.

My wife and I visited the Phoenix Zoo while in town for a vacation. Zoos are one of our favorite places to go, so we've seen our share of them around the country. We were excited to see the Komodo Dragon, which you don't find very often. The little guy didn't disappoint, he wandered around his enclosure putting on a show for us. I fell in love with the prairie dogs and would have spent the entire day watching them nibble on their leaves and scurry about. And the variety of snakes was pretty great too-so many beautiful nope ropes. When we visited in late November, there were very few food stands open-perhaps that was just the time of the year. It wasn't crowded at all, which was nice-so we were able to quickly get some lunch at the main food court. Parking is a breeze and the size of the zoo is just right-not too big, not too small. It would have been cool to see more interactive options or staff members throughout the zoo sharing facts about the animals on display.

We had an amazing experience at the Phoenix Zoo, thanks to our fantastic tour guide, Matt! From the moment the tour started, he was engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the animals and their care. Matt shared fascinating facts about each animal, making the experience educational and fun for everyone in our group. His friendly demeanor and enthusiasm made the tour memorable, and he was more than happy to answer all of our questions. I highly recommend a private tour with Matt if you're looking to enhance your visit to the zoo!

We had a family zoo day, and we had a great time at the Phoenix zoo. We came on Memorial Day, considering it was a holiday, we came in early in the morning roughly 0930 am, to beat the crowd and the heat. I spent roughly 3 hours at the zoo, looking at all the animals and just exploring. I think we saw all the animals that held our interest. I loved how clean the zoo was, even the restrooms. The offered discounts to first responders and people over 60. Also like how they had an area for kids to rest. Definitely worth my while.

We love everything about the Phoenix Zoo! We go twice a year and it is always a great time for the entire family. In addition we love Zoolights!

We went to Zoo Lights after Christmas. This was my first visit to the Phoenix Zoo. I've been to the Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo which has millions of lights and offers special glasses for cool 3D effects. I didn't see anywhere that the Phoenix Zoo does this. There weren't as many lights because there aren't as many trees but the do have some really cool lighted displays. The zoo wasn't crowded at which allowed us to leisurely stroll by and view all the neat displays. I can't wait to visit the zoo during the day so I can see the animals and surroundings in the light.

This review is specific to Zoo Lights. Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo is a magical holiday experience that truly transforms the park into a holiday wonderland. The innumerable lights strung up on trees, combined with beautiful holiday decorations, create a mesmerizing atmosphere. Despite the darkness, glimpses of animals add an extra layer of excitement, even if not as many are visible. The large animal-shaped lanterns are a highlight, capturing attention with their incredible craftsmanship and adding to the enchanting ambiance of the event. One delightful touch is the availability of hot cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows, providing a warm and festive treat as you stroll through the illuminated wonderland. For a unique experience, the opportunity to ride a camel for a few minutes at just $8 adds an extra layer of excitement to the evening. Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo is a must-visit during the holiday season, offering a blend of dazzling lights, captivating lanterns, and a touch of wildlife magic in the heart of the desert.

The phoenix zoo is great fun ! There are plenty of animals to see and interactive exhibits with the animals. They have zoo lights in the winter, and events for the entire phoenix area community to attend. It's right next Papago park and the dessert botanical gardens. It's a good time for all ages .

I personally prefer the Wildlife World Zoo... more to do and much better shade. This zoo is scorching during the day, and doesn't have that much to see for the price. It's not terrible, but I would much rather go somewhere else for a day trip.

Reaching for 10,000 steps a day? This is the place to hit that goal easily! Showed up around noon this Saturday, and it was jam-packed. This is the place to be for families and those who want to see the cute animals, even those exotic ones. Most of them animals were sleeping but got some good interaction with the Giraffe getting their afternoon snacky. If you're coming here towards the summer months (basically anytime after March), bring an umbrella, hat, and sunscreen. I left basically all of these items and wished I had them on this sunny hot day. This place is basically like a Disneyland. It costs $ to do most things, even to pet the sting rays, which I remember being free back in the day. Always a fun adventure, but be prepared to be around a lot of people.

I can't believe I haven't written a review! This is our favorite membership. My kids are early risers so we love taking advantage of the fact that members can arrive an hour before general admissions. This is nice because we can get there when it's still cooler outside during the hotter months. There are so many animals to see at this zoo, and we literally never do the entire zoo in one trip. Tonight at dinner we were discussing our favorite animals at the zoo. Between my family, we said we like the orangutans, giraffes, hyenas, lions, rhinos, monkeys that monkey village and on monkey island, the bald eagles, the prairie dogs, the bear and The goats at the petting zoo.

Came here with the Kindergarteners from the school I work for. I quickly discovered that my knee would not like the walking and I didn't. There's so much to see and do, yes, but way too much walking for me. There are food places for your eating pleasure and also a pavilion for outdoor eating and a good meeting place for groups. There is a gift shop but we were not allowed in there (by school rules) so I can't say much about it unfortunately. My experience was not the greatest between all the walking that took a toll on my bad knee, to me getting overheated & nearly fainting despite drinking 3 bottles of water. Take the kids and have fun.

Hands down the BEST zoo I've been too! There's sooo much to do! The zoo itself is spacious and you can tell workers take pride of their work. All the animals were visible during our visit and their enclosure made it easy to access them but still built so they are unbothered. Highlight was the walking monkey enclosure. The staff was very informative and willing to educate people.

Candlelight Concert: Rock Classics on Strings April 18, 2024 Magical evening Performers Sweetwater Strings Wonderful time Talented strings

I'm from Minnesota, this zoo was HUGE. I sped walked and took pictures of almost everything and it took me about 4 hours to see everything and take a break to eat a Nathan's hot dog with some chips. The price is a bit steep but I highly recommend for what you get!

So in July 2024 my family and I visited the Phoenix Zoo.We were so excited to go visit,however once there we lost that excitement. The majority of the enclosures appeared to be unkept and filthy. The animals themselves looked ok though.The "younger" employees seemed unhappy to even be there and if you tried to ask a question they would answer very rudely.We wanted it to be a fun and enjoyable day for my Grandkids but all 4 of them said they'd never want to go back to the Phoenix Zoo again because it didn't have a "positive or fun" vibe.I've been to many zoo's around the United States and this had to be one of the worst one's I've ever been to.It definitely wasn't worth our time or money.

My visit here wasn't what I expected because it passed my expectations. The zoo lighting was sooo cute! Hubby and I came in the evening for the event so most of the animals were put away by then. Although, I was able to take a ride on the camel! We got hot chocolate, churros and quesadillas to eat and they were all good.

We love the PHX zoo, there are so many animals, wonderful play spaces, splash pads, benches, areas to gather and helpful staff. We love visiting in the cooler months and doing the splash pad in the hot months! It's a must do with kids in the valley!

My wife and I showed up for the Phoenix zoo lights and surprisingly it was a fun experience more than I thought but what bummed me out was not being able to see much animals but other than that we had a great time

We went to zoo lights last night and wow it was awesome! They have added so many lights! We walked almost the entire length of the zoo. In the past only select parts of the zoo had lights. The show on the lake was wonderful, we watched it twice from different angles. It was busy even after Christmas, but there was enough space it was easy to stop and look at the lights you wanted to look at. There was always a line for the bathrooms and concessions though.

Day 3 of 5 (Tuesday) in Phoenix, Arizona, we visited the Phoenix Zoo. We arrived close to opening time (9am). Our girls are 2 and under so FREE admission! Online reservations do not allow one to purchase senior tickets ($5 off), which was a little annoying. Daytime general admission for adults over 14 years old is $39.95. Even though you think you "save" $2.00 per ticket when you buy online, there is a $2.00 convenience fee that they tack on at checkout. We opted to pay for the tickets altogether at the park. They also have free charging stations for electric vehicles. We spent a total of 4 hours there, including ordering from the Savanna Grill. We waited 20 minutes for food. You can bring your own packed food as well. Plenty of places to sit down and enjoy a snack or lunch. This was our girls first visit to the zoo. It was a pretty memorable experience, seeing their reactions to real live animals (versus ones in a book or video). We saw a number of different birds, also a zebra, an elephant, a few giraffes, some farm animals, snakes, a bear, different monkeys, and a jaguar. The food was as expected for a park. We opted out of the kids menu because it didn't sound as appetizing. Instead we ordered a cheese pizza, which we split between two toddlers. They also ate some of our fries and that was enough food for them. The bacon cheeseburger was decent and on the saltier side. All in all, a fun experience for the littles and the adults.

We always love the zoo! Full disclosure, we are used to the San Diego zoo, so phoenix was a bit of a shock. We've been several times. The good: Parking is easy Staff is great We ate there once. It was good. The gift shop is decent. Alright. Let's get into what really needs improvement. 1. There are way too many solitary animals. They need companions. Yes, I know some don't do well with companions. 2. More water needed. Way more water. The kids have splash pads to play on while the adults try to find a piece of the shade to survive the heat. Absolutely miserable. Many more misting systems are needed. There are far too few misters. This is not difficult. 3. Add water features. There are large ponds which don't appear to serve any real purpose to visitors or many of the animals. You can create an oasis in the desert for your animals and the visitors. 4. Add a restaurant and make it unique to your property. People will come and you will have more revenue for the animals and their habitats. 5. Improve the animals habitats! Make them more fun and interesting for both the animals and the visitors. 6. Phoenix could be and should be a world class zoo. 7. Hire people who have the vision and fortitude to make this happen. Just my little view point. Hope the Phoenix zoo will continue to grow and improve!

The staff is friendly, the grounds and animals are impressive, and there is plenty of educational material to let you know what you're looking at . We stopped by the shop on the way out and picked up some native honey, it was delicious. Highly recommend this as a break from the desert heat.

We went while we were on vacation in Phoenix. The park is rather large and spread out so don't forget to hydrate. I'm sure it's hot most of the year there. There were many exhibits and lots of animals we haven't seen before. My son was really excited about the Condors. They had several species of them there. There were a lot of animals that weren't on exhibit while we were there but that happens all the time. The signage around the zoo was not easy to follow. We got turned around several times. One area that we were supposed to see two animals seemed to be more of a nature walk more than anything. I think that area needs a warning because you are climbing up a dusty hill and see 1 animal. There also weren't too many places that you could step inside to cool off. With Phoenix being so hot, you would think there would be more buildings like that.

Great zoo in terms of animals! We came on thanksgiving day and it was a beautiful day and not too crowded. Weather was nice and cool and it felt like being in an air conditioned zoo! I would easily give this 5 stars if they charged a little bit less. I go to a lot of zoos and this was one of the more expensive zoos I've been to, it was around $107 for me and my wife and my 4 year old daughter. On top of this, if you want to do a bus shuttle thing, it's an extra $6 a person to do it. There were these cool scooter things, and those were $5 plus around $0.35/minute. We also felt weird seeing camel rides at a zoo. Again that costs more money, but seems weird to subject camels to being ridden at a zoo for money. Staff were nice and facilities were nice! Just seems like they could improve a few things.

I took my near three-year-old to the Phoenix Zoo a few days before his birthday. It was his first time at the zoo, and we didn't really know what to expect. We went on a Monday morning, because we didn't want it to be too busy. It was definitely cooler than we thought it would be, being tucked away in the mountains, I didn't really think of that, fortunately, for us, the weather got nicer, and it ended up being the perfect weather for a zoo expedition. The parking was really easy, complimentary in a big parking lot. You able to get your tickets right there or you can get them ahead of time. Senior citizens and veterans get discounts, but I'm pretty sure there's no way to get that online so you'll have to wait in line for that. Upon arrival, they take a photo of you and give you a card with a QR code. I believe they have more places to eat on the weekends but because it was a Monday they had a Jungle Java café, which serves Starbucks. We got Starbucks coffee and a delicious chocolate chunk muffin. Far more delicious and I was expecting. We walked around, all day. There is so much to do. Even with us walking around from about 10 AM to 3 PM, we still didn't get to see everything. There's a lot to see. They have interesting hiking trails, tons of animals. A wide variety. We saw, to highlight a few... Giraffes, monkeys, an elephant, a zebra, and my favorite, whole flock of flamingos! We were able to eat at the grill. Not a ton of food options, but we got some burgers and fries, and it was enough to keep us going for the rest of the day. My son loved riding the carousel. It's extra three dollars but well worth it. On the way out, they make you exit the gift shop, marketing ploy anyone? We got a few things for my son and then we headed home for the day. I really enjoyed the ease and convenience of everything. I thought the price of admission was kind of high. About $39 per adult. Luckily, my child was not yet three, so he was free, but after the age of three, they charge for children as well.I was surprised at how relaxed their membership fees were for the entire year, if you were to really go often, it would almost make more sense to just do that. Overall, we had family in town, and we made it fun day of it, my son had a great time, and I would definitely come back here.

Disappointed - the reviews talk about how great the zoo is, but there were quite a few animals that weren't even there (out on loan) and the Savannah area had NOTHING in it. The sign stated they were doing some updates and several of the animals would not be seen. It also stated that the giraffes would be out and about periodically, but I guess it wasn't 'that time' when we were there. NOTHING in that area - very disappointing. It cost $160 for four of us and many animals were not there or visible. If places like this know that you aren't going to be seeing everything there is to see, they should discount the prices during that time period. You go there expecting to see certain things, but they aren't there. The worst part of the day was that there were NO places in the entire zoo for cold drinks! It was 80-90 degrees and there was NOTHING open! If you are going to operate a place like this that requires a LOT of walking on a HOT day, you need to provide a place for beverages to keep folks hydrated. It was horrible. And I mean NOT ONE SINGLE PLACE WAS OPEN. The gift shop didn't even have any cold drinks and the majority of soda machines were out of order! There are water fountains around, but the water that came out of them was so hot it practically burned your mouth! I can understand not having every single cafe/eatery open, but at least one or two that sells COLD DRINKS is a must! I'll be honest - the other zoo in the area was actually better for the reasons mentioned above.

Love the Zoo! Been coming here all my life and it gets better and better. My wife and I love seeing the candlelight concerts and zoo lights! The staff is so nice and good at telling us about the animals!

This is an ok zoo. Nothing special but the prices are. We didn't get to see many animals as they hide from the heat of the day. It was a lot to do about nothing. All in all, the experience was forgettable.

We took my toddler to the zoo spur of the moment. We got there at noon. Pretty busy in my opinion on a Tuesday. But not to crazy. We haven't been to the zoo in a while so was surprised how pricey it has gotten. $40 for adults and $30 for kids. Under 3 are free. We brought snacks with us and water. My son had his drink from our lunch we got before hand and I assumed I had to toss it so I asked and was informed. That it's okay to bring outside food and drinks. Just no alcohol or glass. I loved that we can have a family day out and save some money by bringing our own food and drinks and not forced to buy food and drinks inside. There was so much to see and do and my son had a blast. There's a section at the beginning where you can pet and feed stingrays. Theres camel rides a splash pad and play area for the kiddos. A lot of shade! Plenty places to relax and take in the scenery. One amazing thing I got to witness was that the guys who works there caught a snake that was just slithering around in the open. He answered questions I had and was very informative. That they will tag and get the weight and length and release.

An amazing zoo!! We had such a blast. A good variety of desert animals that all seemed pretty comfortable with the heat. Appreciated the morning hours to get started before the heat. Definitely recommend getting there when they open in the Summer.

We were visitng Phoenix and were excited about taking our boys to the zoo since we do not have one in Vegas. What a disaapointment. I usually do not wite reviewws but i wanted to warn other parents. I hate to speak negatively about such a family outig as a zoo but we saw very few animals. It wanst even that they were jsut 'sleeping' do to the het but we litreally had the hardest time even finding enclosures with atual animas in them. There was also only 1 food place open in the whole zoo, it was in the front area. So 8if you wanted a drink or food you had to wait til you made it back to the front. The price is ridiculously overpriced $4 for an adult and $38 for a child, so over $100 for 3 of us to see hardly any animals was such a disappointment.

This zoo is practically our second home. It's a great place to get out and my toddlers love it. It's expensive by ticket, but if you buy a season pass it pays for itself fast! I have been a member for the last few years and probably will be well into my kids early teen years!

We had a great time! We enjoyed riding the camels ($8/per person) and seeing all of the animals. The option to buy a margarita in the zoo was really nice, and something we haven't seen at other zoos.

My family & I love the Phoenix Zoo. We buy their Family Plus Annual Membership ($389) every year that gets my wife & I plus up to 6 kids & one additional adult in all year round. With our pass we all get to ride the Safari Cruiser that takes you on a tour of the zoo included for free. The zoo is pretty spread out so we usually rent 2-3 of the Rydables for a couple hours (motorized scooter covered with soft animal characters) Trust me if you have little kids rent one of these cause you'll cover a lot more ground & see more of the zoo than walking (you can have 1 Adult & 2 small kids on each & they even have a drink holder.) Our kids love the reptile/amphibian house (just to the left as you enter the zoo.) They also love the big cats & komodo dragon that are next to each other by the splash pad (Yes, they have a splash pad to cool off at.) We were San Diego Zoo Annual Members for almost 10 years before moving to AZ in 2015, & the Phoenix Zoo definitely doesn't compare (didn't expect it too) but we still love this awesome zoo in the desert & will continue to support it by being annual pass holders.

Took our 7 month old to the zoo last week for the first time. She had a great time looking around and seeing all the animals. I will say I wasn't too impressed with the zoo. It's been years since we have been here other than zoo light and honestly it was not that great. The animal enclosures are very small. They have tons of enclosures of birds and I'm sorry but if I go to a zoo, I want to see more than birds. The windows to look into a lot of enclosures are so dirty you can barely see in. There's a tower that you're supposed to be able to climb to see you/feed the giraffes and that was closed the whole day. I was just expecting more especially how it's priced. For just my husband and I it was $80 for a day pass. Hopefully they make some better improvements and clean the place up a little.

Fantastic zoo and a lot of great animals! Well kept and really nice to walk around. Fun outing for all ages and interests! We visited on a Wednesday in March and our experience was fantastic, beautiful grounds, great weather, nice staff, and not overwhelmingly busy! Totally recommend!

I was there in August 2016. Admission fee was $20. It was 100* outside and most animals were either sheltering in the den or laying down in the shade or zombie walking. Very apocalyptic tableau.

We love this zoo. Every time we go we discover something new. There are water features for the kids to play in when it's hot, a tree house, playground (although small), petting zoo, etc. it's not so big that it's overwhelming but it's big enough to always find new adventures. Super fun for locals and visitors. The chicken quesadillas are surprisingly delicious as well. Also, the zoo lights were expensive but sooooo worth it!

To say I love this zoo would be an understatement! I enjoy this zoo more than the San Diego Zoo. The size is just perfect, and without a lot of steep hills. There is a lot of shade at the zoo, which is super important in Phoenix . Everything is immaculate, and the zoo employees have always been very courteous. The zoo has splash pads for the kids, a really nice merry-go-round and a tram. The animal exhibits are organized with a lot of fun information for kids. There are a lot of bathrooms , which is always helpful. Another bonus: you can take in a cooler and eat a picnic lunch by the water. We purchased a Family Zoo Membership, which is a great deal if you live nearby. Be sure to check out the Monkey Village if you go. It's very unique. Parking is free, and the walk to the gate is reasonable. The zoo rents scooters and strollers. Another huge benefit to membership: Members get in one hour early. The zoo has the usual animal exhibits that would be typical at most zoos. I am so grateful to have this zoo available to visit as a local.

We got there on time for the first safari ride, which was at 9:30. It gives you a quick 20, 25 min ride of most of the zoo. Lots of animals were out by that time. We even saw the fennec foxes! It might've helped that it was a nice cool day in March. Perfect weather. The downside is there were lots of school groups an hour later but by then we were headed out. It's a big enough zoo that it's worth a couple more visits. My toddler liked the endangered species carousel and the statues he posed with. His safari ride was free (under 2). It's a fun, family-friendly place, where he can feel free to practice his walking and make a little noise. He had fun pointing out the various animals. It is worth it to bring a stroller and you will get lots of exercise if you plan on walking around for at least an hour. We will be back!