Family Fun in Phoenix

By Christina Timberlake

Phoenix, with its sprawling suburbs, is home to thousands of Arizona families. They come here to take advantage of the warm weather, great schools, and professional opportunities, and as more and more families move into the area, Phoenix makes ceaseless efforts to provide a smorgasbord of fun and exciting activities designed to keep everyone in the family enthralled. Hiking, picnicking, and camping are obvious winners when it comes to family fun in Arizona, but Phoenix offers even more to its families. Unique entertainment opportunities like world class zoos and animal parks, amusement parks, theme parks, and golf and water parks. There is enough fun here to keep both parents and kids happily entertained.

There are a number of different wild animal parks and zoos here in the Phoenix area. Located on 125 acres, inside the 1,000-acre Papago Park, The Phoenix Zoological Park is home to over 1,400 wild animals. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest privately owned non-profit zoos in the country and it is open to visitors 364 days a year (the park is closed on Christmas Day) rain or shine. What makes the Phoenix Zoo so extraordinary is its design. Animals are not caged here, but rather they are free to roam in expansive sanctuaries, allowing visitor to view them in their near-natural environments. The zoo is criss-crossed by four distinctively different trails leading guests to different exhibits representing a variety of species from various parts of the world. Special exhibits like Monkey Village, Wallaby Walkabout, and Danger and Deception are designed to educate and excite park guests. From Thanksgiving to early January the zoo wraps itself in 2 million lights and dozens of animated light displays creating one of the nation’s largest light expositions. “Zoo Lights” is an extraordinary event that has become a holiday tradition for many Phoenix residents. If your visit to the Phoenix Zoo leaves you hungry for more, Phoenix also has two other wildlife parks that specialize in traditionally more exotic animals including lions, tigers and wolves. The Wildlife World Zoo is anexcellent choice if you’re hoping to get up close and personal with the wildlife.

Also located in Papago Park are the Desert Botanical Gardens. This 50-acre treasure contains 139 endangered and threatened plant species from around the world. The Desert Botanical Gardens is one of only 44 gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums and is host to one of the most internationally recognized and impressive displays of desert plant life in the world. The Gardens see a quarter of a million visitors pass through their gates each year. You may think that wandering around, looking at plants, sounds a bit dull, but rest assured, the intense beauty of the gardens can turn anyone into a horticulture enthusiast.

For a true taste of the southwest, Rawhide aims to please. This rough and tough authentic western town escorts its visitors back in time to the days of the old west complete with gunfights, stunt shows, gold panning, stagecoach rides, shooting galleries, and even a petting zoo for the little kiddies. Visitor will be impressed by the authenticity of the surroundings and the costumes. Rawhide also offers a full service steakhouse where patrons enjoy real western cooking, and you can make your meal even more exciting by participating in a true sundown cookout. Rawhide has been a Phoenix attraction for over 35 years and sees more than 600,000 visitors each year. Recently moved from its original location in north Scottsdale, Rawhide is scheduled to re-open in December 2005 at its new location on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Ah the irony.

Kids still need to burn off some energy? Phoenix is home to several water parks including Big Surf, Golfland Sunsplash, and the newest water park, Waterworld Safari. All three parks offer a variety of water rides including water slides, inner tube rides, wave pools and river rides. The parks are open seasonally, usually opening each year in late April or May and closing in November or December depending on the weather. If you prefer to keep everyone dry, check out Castles ‘N Coasters in Phoenix or Cracker Jax in Scottsdale. These amusement parks offer miniature golf, go-cart riding, and assorted rides and games for everyone in the family to enjoy. If your still not satisfied, milk a cow and take a tour of Dugan’s Dairy Farm or take a leisurely and historic train ride at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.

No matter how diverse your interests, Phoenix can accommodate all of your family’s entertainment desires. From wildlife parks and gardens to old west towns, from go-cart rides to water slides, Phoenix makes family fun and adventure easy to find.