The Arizona Science Center has a great variety of hands-on family fun.  The best part is it's all educational too!  It is a great way to spend a hot Phoenix summer afternoon! 

The museum is set over four levels (with elevators available so most areas are stroller friendly).  Different areas focus on people and their traits, musical sounds, building a house, the sun, and physics.   Some of the kids' favorite activities were the wheelchair races (they soon realized how difficult it would be to have to use one every day-  what an eye opener for them!), the big sneezing nose (the kids throw balls up into the nose then without warning it sneezes, throwing the balls around), and the pulley chairs (see if you can lift your weight up using a pulley system).   There is also a planetarium (though this area was closed for renovations during our visit-  it is scheduled to reopen May 10).  Outside there is a water fun area with three different fountains that are triggered by different actions.  Throughout the day there are different demonstrations available in the Demonstration Theater.

There is an IMAX theater on-site for an additional fee.  Also, the museum usually has special exhibits you can visit for an extra fee (While we were there they were featuring a Dinosaur exhibit and the Titanic exhibit).  These exhibits change often.

If you visit on a weekend be prepared for a wait at the entrance.  We stood in line for almost 30 minutes.  Also, the only restrooms we found were located near the front entrance.  That is quite a walk from the upper museum levels.  We were disappointed that several of the electronic displays did not function.  Luckily there were enough displays and activities to make up for those not working but it would have been nice to have had more of them working.

Parking is available at a variety of lots in the area.  For discounted parking, use the Heritage and Science Park Garage (located at 5th and Monroe) and take your ticket to the admissions desk to be validated. 

Discounted admission is available for AAA Travel Club Members and Chase Card users. 

PHOENIX-  ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER
600 E. Washington St., Phoenix   602.716.2000
www.azscience.org
COST:  $9 Adults/ $7 Seniors (62 +), College Students (age 18 - 25 with ID), and Children (3 - 17).  There is an additional cost for special displays and the IMAX theater.