Coming Attractions!

I wanted to mention two new attractions opening in 2010. I'm really excited about them both.

Sea Life Aquarium: Opening "by June" at the Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe, this aquarium will feature 5,000 sea creatures in a 165,000 gallon tank. Visitors walk through a 360-degree tunnel, encircled by the tank and its marine life. There will also be more than 30 aquarium tanks, tide pools and replicas of a sunken ship and dinosaur fossils. Ticket prices are yet to be determined but one-day tickets to the California aquarium are $18.95 for adults and $11.95 for children.

Musical Instrument Museum: This one-of-a-kind museum in the north Phoenix is scheduled to open April 24, 2010. It will display as many as 5,000 popular and indigenous instruments representing every country in the world. From what I've heard, as you approach a display, you will be able to hear the instrument playing. Very cool! Of course, they also plan to hold frequent performances and demonstrations of instrument making. Can't wait!

Her Secret is Patience

If you look closely at this photograph, you'll see a large metal pole anchoring two blue circles jut above the buildings. This is the new artwork in Downtown Civic Park. I couldn't get a better shot from where I was, the 9th floor of the Arizona Center parking garage, but you can see good photo in this month's issue of Sunset. It's supposedly inspired by monsoon clouds and cactus blooms, but I have to admit I don't really get it.

New Phoenix Visitor Center

Yesterday, I visited the new Phoenix Visitor Center just next door to the Phoenix Convention Center. I picked up well over 100 brochures (or at least it felt like that many as I carried them back to my car). So, I have plenty of material for a while.

Here's a photo I took of downtown from the 9th floor of the Arizona Center parking garage.

Christmas

I started this post about a week ago, but with Christmas, it's been nearly impossible to blog. Between shopping and decorating, I haven't had even enough time to keep on top of my emails! I did want to mention, though, that I saw the Nutcracker at Phoenix Symphony Hall last Thursday and was very impressed. If you haven't been to a Ballet Arizona production for a while, go. Director Ib Andersen does a fantastic job. I'm not really into ballet and had decided I could live without seeing Nutcracker again, but Andersen's interpretation kept me entertained and mesmerized. I think I might even take my girls to see the production next year (if we have the time to go!).