So there we were, headed to Castles N' Coasters a wholesome amusement park in the desert... a place…read morefor families, laughter, and apparently, poor decision-making. Now my buddy this man reaches into his pocket and pulls out what I can only describe as a historical artifact. I'm talking a doobie so big it looked like Bob Marley himself rolled it during a greatest hits tour. I said, "Absolutely not. I am a grown man. I got responsibilities. I got a mortgage. I got snacks at home I haven't even finished yet." That didn't matter. Next thing I know, windows are up, car turns into a Dutch oven of bad decisions, and now I'm just along for the ride literally and spiritually. Somewhere between "this is a bad idea" and "why is everything funny," I lost control of the evening. We pull into the park around that magical time you know, that in-between hour... not quite day, not quite night... like God dimmed the lights and said, "Alright boys, let's see what happens." The whole place is glowing neon lights, arcade buzz, roller coasters rattling in the distance. Felt like walking into a carnival dream... or maybe a fever dream. Jury's still out. Now here's the thing about this place it's been around since the late '70s, sitting right there in Phoenix like a desert time capsule of fun. You got four roller coasters, including the Desert Storm, which sounds fun until you're on it reconsidering every life choice that led you there. Then there's the Patriot wooden, loud, and about as gentle as a bar fight. And somehow... SOMEHOW... we thought tequila beforehand was a good idea. So now we're buzzed, slightly baked against our will, and wandering this park like three philosophers who lost their notes. We're laughing at everything. Nothing's funny but everything's hilarious. A trash can? Comedy gold. A churro? Best thing I've ever eaten in my life. A child running past me? I'm emotionally invested in his journey. But I'll give credit where it's due the park itself? Clean. Staff's friendly. Nobody's judging three grown men giggling like idiots. It's got that old-school charm too arcades, mini golf, rides, the whole deal. You can bring a family here... or whatever version of a situation we were. Now the rides... oh, the rides. Let me tell you something nothing will make you rediscover fear like being slightly out of your mind on a roller coaster you thought you could handle. I got scared... not once... not twice... but a few times. The kind of scared where you start making promises to God you don't intend to keep. "I'll be a better man if I survive this drop..." Didn't mean a word of it. By the end of the night, we had the munchies, the laughs, and just enough dignity left to get back to the car without needing a group meeting. For a couple hours, though? We were kids again. No responsibilities. No stress. Just lights, noise, and pure, ridiculous fun. So yeah Castles N' Coasters might be a family amusement park... but under the right or completely wrong circumstances, it turns into one hell of a story. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just... maybe crack a window on the way there.

There's a couple machines upstairs that "ate our money". It's a play card with credits, but there…read moreare a couple times the games didn't let us play or credit us for a game. Also, the Simpsons machine doesn't let you play Lisa. it picks Bart if you select Lisa's button. Another machine is Zoltar downstairs. He only talks, but does not spit out a souvenir ticket. That one actually did eat my dollar. I guess it made up for it because a couple people abandoned their games downstairs in the middle, so the bf and I played for "free". It was on someone else's dime, but I guess that counts, too. We got nachos and drinks from the snack bar. Service was quick. As with any family fun event center, food was a bit overpriced. The female bathroom was nasty. I don't know how often they clean them, but there was paper all over the stall floor. The faucets had a lot of buildup on them. Both the male and female restrooms smelled funky. I didn't play at the putt putt section, but one day I'll be back to do that. Overall, a good arcade/food experience. I'd recommend this place to people. I cannot comment on any of the rides/attractions besides the arcade.

Love it here. Don't waste no time take the family out here. So many fun things to do!read more

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is not a "quick stop" zoo -- it's a full-on adventure…read moreday. First of all, this place is massive. You need time, comfy shoes, and realistic expectations because there is SO much ground to cover. Zoo, aquarium, safari park -- it really does feel like three attractions in one. The aquarium section honestly surprised me. That massive prehistoric-looking fish (looked straight out of a dinosaur era) was unreal. Between the giant tanks and the variety of species, it didn't feel like a small add-on -- it felt like a legit aquarium experience inside the zoo. The animal variety is wild. We saw everything from vibrant macaws perched up high greeting guests, to monkeys lounging in the sun, to antelope practically close enough to admire their horns in detail. The white tiger was stunning, and the big cats pacing in their enclosures definitely command your attention. You're not just looking at one or two showcase animals -- there's a LOT here. It's not super polished or ultra-modern like some major metro zoos, but that's kind of the vibe. It feels expansive, a little rugged, very Arizona. More spread out, less theme-park aesthetic. A couple things to note: it can get warm and it's a lot of walking. Food options are typical park-style fare -- nothing I'd go out of my way for. Pricing can add up with admission and extras, so plan accordingly. Overall, a solid four stars. If you're looking for a full day with serious animal variety -- from aquarium tanks to safari species to big cats -- this place delivers. Just come prepared to explore.

Slick City on Thunderbird Rd in Glendale is now one of my favorite places to show off to friends…read moreand visitors. Among all the different slides there is something for everyone from 6 (my grandkid) to 76 (me)! Although they are all fun, my favorite slide is the Python, followed by the Royal Flush. But I recommend you try all the slides! This is a great place for birthday parties, there's a cafe and lots of tables overlooking the playing floor. There is also a special area with toddler-size activities. One thing I especially like about Slick City is that through the adventure of slides, it teaches children self confidence and helps give them the courage to overcome fear in a healthy environment. Granddaughter (7 yrs) climbed up to the top of one of the tallest slides, only to start crying from fear and then she'd climb back down. 15 minutes later she'd go up again, only to come down, defeated by her fear. She kept it up (learning determination) until she finally found the courage to slide down from the top. The smile on her now self-confident face was priceless. She had conquered her fear! She went back and rode that slide again at least 10 times. The place is pricey but well worth it. Note: you must purchase a pair of their special traction socks in the slide areas. They do not allow any other brand, so save yours for subsequent trips.

We LOVE Slick City! Every time we go the staff is very friendly and supportive. And honestly that…read moreis the p The plus because you. Annoy beat what they had to offer. The slides are creative and fun, the basketball court is well kept and functioning. Overall the entire facility is clean, fun and a happy place to be.

I can not say enough good things about this place. I love coming here, the staffs are super super…read moresweet. If you spend a ridiculous amount of money on a machine and still can not win, they will help you out for sure, and you will leave feeling happy. Not sure why this place has lower average rating than the other one in Chandler, but this Glendale location is superior in every way. The claws machine aren't rigged, and the toys are very very win-able. I love coming here to play, destress, and donate to the kiddos over at PCH. When one of the staffs learned that I was trying to win more for the kiddos, she was more than willing to help make it easier. Thank you for your kindness!!!! The kiddos appreciate it ! Photo 1 in review by Minh Phan

We spent 100 dollars per ticket for 6 kids 2 adults thats 800 dollars. Altogether, we barely got…read more700 tickets. We decided to pour all our tickets together in order to get something small for the younger kids. Although these ridiculous scams, had a fun time and very nice staff. SAMUAL DESERVES A RAISE. I don't doubt that you could go and buy most of the things at this prize spot for less than what you have to spend here... Had a really fun time with my family but got totally ripped off. 3 stars

This place has been our go-to birthday spot for both of my kids for years, and we keep coming back…read morefor good reason. The train ride is a blast, the climbing wall is massive, and watching kids lose their minds on the bumper boats never gets old. The party packages are reasonably priced, which is a huge plus when you're hosting a group. They also recently added fans and misters to the party area, and it makes a world of difference especially on hot days. If you're looking for a fun, affordable spot for a kids' party (or just a family outing), definitely check this place out. Highly recommend!

We attended a birthday party here yesterday, and it was not a bad experience! My friend got the…read morehighest package for the party: which was a private area and it's own tables, play area, and grill. They were also given a set of tickets for the kids to ride on, which was pretty cool! My son was too young for the rides, but we were able to walk around. It is not a very big space, and I think there was maybe 8 rides total. The amusement park area was very clean, and the workers seemed helpful and chipper. We had a good time, and did not have any expectations when we came in, but it was pretty good. I would recommend this place for a lowkey birthday party and to rent out the cove!

If I could give this 1000000 stars I would!…read more I come here every week..sometimes twice a week! Haha. It's such a calming place, and I always end up learning something new. The animals are clearly well cared for, and there's so much to do for kids and adults alike. You never get bored because they're always changing things up, adding new experiences, and giving you a reason to come back. They have some really unique fish, including piranhas, which I believe are only legally displayed in a few places like Arizona and Florida. You can even swim with some of the fish if you're looking for a memorable experience! And don't skip the shark tank bathrooms--they're absolutely fintastic! They also have a Starbucks, and for the adults, they even serve alcohol. Whether you're visiting with family, on a date, or just exploring on your own, there's so much to see, learn, and enjoy. I always have an amazing time here!

Finally went back to the OdySea and it did not disappoint! They are celebrating their 10 year…read more"birthday" and had many cute inflatable birthday blow ups. My husband and I went last week for a fun date. It was the very first time we were able to pet the Sturgeon fish! You definitely have to really reach all the way to the bottom, my entire arm was in the tank. I like that they gave all the touch exhibits a "touch break" so the animals did not have to always be stimulated via human touch. The touch breaks are quick and as soon as it is over, they let you go right on in after washing your hands of course. I was most excited for the jellyfish exhibit. This has always been my favorite part of aquariums and the new exhibit did not disappoint. I haven't been back since all the jellies were in one single tube. They have gorgeous new jellyfish and I loved all of the exhibits for these creatures. The rotating exhibit has changed and there are not as many fish nor sea turtles anymore but I am glad we were still able to see the ones that were in the exhibit. The octopus also has a new bigger tank that I was happy to see, even if the octopus was hiding. I truly recommend coming here, especially for a family day with little ones!

We took the family to Great Wolf Lodge for an end-of-summer getaway before school starts, and it…read morewas such a fun trip! Check-in was a little busy and hectic, but we quickly got our wristbands for the water park. Our room wasn't quite ready yet, but by the time we had lunch and everyone changed into their swimsuits, it was ready. We dropped off our bags and spent the rest of the day enjoying the water park. The kids had an absolute blast! We stayed one night, which included two days at the water park, and I thought that was the perfect amount of time--especially for a 5-year-old and a 9-year-old. The room was clean, comfortable, and easily slept all six of us. Everyone had a great time, and we'll definitely be back. Another wonderful family trip in the books!

We came here in August 2024 and again in July 2026. I…read moreforgot how expensive it was, and somehow it got even more expensive! Lol If you have money, and you don't have a thing called a budget, then come! Your family will probably love it. The food here is okay at best, and over priced. Buy food and bring it in. Or just go out to eat. Local and staying multiple nights? Get a Lyft/Uber. It'll save you $ from the parking fees. Overall fun but pricey. So many add on options too. Staff was friendly from our interactions. Might come back in 2-3 years, we'll see.

Great atmosphere great food great and entertaining people. Band were great especially the…read moremultitalented piano player amazing.

Never been to cottonwood and just looked up something to do on my gps with my kids and service…read moreanimal and this popped up (I did not go to the website bc I assumed I could get information there). The gate was open so we went in, no one was manning the door and it was wide open, also no signs posted it was super dark but open till 9pm so still open at this time. I tried to ask what looked like an entertain there on a horse about how it all kind of works and she was busy so she asked me to give her a moment, and that's totally fine so I stepped aside. Then some other chick from the far off corner asked us to get around the fence to which we obliged again. Then the entertainer on the horse asked us what questions we had and answered what she could but then looked at my service dog and said he can't be here thought. To which I reply he's a service animal and she questioned whether or not my pet was one stating they are more behaved. He was wagging his tail bc he's only 11months! He was behaving just happy! Then the other women came over with attitude telling us how dangerous it was to walk in the gate! To which I replied well we are just looking for information and there is no sign or anyone at your door to, plus it is wide open! Then she looked at my service dog and said he can't be here so again I told her he's a service pet and she again stated he can not come in so we just left the entertainer eventually was very helpful and nice but I'm sorry you can not refuse a service animal but it's all good we'll never go back here. anyone else with service pets may want to stay away from here.