Ahh, the Arizona Science Center.\n\nThe MUSEUM:\nI have been here countless times since I was in elementary school, and I have to say... it was better back in the day. Not out of nostalgia or anything, although I'm sure that's part of it... But some of the cooler exhibits they used to have have been replaced with slightly less cool ones. \n\nStill, it is a nice, cool place to go on a date, especially for two nerds like us. If you are adults looking to go there, well, just don't go during the summer. The sheer number of kids will drive you nuts. Best time to go for people avoiding kids is on a weekday in the morning and during lunch, because most people are eating at the cafeteria during that time so you can have the exhibits mostly to yourself. Let loose, have fun, try out all the exhibits and feel like a kid again.\n\nThat being said, it IS a great place for kids, I remember spending hours here with my parents and school friends back in the day. You have so much fun, you don't even realize you're learning. That is the best way to learn! Everything is hands-on and if you're lucky, you might even get to be an assistant for one of the demonstrations. They don't know how cool it was back in the day, so they will LOVE it. Especially nerd juniors and whiz kids-- I know because I was one. Ha!\n\nThe FOOD:\nWell, it was better back in the day. It (the restaurant AND the menu) has gone under a major renovation since then. It has always been a bit pricey, so if you don't want to whip out your wallet for a small, greasy individual pizza and fries for twelve bucks, I recommend bringing your own lunches instead. The food is okay, if you really want to eat there for the novelty, but really nothing to write home about.\n\nThe SOUVENIR SHOP:\nYou guessed it-- it was better back in the day. It's true! There were a lot more cool science kits and tons more toys and candy to choose from, but it is still worth a visit. There are plenty of glow-in-the-dark decorations and some nifty little gift items.\n***In particular, if you love sour candy, I recommend the vials of liquid sour candy, Formula Sour--my husband is a sour candy connoisseur and this stuff gets him to tear up!\n\nOTHER:\nI highly recommend signing up for their email list- They have tons of special events throughout the year and one of them is bound to interest you. We went to the Harry Potter event on Halloween last year and had so much fun! There were special Harry Potter themed decorations and demonstrations, and you could even buy a butterbeer! Most kids were still in school, so it was a really nice time. We already know the museum like the back of our hands, so we could relax waiting for the next demonstration instead of rushing back and forth trying to see everything.\n\nI've been to the BodyWorlds exhibit 3-4 times already; I go whenever it has come around, and hope it will come here again soon! You really get to see the wonder of the human body and see firsthand how different muscles and body functions work-- I recommend more for teens and adults, as kids might be frightened by the whole body aspect. Those with easily upset stomachs will not like it either. \nIf you consider going, just remember; these are real bodies, they were real people, and many of them ARE cut open in various places to illustrate certain concepts. If that makes you feel uneasy, don't go!\n\nThe Arizona Science Center is a pretty cool place for adults looking to break the mold, GREAT for kids, and overall a nice way to spend an afternoon.
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