Talking Stick Entertainment District
Rating
Family of 4
$100-200+ depending on which attractions you visit (OdySea Aquarium ~$30-40/person, Slick City ~$25-35/person, food adds $30-50)
Duration
2-4 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 5 and up
About
Talking Stick Entertainment District is Scottsdale's most concentrated family entertainment campus — a cluster of major attractions that includes OdySea Aquarium (one of the largest inland aquariums in the US), Slick City Action Park, the Museum of Illusions, and several other venues, all within walking distance of each other along Talking Stick Way.
For families visiting Scottsdale with kids, this is the highest-efficiency family entertainment zone in the metro area. Park once, walk between multiple attractions, eat at on-site restaurants, and spend an entire day without getting back in the car. The campus is designed for full-day visits.
OdySea Aquarium is the anchor. At 200,000 gallons of exhibits across two stories, it's genuinely impressive — featuring a moving gondola ride through the main exhibit tanks, shark tunnels, touch pools, and programming that runs throughout the day. Kids who love marine life will be in an extended happy state.
Slick City Action Park (at 9189 E Talking Stick Way) is the physical counterpart — foam-covered slides that kids zip down on specially designed sleds. It's a completely different sensory experience and brings a different type of energy. Budget a change of clothes and a towel.
The Museum of Illusions is also at this address complex, providing a third entertainment option without additional driving. Many families rotate through two or three of these venues in a single day.
Cost management is the main planning consideration — each venue has separate admission, and a family going to OdySea + Slick City + food can easily spend $200+. Buy tickets online in advance, look for combination packages, and decide which venues to prioritize before arriving.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekend afternoons or evenings; check event calendar for special programming
Wait Times
Varies by attraction; Slick City and Odysea tend to have waits on weekends
Nearby Food
The entertainment district has multiple dining options including restaurants at Talking Stick Resort. Scottsdale Fashion Square mall with extensive dining is 10 minutes away.
Why Kids Love It
Talking Stick Entertainment District is an entire entertainment campus anchored by OdySea Aquarium — one of the largest inland aquariums in the US — with Slick City Action Park, the Museum of Illusions, and other attractions surrounding it. For families visiting Scottsdale, this is the highest-density family entertainment zone in the metro area, meaning you can hit multiple kid priorities in a single geographic area without driving across the city.
Pro Tips from Parents
- OdySea Aquarium is the anchor — worth visiting on its own; 200,000 gallons of exhibits including a moving gondola ride through the tanks
- Slick City Action Park (adjacent) has foam slides — bring a change of clothes and a towel
- Park the car once and walk between venues — everything is within a short walk
- Check individual venues for combo tickets and family pricing
- Summer heat in AZ means indoor venues like OdySea are especially valuable June-September
What to Bring
- Change of clothes and towel if doing Slick City
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Credit card — individual venue costs add up fast
- Water bottles for outdoor walking between venues
Cost Info
Partially free — some areas or times are free
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$100-200+ depending on which attractions you visit (OdySea Aquarium ~$30-40/person, Slick City ~$25-35/person, food adds $30-50)
Tips to Save
- The Entertainment District is a complex of separately ticketed venues — budget carefully.
- OdySea has combination tickets.
- Buy attraction tickets online in advance to skip lines.
- Visit on weekdays for shorter waits at all venues.
