Wedding and Party Information at Phoenix Zoo

Covering about 125 acres of land, the Phoenix Zoo is considered as the largest privately-owned zoo in the United States. It was established by Robert E. Maytag in 1962. After approximately half a century of development, today the zoo becomes a "Phoenix Point of Pride", with more than 1,300 animals on exhibit.

Actually, the Phoenix Zoo is divided into four major areas: Arizona Trail which features simulated animals and plants of Arizona, African Trail offering incredible shows of exotic animals, Tropic Trail housing plenty of tropic animals and Children's Trail that highlights small mammals. Since there are so many exhibitions worth visiting, it might take visitors a couple of hours to enjoy the zoo completely. During the trip, visitors can also take advantage of the carousel, camel rides or Stingray Bay to enhance their zoo experience.

As a visitor-friendly zoo in Phoenix, the Phoenix Zoo always allows visitors to bring their own food and beverage into the zoo. More amazingly, you will be permitted to ride your bike around the zoo to see different exhibitions on condition that you will not bother other visitors.

Official Website of the Phoenix Zoo

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/default.aspx

Apart from one of a kind zoo experience, the Phoenix Zoo also makes special effort to offer visitors more. To share with visitors the beauty of magic nature, the zoo also furnishes a couple of unparalleled venues for people to hold their special events inside the zoo.

Normally, there are 15 different venues provided by the zoo for visitors to choose for their weddings or parties. And these indoor or outdoor spots are classified into daytime spots and evening venues. However, some of them like Desert Grove and Stone House Pavilion are counted as venues that are perfect for both daytime weddings and evening parties.

1) Desert Grove: This is a terrific daytime & evening site you can find at the center of Arizona Trail. With cute animal residents and beautiful surroundings, it can definitely guarantee your guests a wonderful experience. The Desert Grove offers a few round tables with about 100 seats in total and you can rental additional seats or special seats when needed. Generally, this place is capable of receipting up to 150 guests.

If you are planning to hold a party at the Desert Grove in evenings, you will be offered two umbrella heaters and a lighting package.

2) Enchanted Hideaway: Situated just next to the main trail of the zoo - Enchanted Forest, the Enchanted Hideaway is suitable for both daytime and evening events. There are 100 seats in total, including 48 picnic seats. And you can add more seats when necessary. The Enchanted Hideaway offers sufficient space for up to 150 guests. Umbrella heaters and lighting are available for evening events.

3) Stone House Pavilion: This is a beautiful indoor spot with a spacious outdoor terrace. It features a number of beautiful round tables and provides seating for 300 guests. When it comes to wedding receptions, this venue is able to accommodate about 550 individuals. As an upscale venue for wedding or party, the Stone House Pavilion is loaded with various amenities. Podium as well as microphone, audio visual and many other facilities are available.

4) Podd Ramada: No matter whether you are planning a daytime or evening party, the Podd Ramada is a great option for you. Sitting along the lake inside the Phoenix Zoo, the Podd Ramada boasts breathtaking views and romantic atmosphere which would play an important role in your grand wedding or unrivaled party. Although there are only 80 seats (40 picnic style seats are included) available, this fantastic spot is spacious enough for greeting up to100 guests.

5) Ruby's House: Featuring incredibly beautiful sunset views, the Ruby's House serves as one of the best venues inside the zoo for wedding receptions. It includes numerous round tables that offer up to 60 seats in total. In fact, the Ruby's House is an enchanted stone cottage which has a really rich history. If you're seeking for a historic building for your impressive wedding or special event, the Ruby's House would be your best bet.

6) Lakeside: Picture that you are holding a spectacular wedding, birthday party or other event on the shore of a fabulous lake. Will you be interested in this? Well, the Phoenix Zoo is ready to offer you a perfect event experience. The Lakeside of the zoo is available for various events held both in the day and evening. As an outdoor venue, it offers enough room for grand wedding with up to 6000 guests. However, only 300 picnic seats are offered.

7) Plaza De Los Nights: This is also an unparalleled spot of both daytime gatherings and evening parties. It is located in close proximity to the nature exhibit of Asian Elephant and boasts fantastic lake views. Providing 200 picnic seats, it can totally accept up to 800 guests. If you are planning an enjoyable evening party at the Plaza De Los Nights, don't forget that the zoo will offer you four umbrella heaters and free transportation for guests travel to and from the venue.

Desert Tent: With a number of round tables that could offer seats for up to 120 guests, this is a perfect site for mini gatherings. It could only receipt 300 or less guests at a time. The Desert Tent is characterized by a couple of permanent tents and nearby Big Horn Buttes. For those who are going to hold their special events at the Desert Tent, free transportation for guests is available.

9) Tropical Flights: Situated at the Tropical Flights Trail, the Tropical Flights is a fantastic place for a romantic wedding or impressive party. It boasts up to 60 shaded seats and dramatic view of the Spider Monkey Island of the Phoenix Zoo. Besides, various tropical plants and exotic animals would also become magic scenery of your special events. This location only offers a small seating area. Therefore, it is right for mini parties with less than 100 guests.

Detailed Information about Daytime Venues Offered by the Zoo

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/hold_an_event/daytime.shtml

10) Savanna Pointe: Being an elevated site, the Savanna Pointe would be able to offer your guests an incredibly amazing view of the entire African Savanna. As a small venue with only several tables, this spot is right for your mini wedding ceremony. However, if you opt for a grand wedding celebration in this area, you can rent a nearby venue simultaneously. But remember that this spot is only available for evening events.

11) Rhino Retreat: As with Savanna Pointe, the Rhino Retreat is also an evening venue. This site is located very close to the Savanna Pointe and can be combined with it. You can choose to treat your guest to hearty dinner at the Savanna Pointe and then take them to the Rhino Retreat to enjoy wild activities. The Rhino Retreat could accommodate approximately 80 guests.

12) Harmony Farm: Choose the Harmony Farm for something different! It would offer you and all your guests a great opportunity to experience the charming of farm. With a seating capacity of about 200 guests, the Harmony Farm is right for your mini parties and other events, like wedding ceremony and BBQ. However, it's not available for any daytime celebrations.

13) Forest of Uco: If you are one of the people who look forward to a romantic wedding or party in a dramatic Columbian village, then the Forest of Uco would be the best choice for you. It is an enchanted indoor venue for various evening gatherings. There are only 120 seats available in this area.

14) Desert Lives or Bighorn Lookout: This is a beautiful spot for your cocktail party with no more than 50 guests. The wonderful surroundings would be able to allow your guest to feel relaxed and refreshed during your one of a kind party. Being an outdoor site, it is only available for evening parties and celebrations.

15) Yakulla Caverns: This is a covered venue which is not available for daytime events. Featuring about 108 seats, the site is perfect for an upscale party. Wandering around this site, your guest would be undoubtedly impressed for the vista of the Lemur Island and the premier lake inside the zoo.

Spots Available for Evening Events

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/hold_an_event/evening.shtml

Map of Wedding and Party Venues inside the Zoo

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/hold_an_event/GEEventSiteMap.pdf

Besides a number of beautiful and charming venues for spectacular weddings or other events, the Phoenix Zoo still gets plenty of other items and services to surprise you. Wedding receptions and rehearsal are available as well. When needed, you can also book bar service and in-house catering from the zoo. To be frank, the dining options included in its in-house menu are really nice. If you prefer an enjoyable BBQ, the zoo would even offer you a discount package.

To celebrate your special day at the zoo, you will be asked to fill in an application form and send to the zoo by email or regular mail. You can also call (602)914-4301 to make a reservation. For more information about holding an event at the Phoenix Zoo, visit the following page.

Hold an Event at the Phoenix Zoo

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/hold_an_event/index.shtml