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    Arizona Boardwalk

    4.0 (52 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Arizona Boardwalk Photos

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    Laser and mirror experience
    Christina M.

    This place has so much to do within its vicinity. They have a laser and mirror experience, which is what we tried and loved. They have an ice cream shop. They have a UFO experience. They have a dinosaur experience and at the time we went they had a bubble party outside and everyone was allowed to join without an extra cost. If you're visiting Arizona, this is definitely a place you should visit.

    Scott W.

    Came here this afternoon to kill some time and it's a very clean complex with plenty of ample parking. Super clean. Plenty of restrooms. Something for everyone. We did the UFO Experience as we've already been to the aquarium. We wanted to eat lunch at Maria's, but they were closed (despite us being there during business hours). I'm fearful the aquarium is doing its best to keep the entire boardwalk afloat. Not sure how sustainable that is as there weren't many people here today. Hoping they can get some additional viable businesses in here...

    Jo S.

    Great fun for the whole family! We loved the Butterfly Conservatory. Lot of things to do while you're there.

    With the Star Wars characters: Princess Leia, Obi Wan Kenobi, & Darth Vader
    Dane B.

    Celebrating the force. May the 4th be with you. I recently visited the Arizona Boardwalk for the May the 4th Be With You run, and it was a blast! This was my first official run, and it was indeed memorable. The location was perfect for the event, and even after the run, I made sure to take photos of some attractions displayed all over the venue. I also rubbed elbows with Star Wars characters. I am glad that the run was held here (and not in a galaxy far, far away--for the Star Wars celebration, lol) because, kidding aside, it gave me great ideas about where to visit next time I am in the Scottsdale area. AZ Boardwalk is home to eight attractions: OdySea Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Southwest; Butterfly Wonderland, the largest indoor butterfly conservatory in America; UFO Experience, an out-of-this-world alien mysteries exhibition; Ripley's Believe It or Not, a collection of the extraordinary and unbelievable; Laser+Mirror Maze, a mind-bending light effects experience; Museum of Illusions, with eye-fooling exhibits; Pangaea, with true-to-life recreations of prehistoric dinosaurs; and Cyber Quest, an arcade for the whole family to enjoy. From exciting rides and attractions to delicious dining options and shopping, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, the beautiful surroundings make it a great place to spend time with family and friends.

    Business
    HoyMay P.

    If you and the family are looking for entertainment, the Boardwalk is a good choice. There is a great selection of paid things to experience. Odysea the aquarium, the Butterfly World, Ripley's Believe it or not and many more to choose from. There are restaurants on site so you don't have to venture far to find food. There are stairs and an escalator to take you to the second floor. Free shared parking lot and WiFi in certain parts of the area.

    Dave S.

    Nice! I think if I lived in the area or had kids or grandkids this would be a must. I'm visiting from out of state and spending time with my family. Came for Bugfest with my grandkids (well done) and stayed to visit the aquarium here. All was clean and well taken care of. Places to visit with the kiddos, a handful of places to grab a bite and some shade. Last words...let's go see.

    Art
    Ericka I.

    Mainly for families with kiddos! Great photo ops though ! Pricey like amusement parks for small establishments!

    Sada N.

    Whoaaa! Where do we start! There were so many different scenes you could have went to, we did the butterfly wonderland. As the butterflies freely fly around (literally) makes the world a better place to live. The colors were amazing. It was very quiet and calm. As informative as each section has its own fun fact about the certain species of butterflies, plants and flowers. Definitely a place to visit. Pricey too. My kid was a little scared of the flying butterflies BUT became brave towards the end! And let's not forget the gift shop! As we purchased her favorite hobby (book) as a 3 year old which was her favorite thing to do was read. Can't beat that! (2019)

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    11 months ago

    Beautiful place to talk a walk around and enjoy the places, definitely a good place for kids as well, we just don't got those yet

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    1 year ago

    Carousel was over priced. 2 revolutions for $5. Nice and clean. The Boardwalk was ok. Parking was free and ample.

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    Why does it cost a parent $5 to stand with their kid on the carousel? Comes out to $10 a ride for 1 kid. So lame.

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    Ask the Community - Arizona Boardwalk

    Do most of the activities provide access to people in wheelchairs?

    I've gone to several of the stores and activities. Everything was ADA compliant in my opinion. I haven't gone to the race car area so I'm not sure about them. Elevators at the entrances and at the attractions inside. Areas wide enough for people on… 

    How busy does the place get on the weekends?

    Weekends are our busiest days of the week. Sunday is typically slower than Saturdays (but not always), Saturdays stay pretty consistent, but on Sundays it usually does not get busy until 11:00am. Sorry I could not provide a more specific answer.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Arizona Boardwalk

    We purchased combo tickets for the OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and Pangea - Land of the Living.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Castles N' Coasters

    Castles N' Coasters

    3.4
    (494 reviews)
    14.0 mi

    So there we were, headed to Castles N' Coasters a wholesome amusement park in the desert... a place…read morefor families, laughter, and apparently, poor decision-making. Now my buddy this man reaches into his pocket and pulls out what I can only describe as a historical artifact. I'm talking a doobie so big it looked like Bob Marley himself rolled it during a greatest hits tour. I said, "Absolutely not. I am a grown man. I got responsibilities. I got a mortgage. I got snacks at home I haven't even finished yet." That didn't matter. Next thing I know, windows are up, car turns into a Dutch oven of bad decisions, and now I'm just along for the ride literally and spiritually. Somewhere between "this is a bad idea" and "why is everything funny," I lost control of the evening. We pull into the park around that magical time you know, that in-between hour... not quite day, not quite night... like God dimmed the lights and said, "Alright boys, let's see what happens." The whole place is glowing neon lights, arcade buzz, roller coasters rattling in the distance. Felt like walking into a carnival dream... or maybe a fever dream. Jury's still out. Now here's the thing about this place it's been around since the late '70s, sitting right there in Phoenix like a desert time capsule of fun. You got four roller coasters, including the Desert Storm, which sounds fun until you're on it reconsidering every life choice that led you there. Then there's the Patriot wooden, loud, and about as gentle as a bar fight. And somehow... SOMEHOW... we thought tequila beforehand was a good idea. So now we're buzzed, slightly baked against our will, and wandering this park like three philosophers who lost their notes. We're laughing at everything. Nothing's funny but everything's hilarious. A trash can? Comedy gold. A churro? Best thing I've ever eaten in my life. A child running past me? I'm emotionally invested in his journey. But I'll give credit where it's due the park itself? Clean. Staff's friendly. Nobody's judging three grown men giggling like idiots. It's got that old-school charm too arcades, mini golf, rides, the whole deal. You can bring a family here... or whatever version of a situation we were. Now the rides... oh, the rides. Let me tell you something nothing will make you rediscover fear like being slightly out of your mind on a roller coaster you thought you could handle. I got scared... not once... not twice... but a few times. The kind of scared where you start making promises to God you don't intend to keep. "I'll be a better man if I survive this drop..." Didn't mean a word of it. By the end of the night, we had the munchies, the laughs, and just enough dignity left to get back to the car without needing a group meeting. For a couple hours, though? We were kids again. No responsibilities. No stress. Just lights, noise, and pure, ridiculous fun. So yeah Castles N' Coasters might be a family amusement park... but under the right or completely wrong circumstances, it turns into one hell of a story. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just... maybe crack a window on the way there.

    There's a couple machines upstairs that "ate our money". It's a play card with credits, but there…read moreare a couple times the games didn't let us play or credit us for a game. Also, the Simpsons machine doesn't let you play Lisa. it picks Bart if you select Lisa's button. Another machine is Zoltar downstairs. He only talks, but does not spit out a souvenir ticket. That one actually did eat my dollar. I guess it made up for it because a couple people abandoned their games downstairs in the middle, so the bf and I played for "free". It was on someone else's dime, but I guess that counts, too. We got nachos and drinks from the snack bar. Service was quick. As with any family fun event center, food was a bit overpriced. The female bathroom was nasty. I don't know how often they clean them, but there was paper all over the stall floor. The faucets had a lot of buildup on them. Both the male and female restrooms smelled funky. I didn't play at the putt putt section, but one day I'll be back to do that. Overall, a good arcade/food experience. I'd recommend this place to people. I cannot comment on any of the rides/attractions besides the arcade.

    Photos
    Castles N' Coasters
    Castles N' Coasters
    Castles N' Coasters
    Castles N' Coasters
    Sky Diver

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    Sky Diver
    OdySea Aquarium

    OdySea Aquarium

    3.6
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi

    If I could give this 1000000 stars I would!…read more I come here every week..sometimes twice a week! Haha. It's such a calming place, and I always end up learning something new. The animals are clearly well cared for, and there's so much to do for kids and adults alike. You never get bored because they're always changing things up, adding new experiences, and giving you a reason to come back. They have some really unique fish, including piranhas, which I believe are only legally displayed in a few places like Arizona and Florida. You can even swim with some of the fish if you're looking for a memorable experience! And don't skip the shark tank bathrooms--they're absolutely fintastic! They also have a Starbucks, and for the adults, they even serve alcohol. Whether you're visiting with family, on a date, or just exploring on your own, there's so much to see, learn, and enjoy. I always have an amazing time here!

    Finally went back to the OdySea and it did not disappoint! They are celebrating their 10 year…read more"birthday" and had many cute inflatable birthday blow ups. My husband and I went last week for a fun date. It was the very first time we were able to pet the Sturgeon fish! You definitely have to really reach all the way to the bottom, my entire arm was in the tank. I like that they gave all the touch exhibits a "touch break" so the animals did not have to always be stimulated via human touch. The touch breaks are quick and as soon as it is over, they let you go right on in after washing your hands of course. I was most excited for the jellyfish exhibit. This has always been my favorite part of aquariums and the new exhibit did not disappoint. I haven't been back since all the jellies were in one single tube. They have gorgeous new jellyfish and I loved all of the exhibits for these creatures. The rotating exhibit has changed and there are not as many fish nor sea turtles anymore but I am glad we were still able to see the ones that were in the exhibit. The octopus also has a new bigger tank that I was happy to see, even if the octopus was hiding. I truly recommend coming here, especially for a family day with little ones!

    Photos
    OdySea Aquarium
    OdySea Aquarium
    OdySea Aquarium

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    Butterfly Wonderland

    Butterfly Wonderland

    4.1
    (687 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    As a butterfly fanatic, I was in heaven!! There are so many beautiful species in the garden, there…read moreis no bad direction to look in. The staff were so knowledgeable and truly cared about all the animals in their care. Highly recommend, especially as a break from the heat!

    This experience starts with a 3D movie about the migration of monarch butterflies, then a stop in…read morethe Emergence Gallery, where you can see caterpillars and chrysalis (aka cocoons). From there, visitors can access the Conservatory through the doors. Though a bit humid, it is such a magical environment with concrete pathways, a few seats, a koi pond, and lots of greenery. Various plants creating a beautiful setting, including flamingo flower, panama rose, purple heart, and sandpiper vine. And informative signs are posted throughout, educating visitors about the conservatory and butterfly care. Visitors are given a butterfly guide in the beginning, but some of the butterflies fluttered their wings so quickly nonstop, it was sometimes hard to identify. The big blue one (blue morpho, I believe) looked like a bird as it soared in and out of the plants and overhead. There were so many butterflies in the air, on the leaves and flowers, they even had signs noting how you could get them to land on you as well. The random music in the background wasn't too loud. At some point, the Harry Potter theme song came on, and what an enchanting vibe in the conservatory! They had bees in there too (behind glass). Once you exit the butterfly conservatory, there was much more to see. The Rainforest reptile gallery included awesome turtles (like the mata mata turtle camouflaged with the rocks), snakes, and even amazing axolotls on display. And the Tropical Waters room was delightful to view, with fish, stingrays, and more. There was also a gift shop, cafe, and vending machine selling edible bugs. Butterfly Wonderland is great for all ages, and I had such a memorable time here this past weekend.

    Photos
    Butterfly Wonderland
    Butterfly Wonderland
    Butterfly Wonderland

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    McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

    McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

    4.7
    (471 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    Kid friendly
    Locally owned & operated

    We had such a fun experience here today! We came from out…read moreof town and wanted something fun for the kids today and this place hit all the marks. Train, playground inside and outside, splash pad, carousel and lots of lunch picnic tables. It was great to see everyone out enjoying summer. Bathrooms easily accessible for the littles. Great experience overall! If we lived closer we would definitely be here more.

    WOW !!! Way more than expected when looking for something to do with an extra day in Phoenix area…read more Decided to visit on a whim (saw Free, Trains, Park). Really glad we did as we spent the better part of the day with no kids/grandkids (hope to bring them one day) enjoying the park. The locals are really lucky to have such a gem near-by to enjoy. So many things to enjoy from a train ride ($3) per ride or you can buy a day pass for $12 which includes the Carousel (pretty sure). There is a shaded playground and splash area (free) with picnic tables located throughout the park. We saw several parties going on at different covered areas (assume u can rent), and there is the Family Circus pavilion with tables near the snack bar Snack Bars (2) - one building and one in a Caboose near playground. The prices are really reasonable and a nice menu (chicken tenders, corn dogs). The ice-cream sucked us in with "Superman" which takes me back to childhood in the mid-west. Prices were great and the Staff even greater as they were super friendly (could be a name of a new ice-cream flavor). Tables located inside if needed to beat the heat. There is a gift shop with unique items to the park(t-shirts. stickers, stuff animals, puzzles etc.) a museum with the history of the park & the Family behind it. We spent the best part of the morning walking around the park, riding the train and exploring the miniature train building which in itself is amazing and beats some that we paid to visit. They have all the sizes on displays that I am sure a lot of spouses are happy that they are there and not in the basement or family room. These dioramas are intricate and beautifully done for each gauge of train with historic scenes to cool pop-culture ones. You could walk around a dozen times & probably see something you missed each time. They definitely spend a lot of time, money & energy to keep it up. Restrooms located throughout the park, easy free parking and a lot to see & do, if you have kids or grandkids or just a big kid yourself.

    Photos
    Giant skulls
    Giant skulls
    McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
    Souvenir shop

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    Souvenir shop
    LEGOLAND Discovery Center

    LEGOLAND Discovery Center

    3.5
    (283 reviews)
    12.9 mi

    My family and I visited here on 7/11/26 which was a Saturday in the summer. Knowing it would be…read morebusy, we made sure to get there close to opening. Overall our day went well. We enjoyed the rides, the 4D movie, all the opportunities to build, and especially the mini model of Phoenix. I was also very impressed by how clean and well-spaced everything felt despite it being a very hands-on place. The reason it did not get 5 stars for me was the amount of employees and subsequently the wait times. Not counting those in training, the first ride had 2 employees, the second had 1, and the mosaic room had 1. Each ride also had one person in training, which will be very beneficial for them. Having more employees available overall would have been great. For example, in the Merlin ride which has flying vehicles that can go up and down, there was one employee that seemed experienced and the trainee. There were 6 vehicles that could fit up 2 at a time. We witnessed the ride cycle through twice before our turn and we timed that it took us 30 minutes before we rode. The ride itself was maybe 2-3 minutes in its entirety. It took that long for the employees to load everyone on, check seatbelts, run the ride, and then unlock and release the people that just finished. Here is what I would change: have a designated employee at the entrance that counts off whoever is going on the next ride and prep them while the prior ride is going. That means take the measurements, ask who is riding (adult w/child, etc.), and explain the rules. Once the prior ride finishes, both the employee from the entrance and an employee from the exit enter the ride area to unlock the passengers, one for the outside guests and one for the inside. Then let the new passengers enter and repeat the seatbelt check cycle. Resume positions and start again. If I was to go again the first thing I would correct was to wait on going on the second ride. Get there early and knock the rides out first to save you time. I sincerely hope they find a way to operate faster because this place is super cool and without the long wait time, I would be way more likely to return. It is a great way to spend a day indoors during the AZ summer!

    I thought it was a great deal to have the ticket combined with the Seaquarium ticket next door. It…read morewas only $28 dollars for both and you can visit the aquarium 60 days after you visit Legoland (we did that). This discovery center was full of displayed legos with AZ's and the valley landmarks to begin your journey. The play area is great for the little ones. They can go on the slides, a mini interactive journey in a "it's a small world" type of moving ride , build legos, and so much more. I don't get the bad reviews. The place was clean and you can even take advantage of a small cafeteria and clean restrooms inside.

    Photos
    Merlin's Apprentice Ride
    Merlin's Apprentice Ride
    LEGOLAND Discovery Center
    LEGOLAND Discovery Center

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    Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs

    Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs

    3.0
    (305 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    I liked dinosaurs growing up, as many boys do. So it was kind of fun going in and seeing dinosaurs…read moreagain as an adult. The wife and I did the treasure hunt on the phones where you went around and scanned the placards and had to answer questions. It was pretty fun. Learned quite a bit about dinosaurs. My girls, 6 and 8, didnt care much for the placards but really enjoyed picking the prize from doing the treasure hunt. They also enjoyed the coloring and activities at the end. We did go on the Go Pass, and not sure I'd go at full price.

    We stopped by Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs with our toddler, and she had a solid time. If you have…read morea dinosaur-loving kid, there's plenty here to keep them entertained. The animatronic dinosaurs were a hit, and after walking through the dinosaur gauntlet there are three different activity stations in the back that were just as much fun. Her favorite was the fossil dig area where kids can dig through rocks to find tiny plastic dinosaurs that they get to keep. She also loved chipping away at a clay block with a little hammer to uncover a triceratops skeleton before covering it with play-dough to give it "skin." Those hands-on activities ended up being the highlight of the visit. My only complaint is the price. We paid around $70 for two adults and a toddler, and we were finished in about an hour. For that amount of entertainment, it's difficult to justify the admission cost. If they offered something like a $100 annual family membership, I'd probably buy it and come back several times throughout the year, but $70 for a one time visit is too much. Overall, it's a fun experience for kids, especially if they're into dinosaurs, but I think the pricing is out of line for what you get. We're glad we visited once, but at the current admission prices, it's probably not somewhere we'll be returning anytime soon.

    Photos
    Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
    Dinosaur digital photo frame you can get free on the app
    Dinosaur digital photo frame you can get free on the app
    Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs

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    Arizona Boardwalk - amusementparks - Updated August 2026

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