Summer is almost here and now is a good time to start planning for fun activities to do when the kids get out of school at the end of May. The Phoenix area has tons of fun nature, science and learning activities for people of all ages, even in hot weather. Here is the list we made for Ladybug over the hot summer months.
1) Wildlife World Zoo
This is one of our family’s very favorite places to visit, all year round. It can be a bit pricy at $37 per adult and $16 per child, but it is well worth the cost. You can also almost always find good discounts and coupons online and around town. This zoo has something for everyone. Not only animals and a petting zoo, it also has a playground, safari tram, train, sky ride, log ride, boat ride. The zoo opened dozens of new amusement park rides recently in their new Adventureland area. Most importantly for a summer in Phoenix, they have air conditioned indoor aquariums. Be sure to catch the sea lion show – it’s a real splash! Ladybug’s favorite part of the Wildlife World Zoo Aquarium is the penguins – feeding times are posted near the exhibit.
2) Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a world class municipal zoo. Ladybug loves the fantastic animal exhibits, special programs and awesome splash pads and play areas for kids. The cost is $20 for adults and $14 for kids, but you can easily find discounts online and in many local coupon mailers. The best part about the zoo during the summer is that they open at 7:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. for members), starting June 1. You can get there before the heat of the day and cool off at a splash pad on the way home before noon. They serve breakfast (and, thankfully, good coffee for Mama and Papa bugs),so you can eat when you get there if you want to save time. Ladybug’s recommendation for the Phoenix Zoo is the Orangutan exhibit – they are adorable, playful and silly. And of course she recommends that you visit the gift shop – it rocks!
3) SeaLife Aquarium
There are many things to love about the SeaLife Aquarium, located in Arizona Mills shopping center. One of the best things about it in Phoenix during the summer is that it is indoors. The aquarium prices start at $10.50 per person, when tickets are purchased online in advance. It is also affiliated with Legoland Discovery Center – also inside and located in the mall – and offers many discounts for combination and group packages. You can almost always find a discount coupon at one of the numerous kiosks in the Arizona Mills mall. Ladybug’s favorite thing about the SeaLife Aquarium is the Octonauts exhibit, where you can interact with life-sized Octonauts team members.
4) Butterfly Wonderland
Butterfly Wonderland is America’s largest butterfly conservatory and is definitely a great experience for the whole family. The cost is $19.95 for adults and $12.95 for children, but be sure to look for combination packages and discounts online. The facility is located right next door to the new OdySea Aquarium and combo packages are available for both venues (see our article on the aquarium in an upcoming post).
Ladybug loves to watch the live chrysalis in the “Emergence Room” and all of the beautiful butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion. Her favorite is the room with the scorpions, tarantulas and the working bee hive. They also host birthday parties and other activities – a must see in the East Valley.
5) Desert Botanic Garden
The Desert Botanic Garden is a unique and special place for both desert dwellers and visitors to Phoenix. The garden is outdoors, but they open at 6:30 a.m. so you can get there early and beat the heat. There are shady spots throughout the garden and it’s a great place to visit early in the morning to see the desert at it’s finest without having to hit the trail. They also have flashlight tours and music in the evening, to enjoy the garden after the sun goes down. The cost is $22 for adults and $10 for children, but you can find discounts online. Ladybug’s favorite part of the Desert Botanic Garden is the riparian pond with frogs and tadpoles. We all also love to grab a bite at Gertrude’s, a lovely restaurant just inside the entrance to the garden. Kid-friendly, with beautiful surroundings and a world-class menu – it’s worth the visit.
These are just a few of the many activities you and your kids can enjoy this summer in the Phoenix area. Watch Ladybug’s Blog for more ideas in the future!
– mambug
