Attractions
in Phoenix, AZ (showing 1 - 21 out of 21)

The Arizona Science Center opened in 1984 as a project by the Junior League of Phoenix, and has since blossomed into a $33 million facility that has reached more than 750,000 visitors since its inception.

The Arizona Science Center has hosted a large number of nationally traveling exhibits, stages daily demonstrations and provides a summer science camp and other fun events throughout the year.

The center's informal science education programs have stirred the imaginations of schoolchildren and adults alike, adding to the appeal and demand for more space.

Besides classrooms and gallery space, the facility recently added an IMAX Theatre that seats 285 people; more than 300 hands-on exhibits; a multimedia planetarium that seats 200; and a gift shop and lunchroom.

Camelback Mountain is a spectacular formation of red sandstone cliffs that attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year. The mountain earned its name from its unusual silhouette, which looks like the head and body of camel with a distinctive hump in the middle.

The majestic beauty of the area can be appreciated from the many vantage points throughout the region. Hiking trails are especially challenging, but a few easy paths encourage visitors to visit and explore the mountain up close at a more leisurely pace.

The summit of Camelback Mountain is at 2,704 feet above sea level. Originally, it was under preservation by the federal government, but the mountain was eventually deeded to private investors. As development began to encroach on the natural beauty of the mountain, the state legislature took over part of the land for further protection.

Small wildlife inhabits the designated parkland of Camelback Mountain.

Two hiking trails lead to the mountain's peak, with an average round trip time of 2 hours.

The Praying Monk is a smaller sandstone formation that is used by rock climbers. Its silhouette resembles a man kneeling in prayer.

The Desert Botanical Garden has been wowing naturalists for more than 70 years, featuring more than 145 acres of stunning desert blooms, flora and fauna year-round.

The site is located within Papago Park in Phoenix and opened in 1939. Today, more than 21,000 plants fill the land, including outdoor exhibits and displays, specialty greenhouses and preservation of endangered and fragile species.

One-third of the plants are native to the area. The remainder come from all over the world. Special collections from Australia and Baja California are featured alongside specimens from South America. Ecosystems represented include mesquite bosque, semidesert grassland, and upland chaparral scrub.

The Desert Botanical Garden is especially noted for its agave and cacti collections. Educational demonstrations showcase the power of energy efficient ecosystems and their influence on technology, including a rainwater capture system and greywater irrigation.

Grand Canyon National Park is considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world, which should come as no surprise. The storied park covers 1,902 square miles, and includes the Grand Canyon itself, formed as a gorge of the Colorado River.

The South Rim by far is the most popular visiting point, with easy access from Route 64. Most of the Grand Canyon is remote and inaccessible, adding to the canyon's storied reputation.

Many appreciate the Grand Canyon for its colorful geography and its role in preservation history.

For adventurous explorers, the rim of the Grand Canyon provides multiple points of access to the parkland and everything else below the rim. Hikes, mule riders and river runners can be seen enjoying the Grand Canyon's natural beauty.

The Orpheum Theatre is a palatial backdrop to grand performances in downtown Phoenix. It draws elements of Spanish Baroque Revival and Italian Renaissance architecture to create a unique ambiance for guests and performers alike.

The multi-purpose cultural facility was recently restored to its former glory, complete with full-range sound, theatrical lighting and other improvements to upgrade the quality of performances hosted at the theater.

The Orpheum Theatre is a historic landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The theater was originally built in 1929 to showcase vaudeville acts, then grew to accommodate the age of motion picture.

Eventually, the theater graduated to hosting Broadway shows, and after its recent $14 million renovations the Orpheum is once again ready to act as a central hub of spectacular entertainment in downtown Phoenix.

Concerts, Broadway productions, comedy shows and other events now fill the Orpheum Theatre to capacity once again

Papago Park echoes with history, from its designation as an Indian reservation in 1979, to its integration into the Phoenix park system in 1959. All the while Papago has been appreciated by casual hikers and families for its trail-friendly hiking and challenging mountain biking paths.

The park includes more than 1,200 acres of natural beauty. Certain sections accommodate modern camping with picnic areas, grills, water and electricity.

Fishing enthusiasts and bikers share the area. If you're looking for a break from the great outdoors, you'll find that here too.

Papago Park is home to a zoo, a botanical garden, fire museum and golf course.

Landmarks like Hole-In-The-Rock and Hunt's Tomb are located here as well.

Smaller animals like jackrabbits, ground squirrels and mice now inhabit the area, which is also an excellent location for birdwatching.

Fish species in approved fishing areas include rainbow trout, large-mouth bass, sunfish, catfish, tilapia and carp.

Phoenix Art Museum holds the distinction of being the largest art museum in the Southwest, featuring more than 285,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Located in downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Art Museum houses a collection of more than 18,000 works of art. Featured categories include American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.

Art lovers flock to the popular museum, which also hosts various community cultural events, such as festivals, live performances, art films and educational opportunities.

For the younger art crowd, the Phoenix Art Museum has created PhxArtKids. The area is an interactive learning environment, where fun and creativity is the name of the game.

To round out the offerings, the museum also stages photo exhibits with the Center for Creative Photography, a landscaped Sculpture Garden, an organic dining experience with Arcadia Farms, and The Museum Store.

The Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959. Since then, it has hosted more than 400 worldwide exhibitions.

Like many successful endeavors, the Phoenix Zoo started with one person's vision, then grew by leaps and bounds as the community embraced it.

The zoo began with the urging of Robert Maytag, of Maytag appliance fame, who wanted to preserve endangered species and give children the opportunity to learn about exotic animals up close from around the world.

Now known as the largest non-profit zoo in the U.S., the Phoenix Zoo has also been voted as one of the nation's Top 5 zoos for kids.

The zoo opened in 1962 with an on site conservation program, then grew quickly in later years. The Phoenix Zoo is known for its ultra-exotic species and the work it does to protect endangered animals like the Mexican wolf, thick-billed parrot, black-footed ferret, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Asian elephant, and many more.

Animal exhibits include the Giraffe Encounter, Camel Rides, Stingray Bay, "Wild About Animals" show, Monkey Village and a petting zoo. Fun attractions and games will keep the family entertained for hours, including the Safari Train, Safari Cart Tours, Endangered Species Carousel and Pedal Boat rentals