My niece Alex and I had an incredible time in the Phoenix area in March of 2017. We had a great time running around South Mountain Park and the Open Air Farmers Market, but we especially enjoyed our visit to the OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale. It is wonderful and full of wonder. 🙂 The last aquarium I had been to was the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, many years ago, so I was really looking forward to our visit. Since neither of us had been here, I did a little research on their website before we left. I found out that they had only been open since September 3, 2016, and was I was excited when I read about all their exhibits.
Here are just some of the exhibits and things to see while at the OdySea Aquarium:
- Aqua Lobby
- Rivers of the World
- The Otter Banks
- Tide Touch Pools
- Penguin Point
- Sharks of the Deep
- Reef Jewels
- Bizarre and Beautiful
- 3D Movie
- Living Sea Carousel
We knew we were in for an adventure as soon as we walked into the building. In the lobby is what they call the Aqua Lobby.  where there are nine massive globe-shaped aquariums hanging from the ceiling. They state it’s an engineering marvel and the first of its kind. It’s so cool.
After having our pictures taken and looking at the hanging aquariums, we made our way into the aquarium itself. We hadn’t gotten very far before an employee told us to go check out the restroom. We thought it was strange, but did it anyway. When we walked in, we found out why. There is a HUGE shark tank in front of the sinks! We were in awe. So glad we didn’t miss this.
OdySea Aquarium Visitor Information
Address:
9500 Via De Ventura
Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Phone:
480-291-8000
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9am to 7 pm
Sunday 9 am to 6 pm
Prices:
Adults $37.95
Child (2-12) $27.95
Directions:
Tucson and Areas South
Use interstate 10 West. Use the right lane to take exit 161 for AZ-202. Continue onto AZ-202 Loop East for 3.3 miles. Take exit 50A for AZ-101 Loop North. Continue onto AZ-101 Loop North for 17.4 miles. Take exit 43 for Via De Ventura. Turn right onto Via De Ventura and follow signs for OdySea Aquarium Parking.
Flagstaff and Areas North
Use interstate 17 South. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 214C to merge onto AZ-101 Loop East. Continue on AZ-101 Loop for 20.2 miles. Take exit 43 for Via De Ventura. Turn left onto Via De Ventura and follow signs for OdySea Aquarium Parking.
Areas West
Use interstate 10 East. Use the right lane to take exit 147A-147B for AZ-202 Loop East. Keep left to continue toward AZ-202 Loop East. Continue on AZ-202 Loop East for 8.6 Miles. Use the right 3 lanes to take exit 9 for AZ-101 Loop North. Continue on AZ-101 Loop North for 8.8 miles to exit 43 for Via De Ventura. Turn right onto Via De Ventura and follow signs for OdySea Aquarium parking.
Areas East
Use US-70 West to US-60 West. Take exit 176B to merge onto AZ-101 Loop North. Continue on AZ-101 Loop North for 12.2 miles to exit 43 for Via De Ventura. Turn right onto Via De Ventura and follow signs for OdySea Aquarium parking.
Parking:
Free
Accessibility:
OdySea Aquarium is wheelchair accessible. Â There are a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis located at the Concierge Desk in the Aqua Lobby. Â Wheelchairs cannot be reserved.
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