If you are an art and culture connoisseur, Phoenix will not disappoint you. There’s an eclectic mix of museums in the city that showcase art, design and even history across civilizations. If you aren’t typically a museum freak and find the idea of visiting one boring, wait till you read this list. There’s a high chance you are going to change your mind! While hiking, golfing and living the laidback life is what Phoenix is all about, make sure you don’t miss out on its vibrant museum scene. It’s worth exploring!
7 Best Museums In Phoenix That Are A Class Apart
Phoenix, often referred to as the ‘Valley of the Sun’, is dotted with some of the best museums in the world. Go take a look!
1. Heard Museum
One of the most popular museums in Phoenix, Heard Museum is a must-visit to learn about the art and culture of the American Indians of the Southwest. There are 11 exhibit galleries inside the Museum apart from outdoor courtyards that display a mix of traditional and contemporary American Indian art. This Museum experiences heavy footfalls every year, sometimes to the tune of 200,000 visitors annually! If you are looking to buy some authentic art, make sure you drop by the Heard Museum Shop. After a visit to the Heard Museum, comfort your growling stomach with some great salads, sandwiches and soups, or some coffee and tea!
Location: 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix
Timing: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon – Sat); 11 AM – 5:00 PM (Sunday)
Entry Fee: $18 (Adults); $15 (Seniors above 65 years); $7.50 (6-17 years)
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2. The Phoenix Art Museum
One of the largest art museum in southwestern United States, this place has over 17,000 objects of American, Asian, European, Latin American art which are displayed here. Ever since it opened its doors in 1959, the Phoenix Art Museum has hosted over 400 national and international exhibitions till date. Besides, photography exhibitions are also organised on a regular basis, thanks to its collaboration with The University of Arizona’s Center for Creative Photography located in Tucson. Oh, and there’s also an interactive PhxArtKids Gallery and the Dorrance Sculpture Garden, that’s hard to miss!
Location: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix
Timing: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: $18-$23 (Adults); $15-$20 (Adults aged 65 and older); $9-$14 (Age 6 to 17);
Note: Pay what you wish (3-9 pm Wednesdays, 6-10 pm first Friday of every month and noon-5pm second Sunday of each month)
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3. The Arizona Science Center
Situated in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Science Center is a well known place for education and entertainment. Set amidst the beautiful Heritage and Science Park, this popular haunt has been designed by the famed architect, Antoine Predock. This Museum is huge and has four levels of exhibits along with a planetarium and a giant-screen theatre. There are several other attractions within close proximity to the Arizona Science Center, including Heritage Square, Phoenix Convention Center and Chase Field.
Location: 600 E Washington St, Phoenix
Timing: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: $18-$23 (Adults); $13 (Children aged 3-17)
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4. The Penske Racing Museum
This one is a little different from the rest, and rightly so! The Penske Racing Museum is a haven for car enthusiasts with its mind-boggling collection of cars, trophies and other memorabilia. These collectibles showcase the glorious heritage of one of the most successful dynasties in sports, Penske. With over four decades of racing experience and over 300 wins in key races, make sure to visit this car heaven for free!
Location: Phoenix, Scottsdale
Timing: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Entry Fee: FREE
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5. Musical Instrument Museum
This one is sure to sound like music to the ears! This is the only museum of this kind in the world, where instruments and music of different cultures is exhibited. Guess what? There are more than 6,500 musical instruments and other related objects on display, so look around in a leisurely manner! Another highlight is the Artist Gallery that has instruments played by the who’s who of the music world, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift and many more. If music makes your world go around, make sure you visit the Experience Gallery, where you can play instruments of different cultures.
Location: 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix,
Timing: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: $20 (Adults); $15 (Children aged 13-19); $10 (Children aged 4-10)
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6. Children’s Museum of Phoenix
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix will make you want to go back to your childhood again! This Museum with interactive exhibits engages children up to age 10 and enables them to use their imagination in fun ways! Go climbing on the Climber or make your way through the Noodle Forest – there’s no dearth of fun and games. This is a treat for children’s birthday parties as well and is certainly a novel way to celebrate!
Location: 215 N 7th St, Phoenix
Timing: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Entry Fee: $14.95 (Adults); $13.95 (Adults aged 62+)
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7. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Here’s another one on the list that’s worth a visit! The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is a storehouse of fire history exhibits, with over 90 fully-restored fire equipment on display dating from 1725 to 1969. While majority of the exhibits belong to America, there are also pieces from France, Germany, Austria and England. Interestingly, a gallery is also dedicated to the history of wildland fighting in the United States of America.
Location: 6101 E van Buren St, Phoenix
Timing: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: $10 (Adults); $8 (Students aged 6-17); $4 (Age 3-5)
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Do you have that urge to take a walk around the history of Phoenix? If your answer is yes, don’t wait and plan a vacation to Phoenix city with TravelTriangle and get a taste of the unique museum scene in the city!
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