4 Best Arizona Zoos and Wildlife Parks
2023-03-06
Posted at 14:09h
in Arizona Activities, Outdoor Fun
With a total of ten zoos and wildlife parks, Arizona is the perfect place for animal lovers. You can encounter thousands of beautiful, exotic animals and learn all about them up close. Arizona’s zoos and parks also host many fun and educational events throughout the year that will make your experience even more memorable. Here are our picks for the best zoos and wildlife parks in Arizona.
The Four Best Zoos and Wildlife Parks to Visit in Arizona
1: The Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
A local attraction for over 60 years, the Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the United States. The zoo is home to over 3,000 animals and hundreds of different species. Many endangered and threatened species have also been helped by the zoo’s conservation efforts.
The Phoenix zoo hosts several events throughout the year that you won’t want to miss. There are even a couple of recurring adult-only events—Roars & Pours and the Adult Twilight Camp—where guests over 21 can explore the park with adult beverages.
2: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85743
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a unique attraction that has something for everyone. It features a zoo, an aquarium, a natural history museum, a botanical garden, and an art gallery. You can find 242 different animal species, thousands of plant species, and an extensive mineral collection at the museum. It also runs conservation and research programs that are dedicated to helping conserve the Sonoran Desert region.
One favorite event on the Desert Museum calendar is an annual wine festival called WineDown with Wildlife (March 18, 2023), where adults can sip on wine while enjoying local food, live music, and animal exhibits. There are also several summer camps that young children and middle-schoolers can attend to make fun crafts, learn more about wildlife, and more.
3: Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary
1403 Heritage Park Road
Prescott, AZ 86301
The 10-acre Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary overlooks beautiful, serene Willow Lake. Visitors can enjoy interactive animal experiences, naturally landscaped animal enclosures, and more. The sanctuary’s mission is “conservation through education,” and it helps protect critically endangered species.
You can check out a variety of events throughout the year at the sanctuary. For example, Zoo by Moonlight allows you to catch a glimpse of some nocturnal animals in action. Sip and Paint lets guests aged 21+ enjoy wine and appetizers while a local artist teaches them how to paint one of the sanctuary’s animals.
4: Out of Africa Wildlife Park
3505 W Camp Verde Bridgeport Highway
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Out of Africa Wildlife Park showcases hundreds of animals from Africa and around the world. The park offers an immersive safari tour and many engaging daily shows that will bring you closer to nature than typical zoos. There’s also a zipline tour that runs over the park for its more adventurous guests.
The park’s amazing shows and experiences include:
- Tiger Splash, an exciting show featuring playful Bengal and Siberian tigers
- Creature Feature, an interactive animal encounter
- Giant Snake Show, a hands-on learning experience
Family Estate Planning in Arizona
Visiting the zoo is an excellent way to spend time with your family. And the team at Phelps LaClair wants to help provide you with peace of mind through our expert estate planning services. From writing wills to funding trusts, we’re here to help you design a successful estate plan that will secure your family’s future. Give us a call at 480-892-2488 to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient Arizona offices.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/6/2023). Photo by Jackie Park on Unsplash
