Outdoor Activities

By Katie Lucas

As we enter into the new year, many of our residents and visitors are looking for ideas to enjoy the cooler weather and get out of the house for a while. Here is a list of outdoor activities that are open, as of the writing of this article. Of course, residents are encouraged to follow all safety protocols set forth by government and public health officials, as well as additional restrictions implemented by the businesses.

Desert Botanical Gardens

With over 50,000 desert plants on display in their 140-acre venue, the Desert Botanical Gardens has your "fresh air" covered. They have added additional safety measures, such as one-way entrance and exits, touchless bottle refillers, mask any physical-distancing requirements, and capacity limits. Advanced ticket purchase is required to ensure you are able to enter the gardens.

Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden was built with the purpose of providing an escape from the everyday pressures of life - in other words, it's the perfect time to visit! They are also following mandates and guidelines including capacity limits, face covering and physicaldistancing requirements and additional sterilization of surfaces. You can also purchase tickets online to minimize contact.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

If you're looking to get up-close-and-personal with exotic wildlife, head on out to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park! See exciting shows like Tiger Splash and Predator Feed, ride on a zipline or take an immersive tour with free-roaming animals of the African plains. Masks are required on tours, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online.