Underwater Fantasy Opens in the Valley

Phoenix may be hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, but on Friday, May 14 Phoenicians will be face to face with tiger sharks, eels, sea horses, an octopus and thousands of tropical fish.  Arizona Mills mall (map) in Tempe will open its doors to the Sea Life Arizona Aquarium, the only dedicated aquarium in the state designed to provide a fun, interactive and educational experience for kids.

Once you’ve made the rounds of the many discount stores available at Arizona Mills
I suggest you check out this amazing aquarium.

Under water viewing gallery at Sea Life Arizona

Once inside, visitors are transported to an underwater playground with 30 display tanks in 12 different habitat zones where more than 5,000 marine creatures live and interact. Your journey begins at an Arizona park lake then travels to the shoreline of Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Features include a bay of rays, shoaling ring, indoor play area and a 360-degree viewing tunneled walkway where schools of tropical fish, rays and sharks swim above, below and around you. The aquarium has interactive elements such as the Sea Life quiz trail, feeding demonstrations and my favorite the touch pool exhibit, where guests get up close and personal with these wonderful creatures.

The aquarium also includes a children’s play area, a video room and an educational center that focuses on conservation. Sea Life’s conservation efforts include, Save Our Seas, which has lobbied for legislation to protect sea turtles, sharks, whales, dolphins and commercial fish stocks. Visitors can sign a petition in support of Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society’s campaign to stop whaling. What a great way to teach your children about the environment.

Children marvel at Sea Rays and other tropical fish.

Merlin Entertainments, the UK-based owner of the LEGOLAND amusement parks and Madame Tussauds wax museums chose Arizona to build their second Sea Life aquarium in the U.S. The other location is in Carlsbad, California.

According to Kelly Schwartz, marketing manager for Sea Life Arizona, “Arizona was chosen for the new Sea Life aquarium because of its great location, climate and number of families and visitors.”

It’s a great addition to our state, an exciting venue for families and one that I think will attract many visitors.

Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

Arizona Mills Mall
5000 Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe
480-478-7600

Admission
Adults, $18.50; Children, $10.50; Adults 65 years or older, $15.50.
Membership rates are available.

Purchase Online Tickets

Photos courtesy of Sea Life Arizona