This holiday, step into the enchanting ‘Glistening Gardens’ at Butterfly Wonderland. This seasonal escape transports guests to the rainforest as they leisurely stroll with family and friends through an amazing illuminated holiday display inside the Conservatory. Lights line the garden paths in this cozy, lush indoor setting. Fluttering butterflies take center stage, surrounded by sparkling...
Kids get in FREE week: December 23 - 27, 2024
Chat with paleontologists at work in the Museum Demonstration Lab and peek in the windows to view the fossils they are cleaning and conserving from Petrified Forest National Park. Free with Park Fee
Join us for a guided walk through the Cactus Garden where you’ll explore the fascinating natural history of the Sonoran Desert!
Journey behind-the-scenes with your family! Find out what it takes to care for over 250 animals every day, why zoos are important, and learn what YOUR Zoo is doing to protect wild animals and wild places. The adventure includes visiting the Zoo’s kitchen and health center, and a behind the scenes visit with the rhino....
Free with general admission. 10am and 11am tours Discover how plants have adapted to the desert environment with a volunteer docent-led tour. See the Garden’s living collection with plants from around the world and the Sonoran Desert and their fascinating survival strategies in this arid climate. Walk away with a new appreciation for the beauty...
Come visit the history and culture of the Hohokam desert people who lived here 1,000 years ago. We will also investigate the many mysterious petroglyphs from the past found in Saguaro...
Discover the beauty of Patagonia Lake on a pontoon boat tour. The park volunteers and staff will share about the local habitat, wildlife, and history of the lake. Reservations are required! Seating is limited. Please call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791 Available on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. through March 23,...
Join a ranger for a 15 minute talk at the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center and learn about a variety of park topics including the Coronado Expedition, wildlife, and more!...
Enhance your afternoon with quick insights into the geologic story of Grand Canyon at our "Geo Glimpse" ranger program - presented daily at 11 am. Meet in front of Yavapai Geology Museum. Learn how this immense canyon formed and the science behind the landscape. The program is 30 minutes long and is accessible. Grand Canyon is one-mile deep,...
This planetarium show takes you on an extraordinary journey into unseen worlds and hidden dimensions beyond our normal vision to uncover the mysteries of things too fast, too slow, too...
The saguaro celebrates events and faces challenges throughout its life. A biologist explains how it provides shelter and substance for wildlife; when it flowers; its growth patterns; and how it fights for survival against drought, lightning, frost, and other dangers. Wheelchair accessible. Free with Park Fee
Zoom away from planet Earth and take a guided tour through the Solar System! Let's stop by each of the planets and learn why they are unique. On our journey, we will be pointing out interesting facts along the way. Audience: General, all ages Style: Live presentation about planets and space exploration Planetarium Tickets...
Join Ranger Jacque for a roughly 1.8-mile round-trip hike to the Clay Mine, site of a fortune made not of gold, but of snake oil. Program features a tour of the mine itself. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring water. We’ll meet at the Nature Center, where restrooms and water fountains are available. No...
Interact with some of our special animals, which for many people is a once in a lifetime experience. Guests will get to learn about endangered species, how we contribute to conservation of those animals, some of the considerations we must take into consideration when having these reptiles in Arizona, which reptiles are good pets for children or adults, adaptations...
Discover a deeper connection to the Grand Canyon. Join a ranger to dive into the canyon's diverse ecosystems, rich cultural heritage, or ever-changing landscape. Topics change daily. Come curious, leave inspired! Program may include a short walk to Mather Point or along the Canyon Rim Trail.
We are creating images and bitmap artwork using the Paint 3D application. No art experience is necessary, just the willingness to sit and learn to draw using digital tools.
Code Club is a weekly time when kids can come and learn how to make websites, video games, and apps. It’s informal, fun, and very interactive. Come have fun, make friends, and build cool stuff with us! No coding experience required!
Join a park ranger at the Red Hills Visitor Center for a theater presentation about Saguaro National Park’s unique cultural, historical and natural resources. Presentations vary daily depending on the Ranger hosting, but a few popular ones go over: wildlife in the park, plants in the park (including saguaros), local indigenous culture, park history and even...
Explore the night skies from the summit of Mt. Lemmon using Arizona's LARGEST publicly available telescopes! Under the guidance of a professional, visitors will enjoy a brief astronomy lecture, a light dinner, and an exclusive opportunity to observe astronomical objects and phenomena. This five-hour program starts 2 hours before sunset and accommodates up to 28...
Join Ranger Kevin for an afternoon walk and enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Enjoy a roughly 1-mile hike on the Spur Cross and Fairy Duster trails. Along the way, we’ll talk about the main reasons why the Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in North America (if not the world). We’ll look...
Join Liberty Wildlife and their Animal Ambassadors to learn more about the native wildlife of Arizona. Education Takes Flight, every Friday from October thru April. Location: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch 7500 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, United States
Kids ages 13-18 take turns playing with our VR headsets! Friday, December 27th from 4-5pm.
Weather has always been one of the most dynamic and complex forces shaping our planet, but now it’s intensifying in varied and complex ways. Extreme Weather takes us to the frontlines where few have gone. Audience: General, all ages Style: Fulldome film about natural disasters Planetarium Tickets Adults: $14 Children (ages 3-15): $10 Children ages 2 and...
People coming together to create 3d models in Blender and print them! All skill levels welcome. Inclusive. Safe space. No bullying. Sign up to get notices about events you're interested...
Join us at Origami Club and learn how to fold beautiful paper art! All ages and levels welcome.
Join Ranger Nikki on an evening stroll to search for a variety of nocturnal critters. Click program title for more details. Ranger Nikki will lead you on an evening walk to seek out bats, owls, fox, coyote and other twilight and nocturnal critters. This is an out-and-back walk along Pemberton Trail for approximately 2 miles...
The annual Holiday Caravan is back to celebrate nature's bounty at the turn of the year! Explore the solstice holiday on a unique nighttime drive through the park's loop, featuring several ranger stops along the 8-mile drive. Includes a 1/4 mile walk along an accessible trail. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Auto tours will...
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition, ZooLights! Get in the holiday spirit as millions of twinkling lights transform the Zoo into a dazzling spectacle,...
Join us this holiday season for our annual “Wildlights and Animal Sights” event here at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary! The holiday light display will be open to the public every Friday...
Thousands of LED lights illuminate the trees and custom-built, oversized structures delight the senses. The light tunnel, dancing cypress trees, traditional punched-tin trees, a brand-new crescent moon, and a dazzling display of luminarias will wow you! Experience a holiday light show unlike any other in southern Arizona! Designed by nationally known public garden landscape architect Tres...