Arizona Boardwalk, located off East Via De Ventura in Scottsdale is home to popular attractions such as OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® and more. This July, family fun at Arizona Boardwalk consists of a variety of events and experiences from adults-only “Fish and Sips Happy Hour at OdySea Aquarium” to family-friendly “Bug Talks” at Butterfly Wonderland, and plenty more happenings for everyone to enjoy.
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Fish & Sips Happy Hour at OdySea Aquarium
July 28
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Guests 21+ only
Dive into Happy Hour “under the sea” during Fish & Sips at OdySea Aquarium.
Grab a drink and journey through one of the largest aquariums in the country. Watch for surprise animal appearances, relax to live music, compete in oversized yard games and more. Buy in Advance: $31.95
Buy at Ticket Window: $36.95
Buy Tickets: https://www.odyseaaquarium.com/promotions/#happyhour
Shark Week
July 23 – 30
Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure because it’s Shark Week at OdySea Aquarium, where guests can get up close with 14 different species of sharks — one of the largest arrays of sharks in the entire country. This week-long celebration of the majestic shark is “packed to the gills” with thrilling activities that will leave visitors on the edge of their “Voyager” seat as they become immersed in the awe-inspiring world of white tip, black tip, sandbar, sand tiger, lemon, and nurse sharks in that exhibit alone. Activities include:
● Behind-the-scenes shark tours
● Touch exhibits with sharks
● Shark talks
● Shark pup corner – kids activities
● Shark scavenger hunt
● Megalodon teeth photo op
● Swim with sharks – SeaTREK Encounter
● Virtually swim with sharks – VR Theater
NEW: Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at Arizona Boardwalk has expanded its collection with 13 NEW astonishing additions that are sure to captivate visitors. Among these remarkable items is a jaw-dropping Jade General solider statue, a replica of the famous Terracotta Army of soldiers discovered in the tomb of China’s first emperor. Crafted from two solid pieces of jade, this extraordinary masterpiece weighs a staggering 2,000 pounds, showcasing the unparalleled craftsmanship of ancient China. Additionally, visitors can marvel at an intriguing stool crafted entirely from thread spools, an incredibly colorful African Fantasy Coffin fashioned in the shape of an eagle from Ghana, and a petrified log that has surpassed an incredible 150 million years in age, now as solid as stone that can no longer be ignited by flame.
July Coloring Contest
July 1 – 28
Entries can be dropped off at “Guest Services” or mailed to Butterfly Wonderland
Butterfly Wonderland invites children ages 6 -17 to participate in its annual Summer Coloring Contest for a chance to win two free tickets to Butterfly Wonderland plus a $50 Gift Card to use at the Butterfly Wonderland Treasures Gift Shop. Participants must visit butterflywonderland.com/special-events/#color to choose one of four (4) coloring pages to download and let their imaginations go! The page can be colored with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. All masterpieces submitted will be judged on originality/coloring skill by official Butterfly Wonderland representatives and every entry will be displayed in Butterfly Wonderland. Entries can be submitted at Guest Services at Butterfly Wonderland or sent in by mail. The winner will be announced the first week of August. ONLY ONE ENTRY PER CHILD.
Stingray & Shark Feedings
July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
1:00 p.m.
Tropical Waters Observation Pool
Learn interesting facts about the venomous round stingrays and Agatha, the horn shark in the Tropical Waters gallery during this educational Aquarist Talk and Live Feeding. Join Sara Donaldson at the Observation Pool as she interacts with these fascinating sea creatures and be sure to take home a free horn shark education card too. FREE WITH ADMISSION.
Bug Talks
July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 24
3:00 p.m.
Butterfly Conservatory
Be amazed by tarantulas, giant scorpions, and other large insects from around the world at this special presentation hosted by Arthropod Keeper, Emily Wood. Emily shares her entomology expertise with guests while showcasing these amazing insects from the Spineless Giants gallery in a new and up-close experience inside the Conservatory. FREE with admission.
Whimsical Wings
July 7, 14, 21, and 28
11:00 a.m.
Be part of the magic as Butterfly Wonderland Education Specialists release gorgeous tropical butterflies into the Conservatory. Have cameras ready and watch in wonder as these new butterflies take their first flight. Feel free to ask questions. FREE with admission.
The Magic of Music and Butterflies featuring Aaron White
July 8
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Aaron White was recently awarded “Best Flute Album” by the American Music for Native American Artists for his album Moonlight Lovesongs. Listen to some beautiful flute music in Butterfly Conservatory. FREE WITH ADMISSION.
Bug Club
July 9 and 23
11:00 a.m.
Theater
Little ones can learn about amazing insects in this fun story time and educational lesson heard for children. After story time, experts (animal curators) from Butterfly Wonderland introduced the audience to introduce LIVE insects including walking sticks, beetles, giant African millipedes, or something even more fascinating! FREE with admission.
PHOTO: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pbs7lvn5fphjp6k/IMG_7654.jpg?dl=0
The Magic of Music and Butterflies featuring Jonathan Levingston
July 16
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Take a stroll through the Butterfly Conservatory surrounded by gorgeous tropical butterflies dancing to the irresistible sounds from classical violinist Jonathan Levingston. FREE with admission.
The Buzz About Bees
July 16
1:00 p.m.
Celebrate National Bee Day: It’s un-BEE-lievable. Learn about bees, maintaining hives and more from local beekeeper Cricket Aldridge, founder of AZ Backyard Beekeepers. Visit Cricket in the Conservatory at the Honeybee exhibit where there will be time for Q & A after her presentation. Honey is available for purchase in the Butterfly Treasures Gift Shop. FREE with admission.
Yoga in the Rainforest
July 20 and 25
5:15 – 6:15 p.m.; check-in 5:00 p.m.
Practice yoga in the peaceful and magical surroundings of the Butterfly Conservatory featuring thousands of beautiful fluttering butterflies. This hour-long class will guide guests through a series of yoga poses that help build strength and gain flexibility. Ages 18 & up; $30/person. Pre-registration required; visit EventBrite.com to register or call (480) 800-3000, ext. 206.
Butterfly Brushstrokes at Night
July 21
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Grab a bestie and head to Butterfly Brushstrokes, a professionally led, fun and inspiring painting class that allows each participant to take home their own hand-painted “butterfly Picasso”. All supplies are included in the price. Limited to 20 people. $30/public; $15 for members (covers supplies). Pre-registration required. Visit EventBrite.com to register or call (480) 800-3000, ext. 206.
Waking Up with Butterflies
July 22
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Check-in at 8:15 a.m.
Enjoy a quiet hour photographing butterflies, birds, or reptiles. Director of Animal Care & Entomologist Derek Kellogg will be available to answer questions from guests about butterflies, plants, and the rainforest environment. Ages 18 & up; $28.95 for public (includes admission). FREE for members. Registration required. Call (480) 800-3000, ext. 206.
The Magic of Leslie the Butterfly Fairy
July 22
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Leslie the Butterfly Fairy is from the Flutter Forrest and she comes to visit all of the perfect creations. She will flutter about Butterfly Wonderland from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for wonderful photo opportunities. FREE with admission.
Intro to Macro Photography @ Butterfly Wonderland
July 23
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Check-in at 8:15 a.m. in the lobby
Imagine a photography class set in the most beautiful space: the Butterfly Wonderland Conservatory! Learn from professional photographer Jonathan Cline how to capture amazing moments with gorgeous butterflies as the subjects! From close-ups with macro lenses to wider compositions with short and long-range telephoto lenses, Cline will cover the basics of proper exposure (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO), depth-of-field, auto-focus methods, and settings for butterflies at rest as well as busy butterflies in flight. Bring a DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Macro and/or telephoto lenses are preferred, but not required. The cost is $55/public and $45 for members. Space is limited. Register on EventBrite.com.
Foam Frenzy
July 15
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This FREE event features endless foam parties, classic fire truck water play, water squirter battle zones, and other fun water activities! Kick off summer at the coolest water party around! No Admission or Activity Fees Required.
