Things to do in

Phoenix

Enjoy an international traveling art exhibition focused on wildlife conservation created by artist, Russell Ronat. View more than 13 beautiful art pieces that light up the habitats of the Zoo’s famous residents. Experience a 30-year old community tradition. Stop by the Wall of Traditions, across from the Savanna to learn more about how traditions are celebrated around the world. Stroll through the Wildlife Lantern Cul-de-Sac on Africa Trail to see the new lanterns. Celebrate with a visit to the three-story Christmas Tree located at Crossroads Café. Explore the Outer Tropics Trail that has more sparkling lights than ever before. Meet Santa and his elves at Leapin’ Lagoon and take home a commemorative photo. Indulge in your favorite holiday treats like kettle corn and hot cocoa that are available for purchase. Take home a memento of your special evening from one of the various pop-up Zoo shops or the Desert Marketplace gift shop.

Nestled on 125 acres within the beautiful Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo is a wondrous place of curiosity, imagination, and discovery. The zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened and endangered species. It features over 3,000 animals, including Bornean Orangutans, Asian Elephants, Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Masai Giraffes, and more. It's a great place to create memories that will last a lifetime. Other animals include the African Lion, Giraffe, Zebra, Mexican Gray Wolf, Ringtail, Golden Eagle, Sloth, Cotton-Top Tamarin, Dalmatian Pelican, Orangutan, Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Cheetah, Coyote, and Komodo Dragon. The Zoo features approximately 2.5 miles of walking paths and is divided into Arizona, Africa, Tropics, and Children’s trails. Usually, the Africa and Tropics Trails take about an hour each and the Arizona and Children’s Trails take about half an hour each. It is recommended that you take approximately three hours to see the entire Zoo, depending on the size and ages of your group in addition to how fast you walk.

The experience begins even before you rise into the sky. Help our crew inflate the balloon for a real "hands on" adventure, or just relax and take a few pictures as the gentle giant comes alive. Once you gain altitude, enjoy vistas you have to see to believe as you float over the Arizona landscape. Phoenix lies beneath you while desert stretches to the distant mountains. The pilots are FAA-licensed and experienced in navigating with your safety and enjoyment in mind. Your pilot will also answer questions and identify points of interest during your 1-hour flight. A chase crew will follow on the ground and meet you at the landing site. From there a van takes you back to the launch site. Upon your return, enjoy a celebratory toast to cap your unique airborne adventure. You'll also be presented with a flight certificate. With the ground travel and other activities, plan to spend up to 3.5 hours with us in total.

Enjoy a 45-60-minute hot air balloon ride above Phoenix, Arizona. See the expansive mountain ranges and desert wildlife below as your hot air balloon reaches heights of 3000 feet. During the flight, your pilot will point out different landmarks and points of interest. See Downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain, Lake Pleasant, and State Farm Stadium from the air. Upon landing, enjoy a catered fare prepared by the award-winning Vincent’s on Camelback restaurant, right in the heart of the desert. A traditional balloonist’s ceremony follows with commemorative flight certificates to take home.

Enjoy an exciting day in the famous Sonoran desert, off-roading in your single-passenger or 4-person ATV on some of the best trails in the stunning Bradshaw Mountains, located just north of Phoenix. Travel through giant Saguaro cacti, deep canyons carved by flash flooding rains, and cross the Aqua Fria River to experience the wild and vast desert terrain. Our tours create a scenic and educational journey amid some of the most rugged landscapes Arizona has to offer, with opportunities to see abundant desert wildlife such as coyotes, bobcats, deer, rabbits, quail and even rattlesnakes. The guided ATV tour begins approximately 45 minutes north of Phoenix in the Sonoran desert near the Agua Fria River Valley. This area, amidst the beautiful Bradshaw Mountains, is perfect for off-roading. There are creek crossings and places for wash riding, as well as gorgeous views of the Arizona landscape.  You’ll be accompanied by a certified guide with a vast knowledge of the plant life, wildlife, history and climate of the area. You can hear stories about the Native Americans who once farmed, hunted, survived and evolved in this unforgiving desert.

Experience the Grand Canyon National Park during this guided tour. Explore the canyon rim with its panoramic views and visit Route 66 with your guide. Start your tour at Route 66. Experience the historic highway in the town of Williams, the last town passed by I-40. As you explore this famous location, you have the opportunity to purchase lunch in Williams or Grand Canyon. Spend approximately 3 hours within the National Park marveling at the beauty that is the Grand Canyon. Don’t forget to visit the historic El Tovar Lodge and Hopi House in Grand Canyon Village. Visit the South Rim and take in the dramatic views — ideal for photographers. Stop into the shop or enjoy your lunch and relax with the best seat in the house.

Explore the magical underwater world at SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium. Come see thousands of creatures including sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Touch a sea star or walk through the incredible 360-degree ocean tunnel. Marvel at over 30 unique displays and encounter these amazing creatures from the graceful jellyfish, the beautiful seahorse, or the clever sea turtle. Get up close and personal with the local residents of Arizona’s Salt River at the freshwater exhibit. Come see the Shoaling Ring and watch as hundreds of barred flagtails swim around you. Discover the Bay of Rays and be mesmerized by the happy and smiley rays. Escape to the Temple of the Seahorse and see these mythical creatures up close.  Escape to a kaleidoscope of color at the Coral Reef exhibit. The Coral Reef is bustling with their underwater cities teeming with fish that come in every shape, color, and pattern you can imagine. Visit the Conservation Cove exhibit and learn about how SEA LIFE Arizona works to develop a system of care and best practices to protect the oceans and its creatures.

Take a trip to one of the 7 wonders of the natural world on this day tour of the Grand Canyon National Park. You will be collected from selected hotels or apartments in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa Arizona. The journey north takes you through amazing views of the Saguaro Cactus in the Sonoran Desert. You will travel through the Ponderosa Pine Forests of Flagstaff where the Lowell Observatory is located. Stop among the Red Rocks of Sedona for time to take in the breathtaking scenery and lots of pictures. Travel through Oak Creek Canyon famous the world over for its spectacular scenery. In the afternoon be taken to the Grand Canyon National Park. Stop for pictures of the Red Rocks of Sedona. Make several stops along the South Rim for picture taking and enjoying the incredible views. See the El Tovar Lodge, a former Harvey hotel. Have the afternoon to explore the sublime park and see many of its ecological wonders and natural beauty. Your professional guide will be able to inform you of the history and stories behind this ancient wonder.

Experience the spectacular landscapes of the Tonto National Forest on a self-guided kayaking tour around Saguaro Lake. Paddle through canyons, see beautiful desert scenery, and discover the local flora and native wildlife from a unique perspective. Escape the heat and feel refreshed by one of the most stunning lakes of Arizona. Travel at your own pace, giving you the opportunity to truly take in the picturesque views. Start with an orientation of basic safety and paddling instructions. The “sit-on-top”-style kayaks are very stable and easy to maneuver. Before you know it you’ll be paddling below thousand-foot cliffs. Explore the lake's glimmering waters and discover coves and craggy shorelines. Keep your eyes open for the native wildlife native to the Tonto National Forest.

Experience Arizona in this off-road Segway Tour in the Sonoran Desert; the most exciting adventure in the Scottsdale Area! Warm temperatures, blue skies, and breath-taking scenery create the most perfect oasis; you will be so glad you came out. Your tour operates by special permit on the Fort McDowell Native American Reservation and takes place off the beaten path on beautiful desert trails located near the Verde River at the base of Four Peaks Mountain. The Segway is perfect for the terrain and relaxed atmosphere of the Sonoran Desert. It allows you to experience the desert first-hand and offers the best wind-in-your-hair adventure to share with your friends and family. It is an experience that you will remember forever. Your guide will provide you with information about the Yavapai Nation, as well as the unique flora and fauna you are seeing; everything from the great saguaros to bald eagles and wild horses. Please dress in layers with closed-toe shoes. Includes Cone Zone safety training and the best Segway guides in The West.