10 Best museums in Phoenix

There are many things to see and do in Phoenix in and around the city, including a wide variety of museums that may be of interest not only to culture lovers but to anyone who wants to learn more about the city and the region.

In Phoenix you will find museums about history, culture, art and science, as well as musical instruments, race cars, the mysteries heard in the streets, archaeological museums and museums that showcase the art of Native American peoples. Here you will find a list of the most outstanding museums in Phoenix, so you can plan your visit to the ones that interest you the most.

Phoenix is home to the Musical Instrument Museum, or MIM, which houses more than 7,500 different instruments from more than 200 countries. It is a must-see for music lovers, and also for all those who want to discover this world, and even play some of the instruments that are available to the public.

The aim of the MIM is to display instruments from all over the world and from different eras, to present musical art in all its diversity. The exhibits are divided into regions, periods, outstanding artists, types of instruments, experimentation and conservation rooms.

In addition to the musical instruments exhibition and multimedia proposals, the museum hosts music concerts and workshops for all ages, and on weekends there are musical shows for the whole family. Some special exhibits and/or concerts may have an additional cost.

The museum is located in the north of the city, in a building whose architecture has also been inspired by music and its forms, such as the windows that resemble piano keys. A visit to this museum, which takes between two and four hours, is always included among the best things to see in a day in Phoenix.

Facts of Interest

• Location: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix.
• Hours: daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
• Admission fee: about 22 ¤ for adults, about 12 ¤ for children and from 16 ¤ for teenagers from 13 to 19 years old.

A very characteristic place in Phoenix is the Hall of Flame Fire Museum, which houses a large collection of antique fire vehicles, from horse-drawn wagons to the most modern fire trucks. It also exhibits all kinds of objects and artifacts related to this profession, such as fire extinguishers and clothing from different periods.

The Hall of Flame Museum also has a large collection of graphic materials, such as paintings, prints, lithographs, magazines, clothing patches and photos (both prints and negatives). The lithographs are very interesting, as they portray famous fires and the firefighters' way of life.

There is also a Hall of Fame, the Hall of Heroes, in this museum, which pays tribute to firefighters who died in service. It is a good idea to take a guided tour, as it is the best way to learn more about firefighters and the significance of this museum.

Hall of Flame Fire Museum is about 14 km from downtown, near Papago Park, an area where you can hike and visit other attractions, such as the city's Botanical Garden.

Facts of Interest

• Location: 6101 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Admission fee: about 16 € for adults, and from 14 € and 10 € for teenagers and children.
• How to get there: by bus you arrive in about 1 hour and a half, and by car in about 15 minutes.

Downtown Phoenix is home to the Rossom House Museum, one of the city's architectural wonders. Built in 1895, it is one of the oldest buildings in Phoenix, and part of Heritage Square, a legacy of the Victorian era that still stands in the city. Today it serves as a historical museum.

Here you can see what life was like during the late Victorian era in the western United States, and also about the Rosson family, who lived in this house. The rooms display the complete furnishings, as well as artifacts and various objects as they were in that era, which will transport you back in time.

The Rossom House is also known for the ghost apparitions and strange occurrences that many people have reported, so it is often included in most Phoenix tours, especially ghost tours.

The Museum also has a restaurant and souvenir store. Admission to the house is limited to 8 people per hour only 3 days a week, so you may want to reserve your ticket in advance.

Interesting facts

• Location: 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.
• Hours: Friday through Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Tours begin every hour.
• Admission: about $15 for adults and about $8 for children.

One of the museums not to be missed in Phoenix, especially if you are interested in art, is the Phoenix Art Museum, where you will find a collection of some 20,000 pieces, ranging from classical works to more contemporary installations.

These works come from a variety of periods, and include North American, Latin American, Asian and European art. In addition to exploring the collections, the museum offers a variety of cultural activities such as lectures, artist talks, live performances, workshops and other interactive activities.

On Wednesdays, admission to the museum has no fixed price, so you can set your own value. In addition, on that day the Phoenix Art Museum is open until 9 p.m. and usually offers concerts or live performances. That is why the visit to this museum is included among the best activities to do at night in Phoenix.

Details of interest

• Location: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
• Hours: Thursdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm, and Wednesdays from 10 am to 9 pm. Some Fridays may be visited at 6 pm and 7 pm.
• Admission fee: from 22 € per person approximately. On Wednesdays there is no fixed price, so you can pay whatever you want.

The Pueblo Grande Museum is part of a 50-acre archaeological preserve located near the Phoenix International Airport. There you can see some 1,600 petroglyphs made by the Native Americans who inhabited the land (the Hohokam people), in addition to the museum's collections.

The museum offers historical exhibits on Native American peoples, educational workshops, children's activities and a store where you will find Native American art and jewelry. It also often hosts live concerts. The museum's collections will help you understand the significance of the petroglyphs found on the reservation.

The tour to see the petroglyphs is not extensive, but remember to bring a hat and sunscreen if you go to Phoenix in the summer. On the reservation you will see the remains of an ancient Hohokam village, including a va'aki (a kind of platform), irrigation canals, a sports field and replicated prehistoric houses, as well as desert plants and animals.

If you are interested in learning more about Native Americans, you can also visit the Montezuma Castle, which was built between 1100 and 1425 AD, and is located in Sedona. This is definitely one of the best desert tours from Phoenix.

Interesting facts

• Location: 4619 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034.
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4:45pm, Sunday 1pm to 4:45pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays during the summer.
• Admission fee: about 6 € for adults and about 3 € for children.

The Heard Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Phoenix, since it has the mission to spread the art of the American Indians, especially from the southwest of the country. It is the right place if you want to know the history of the American Indians told in first person.

The Heard Museum has about 12 galleries with permanent exhibits, installations and special exhibitions. It has a very nice sculpture courtyard, a restaurant and a store where you can buy authentic Native American art, clothing and accessories.

As for the restaurant, it offers special meals prepared with natural ingredients and carefully selected. It operates independently, so you can have lunch at the Courtyard Café even if you don't visit the museum.

To better understand the meaning of the exhibits, you can take advantage of the free guided tours in English if you understand English, or download an app to listen to the information in Spanish.

Interesting facts

• Location: 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Admission fee: about 22 € for adults and 9 € for children and teenagers. Children under 5 years old are free.

The Arizona Science Center is the museum for people who are interested in science or want to learn more about science. There you will find more than 300 exhibits and demonstrations on astronomy, technology, renewable energy, neurology, forces of nature and much more, which will surely arouse your curiosity.

Some of the exhibits you can see in this museum are The Wonder, which proposes an exploration of the human brain; and Forces of Nature, which allows you to experience what happens inside a hurricane or a volcanic eruption. In addition to science exhibits, the museum also offers workshops, children's activities and festivals. It is an ideal proposal for the cooler autumn months, such as November in Phoenix.

The Arizona Science Center is home to one of the most advanced planetariums in the United States, the Dorrance Planetarium, which offers a truly immersive experience in the mysteries of the universe. Planetarium activities have a fixed schedule, so check the museum's calendar beforehand so you don't miss anything.

Interesting facts

• Location: 600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States.
• Hours: daily from 10:30 am to 4 pm. Last admission at 2:45 pm.
• Admission fee: about 21 € for adults and from 15 € for children and teenagers. The entrance to the planetarium costs about 9 € more.

Although it is not a museum, it is a space where children and adults can explore the Lego universe and enhance their imagination. The center has about 5 million bricks in the most diverse constructions, and has areas for the little ones to have fun building. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do with children in Phoenix.

In the center you will find car tracks, where you can compete with the car you build; Lego characters, with whom you can take pictures; life-size games and incredible constructions made with bricks, such as dinosaurs, stadiums and even a replica of Downtown Phoenix. You'll also find interactive multimedia options and video games.

Although it is for all ages, adults can only enter accompanied by a child, with a minimum age of 10 years old. The time spent in Legoland is about 3 hours. Please note that admission is limited, so it is best to reserve your ticket in advance. Inside there is also a store and a cafe.

Interesting facts

• Location: 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, STE 135, Tempe, Arizona 85282.
• Hours: daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Last admission at 3 p.m.
• Admission fee: about $29 for children and adults.
• How to get there: from downtown Phoenix you can get there by bus in about two hours.

Visiting the Children's Museum is one of the most interesting activities to do if you are traveling with children, especially if your stay is between December and February in Phoenix, when it is winter. The exhibits are prepared to arouse the curiosity of the little ones, who will learn about art, science, history, etc., in a playful and fun way.

Among the games they can participate in at the Children's Museum of Phoenix are the market, where children can pretend to shop; and the children's garden, where they can connect with nature and water the plants. Another highlight is the climbing frame, which invites children to develop their physical skills.

The museum is located on Akimel O'odham's traditional lands, so the institution not only recognizes indigenous ownership of the land but also disseminates their cultural legacy, in various programs and exhibits.

There is a cafeteria and gift store at the museum, with the most original toys to take home as souvenirs. Please note that adults can only enter accompanied by a child, and that the activities are designed for children under 10 years of age.

Interesting facts

• Location: 215 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States.
• Hours: daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Admission fee: about 16 € per person.

The Penske Racing Museum is a must-see for car and speed racing enthusiasts, as it has a private collection of race cars, trophies and memorabilia related to the history of the Penske Racing team and its 50-year history.

Many of the race cars on display at the museum are the originals have won races, and others are replicas. As for Penske Racing, or Team Penske, it has won about 18 times the Indianapolis 500-mile race and has had about 500 wins in other notable races.

The museum is located about 39 km from downtown Phoenix, very close to the Musical Instrument Museum, so you can take the opportunity to visit both museums on the same day.

Interesting facts

• Location: 7191 East Chauncey Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85054.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm. The café is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
• Admission fee: about 10 € for adults and 5 € for children.