The biggest aquarium in the southwestern United States, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community land at the eastern edge of Scottsdale. Two million gallons of water hold sharks, rays, sea turtles, otters, and a rotating carousel of penguins, sea lions, and tropical fish. The signature exhibit is the SeaTREK rotating theatre — a circular room of viewing windows that revolves through different aquariums.
It is the kind of attraction that works far better on a hot summer afternoon than a winter day, and combines with the OdySea-in-the-Desert village of restaurants and a butterfly conservatory next door. Family-friendly and pricey, but the build quality is high.