Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Arizona Boardwalk’s multiple student-friendly attractions offer a range of learning opportunities that include a little bit of adventure along the way.
The boardwalk features seven marquee attractions, including OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Laser + Mirror Maze, Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs, VR Extreme and Surprise Your Eyes.
“The attractions at Arizona Boardwalk are complemented by multiple dining, shopping and amusement venues and the outdoor courtyard regularly hosts a variety of free events and family entertainment throughout the year,” said Karin Gallo, director of publications at Arizona Boardwalk. “Parking and admission to Arizona Boardwalk is free.”
With more than 6,0000 animals and over 70 exhibits, OdySea combines education with theme park-style amusement to help students engage with marine wildlife.
Experience the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit, two stingray touch exhibits, a tide touch pool and the OdySea Voyager — the world’s only revolving aquarium experience featuring sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, stingrays and more.
“OdySea Aquarium also boasts the ‘best bathroom in the country’ as mirrors above the sinks are replaced with a view directly into the aquarium’s shark exhibit,” Gallo said.
Pair a visit with a Q&A session with an OdySea Animal Care Specialist, or a Shark Behind-the-Scenes tour.
Butterfly Wonderland is the largest rainforest conservatory in the nation and houses thousands of butterflies.
“No one will want to miss the 3D butterfly movie or a tour through the Emergence Gallery where they will be inches away from several species of live chrysalises, and see these delicate creatures emerge into beautiful butterflies for the first time,” Gallo said. “They can also learn about other rainforest creatures such as insects and spiders at the Spineless Giants exhibit; colorful exotic fish at the Tropical Waters gallery; or over 100 reptiles and amphibians at the Reptiles of the Rainforest exhibit.”
Recently opened and for a limited time at the Arizona Boardwalk, The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! allows students to dive into the odd and unbelievable; measure up against the world’s tallest man, see insect statues made from human hair and marvel at a portrait of Einstein made from toast.
Arizona Boardwalk’s other attractions offer other experiences like roaming through more than 80 animatronic dinosaurs in Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs or taking part in a virtual reality racecar game at VR Extreme.
“With one stop, everyone on the tour can find an interesting, unique attraction to visit while also finding unique shops, great dining and maybe even catch an event happening at Arizona Boardwalk’s sprawling courtyard,” Gallo said.
Arizona Boardwalk will soon be home to the largest indoor rainforest in North America — Paradise Earth. Visitors will meet free-flying birds, capuchin monkeys, sloths, giant land turtles, exotic plants and more all inside a rainforest habitat.
To visit multiple attractions, combo tickets and group discounts are available. For large groups, contact Amy Bagnasco, director of group sales, at amy@azboardwalk.com.
