This friendly zoo, located 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix, is home to over 1300 rare and exotic mammals, fish and reptiles. Special attractions include a tropical bird aviary, a children's carousel and petting zoo, animal feedings, and train rides. Make sure you see the exotic white tiger and watch the penguins frolic in their aquatic habitat. There is also a new 7,000-square-foot aquarium that holds close to 60,000 gallons of water. Check out the aquarium's Amazon River Monsters, which displays freshwater giants like the arowana and arapaima. Also on display are the payara fish, often referred to as "vampire fish" because of their six-inch fangs.