The city of Scottsdale can now boast that it has one of the largest aquariums in the U.S. Over Labor Day weekend, The Odysea Aquarium opened, featuring more than 2 million gallons of water and 30,000 animals and plants. The privately-owned, for-profit aquarium sits on the Salt River Reservation and spans 200,000 square feet in the Desert entertainment complex at Loop 101 and Via de Ventura. It’s construction cost upwards of $100 million and it is larger than major aquariums in San Francisco, New Orleans and Seattle.
The aquarium is yet another option for tourists and locals alike, looking for a fun, educational and eye-opening activity. Single-day admission costs $34.95 for adults and $24.95 for children. Odysea is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Guests can see exhibits featuring penguins, otters, eight species of sharks, sea turtles, the giant Pacific octopus, piranhas and thousands of tropical fish. There aquarium features a 37-foot touch pool with hermit crabs and sea cucumbers, a 10-minute 3D film called “Giants of the Ocean,”and a cafe. For more information on this new attraction, visit odyseaaquarium.com.