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Things to do in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix Art Museum is a fine art museum located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the largest art museum in the southwestern United States, and it is home to a collection of over 60,000 works of art. The museum’s collection spans a wide range of time periods and cultures, and it includes works by some of the most famous artists in the world, such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Frida Kahlo. The Phoenix Art Museum was founded in 1959 by the Phoenix Women’s Club. The museum’s first home was a small building on Central Avenue, but it quickly outgrew its space. In 1965, the museum moved to its current location on Central Avenue, which is a 285,000-square-foot building designed by architect Edward Durell Stone.

The Phoenix Art Museum is open to the public year-round, and it offers a variety of educational programs and events. The museum is a great place to learn about art from around the world, and it is a fun place to visit for families and groups of all ages.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Phoenix Art Museum:

The museum is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm, seven days a week.

There is an admission fee of $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $17 for children (ages 6-17).

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

There are restaurants and a gift shop on site.

Here are some of the most popular exhibits at the Phoenix Art Museum:

American Impressionism: This exhibit features works by American artists who were influenced by the French Impressionists, such as Childe Hassam and Mary Cassatt.

Art of the Ancient Americas: This exhibit features works of art from the pre-Columbian era, including sculptures, textiles, and ceramics.

Modern and Contemporary Art: This exhibit features works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries, including paintings, sculptures, and photography.

Fashion Through the Decades: This exhibit features fashions from the 18th century to the present day.

The Thorne Miniature Rooms: This exhibit features a collection of miniature rooms that recreate interiors from different periods and cultures.

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is a privately owned, non-profit zoo located in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona. It is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States and one of the largest zoos in the world. The zoo was founded in 1962 by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates on 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. The zoo is home to over 3,000 animals representing more than 1,200 species. The animals are housed in naturalistic exhibits that recreate their natural habitats. Some of the zoo’s most popular exhibits include:

Africa: This exhibit features animals from the African continent, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras.

Tropical Rainforest: This exhibit features animals from the tropical rainforest, including monkeys, sloths, and jaguars.

Arizona Trail: This exhibit features animals that are native to Arizona, including coyotes, bobcats, and desert tortoises.

Children’s Zoo: This exhibit is designed for children and features animals that are smaller and less dangerous than the animals in the other exhibits.

The Phoenix Zoo offers a variety of educational programs and events, including lectures, workshops, and animal encounters. The zoo is a great place to learn about animals from around the world, and it is a fun place to visit for families and groups of all ages.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Phoenix Zoo:

The zoo is open from 7:00am to 5:00pm, seven days a week.

There is an admission fee of $39.95 for adults, $29.95 for children (ages 3-13), and free for children under 2.

The zoo is wheelchair accessible.

There are restaurants and a gift shop on site.

Heard Museum

The Heard Museum is a private, non-profit museum in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art. It presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art by American Indian artists and artists influenced by American Indian art. The Heard Museum collaborates with American Indian artists and tribal communities on providing visitors with a distinctive perspective about the art of Native people, especially those from the Southwest.

The Heard Museum is a private, non-profit museum in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art. It presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art by American Indian artists and artists influenced by American Indian art. The Heard Museum collaborates with American Indian artists and tribal communities on providing visitors with a distinctive perspective about the art of Native people, especially those from the Southwest.

Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

The Heard Museum is a private, non-profit museum in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art. It presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art by American Indian artists and artists influenced by American Indian art. The Heard Museum collaborates with American Indian artists and tribal communities on providing visitors with a distinctive perspective about the art of Native people, especially those from the Southwest.

The museum was founded in 1929 by Dwight B. Heard and Maie Bartlett Heard. The Heard family was interested in Native American culture and art, and they began collecting Native American artifacts in the early 1900s. The museum’s collection now includes over 40,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, jewelry, and pottery.

The Heard Museum is home to a number of permanent and temporary exhibits. Some of the most popular exhibits include:

HOME: Native Peoples of the Southwest: This exhibit explores the history and culture of Native peoples in the Southwest.

The Barry Goldwater Collection of Hopi Kachina Dolls: This collection includes over 400 kachina dolls, which are sacred figures used in Hopi religious ceremonies.

The Mareen Allen Nichols Collection of Contemporary Jewelry: This collection includes over 260 pieces of jewelry by contemporary Native American artists.

The Third Dimension: Sculptural Stories in Stone and Bronze: This exhibit features sculptures by Native American artists from the Southwest.

The Heard Museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events, including lectures, workshops, and festivals. The museum is a great place to learn about Native American culture and art, and it is a fun place to visit for families and groups of all ages.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Heard Museum:

The museum is open from 9:30am to 5:00pm, seven days a week.

There is an admission fee of $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for children (ages 4-12).

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

There are restaurants and a gift shop on site.

Camelback Mountain

Camelback Mountain is a popular hiking and rock climbing destination in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a prominent landmark of the Phoenix metropolitan area, and is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area between the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix and the town of Paradise Valley. It is a popular recreation destination for hiking and rock climbing.

The mountain, a prominent landmark of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is named after its two rock formations that resemble the head and back of a kneeling camel. It became a city park in 1968, and sits right next to Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood — a great dining spot — and the town of Paradise Valley.

There are two hiking trails on Camelback Mountain: the Echo Canyon Trail and the Cholla Trail. The Echo Canyon Trail is the more popular of the two, and is a challenging hike that takes about 2 hours to complete. The Cholla Trail is a longer and less challenging hike that takes about 3 hours to complete.

Both trails offer stunning views of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Echo Canyon Trail is also a popular spot for rock climbing, and there are several routes of varying difficulty.

Camelback Mountain is a great place to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. It is a popular spot for both locals and tourists, and is a great way to experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting Camelback Mountain:

The trails can be crowded, especially on weekends.

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

The trails can be hot and difficult in the summer.

Be aware of the desert wildlife, such as rattlesnakes and scorpions.

Musical Instrument Museum

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is a museum in Phoenix, Arizona, that is home to a collection of over 15,000 musical instruments from around the world. It is the largest museum of its type in the world. The museum was founded in 1999 by Robert J. Ulrich, the former chairman and CEO of Target Corporation. The museum’s collection includes instruments from every inhabited continent, and it is divided into several galleries that represent different cultures and musical traditions.

Some of the most popular galleries at the MIM include:

The Americas Gallery: This gallery features instruments from North, Central, and South America, including the Aztec huehuetl drum, the Mayan tunkul drum, and the Brazilian berimbau.

The Asia Gallery: This gallery features instruments from Asia, including the Chinese guqin zither, the Japanese koto, and the Indian sitar.

The Europe Gallery: This gallery features instruments from Europe, including the Italian violin, the German lute, and the French horn.

The Africa Gallery: This gallery features instruments from Africa, including the djembe drum, the mbira, and the kora.

The Oceania Gallery: This gallery features instruments from Oceania, including the didgeridoo, the kundu drum, and the nose flute.

The MIM also has a number of interactive exhibits, including a sound lab where visitors can try out different instruments, and a performance space where visitors can see demonstrations and concerts.

The MIM is a great place to learn about the history and culture of music from around the world. It is also a fun place to visit for families and groups of all ages.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Musical Instrument Museum:

The museum is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, seven days a week.

There is an admission fee of $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for children (ages 4-12).

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

There are restaurants and a gift shop on site.

Arizona Science Center

The Arizona Science Center is a science museum located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of the largest science museums in the Southwest, and it is home to a variety of exhibits and shows that explore science and technology. Some of the most popular exhibits at the Arizona Science Center include:

Dorrance Planetarium: This planetarium features a 75-foot-diameter (23 m) screen and a state-of-the-art projection system. The planetarium offers a variety of shows, including educational programs and special events.

Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater: This theater features a five-story-tall (15 m) screen and a state-of-the-art sound system. The theater shows a variety of films, including educational documentaries and feature films.

CREATE Makerspace: This makerspace is a place where people can learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by doing. The makerspace offers a variety of tools and resources, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and sewing machines.

Permanent Exhibits: The Arizona Science Center has a variety of permanent exhibits that explore a wide range of topics, including the human body, the solar system, and the history of science.

The Arizona Science Center is a great place to learn about science and technology. It is also a fun place to visit for families and groups of all ages.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Arizona Science Center:

The museum is open from 10:30am to 4:00pm, seven days a week.

There is an admission fee of $21.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors, and $15.95 for children (ages 3-17).

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

There are restaurants and a gift shop on site.

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, also known as Rohō-en, is a Japanese stroll garden in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a joint project of the sister cities Phoenix and Himeji, Japan. The garden was designed by Mr. Nozomu Okita, a Japanese garden designer, and was built in 1979.

The garden is 3.5 acres and includes a tea garden, a tea house, a koi pond, and a variety of Japanese plants and trees. The garden is a popular spot for weddings, photography, and meditation. It is also open to the public for tours and self-guided walks.

Some of the highlights of the garden include:

The koi pond, which is home to over 1,000 colorful koi fish.

The tea garden, which is a traditional Japanese garden with a tea house.

The dry garden, which is a Zen garden with raked sand and rocks.

The waterfall, which is a small waterfall that cascades down a rock wall.

The plants, which include a variety of Japanese plants and trees, such as cherry trees, maple trees, and bamboo.

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. It is a great place to learn about Japanese culture and to enjoy the beauty of the Japanese garden.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix:

The garden is open from 8am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

There is an admission fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The garden is wheelchair accessible.

There are restrooms and a gift shop on site.

South Mountain Park and Preserve

South Mountain Park and Preserve is the largest municipal park in the United States, with over 16,000 acres of mountains, trails, and desert landscape. It is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is a popular destination for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and picnicking. The park is home to a variety of desert plants and animals, including saguaro cacti, javelina, coyotes, and bobcats. There are also several archaeological sites in the park, including petroglyphs and pictographs.

Some of the most popular trails in South Mountain Park and Preserve include:

Dobbins Lookout Trail: This 2.4-mile trail leads to the highest point in the park, with panoramic views of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Mormon Trail: This 3.6-mile trail is a moderate hike that passes through a variety of desert habitats.

Pima Canyon Trail: This 4.8-mile trail is a challenging hike that leads to a waterfall.

Mystery Castle: This eccentric landmark is a popular tourist attraction. It was built by Boyce Luther Gulley in the 1930s as a home for his daughter.

South Mountain Park and Preserve is a great place to enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. It is open year-round, but it is best to visit during the cooler months (October-April). The park is located at 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85042.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting South Mountain Park and Preserve:

There is a $7 parking fee per vehicle.

Pets are allowed on leash.

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

The trails can be hot and difficult in the summer.

Be aware of the desert wildlife, such as rattlesnakes and scorpions.

Sonoran Preserve Desert Vista Trailhead

The Sonoran Preserve Desert Vista Trailhead is a popular spot for hiking, biking, and birdwatching in Phoenix, Arizona. It is located in the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve, which is a 12,000-acre park with a variety of hiking trails, wildlife, and plant life. The Desert Vista Trailhead has several different trails, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. Some of the most popular trails include:

Dixie Mountain Loop: This 4.6-mile loop trail is a moderate hike that offers stunning views of the surrounding desert.

Hawk’s Nest Trail: This 1.4-mile out-and-back trail leads to a scenic overlook with views of the Phoenix Mountains.

Desert Tortoise Trail: This 1.2-mile loop trail is an easy hike that is a great way to see desert tortoises and other wildlife.

Sidewinder Trail: This 1.1-mile loop trail is a moderate hike that winds through a variety of desert habitats.

The Desert Vista Trailhead is a great place to enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. It is open year-round, but it is best to visit during the cooler months (October-April). The trailhead is located at 1900 W. Desert Vista Trail, Phoenix, AZ 85027.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when visiting the Desert Vista Trailhead:

There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle.

Pets are allowed on leash.

Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

The trails can be hot and difficult in the summer.

Be aware of the desert wildlife, such as rattlesnakes and scorpions.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden is a 140-acre botanical garden located in Papago Park, at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, central Arizona. It is home to more than 50,000 plants in more than 4,000 taxa, one-third of which are native to the area, including 379 species, which are rare, threatened or endangered. Of special note are the rich collections of agave (4,026 plants in 248 taxa) and cacti (13,973 plants in 1,320 taxa), especially the Opuntia sub-family. The garden was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937 and established at this site in 1939. It is open to the public year-round and offers a variety of educational programs and events.

Some of the garden’s most popular attractions include:

The Gates of the Desert, a series of sandstone arches that provide stunning views of the garden.

The Ruth and Paul T. Brown Cactus Garden, which features a wide variety of cacti from around the world

The Maryvale Desert, which recreates the Sonoran Desert ecosystem

The Desert Discovery Center, which offers interactive exhibits about the desert ecosystem

The Desert Botanical Garden is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. It is a great place to learn about the desert ecosystem and to see some of the most beautiful plants in the world.

In addition to the regular exhibits, the Desert Botanical Garden also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, such as:

Las Noches de las Luminarias, a winter festival with thousands of hand-lit luminarias

The Desert Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale, a sale of plants from the garden’s collection

The Sound of Silence, a concert series with classical music performed in the garden

If you are looking for a beautiful and educational place to visit in Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is a great option.