Museums
in Phoenix, AZ
(showing 1 - 16 out of 16)
Did you know that there are approximately 850 million visits to museums every year in America? They contribute $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year. If you think about how marvelous museums are, these numbers make sense. Museums can transport you to old worlds, future worlds, worlds you never thought you could be a part of.
If you’re looking to add some of those unknown worlds to your day, check out our list of museums in the area. They are all within driving distance and offer a variety of topics that will enchant every member of the family.
AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park
1300 N College Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281 Directions
At the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, we connect with people by sharing Arizona's history and engaging in meaningful conversations about how history impacts our lives today and tomorrow, with a focus on twentieth and twenty-first century history.
Arizona Capitol Museum
1700 W Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85007 Directions
Learn the history of Arizona at the Arizona Capitol Museum. More than 20 exhibits chronicle life in the state from its territorial days to the present. Arizona's history is rich with drama and development, and the museum will shed light on the bootstrapping attitude of the state's early settlers.
The Arizona Capitol Museum tells the story of the state's history through various exhibits and tours, highlighting the diverse cultures and historical figures that helped shape the state.
Visitors can view more than 20 exhibits that tell the story of Arizona's development from territorial days to the present time.
Exhibits include Arizona state symbols, historical figures, natural history, the role of government and the story of Arizona's statehood, the USS Arizona, and photographs from Edward S. Curtis.
One of the biggest and most impactful exhibits is Arizona's Gratitude Train boxcar. The car was delivered to Arizona by the French, as a thank-you for American generosity after World War II. Artifacts on display include a wedding dress from Lyon and a Peugeot bicycle.
The museum also pays homage to the USS Arizona and its pivotal role in the World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Arizona Doll and Toy Museum
5847 W Myrtle Ave
Glendale, AZ 85301 Directions
Nostalgia is always on display at the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum, where dolls and toys from yesteryear in excellent condition are lovingly on display. If you're a fan of dolls, toys and nostalgic collectibles from bygone eras, you'll love the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum.
Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC)
147 E Adams St
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
Learn more about the culture and history of Latin Americans at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC). The museum includes changing exhibits, workshops, classes and seminars. Visit the gift shop and bookstore after a guided tour.
Arizona Military Museum
5636 E McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85008 Directions
Learn something new at the Arizona Military Museum, housed in a raw adobe building built in 1936. Depictions of Phoenix history trace the early years during the Conquistadors, the U.S.-Mexican War and present day.
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
415 E Grant St
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
Celebrate the African-American pioneers of Phoenix at the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. Visitors can tour the sculpture garden and research library. The center also holds regular events like a recent reception and book signing for celebrated African-American authors.
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E Van Buren St
Phoenix, AZ 85008 Directions
Put a little spark in your tour of Phoenix at the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting. Fantastical fire engines from the mid-1800s are on display, as well as historic helmets and other equipment. You'll be humbled by the National Hall of Heroes, a tribute to the fallen men and women of firefighting history.
The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting and the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes are a testament to the brave men and women who have devoted - and lost - their lives for the protection of the community at large.
The Phoenix-based museum contains one of the largest collections of firefighting apparatus in the world, with some pieces dating back to 1725. Most of the collection is from America, but there are also pieces from England, France, Austria, Germany and Japan as well.
The museum opened in 1961, and today includes five exhibit galleries and the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which honors firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty and those who have been decorated as heroes.
The various collections span the development of firefighting equipment and practices. The displays you'll find include: Hand & Horse Drawn (1725-1908); Motorized Apparatus (1897-1948); Motorized Apparatus (1918-1968); Motorized Apparatus (1919-1950) and Wildland Firefighting.
A huge collection of Fire Department arm patches and a fire helmet collection are also on display here.
Heard Museum
2301 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
Appreciate handmade goods and native art at the Heard Museum. Ongoing festivals and programs introduce artists to the public. Or shop at the acclaimed Guild Indian Fair & Market, with wares from more than 700 artists.
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85050 Directions
Hear the history of sound and song at the Musical Instrument Museum. Wireless headsets are issued to each visitor, and you can hear accompanying sounds near each display. Truly a unique museum experience.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
Explore a world of possibilities at the Phoenix Art Museum, where the exhibits and attractions are always provocative and thoughtful. Western art, fashion photography and modern art are elevated to new heights at this nationally renown museum.
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.
Phoenix Police Museum
101 S Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
If there's a crime buff in your entourage, head over to the Phoenix Police Museum, where you'll view artifacts and historical items from when the department was formed in 1881 to present day memorabilia. A recreated 1900s police station is featured along with a 1919 Ford Model T Police Car.
Pueblo Grande Museum
4619 E Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85034 Directions
Explore an actual archaeological park at the Pueblo Grande Museum. The site is located on the ruins of a 1,500-year-old Hohokam village and includes the original 800-year-old platform mound for town-hall style meetings. Reproductions of historic homes have been placed along the village trails.
Rosson House Museum
113 N 6th St
Phoenix, AZ 85004 Directions
Tour the 2,800-square-foot Rosson House Museum, a beautifully restored Victorian style home built in 1895. The 10-room mansion served as a residence for its owners and boarders at a time when Arizona was still a territory.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E 2nd St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Directions
Get a global view of contemporary art, architecture and design at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Ongoing programs and special events that explore deeper meanings behind the exhibits are available to enlighten, educate and enhance the public viewing experience.
Taliesin West
12345 Taliesin Dr
Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Directions
Tour one of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpieces, Taliesin West. He designed the magnificent structure as his private winter home, studio and architectural campus. Public tours take place every day. Also, themed tours are available that incorporate details and Wright's architectural theories.
Wells Fargo History Museum
145 W Adams St
Phoenix, AZ 85003 Directions
Find out how goods and information were delivered in the Western frontier, at the Wells Fargo History Museum. Items on display include an authentic 19th century stagecoach, an interactive telegraph and an art gallery.
