ATTRACTIONS AMUSEMENT Fat Cats 4321 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert, 480.498.3325; 5846 E. Longbow Parkway, Mesa, 480.498.3323; 20660 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek, 480.841.6044, fatcatsfun.com Kids — and adults — will enjoy this mainstay that offers traditional and nighttime bowling, arcade, glow golf and movies. iFly Indoor Skydiving 9206 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.712.4359, iflyworld.com Why jump out of a perfectly good airplane when you can get the same skydiving experience from the ground. iFly is sure to get your adrenaline flowing without worrying about a parachute not opening. Jake’s Unlimited 1830 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, 480.926.7499, jakesunlimited.com Jake’s Unlimited is a one-stop entertainment destination offering rides, attractions, games and the ultimate sports viewing experience for college football bowl games. Inside the 90,000-square-foot venue, there are more than 50 55-inch TV screens, two massive 144-inch TVs, a “High Score” dining room featuring stadium-style seating and TVs, and two full-service bars offering signature cocktails and beers on tap. Main Event Entertainment 8545 S. Emerald Drive, Tempe, 480.753.1200 1735 S. Santan Village Parkway, Gilbert, 480.462.2200 10315 W. McDowell Road, Avondale, 623.936.5300, mainevent.com If you’re looking to entertain the entire family, look no further. Main Event Entertainment offers something for everyone in its massive facility, which features games, bowling, dining, bars and special events. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, 480.312.2312, therailroadpark.com Take a ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad, an antique carousel or visit the historical railroad exhibit. Rides operate from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free; rides are $1. Phoenix Raceway 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale, 866.408.7223, phoenixraceway.com Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval racetrack that hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. Opened in 1964, ISM Raceway has hosted the IndyCar Series,
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2021 COLLEGE BOWL GUIDE
OCTANE RACEWAY
CART, USAC and Rolex Sports Car Series. The events routinely attract more than 67,000 race fanatics, many of whom camp at the site. Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center 16000 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa, 520.568.3456, ak-chincircle.com With bowling, arcade, laser tag, movies, restaurants, an ice cream parlor and bars under one roof, what else can you ask for? The Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center offers upscale event spaces and multifaceted event options, sophisticated menus, full-service bars and cutting-edge audio-visual systems. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, 9051 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480.291.7555, medievaltimes.com A dinner theater event like no other. Medieval Times includes a two-hour jousting tournament paired with a four-course meal. Be ready to get your hands dirty — utensils aren’t included. Great Wolf Lodge 7333 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.948.9653, greatwolf.com The Great Wolf Lodge debuted in fall 2019 in Arizona with its expansive resort/waterpark in Scottsdale, within walking distance of Salt River Fields. The resort features an indoor water park, mini golf, arcade and eight dining options all under one roof. Topgolf 9500 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.240.2402; 1689 S. Santan Village Parkway, Gilbert, 480.240.1282; 6101 N. 99th Avenue, Glendale, 623.218.2243, topgolf.com Topgolf is the home of competitive golf games for all ages in climate-controlled bays. Other great experiences offered at Topgolf include golf simulators, video games and food like the delectable doughnuts with syringes loaded with filling.
ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS Butterfly Wonderland 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480.800.3000, butterflywonderland.com Experience the Butterfly Emergence Gallery, where metamorphoses occur in real time, and the Conservatory, a magnificent, lush rainforest pavilion where thousands of butterflies from around the world fly freely. Other interactive displays include the Honeybee Extravaganza, Spineless Giants, a stingray and shark observation pool with daily feedings in the Tropical Waters of the World exhibit, the Butterfly Treasures gift shop and the café. OdySea Aquarium 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480.291.8000, odyseaaquarium.com Penguins, otters, sea lions and more than 500 other species of marine life call the OdySea Aquarium home along Loop 101 near Scottsdale. The 2-million-gallon aquarium, which cost more than $100 million, is among the largest in the United States. Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 602.286.3800, phoenixzoo.org The Phoenix Zoo was voted one of the top five zoos for kids in the country, but there’s something for everyone within its 125 acres and 1,200 animals. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for Zoolights, which sees the grounds illuminated with holiday lights, hours are 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. The pricing for one person is $20, for one member it’s $16 and children 2 years and under are free. Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park 16501 W. Northern Avenue, Litchfield Park, 623.935.9453, wildlifeworld.com. The West Valley’s premiere zoo features rare animals, including albino alligators and
