Celebrate the first weekend of 2019 (and likely the last weekend of winter break) with ice skating, a chilly trip up north or an educational excursion.
Friday:
CitySkate
Arizona’s largest real outdoor ice rink, CitySkate, is taking over Central Avenue right along CityScape Phoenix. Revel in the joy the season brings by ice skating in the heart of Downtown Phoenix—under the twinkling night sky. The rink will be open until Jan. 6 with tickets ranging from $10 to $30 (skate rental included).
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park hosts its beloved annual winter wonderland of lights and displays through Jan. 6 each evening from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tip: To save some time, purchase a Fast Pass now to eliminate long waits to ride the Holiday Lights Train Ride. The Fast Pass is $15 per person per train ride for guests ages 3 and older. (Kids ages 2 and under are free with a paying adult.)
Dino Explorer at the Legoland Discovery Center Arizona
Do you have a dino-loving dude or dudette in the house? Well, treat them to a day they will never forget at the Legoland Discovery Center Arizona. This exhibit features a wide variety of dino-themed activities and hands-on learning. You will also have the chance to build your own Tyrannosaurus Rex--or any other dinosaur. And before you leave, you will have the opportunity to take a photo with the huge lego T-Rex.
Holiday Break Survival Guide
Hey, parents: Need a little help navigating these last few days of winter break? Check out these helpful tips.
Saturday:
The Polar Express
All aboard! The pages of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book come to life when both the young and young-at-heart come to relish in a holiday experience like no other during The Polar Express. Through Jan. 5, take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express to indulge in hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies while making your way to the North Pole. (Each child receives a special gift along the way, too.) For even more holiday fun, the Polar Express package is offered allowing guests to stay overnight at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Tickets range from $33 to $79, depending on select dates and packages.
Bearizona Wildlife Park
If you’re up north for The Polar Express, be sure to check out Bearizona Wildlife Park. This unique drive-through experience puts you face-to-face with four-legged creatures (like bears, wolves, bison and more)—without ever having to leave your car. Then, at the end of the tour, visitors walk along winding paths in Fort Bearizona and view the antics of smaller and baby animals on exhibit. Fort Bearizona is also the location of animal shows, restrooms, a gift shop, a snack shack and the complimentary Wild Ride Bus Tour.
Cosmic Playground at Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science Center inspires and delights creators, climbers and space-lovers of all ages with its limited-time Cosmic Playground experience through Jan. 13. Guests can climb, slide and explore the galaxy in a unique all-ages play space made almost entirely of household packing tape, and participate in an array of space-themed activities while immersed in cosmic light, sound and motion. Cosmic Playground is a shoe-free environment. Guests must wear clean socks or purchase a pair at the center for $1 (while supplies last). The experience is ADA accessible.
Sunday:
Have a Hygge Weekend
We don’t blame you if hot cider, fluffy slippers and a good book are the only things on the agenda this weekend. Here’s more ideas for creating a hygge-perfect winter weekend.
ZooLights
This annual event is a family and Valley tradition that happens to be one of the largest light shows in the Southwest. Millions of lights are showcased throughout Phoenix Zoo as visitors admire the sights while savoring hot chocolate and kettle corn under the stars. (Don’t miss the scene-stealing musical trees!) A couple new additions this year include live reindeer and a 200-ft.-long Polar Slide. This holiday classic is running through. 13, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., every night.
Bodies Revealed
The overwhelmingly popular Bodies Revealed exhibit is open for a limited time at OdySea in the Desert and explores the human body in an intimate and informative way. The 12,000-sq.-ft. exhibition will remain on display until March 2019. Bodies Revealed gives an in-depth view of the complex and intricate network of internal organs and systems in a very up-close and personal way, with more than 200 whole and partial preserved human body specimens. There are nine self-guided galleries, each one providing a detailed look into a specific part of the body, its functions and its importance to the rest of the body.
