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Phoenix Zoo

455 N Galvin Pkwy · Phoenix, AZ

Why you should go…

One of the largest privately owned, non-profit zoos in the country, the Phoenix Zoo has operated since 1962 and has helped reintroduce Arabian oryx and black-footed ferrets to the wild. Splash pads and a carousel round it out for younger visitors.

  • #zoo
  • #animals
  • #family
  • #kids

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Phoenix Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

    Under $25

    A large firefighting museum across from the Phoenix Zoo, with over 130 restored fire trucks, pumpers and gear.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Local Gem

    Papago Park (Hole-in-the-Rock)

    Free

    Red sandstone buttes and an easy scramble up to a natural window with views over the whole valley.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Iconic

    Desert Botanical Garden

    $25–$50

    140 acres of cactus, wildflowers, and desert trails in the heart of Papago Park.

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    OdySea Aquarium

    $25–$50

    Arizona's largest aquarium, with a rotating tunnel that carries visitors right through the shark tank.

    5.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Golfland Sunsplash

    $25–$50

    Family entertainment center in Mesa with a seasonal water park, mini golf, go-karts and arcade games.

    7.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Goldfield Ghost Town

    Under $25

    A rebuilt 1890s gold-mining town near Apache Junction with mine tours, a narrow gauge train and staged Old West gunfights.

    23 mi awayMore like this