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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Get Into The Holiday Spirit At This Unique Reindeer Farm In Arizona

Grand Canyon Deer Farm in Arizona offers a unique, hands-on wildlife experience, especially enchanting during the holiday season.

Published Nov 12, 2018

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen...but do you recall this reindeer farm right here in Arizona?

Grand Canyon Deer Farm is a unique stop along historic Route 66 that brings the magic of Christmas to life. Keep reading to see what makes it such an enchanting holiday attraction for children one to 92.

Open since 1969, this hidden gem has been the most unique stop along historic Route 66 for decades. Although a great place to visit year-round, it's especially enchanting during the holiday season.

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Google/Ed Hannifin

All of the deer are raised here from birth, so they're well-accustomed to human interaction. Other animals like alpacas, llamas, a kissing camel, and a zedonkey are just as friendly.

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Facebook/Grand Canyon Deer Farm

Children of all ages have a blast interacting with these gentle creatures. Few zoos allow hands-on interaction with so many different animals, making this is a rare opportunity to learn about nature and its inhabitants.

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TripAdvisor/Dominique J

Deer food can be purchased at several stations throughout the grounds, but beware - the clever critters will swarm you to get the first bite! They wouldn't hurt a fly, so I guess being surrounded by so much cuteness isn't such a bad thing.

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Google/Betty Vallo

This is what makes the holidays at the Deer Farm so special. Santa pays a visit to all his reindeer, creating a scene sure to make the eyes of tiny tots sparkle with Christmas magic.

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Facebook/Grand Canyon Deer Farm

Be sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out and pick out a few souvenirs. You'll definitely want to remember this place!

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TripAdvisor/ROSully

The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is located at 6769 E. Deer Farm Rd., Williams, AZ 86046 and is currently operating on seasonal winter hours; you can stop by to meet the animals daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission costs $14 for adults, $8 for children (age 3-13), and $12.50 for seniors (62+); however, they offer special discounts for groups of 10 or more. For more information about this unique wildlife park, visit its website and follow along on its Facebook page.

Have you ever been to Grand Canyon Deer Farm? What's your favorite memory from the trip?

For another unique animal farm in Arizona, check out A Visit To This One Of A Kind Camel Farm In Arizona Is An Absolute Blast.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in Arizona Where You’ll See More Than 200 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area as we have our very own Audubon Center right here in the city.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area. In fact, we have our very own Audubon center right here in the city! This Audubon Center in Arizona serves as an oasis for over 200 bird species. Perhaps you can spend an afternoon here and see how many you can spot. Just bring your hiking shoes, a pair of binoculars, and maybe a Southwest birding guide for this outdoor adventure.

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Located within the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix lies the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center. Free to visit, this incredible Audubon Center is located at 3131 South Central Avenue.

A vibrant red bird perched on a branch surrounded by green leaves, with a soft, blurred background.
The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. Fairly common during the summer, these birds migrate as far as the middle of South America each winter. All year long they specialize in catching bees and wasps on the wing, somehow avoiding being stung by their catches. Summer Tanagers are medium-sized, chunky songbirds with big bodies and large heads. They have large, thick, blunt-tipped bills. This one was in Spartanburg, SC where they migrate in summer

The Rio Salado Audubon Center is set along the Salt River for 5 miles providing a riparian habitat rich in birds and other wildlife. In fact, over 200 bird species have been spotted throughout the 600-acre wildlife refuge. How many do you think you could spot in a single afternoon?

The Rio Salado landscape is a mix of wetlands, mesquite bosque, and forests filled with cottonwoods and willows. Birds love it here and so will you! During your visit, you may be able to spot an Anna's Hummingbird flittering around, a great blue heron wading in the river, or a greater roadrunner dashing across a trail.

A roadrunner with distinctive feathers walks across a gravelly ground, surrounded by sparse vegetation.
A shot of a road runner travelling through the desert.

While there are 5 miles of trails to enjoy, you may also want to participate in one of the Rio Salado Audubon Center's Free Guided Bird Walks. These informative hikes are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and are a great way for people of all ages to learn about bird species found right here in Phoenix.

As someone who has worked at an Audubon Center for a number of years on the East Coast, I know how serious birdwatching can be. And I assure you, the Rio Salado Audubon Center is one of the best places for birding in Phoenix. Have you ever visited this Audubon Center in Arizona and, if so, did you go birdwatching? How many and which bird species did you spot? We would love to hear from you!

A colorful hummingbird with iridescent feathers hovers in mid-air against a blurred background.
Alan Vernon / Moment Collection via Getty Images

For additional information such as location, directions, and hours of operation, visit the Rio Salado Audubon Center web page. Keep in mind that the center itself is closed on Sundays and Mondays and on most holidays. However, the property around the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is open 7 days a week throughout the year from dawn until 7 p.m. or dusk.

Would you like ideas for more outdoor adventures in Arizona? Take a look at the top hiking trails in Arizona, and download the AllTrails+ app as your guide.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Best Apple Cider in Arizona Comes From This Family-Owned Farm

Mortimer Farms is perfect for a fall day trip and some of the best apple cider in Arizona.

Published Sep 11, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Why are the three months of fall the best part of the year? Well, at least that's how it is for me. As a New Englander-turned-desert-dweller, I used to think that fall fun only occurred where I grew up. After all, New England is the fall foliage capital of the U.S., right? Well, when I found out that fall is also a big deal here in Arizona, I fell in love with the state just a little bit more! Just like where my childhood roots are, there are farms, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apples, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and other fall treats to be had in the Grand Canyon State. And if you're on the hunt for the best apple cider in Arizona, I suggest you visit Mortimer Farms.

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exterior of mortimer farms in arizona with a john deere tractor in foreground
Mortimer Farms/Google Reviews

Visiting a farm during the fall should be a requirement because there's no other place to really enjoy the season in such a fun way! Mortimer Farms is one of those farms that's perfect for a fall day trip in Arizona.

Located in Dewey, this family-owned farm offers seasonal events including its annual Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze which runs from late September through late October. During this time, you can have fun watching pig races and a tractor parade, participating in a Friday night barn dance, picking out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, meeting farm animals, going on a hayride, and so much more.

A field of pumpkins at sunset, with a mix of orange and white pumpkins scattered across the ground.
Mortimer Farms/Facebook

You'll also find plenty of food options between all the food trucks and farm-fresh fall goodies like pies, apple cider donuts, and apple cider. In fact, you can watch an apple cider press demo at the fall festival to see how it's made right here at Mortimer Farms!

A clear glass cup of golden liquid next to a red apple, set on a checkered tablecloth.
adrianabeckova90 / 500px via Getty Images

Of course, you won't be able to resist taking home a half gallon or so of apple cider. Countless customers rave about how incredibly fresh and tasty Mortimer Farms' cider is whether you drink it hot or cold.

Another recommendation is the apple cider donuts if they're available. No one can resist an apple cider donut, especially one that's made fresh on a farm.

A pile of cinnamon sugar-coated donuts on a surface sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
Mortimer Farms/Facebook

Where have you had the best apple cider in Arizona? Is it Mortimer Farms in Dewey? For location, events, and pick-your-own information, visit the Mortimer Farms website and give its Facebook page a follow for updates on all the family-friendly farm fun!

Are you ready to explore the Grand Canyon State in the fall? Take a look at all the incredible fall destinations in Arizona. If hiking is on your list of things to do this fall, download the AllTrails+ app to find hiking trails near you.

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