Chances are, if you’re looking for something to do in the East Valley, you probably already know about places like the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Taliesin West and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, but what about the Southwest Conservation Center?

In case you haven’t heard of it ... and lots of folks haven’t ... it’s a real thing, and it runs public tours.

The guided tours are called “A Walk with Wildlife” and take about two hours.

There are also special events like Happy Howlidays on Dec. 20, when the sanctuary will be lit with holiday lights. Guests will enjoy a self-guided tour where volunteers will be stationed at enclosures to share the animals’ stories. Along the way, families can sip hot cocoa and apple cider, and munch cookies, stop by for a photo with Santa Claus and g

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