Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is not a "quick stop" zoo -- it's a full-on adventure…read moreday. First of all, this place is massive. You need time, comfy shoes, and realistic expectations because there is SO much ground to cover. Zoo, aquarium, safari park -- it really does feel like three attractions in one. The aquarium section honestly surprised me. That massive prehistoric-looking fish (looked straight out of a dinosaur era) was unreal. Between the giant tanks and the variety of species, it didn't feel like a small add-on -- it felt like a legit aquarium experience inside the zoo. The animal variety is wild. We saw everything from vibrant macaws perched up high greeting guests, to monkeys lounging in the sun, to antelope practically close enough to admire their horns in detail. The white tiger was stunning, and the big cats pacing in their enclosures definitely command your attention. You're not just looking at one or two showcase animals -- there's a LOT here. It's not super polished or ultra-modern like some major metro zoos, but that's kind of the vibe. It feels expansive, a little rugged, very Arizona. More spread out, less theme-park aesthetic. A couple things to note: it can get warm and it's a lot of walking. Food options are typical park-style fare -- nothing I'd go out of my way for. Pricing can add up with admission and extras, so plan accordingly. Overall, a solid four stars. If you're looking for a full day with serious animal variety -- from aquarium tanks to safari species to big cats -- this place delivers. Just come prepared to explore.

It's a giant zoo & the aquarium has some really cool features. However, I just don't think it's…read moreworth the cost. I purchased the annual membership and it costs more than the family plan at the Phoenix Zoo. As a stay at home mom, I was looking for things to entertain my daughter during the week. Most of the restaurants and exhibits were closed the days I came by. I purchased a membership so of course I want to come on a day other than Saturday to avoid the huge crowds, but I felt like I couldn't use my membership to its full advantage because it was practically deserted during the week staff/amenity wise. Could only buy a drink/food at one of the food courts at the front of the zoo which was frustrating considering how huge this place is and when it's hot, the rides were closed most of the time (plus they cost extra, even for members), and the giraffe feedings weren't ever available either. I tried multiple days during the week as well and had the same experience. I'm not sure if the little snack shacks & places are open on Saturdays or if they are closed permanently, but there were a ton of unused/unopened spaces that look like they'd be cool... if they were operable. $261.59 felt like a lot to just walk around in dirt to look at animals in an outdated space. Plus only I could take my daughter alone or else we would need to spend an additional $262 for my husband to have a membership. If you have kids 3+, it would be an additional $133 per child! Greeeeeedy if you ask me considering the Phoenix zoo prices. We didn't renew and will make the drive to the Phoenix zoo. The gas money will be worth the much lower membership price over there.

I haven't been here in years, and forgot how enjoyable this aquarium is. It's got a nice variety of…read morefish and other cool animals like penguins and even a sloth. The animal habitats look clean and you can tell they're well cared for. This is a great place to go for a school trip with the touching pools as the employees teach you about the occupants. My favorite part is definitely the voyager, which is a small theatre like atmosphere that rotates around while you learn of the different fish, sharks, turtles etc, much like the carousel of progress in Disney. They have a nice place to grab some food, Starbucks, or even an adult beverage. The entire thing is situated within a complex that houses shops, a dinosaur exhibit, a UFO encounter, a center area called the boardwalk with a carousel and soon a Ferris wheel. I really enjoy the Frozen Penguin ice cream shop with its delicious treats, perfect on a hot day. Overall it's a great place to visit really enjoyed the day.

The aquarium was absolutely wonderful. From the minute that you arrive, you are submerged into all…read morethese wonderful exhibits. I really loved the projected scenes on the walls at the entryway. I also think it's really cute that they take your picture when you get to aquarium. We did not purchase our photo although it was very nice one. It was just a little too pricey, $30 for one photo if I am not mistaken. I personally love to go to the aquarium to see their variety of jellyfish and stingrays, and I am always especially happy when they have puffer fish. I was in luck. Not only did they have a wonderful, huge amazing display of jellyfish, but they also had the cutest display of puffer fish. I was finally able to show my daughter what they look like up close. That was pretty special to me. And even better, as I took a picture of these puffer fish on my phone, they noticed my sparkly keychain. When they saw that, they were drawn to it. They came right up to the glass. My daughter was in awe. The aquarium has this amazing rotating display. At first, I didn't know what to think about it. I didn't quite understand what it was. So of course, naturally, my family and I had to check it out. You are seated in a small auditorium. Their seats are more than comfortable, and the auditorium is very well air-conditioned. It takes you through a series of different huge displays. One of them features some of the most beautiful stingrays I've ever seen. Another features sea lions. And of course, a few feature the different fish and sharks. I have never in my life experienced a presentation like that. It was amazing. If we had had more time, I probably would've wanted to watch the presentation a second time. My kiddo isn't so young and teeny tiny anymore, but there are lots of little kids play areas at the aquarium. There is what I called the water table. There is running water that flows through there and the kids are able to use flat panels of plastic to redirect the water through this kind of maze if you will. That's a big favor. Be sure you have paper towels on hand for when your kiddo is done here. They will most likely be wet up to their elbows. It's a cute and fun way to make friends too. They are different opportunities for visitors to get more up close and impersonal with a variety of animals that they have here at the aquarium. We did not participate. One day, hopefully we can. There was so much to see. Everyone at the aquarium was so friendly. There are some Touch pools and opportunities for kids to pet different sea plants and small animals. That is always fun. One thing I had never seen before was a Starbucks inside of a aquarium. This is not just any Starbucks my friends. This particular Starbucks understands that parents need a break too. I'm not talking strictly about coffee. The Starbucks inside of this aquarium offers a small variety of adult drinks. Yes, you heard me correctly. They offered beer. I believe they also offer a few seltzers. Anyway, I thought that was pretty cool. My family and I didn't have an opportunity to actually enjoy anything from Starbucks, but we did take notice of their offerings. If you will be in the area for a couple of days, this is easily one of the better things to be able to take advantage of. If you purchased your aquarium tickets along with tickets to other attractions at the Arizona Boardwalk at the same time, you can create a ticket bundle. In doing so, you will receive a discount on your tickets. I can't quite remember what the percentage off amount was. However, we did purchase tickets to the aquarium as well as to the Museum of illusions. I think that might've given us 20 or 30% off of the combined ticket price. Definitely check it out online. It was a good deal. Parking here is free. They have lots completely around the entire boardwalk area. I really enjoy the boardwalk space. There is a large courtyard in the middle. It is great and perfect space for kids to come and enjoy lunch outside, especially for small schools that come to visit for a field trip. It really is just a beautiful spot. The aquarium and our experience at the boardwalk area was phenomenal. You must take a moment to check out the bathroom. Initially, I thought the whole little thing about the bathroom being cool was some sort of a joke or just something funny to post. But no, it really is pretty awesome. People often flock to the bathroom just to check that out. It can make for kind of a tight situation when the bathroom area is being crowded because people want to see the sharks. But, it was the one time that I could say that there were sharks in my bathroom. LOL Our visit here worked out perfectly. We came here right after breakfast and by the time that we left, it was definitely time for a little bit of a late lunch. There is definitely more than enough for everyone here.

We had great time! Staff was fantastic and helpful. We had special needs and they were great with…read moreaccommodate my needs

Awesome activity for guests visiting. One recommendation -…read moreplease chill the wine we purchase. The beer is chilled, so it should be easy to do. Wine is not good warm. :)

Butterflies are free to fly and so am I...WOW!!!! It was a butterfly wonderland for sure! This girl…read morewas in heaven amongst a variety of butterflies that kept giving me kisses... Before we actually entered the "butterfly sanctuary," we watched a 3-D short documentary about the life of a monarch butterfly. It was fascinating and I highly recommend watching it. To enter/exit you have to wait in a small room that is closed off to keep the butterflies from escaping. An employee will give you the thumbs up. You step into a enclosed conservatory with misters going on/off every few minutes to keep the room at an appropriate temperature for these tropical and exotic butterflies. So Zen and peaceful...it was lovely taking in the atmosphere here. If you sit still long enough, a butterfly or 2 will land on you. They will even climb onto your finger when you put it gently near its face. Such an incredible experience! On the way out you will pass the small cafe and the "overpriced" gift shop. *To avoid the school/camp tours, go later in the day. It can get nosy... *Free parking in the lot *If you live in the area I would suggest getting the annual pass - well worth it. ~ and that's all I have to say about that...

The butterfly part is neat, here is what I have a problem with:…read moreMy daughter and I left incredibly depressed after seeing all of the lizards, birds, and snakes in teeny tiny cages, some of them completely alone. Imagine not ever in your life being able to stretch out your body...that is what many of the animals in this place go through. We felt physically sick. They don't even let the moths go out with the butterflies since they hide during the day, also very sad. As beautiful as the butterflies were, we left extremely sad. Our visit was over a week ago and we still talk about it. Do better or release these animals that deserve a good life.

Fun place to take the grandkids! All the animals were friendly and there were a few piglets running…read morearound you also can buy veggies to feed the animals which my grandson enjoyed doing

Such a fun petting zoo in Buckeye. They have bunnies, goats, pigs,chickens, horses, cows a little…read moreof everything. $3 for a cup of veggies that they love lol. Definitely recommend for any age

The Desert Botanical Garden is always a great place to go for a walk and experience the beauty of…read morethe desert. Every visit feels a little different depending on the season, and it's amazing to see all the different desert plants, wildlife, art installations, and water features throughout the garden. My wife especially loves coming here for gardening inspiration because this is one of the best places to see what actually thrives in a desert environment. One of the things that keeps us coming back is how often they rotate exhibits and events throughout the year. If you live nearby, a membership is absolutely worth it because just a few visits will pay for itself. Earlier this spring we visited during the FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse installation, which used 3D scanning technology to document desert life. The huge digital displays scattered throughout the garden added such a unique modern contrast to the natural scenery. They're currently hosting the Garden: After Dark exhibit with light installations integrated into the trails and cactus gardens. We visited during the daytime so we haven't experienced it firsthand yet, but it already looks incredible. Another highlight is the permanent Dale Chihuly glass exhibit near the entrance. If you're a fan of glass art or Chihuly's work, you'll definitely want to spend time checking it out. A few tips: definitely bring water, especially if you're visiting during the day. Thankfully there are several refill stations throughout the trails and plenty of shaded seating areas to rest. There's also Gertrude's near the main entrance along with a café deeper in the garden for snacks and lighter fare. The gift shop is also worth browsing before you leave. One of my favorite parts of every visit is the wildlife. On this trip alone we saw prairie dogs, quail, woodpeckers, doves, hummingbirds, and even a roadrunner. It's such a peaceful and beautifully maintained place that never gets old no matter how many times you visit.

The garden is always such a nice place to experience nature, get inspired for gardening and outdoor…read moredesign, and get a little walk in. They do such a nice job with all of it! They also hold events all through the year. I definitely recommend a membership if you're close-ish. I come often and it's definitely worth it and supports a great organization. If you see volunteers at any of the tables throughout the garden, take a moment to stop! They have interesting information and its fun to learn new things from them. The short guided tour is also worth doing.

Brought my g'babies to see the animals and had a fun time. A little upset with myself that we didnt…read morebring more food for all the animals but when we come back next weekend we're definitely going to bring extra. And the animals are really friendly, my 3 yr old g'baby wasn't afraid to go right up to the fence and feed them. Thank you Carl for taking all the animals in and giving them a good home. The world needs more people like you in it.

Carl's Damaged Pet Warehouse is such a unique experience in Gilbert. It's a private rescue farm…read morewhere you can get up close to Highland cows, donkeys, pigs, and the cutest rescue pup I've ever seen. I don't know who Carl is but he is quite generous to share his property with the public--he even provides buckets of carrots and pellets to feed the animals and a sink with soap and water to wash your hands. A few things to know before you go: Because this is at a private residential home, there are no public bathrooms available, so plan accordingly! It's also a bit out of the way on a dirt road, which adds to the rustic charm but can be a surprise if you aren't expecting it. It's a wonderful, low-key way to spend 30 minutes with some very happy animals. Donations are highly encouraged but not required.

It's amazing how much there is to see considering this aquarium is in the mall…read more It is accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums. The animal displays were beautiful. There was lots of information to read and learn about sea life and preservation. It was a great deal for the money. We went on a Monday morning and it wasn't crowded at all. The staff were pleasant and helpful. All in all a great visit.

This aquarium had way more than we expected! We thought with it being at the mall it wouldn't have…read moremuch but we were able to spend a good 45 minutes here! Great sea animals to see- I just wish they would clean the windows better as some animals were hard to see through the glass. But overall a great indoor place to take kids. They should have senior discounts as that was my mother in laws only complaint but still affordable for an aquarium!

Overall, fun complex with some good experiences/activities. However, it's highly overpriced and…read moreneeds more food and dining options. Restrooms were also a bit limited. It looks like they are adding more in the future, so hopefully it improves. Definitely a lot of potential.

Came here this afternoon to kill some time and it's a very clean complex with plenty of ample…read moreparking. Super clean. Plenty of restrooms. Something for everyone. We did the UFO Experience as we've already been to the aquarium. We wanted to eat lunch at Maria's, but they were closed (despite us being there during business hours). I'm fearful the aquarium is doing its best to keep the entire boardwalk afloat. Not sure how sustainable that is as there weren't many people here today. Hoping they can get some additional viable businesses in here...

The recent renovations of this park are astounding. The grounds are well-kept with events taking…read moreplace year-round to engage the community. The play space is geared towards children of all ages, tied with the splash pad, train rides, and carousel. This is always a great hit to occupy time and entertain the kiddos. The park itself also has ample green space and ramadas to rent out for events. With the remodel, a train museum is incorporated as well to better understand the history of the space.

I've been bringing my grandkids to this park for years but will absolutely NOT return. We came for…read morethe splash pad but quickly left after a gust of wind carried several of the shade umbrellas and their iron stands across the pad, one of which slammed into my granddaughter, pinning her against a concrete wall. Aside from a couple of skinned knees, she was apparently okay but traumatized to the point she refused to get off my lap. Surely a park catering to small children would ensure the equipment was safe. Aside from several other patrons who rushed in to help, no employee came for 10 minutes and then took another 10 to bring an ice pack. To top it off, the bucket dump ( best part of splash pad) was not working and when we went inside to let them climb, I had to pay $6 just to sit and watch for an hour. Never again!