What a surprise to step up to the admission booth of our world class zoo and find out that the five children with me could enjoy the 125 acres and approximately 1200 animals, reptiles & birds for free all summer. While the Phoenix zoo has offered summer discounts in the past, this year children under age 12 get free admission through August; that is a most outstanding summer deal!
The Phoenix Zoo, originally called the Maytag Zoo after the founder Robert Maytag, opened in 1962. The notoriety of our zoo and its connection with the community was significantly increased through Ruby, the painting elephant, who died in 1998 due to complications of childbearing. But, the zoo has continued to hold its outstanding reputation and engage the community through successes such as saving the Arabian Oryx from extinction (started project in 1962), welcoming Stingray Bay (2006) and the soon-to-be Komodo Dragon exhibit (2010). It seems that each time we visit the zoo, there is something new under construction.The zoo is a great summer excursion because it is so much fun and it also provides important learning opportunities for all ages.
If you’re in the mood for fun, learning and a bargain at one of the nation’s top zoos for kids with a world-wide reputation for excellence … go wild and visit the Phoenix Zoo this summer.
** Adult admission is $16 (and you can also buy a membership for access all year)
** The mission of the zoo is to inspire people to live in ways that promote the well-being of the natural world.** Did you know that it is illegal to touch a desert tortoise? If a desert tortoise becomes frightened, it may “drop its water” and then be in dire need of finding water in its dangerously dry, desert surroundings. For this reason, never touch a desert tortoise and it is best not to approach them at all; if you scare them, you may actually be scaring them to death. The life expectancy of a desert tortoise is 50-80 years.
** Since the zoo is free for children this summer, you may have a budget for the train, carousel or kettle corn?
** The Phoenix Zoo is a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.
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