- Hours: Open daily except December 25. Visit website below for more information.
- Cost: Entrance fee,visit the website for latest price
- Location: Directions below
- How Long: Depends on the pace you want to enjoy.
- Best Time to Visit: Winter because of Summer temperature
Phoenix Zoo, founded by Robert E. Maytag of the appliance family is one of the country's largest privately-owned zoos, receiving no federal or state funding. It covers 125 acres and is organized around four trails: Africa, the Tropics, Arizona and Discovery, connected by 2.5 miles of walking trails. Over 1,200 animals are on display at the Phoenix Zoo.
Phoenix Zoo is a small, easily-walkable zoo featuring standard zoo animals such as giraffes, zebras, orangutans and baboons. The forty-year-old Phoenix Zoo infrastructure is starting to show its age in many places, with once-state-of-the-art exhibits and animal areas looking a little outdated (the zoo is embarking on a fund-raising and building campaign designed to upgrade the facilities).
On the positive side, the zoo is very visitor-friendly. You can bring your own ice chests and food in and even ride a bike or roller blade around to see the animals, as long as you are courteous to others.
Allow 2.5 to 3 hours to tour the whole Phoenix Zoo. A narrated Safari Train tour is offered daily (extra charge).
Special programs at the Phoenix Zoo include Boo! At the Zoo (Halloween) and ZooLights (December), one of the largest holiday light shows in the Southwest.
Getting to Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo455 North Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ
602-273-1341
Phoenix Zoo Website
It is located in Papago Park, on Galvin Parkway between McDowell Road and Curry Road/Washington Street. The Desert Botanical Garden is near the Phoenix Zoo.
