Museums In Phoenix

Phoenix is the center of culture for the Southwestern US. It makes sense, then, that it has some of the region’s best museums and exhibit spaces. What might be surprising for visitors, however, is the diversity of the city’s museum scene. Traditional offerings are easy to find, but so are some entirely unique venues that cannot be compared to anywhere else in the country. From beautiful gardens to contemporary art museums to living history parks, there is plenty to see beyond the usual offerings. That is not to say that Phoenix’s traditional museums, focusing on science and history, are not worth visiting.

Here are the best exhibit halls in Phoenix.

The Heard Museum is one of the world’s most respected museums focused on Native American art and artifacts. From pre-Columbian artifacts to contemporary art by modern Native American artists, Heard has it all. Aside from its usual collections, which are impressive in and of themselves, Heard hosts eight to ten temporary exhibits each year. A smaller Heard exhibit space is located in North Scottsdale. It features a permanent collection plus one traveling exhibit at a time. Admission is $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids and students and free for children under 6.

Other art options in the Phoenix metro include Phoenix Museum of Art, which is another well respected museum. It features contemporary and classic art from the Phoenix area and acts as the starting point for the monthly art walks that are popular amongst members of the arts community and also visiting art aficionados. The third major art-centered venue in the area is Arizona State University’s Art Museum, which is part of the Herberger Institute of Art and Design. Admission to the Museum is free, which makes this a good choice for thrifty travelers. Exhibits include contemporary arts and crafts from the region and displays of prints and ceramics.

One of the more unique choices amongst Phoenix’s museums is the Hall of Flame. It is not as gimmicky as its name might suggest. The Hall features an acre-long exhibit space with almost 100 pieces of firefighting equipment dating as far back as the beginning of organized firefighting in the US and Europe. There is also an exhibit honoring firefighters from around the country. Displays include fully restored fire engines from past eras and an impressive collection of fire helmets, including some protective hats that were made in the 19th Century.

With a 90-acre replica 1800s town filled with living history actors, the Pioneer Village, run by the Pioneer Arizona Foundation, is a popular attraction. It is especially attractive for history buffs and families with young children. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids. Buildings in the town include an opera house, a jail and a blacksmith shop. There is also a complete ranch complex. Actors portray period residents including a sheriff, cowboys and Victorian ladies.

Another Arizona State University offering is the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum. Admission is only $2 for adults and free for visitors under 18. There are 3,000 mineral and rock samples in the museum. The museum is fronted by a tall mine head frame and a steam engine and mining cars. 200-plus pound quartz rocks, rocks collected from the first moon landing and fossils and artifacts are amongst the items on display.

The Desert Botanical Garden is on virtually every Phoenix area visitor’s itinerary. It is a world renown garden featuring plant life from arid regions around the globe. In addition to the gardens, there are regular special events and arts displays.

The Arizona Capitol Museum is an exhibit hall that tells the story of Arizona’s long and colorful past. Permanent exhibits focus on area history and historic figures. There is also a display about the USS Arizona, one of the ships that was destroyed during the attacks on Pearl Harbor at the outset of World War II. There are regularly scheduled traveling exhibits and temporary exhibits and special events, most of which are related to the state’s history.

The Pueblo Grand Museum and Archeological Park is located next to the site where 1,500 year old ruins of structures originally built by the Hohokam, a Native American tribe that inhabited the area around Phoenix long ago, were discovered. There are hands on exhibits that teach about archeology and also an impressive collection of arts and artifacts that tell the story of the Hohokam and other native tribes who were the first inhabitants of the land that is now the Southwestern US. This is worthwhile venue, especially for families. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for kids.