Families and Kids
Spend the Day at Arizona Mills
October 25, 2024
Explore Tempe’s shopping, dining and entertainment destination
Whether you’re an Arizona local or visiting Tempe on vacation, Arizona Mills — located in the heart of Tempe (5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ 85282) and just 15 minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — is the ultimate destination for family friendly fashion, attractions and more.
Home to more than 185 stores, a variety of dining options and immersive experiences, Arizona Mills is the state’s largest indoor value-retail and entertainment destination. Here’s a guide for planning your next visit to Arizona Mills.
Things To Do
Harkins Theatres Arizona Mills 18 w/IMAX
In addition to 24 digital projection screens, Harkins Theatres Arizona Mills 18 with IMAX also offers Arizona’s largest and only full-size IMAX screen. Amenities include wall-to-wall screens in all theaters, digital sound and rocking loveseats in stadium seating. Tickets can be purchased online, in person at the box office or at self-serve ticket kiosks.
Get hands-on with the thousands of LEGO® bricks in themed build and play areas where imaginations can run wild with the endless possibilities that LEGO® offers. Kids (and adults, too) will be endlessly entertained by two LEGO® rides, a 4D Cinema, massive, large-scale models, various building areas and retail shop.
Don’t miss the massive desert LEGO® sculpture located at the interior entrance (near the food court) Built by hand using over 300,000 LEGO® bricks and 2,713 collective build hours, this landscape features a large and small barrel cactus, a prickly pear cactus and a desert tortoise. For the best pricing and guaranteed entry, purchased online in advance. Children ages 2 and under are free.
Get up close and personal with thousands of aquatic creatures at this 26,000-square-foot aquarium. Interactive touch pools and Arizona’s only 360-degree tunnel allow visitors to come face-to-face with the animal underworld, including sharks, stingrays and rescued sea turtles. There are more than 30 display tanks with 5,000 sea creatures, including seahorses, tropical fish and more. Don’t miss Turtle Rescue Reef, where you’ll learn about the threats turtles face and hear the stories of how this aquarium rescues, rehabilitates, and provides forever homes to turtles unable to return to the wild. Tickets are available online in advance or at the door, and can be bundled with admission to LEGOLAND® Discovery Center.
Tilt Studio is a 40,000 square foot entertainment oasis that invites the entire family to play more than 150 arcade and video games, as well as laser tag and virtual reality experiences. When it’s time to refuel, head upstairs for a mouthwatering menu of American cuisine, including salads, pizza, wings, other snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic sips. Be sure to ask about current specials that combine dining and gaming for a package deal.
Restaurants
With all these fun activities to do, you are bound to be hungry, Arizona Mills got you covered with over two dozen dining options, including these favorites:
- Bubble Bee Boba Tea
- Cuties Lemonade
- Frutilandia Authentic Latin Treats & Taqueria Factory
- Joe’s Crab Shack
- Johnny Rockets
- Suki Hana
- Thai Esane
- Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs
- Fatburger & Buffalo’s Express
- Wok A Holic
Rainforest Café
Take your family on an adventure at Rainforest Café – “a wild place to shop and eat.” Their extensive menu features everything from salads to seafood. Dine among animated creatures, such as elephants and tropical birds, and take home a souvenir!
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
Garcia’s sauces, salsas, guacamole, chips, beans, rice and meat dishes are prepared fresh every day in their kitchen. They use only the finest meats, tortillas, garden-fresh produce, natural cheeses and quality dairy products.
Shopping
As an indoor, climate-controlled center, Arizona Mills offers the ultimate shopping experience, with top brands at up to 70% off. Whether you’re looking for a flowy summer dress, the perfect jean shorts, a new hiking outfit, or already thinking about back-to-school clothes.
The wide variety of retailers here include Levi’s Outlet, Gap Outlet, Nike Clearance Store, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Oakley Vault, Express Factory Outlet, Buckle, H&M, Forever 21 and Children’s Place Outlet. And with top brands like Steve Madden, Skechers, Vans Outlet, Crocs, Famous Footwear, Journeys, Foot Locker and more, Arizona Mills is a shoe lover’s paradise!
