Something amazing for free…yes FREE! Now that I have your attention, let me explain why I believe the Rio Salado Audubon Center is an amazing diamond in the rough! It’s amazing for its purpose and it’s architectural relationship with the environment. The center’s purpose is to educate the community about birds and other animals (focused on birds) that thrive in the desert southwest as well as provide a natural habitat near the urban center of Phoenix. The architecture of the buildings on site visually bridge the rustic forms in the neighboring industrial district with the natural environment of the Rio Salado Restoration Area. The Audubon Center’s steel, concrete, and glass structures are contemporary, but the shape and materials help give it a feel of being at the site forever. Whether you go for the birds, the nature trails, the architecture or all the above, it is one of the best things in Phoenix to do for FREE!

It's great place to visit. Wasn't aware of this place till on a field trip. Has spectrum of hands-on experiences for every age including fun-filled family programming, weekend activities & festivals, STEM-supporting school field trips and on-the-ground conservation work focused on local species at risk. There is little something for everyone!

This place is a must see. Attended a sustainability event. So much to learn and appreciate. Take a walk or ride your bike on the paths. Lots to see and wildlife too.

We were very excited to visit and learn more about birds for my daughters homeschooling. I am a landscape architect and was also looking forward to learning more about our local birds and what they may be doing this time of the year, as well as answer my daughters question about which birds are migrating through Arizona right now. The three people we talk to could not answer our questions, which were met with annoyance (my almost 6yr old didn’t understand why they were “not being nice”). The two children were excited to see the gift area, puppets, and the many books and exhibits. By no means were they loud, but the place was hosting a lunch meeting on the other side of a wall, in which people were standing around talking and eating. Even IF the children were being loud, the place had Legos and was clearly set up for children, what do they expect! As we were checking out and the cashier was answering a bird question, a lady came over and very rudely interrupted; without saying excuse me or anything, she went right to saying we were too loud and needed to keep our conversations low because of the event being hosted. I of course looked at her in disbelief and said we were not being loud, and anyway, we were on our way out. We were also asked HOW we found the place, why we were there (not in a friendly way), as if we weren’t supposed to be there. We didn’t even make it to the outdoor area before feeling overwhelmed by the unwelcoming looks we received. Part of me wonders why we were treated so poorly, and feel sad for the kids who were very excited to be there after a 50 min drive.

The staff is friendly, and although burrowing owls don't currently live here, they'll tell you where you can find them!!! Highly recommend this place!

This is an overgrown "urban jungle" area near the Salt River. Homeless people sleep here routinely and there is garbage and empty booze bottles everywhere. Lovely nightshade blooms and damselflies, but I saw no birds save pigeons and sparrows. If you come, maybe bring bottled water; the homeless would surely appreciate it. Birding was no good when I was there at sunrise.

Lots of trails and info plaques. Lots of water. Very noisy with cars and airplanes. I could barely see any birds besides the occasional fly by. Maybe if you come at dusk or dawn you might have good luck. Tons of homeless people camping and loitering and tons of trash everywhere. Probably the most “ghetto” birding area ive ever visited.

The Thursday night Birds and Beer event was fun and informative. Staff members were friendly and helpful.

We’re removing an invasive weed that is starving the native plants each Sunday at 6am behind the Audubon.

I only took the bike path up to the area, but It was so beautiful! This is an oasis in the middle of the city! I love it, so gorgeous! I'll will be going there quite often now ☺️

This is a great place for birdwatching. They have a number of different environments, and there are lots of birds to see. I didn't have a good camera with me, but I saw a number of photographers taking pictures of the Gambrels quails. Lots of good information and photos are in the main building. There is an inside bathroom and water fountain also. If you Uber, it will take about 30 minutes before someone comes to pick you up.

Beautiful venue and park. A must visit

Holy ‘mOkes, FrInEdS (& of course), esp. those … 🪶🪽🐦‍⬛🕊️🦅. Like the infamous, local 🍺 offered, for free (a few weeks ago, at the re-opening), they now have 3 distinct areas ready for hosting community scout, work, volunteer, school, etc. events, for… FREE❣️

Came here for Sierra Club bird walk. Beautiful area around the Rio Salado.

A very disappointing Audubon area. They did not have any scopes or working feeders for people to watch from indoors and just a walk-around area outside with very few birds. Feeders I saw were in very poor condition and mostly empty.

Fun event center, the hosts were wonderful. The place was clean ,outside had a nice space for photos

We often utilize the Audubon for events, Cory and the staff are always friendly and responsive. The center is beautiful and is a wonderful gem in our community.

Rio Salado online course was convenient and met my expectations; being able to complete my program in half the time. Then the year following COVID IN 2021, Rio Salado shut down to revamp the security system for 3-4 weeks, which made me not graduate when planned. Disappointing because I am always so close to graduating but life or my “fictitious ex-wife” seem to disrupt my life not realizing I have never been married and do not have kids; yet that didn’t stop him/ her from running off with half of my income, investments and money. #IneedWiFiNotWifey

Amazing locatoon. Worked a benefit thru a third party vendor, and was very impressed with the staff and the environment. Recommend a visit or 5.

Beautiful and peaceful, nice visit. There's a monarch area across the river to. Pleasant presentations that were curtailed by pandemic but restarting. Worth a visit.