Make a day of it at OdySea in the Desert entertainment destination. The Scottsdale entertainment complex features many marquis attractions including OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Surprise Your Eyes 3D optical illusion venue, and Polar Play Ice Bar, as well as several options for dining and shopping. Better yet, the complex’s outdoor courtyard regularly hosts a variety of events that are family-friendly and often free. Checkout http://www.odyseainthedesert.com for a list of upcoming events.

OdySea Aquarium
odyseaaquarium.com
Immerse yourself in the underwater world of OdySea Aquarium, a multi-level, state-of-the-art facility featuring 65 exhibits, 370 species and over two million gallons of water. With some of the most original and interactive exhibits in the country, including the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit, two stingray touch galleries and a tide touch pool, opportunities to learn about diverse sea life are endless. Walk underwater (yes you can!) meeting and feeding a variety of fish and rays during a SeaTREK® adventure, meet a charismatic feathered friend during a Penguin Interaction Program, and view some of OdySea’s more than 50 sharks from above the water on a Shark Behind-the-Scenes tour. Take a seat on Voyager, a revolving “theater” that takes guests through four 46-foot viewing windows featuring sharks, sea turtles, groupers and broad rays, and sea lions in the world’s only “revolving aquarium experience!”

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
TitanicAZ.com
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition takes you on a journey back in time to experience the legend of the Titanic. The galleries in this fascinating exhibition feature real artifacts recovered from the ocean floor, most never seen before in Arizona, along with reconstructions of the ship’s interior and personal stories of the passengers and crew. Learn the real story of how one of the greatest engineering marvels became the most famous maritime disaster of the 20th century. You’ve never been closer to history than Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. This is a limited time exhibit.

Butterfly Wonderland
butterflywonderland.com
Discover the amazing life of the butterfly at Butterfly Wonderland, the largest rainforest conservatory in the United States. This magnificent treasure brings a tropical rainforest environment to the Arizona desert where thousands of butterflies fly freely in an indoor glass conservatory. Don’t miss the 3D butterfly movie or a tour through the Emergence Gallery where you’ll be inches away from live chrysalis as they emerge naturally into beautiful butterflies. Visit 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. With a café full of sweet and savory snacks and a gift shop stocked with wondrous treasures, a visit to Butterfly Wonderland is a must.

Mirror and Laser Maze
odyseamirrormaze.com
Enter a pathway of endless mirrors, where you will see nothing but infinite reflections, impossible corridors and mind-bending light effects. Can you escape this unique maze of mirrors? It's an experience like no other! Test your ninja skills at the Laser Maze where you’ll twist, duck and crawl your way through an intricate web of lasers. Try to make it through the vault and hit your mission buttons without being zapped by the laser beams. The challenge these two mazes present are full of trial and error – and hours of fun!

Polar Play Ice Bar
polarplay.com
Welcome to the coolest place in the desert. Polar Play Ice Bar is a fun-filled 23°F playground for kids and adults. Grab one of our parkas or extra lux faux fur coats and step inside a frozen wonderland filled with ice games, stunning ice sculptures, tasty treats, ice drinks and icy lounge areas to kick back and relax. Leave the desert and cool off in this unique and memorable (Instagram friendly) venue perfect for all ages.

Surprise Your Eyes
Supriseyoureye.com
Welcome to a new 3D optical-illusion pop-up art experience at OdySea in the Desert. From fighting with dinosaurs to walking on the moon, the artwork at Surprise Your Eyes comes to life when you step into the frame. Come with your phones charged because this is a social media post paradise. Everyone will enjoy snapping photos of family and friends as they become part of the “trick art” that is deceiving to the eye at this unique attraction.

OdySea in the Desert is located at 9500 E. Via de Ventura in Scottsdale. Visit http://www.odyseainthedesert.com to learn more.

By Karin Gallo
Photo Courtesy of OdySea in the Desert