Nestled in Arizona is Phoenix Zoo, a one-stop destination for kids and families to get nose-to-nose with wildlife.
Home to 3000+ animals and spread across 125 acres (51 hectares) of land, Phoenix Zoo has been given the stature of Phoenix Point of Pride. The zoo contains 2.5 miles (4 km) of themed walking trails.
From elegant flamingos and sharp-sighted golden eagles to fearless cheetahs, you will encounter diverse wildlife at Zoo Phoenix.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Phoenix Zoo.
Top Tickets – Phoenix Zoo
# One-day Phoenix Zoo Admission Tickets
# Phoenix Zoo Light Entry Tickets
What to expect at Phoenix Zoo
At Phoenix Zoo, you taste adventure, fun, and thrill amidst nature.
The zoo is known for its animal trails, exhibitions, special events, activities, and experiences.
The Phoenix Zoo has four animal trails namely, Africa Trail, Arizona Trail, Tropics Trail, and Children’s Trail.
On these animal trails, get face to face with African-painted dogs, mountain lion, bobcat, hamadryas baboons, grévy’s zebras, mandrill, ostrich, gazelle, southern white rhino, orangutans, lions, cheetahs, and giraffes.
Throughout the year, Phoenix Zoo celebrates various events based on different themes.
Dinosaurs in the Desert, Adult Twilight Camp, Earth Day, Día del Niño, and Roars & Pours are some of the events you can enjoy.
Buy This TicketWhere to buy Phoenix Zoo tickets
Tickets to the Phoenix Zoo are available online and at the ticket booth at the zoo.
We strongly suggest you purchase online tickets to save money and time.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How online tickets work
Go to the Phoenix Zoo ticket booking page, select the number of tickets and the date you wish to visit, and book your tickets right away.
Once you purchase Phoenix tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.
Remember to bring your official IDs.
Phoenix Zoo ticket prices
The Phoenix Zoo tickets are priced at US$38 for all adults aged 14 years and above.
Kids in the age group of three to 13 years get a US$10 discount and just pay US$28 for entry.
Infants below two years can walk in without a ticket and enjoy the zoo tour for free.
If you wish to see the Phoenix Zoo Lights, you can buy tickets at US$35 for anyone above three years.
One-day Phoenix Zoo admission tickets
With this ticket, you get one day access to the Phoenix Zoo, which allows you to explore all four animal trails–Africa Trail, Arizona Trail, Tropics Trail, and Children’s Trail.
During your zoo trip, watch a range of near-threatened, vulnerable, and endangered species like the wrinkled hornbill, jaguar, Andean bear, mandrill, etc.
You also can visit the “Dinosaurs in the Desert” exhibit and learn about the epoch dominated by dinosaurs.
See tyrannosaurus rex, titanoboa, megalania, jaekelopterus, pachycephalosaurus, and many other beasts.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (14+ years): US$38
Child Ticket (3 to 13 years): US$28
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free
Phoenix Zoo light entry tickets
Take the Christmas celebration to new heights by reserving your entry to the Phoenix Zoo Light event.
The animal lanterns, bright light displays, cheerful music, and magnificent light show will amuse you.
Bop with Santa, your friends, and your family, and click photos with the Christmas Tree at Crossroads Café.
Walk through Wildlife Lantern Cul-de-Sac on Africa Trail and learn about wildlife in a new way.
With this Phoenix ZooLight entry ticket, you also get admission to the “Dinosaurs in the Desert” exhibit.
Ticket Price: US$30
Buy This TicketPhoenix Zoo + Hall Of Flame Fire Museum tickets
Hall Of Flame Fire Museum is nearly one mile away from Phoenix Zoo, and a 3 minutes drive will drop you off at the entrance.
So keep your plans flexible and visit both attractions on the same day by purchasing this combo ticket.
It is totally up to you whether you wish to visit the museum first or the zoo first.
The Phoenix Zoo + Hall Of Flame Fire Museum combo ticket is truly a steal deal that comes at a 10% discount.
It lets you dive deeper into the animal world and explore the world’s largest and finest firefighting museum.
Ticket Cost: US$48
Buy This TicketHow to reach Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a mile away from Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Address: 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Get Directions
You can travel by bus or car to get to the zoo.
By Bus
Phoenix Zoo bus stop is just a 3-minute walk away.
By Car
If you’re driving by car, turn on Google Maps, and get started.
There are a few car parking lots around the zoo where you can park vehicles.
Opening hours of Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo welcomes all guests from 9 am until 5 pm all days of the week.
Zoo Members get early admission at 8 am.
The Phoenix ZooLights is a special event that begins in the Christmas season (usually from November end to the second week of January) and runs from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm.
How long does the Phoenix zoo take
It would take 3 to 4 hours to explore the Phoenix Zoo.
You’d walk for nearly 2.5 miles (4 km) along the trails housing animals and birds.
Keep aside at least an hour each for Africa and Tropics Trails and about 1.5 hours for Arizona and Children’s trails.
Remember, when you’re with kids, they would want to stay for a long time, especially to explore the play area and participate in fun activities.
Best time to visit Phoenix Zoo
The best time to visit Phoenix Zoo is when it opens at 9 am.
There are four benefits of starting early – the animals are most active early in the morning, the temperatures are still moderate, the crowd is yet to get in, and you have the whole day to spend at the attraction.
As the day gets hotter, animals prefer staying inside their shelters. As a result, you may get disappointed when you don’t see them in the exhibit.
Weekdays are better for a peaceful visit because the zoo gets crowded on weekends and school holidays.
The zoo is most crowded on weekends between 10 am and 2 pm.
If you are on a short holiday in Arizona, starting early also allows you to add another attraction to the day’s itinerary.
At Phoenix Zoo, you’ll spend your time outdoors in the open air; hence, the season is a major determinant of your tour.
While winters, springs, and autumn are good times of the year with pleasant weather, summers (June to August) are hotter.
Map of Phoenix Zoo
A map is a must when you’re visiting an attraction like Phoenix Zoo, spread across a vast area.
With a map downloaded on your phone (Zoo doesn’t provide paper maps), you can easily navigate through the zoo to spot exhibits, drinking facilities, washrooms, ATMs, gift shops, etc.
On the Phoenix Zoo map (PDF, 281kb), appropriate symbols are used to indicate wild walks, headphones/quiet zone for easy understanding.
Animal Trails at Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo has four animal trails: Africa Trail, Arizona Trail, Tropics Trail, and Children’s Trail.
On Africa Trail, catch sights of African-painted dogs, hamadryas baboons, grévy’s zebras, mandrill, ostrich, gazelle, southern white rhino, lions, cheetahs, and giraffes.
Arizona Trail presents the native species of the Sonoran desert, like coyote, collared peccary, mountain lion, bobcat, turkey vulture, Sonoran pronghorn, and Mexican gray wolf.
The Tropics Trail is split into two sections–Tropical Flights (inner trail) and Land of the Dragons (outer trail).
The inner trail houses aviary species, Bornean orangutans, and squirrel monkeys of “Monkey Village.”
Along the outer trail, you’ll see Komodo Dragons in the “Tropical Flights” exhibit, Asian elephants, jaguars, iguanas, anteaters, and Sumatran tigers in the “Isle of the Tiger.”
Keep an eye out for tropical birds as you walk.
The Nina Mason Pulliam Children’s Trail allows toddlers to meet animals like emus, red-necked wallabies, gaboon vipers, siamangs, and tamarins.
Upon walking for a few minutes, you’ll reach Harmony Farm boasting farm animals and a cute petting zoo.
Don’t forget to greet little Fernando–a two-toed sloth.
Activities and experiences at Phoenix Zoo
Here are some activities and experiences you can enjoy at Phoenix Zoo.
Phoenix Zoo activities
- Keeper chats run throughout the day on a daily basis, where experts share fascinating facts about animals. Click here to learn more about the dates and timings of Keeper Chats.
- Giraffe encounters are among the kids’ most loved activities, feeding the long-necked creatures with their own hands.
- Stingray Bay is another fun activity where you can come hand in hand to fin with cownose stingrays.
- Do not forget to take a bumpy ride on camels.
- Take a stroll in Monkey Village, and keep an eye out for Squirrel Monkeys as they hop from branch to branch.
- At Harmony Farm, meet cows, chickens, horses, turkeys, sheep, and goats and learn in detail about farm life.
Phoenix Zoo experiences
Experience the Phoenix Zoo through different modes of tours like ScooterPals, Endangered Species Carousel, Safari Cruiser, and Wild Walks.
Where to eat Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo has various restaurants and cafes which serve snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, desserts, etc.
They are situated on different animal trails so that when you get tired, you can easily grab a burrito or cold drink and relax.
| Cafe/Restaurant | Food options | Where |
| Crossroads Cafe | Burritos, quesadillas, Salads, etc | Adjacent to Camel Rides area |
| Farm Café | Hot dogs, hand-scooped ice creams, and other snacks | Harmony Farm |
| Jungle Java | Coffee drinks, smoothies, burritos, and bakery items | Libations |
| Kettle Korner | Kettle corn, churros, and more items | Plaza |
| Keg Corner | Craft beer | Plaza |
| Lakeside Lounge | Craft beers and wine | Lemur Lane |
| Savanna Grill | Burgers, hot dogs, battered chicken tenders, salads, flavor burst ice cream cones, snacks, kids’ meals, and more | Plaza |
| Dino Bites | Hot dogs, frozen treats, and a few other snacks | Africa Trail |
| Sunset Treats | Fresh popcorn, hot jumbo pretzels, frozen treats, and more | Tropics Trail |
FAQs about Phoenix Zoo
Here are some questions visitors usually ask before visiting the Phoenix Zoo.
Where to book Phoenix Zoo tickets?
Click here to buy Phoenix Zoo tickets.
Can I bring food to Phoenix Zoo?
Yes, outside food is allowed in the Phoenix Zoo, and it has several designated picnic areas.
What are the Phoenix Zoo hours?
The zoo operates from 9 am to 5 pm every day.
What is Art on the Wild Side at Phoenix Zoo?
Art on the Wild Side is a conservation and awareness program started by the Phoenix Zoo, which uses art to deliver its message.
For this, the old Activity Center has been transformed into two galleries namely, Savanna Gallery and Wild Side Gallery.
The Savanna Gallery is inside the air-conditioned Savanna Grill, while the Wild Side Gallery is located near turnstiles at the Zoo’s entrance.
What to wear to Phoenix Zoo?
Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking a lot.
What to bring to Phoenix Zoo?
Do not forget to carry sunscreen, a hat, an umbrella, and cold water. You can also bring coolers and ice chests if you wish to.
Can I take photos or videos at the Phoenix Zoo?
Yes, guests are allowed to take photos and videos inside the zoo, but they should be used for personal and non-commercial purposes only.
How much does it cost for Phoenix Zoo Lights?
The tickets for Phoenix Zoo lights cost US$35 for all guests.
Are there restaurants or cafes at Phoenix Zoo?
There are several cafes and restaurants in Phoenix Zoo where you can quench your thirst and have lip-smacking food. Click here to view all the dining options.
