After discovering the Heard Museum in the book "1000 Places to go Before You Die", we put it on the…read morelist of ''must sees' for a recent trip to Phoenix. TAKE THE LIGHT RAIL We took the light rail to the museum from our downtown hotel. There's a stop just down the road. GET A DISCOUNT The adult entry fee was $26 and we used our AAA membership for an exciting $1 off. I feel by the time you're paying $50+ for a couple, the cost is getting off-putting. LOCKERS AVAILABLE We used their complimentary storage lockers for our carry-on luggage as we were on our way to the airport afterwards. You also have to stow water bottles in the lockers. There are a couple of water fountains around the museum in case you get parched. ALLOW HALF A DAY The museum is a quality museum with a lot to see and read, but you really have to be into southwest stuff to really appreciate it in my opinion. After a few hours we were getting slightly overwhelmed, glassy-eyed and tired/bored with aching backs. (To be fair, it was our fourth museum in 3 days, so we were a little burned out!) STAY FOR LUNCH We really enjoyed an excellent lunch at the cafe in the courtyard and highly recommend it. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP(S) There's a high-end store where you can purchase expensive rugs, jewelry, sculptures, etc. and there's also the 'Mugs and T-shirts' souvenir store and a small coffee shop. RIDE SHARE DROP OFF AND PICK UP The ride share pick-up and drop off is around the back at one end of the parking lot. Helpful?

My husband and I really enjoyed this museum! We spent about 4 hours here (with a break at the cafe)…read moreand did not see everything. We are planning to return soon to finish the areas we didn't have time to see. There is a ton of information on Native American culture and history. There are also a lot of videos scattered throughout to learn even more. My favorite gallery was the Majestic Figures section. The figurines are extremely intricate utilizing various materials. Food options here are better than most museums. I really enjoyed the sit down restaurant with a full menu in the courtyard area. It's different than most museums who have a small cafe with limited options or none at all. If you live in Phoenix or are visiting this is a must see!

This museum was very small, but informative. I liked that it was kid friendly. They had signs…read moreeverywhere that said "please touch." My son was all about this. Barb, the docent, was very knowledgable and friendly.

I love the atmosphere in this museum of regional significance. Water is always an important aspect…read moreof desert life, and these walls tell our story. The partnership with the Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation is apparent in the displays starting right in the lobby. Sneak a peek at the exciting International Dark Sky Discovery Center dome, which will open later this year, while you are visiting the Museum located on the Fountain Hills Civic Plaza.

It was interesting but many of the petroglyphs were high in the rocks. It made seeing them…read moredifficult. I guess the best part for us was the building. There we could get some information about the peoples that drew them. In my opinion, a better place to see petroglyphs more closely would be at White Tank Regional Park.

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve In the Phoenix, Sun City area…read more Open 8 to 2 Wednesday through Saturday. There is a small entry fee but I don't mind helping to support the University's work I think it's $5 for seniors. Of course covid has changed everything so you need to check in on the Is hours with the website. There It's very accessible although it's not really a paved ADA wheelchair accessibility A beach wheelchair might do fine if someone was helping to push. It's a gravel trail so seniors that are mobile should have no problem. Families with children should have no problem. It's a little more than a quarter mile down the trail. They seem to be relying on the audio tour inside and outside though I believe it's posted on spotify. It actually makes me a little sad that they're not relying on volunteers or students as much anymore. It seems to be a trend and it's probably related to covid possibly, to modern Digital Culture rather than human interaction culture that I and my generation come from. I'm also sure like everyone else in the service industry it's urban industry they're finding it hard to get volunteers and employees. It reminds me of the self service lines in grocery stores and retail now, It's all about speed and efficiency rather than service. There was an archeological student from the University of Arizona, who was doing some kind of trail sweep who I naturally engaged in a conversation with, she had a wealth of information about the site and she enjoyed talking about it as well as some of the frustrations of trespasser's and worrying about artifact theft and vandalism. There was no one else around so we talked for 45 minutes. When I asked her about her future in archeology she felt that it was probably going to be in museum work cause that was the only place that you could possibly get a salary if you weren't teaching. I always enjoy listening and learning from bright young people about their passions. The rock art was produced by Archaic (before 150 CE,) Hohokam (1 - 1450 CE,) and Patayan (ca. 900-800 CE) cultures. It focuses on the rock art found a short way from the building on an outcropping of basalt boulders found along a quarter mile trail facing southeast. Unfortunately I wasn't smart enough to ask the student about differentiating from the different the different time periods of rockheart and asking her to show me some examples. I really recommend a visit especially for families and seniors of a certain age or for initial cultural markings experience. It's will also help you get oriented to the indigenous culture of the Phoenix area. The museum and interpretive centre discusses the site and its petroglyphs as well as tools and pottery associated with the site and Hohokam culture. Archaeology of the site includes features aside from the rock art which are described in the museum, but are not accessible to visitors. These include the remains of a pit house with middens and cooking areas, and the foundations of two masonry rooms top the outcropping where the majority of petroglyphs were found. It's heartening to see that this site helped to preserve an acreage of desert from encroaching development, the fragility of such sites will only increase with with increased tourism, and they do there best to manage it. A small number of rock art pieces were actually moved to their current location when the nearby dam was built. (All moved pieces are so identified.) The preserve is the result of a partnership by a number of organizations, including the Army Corps of Engineers, Maricopa Flood Control District and Arizona State University. The site is protected and operated by Arizona State University.

This festival is sponsored by Vermillion Productions. Vermillion hosts a number of different art…read morefestivals throughout Arizona during the winter months into early spring prior to the heat. We enjoyed the art scene with painters, sculptors, glass artists, jewelers and mixed media artists. Adult beverages may be purchased. There was live music singing Motown music. They were great. A nice day for a stroll around some fine art. Free entry and street parking.

Scouting through Groupons for things to do inside during the summer and came across Hall of Flames…read more Mostly purchased it as the museum was close to a place I like to eat at. Have to admit, didnt expect to enjoy the museum or leave being impressed as much as I did. What a magnificent collection of beautifully restored and preserved, historic firefighting machines from 1700s and a wonderful journey through international firefighting. Before you even get inside the museum, you are invited to ring the bell outside, this is a preview for some of the great interactive exhibits inside. Great place for kids, truly a lot of stuff for them to dress up in and play with. As you progress from the desk, made from an old fire engine, you start on a journey through some of the most wonderful historical firefighting inventions from all over. Starting with primitive pumps and carts from US, Europe and Japan. Theres a clever use of old firehydrants from all over, as they form the boundaries where the wonderful equipment is housed. The walls are filled with photos, antique drawings, badges, plaques, models of firefighting from all over the world. Progress through several galleries of some wonderful 1880s machines, full engraved chrome and just taking firefighting from wooden pumps to preart-deco beauty. Memorials for 9/11, Yarnell/ Prescott Hot Shots and all US firefighters are displayed throughout including the men and women of the PFD. Around 120-130 firefighters are lost on duty every year, except 440ish for 2001 with 380ish NYFD deaths listed in their own Memorials. Historic helmets from all over the world, photographs and equipment are amongst this impressive collection which is absolutely huge. Bring the kids for plenty of opportunities for them to dress up, sit on select equipment, play with lights, slide down the pole and learn about firefighting. Disabled, no problem. The museum has plenty of scooters, wheelchairs for loaning. Definitely impressed, definitely one place to add to your collection of must sees and definitely take the time to chat to the retired volunteers about the equipment and their experiences.

Magnificent tribute to firefighters around the world and their history!…read more Purchased a groupon to visit this museum for a new experience. With plenty of parking the entrance offers a display of various firefighting apparatus' including a large fire bell with a "Ring Me" sign inviting you to ring it and it is very loud. Once through the front doors you immediately enter the gift shop which offers many children's toys and also trinkets for adults. We never imagined the vast display of firefighting human-powered hand bumpers from the 1800's throughout history. Many steam engine fire trucks Several tributes to fallen firefighters including the Granite Mountain Hotshots and Sept 11th W.T.C. There are opportunities to sit on a firetruck and turn on the lights. Dress up and experience what firefighters wear including your selection of jackets, helmets and boots. We were impressed with the dispatch exhibit including airing live fire station radio calls. Lastly, as we left the museum, Mark at the ticket counter said if we come back we can always call ahead and ask for him and he will provide a private tour. This museum far exceeded our expectations!

Did you know that the state of Arizona does not have a capitol building? But they do have a museum!…read moreThey only provide reserved guided tours via their website for parties of 10 or more but they do offer a free walk-in guided tour Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 2 PM. Make sure to arrive a few minutes early because finding the door to enter can be tricky. The guided tour was brief but enjoyable. We walked through about half a dozen exhibits/rooms and the guide was knowledgeable, informative, and humorous. I've been to other capitol buildings in other cities and found the content here to be more diverse than what I've experienced elsewhere. There's an exhibit on women's suffrage, Martin Luther King, World War II, etc. 1-1.5 hours would probably be sufficient if you don't plan to read every poster on every wall, otherwise if you're into that, definitely allow for closer to 3+ hours.

On Christmas Eve, I visited Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. The Arizona Capitol Museum is located…read moreright across the street. Since I was there in the late afternoon/early evening, the museum had already closed. Luckily, a month and a half later, I returned to check it out with my mom. There's ample free parking in the surface lot across the street. Make sure you arrive early, because the museum closes at 2 p.m. If you like to explore museums to the fullest and read almost everything, it'll take you around 2 hours to fully explore as there are four floors to check out. And before I get deeper into it, here's another plus: admission is free. Upon checking in, you're given a brochure describing what's featured on every floor. The Arizona Capitol Museum consists of a bunch of various exhibits. I won't mention them all but some of the subjects include USS Arizona, buffalo soldiers, MLK, merci train, minerals in Arizona, the governor's room, a Jewish exhibit, Sandra Day O'Connor, and more. The diversity of the exhibits at the Capitol showcase different historical aspects of the state of Arizona and prominent figures in the history of the state. While it's not the most technologically advanced museum, it's definitely worth your time. The Capitol is air-conditioned and they also have a small cafe and a gift shop. I've been lucky enough to check out several state capitols, including the one in Austin and the one in Santa Fe. While Phoenix's isn't the most impressive of the bunch, it's well worth a visit. When you're the resident of a city, you tend to not explore all of the attractions that your hometown has to offer. I think it's important to not miss out on opportunities like these.

So unique and fun for the whole family! I love the cookies and the hot cocoa! It's also just the…read moremost charming neighborhood in Phoenix!

The FQ Story Home Tour has always been one of my favorites. Holding it just prior to Christmas…read moremakes it all the more magical. They always do themselves proud!

Such a fun and welcoming sip and paint This was my first time and ill definitely be back! Can't…read morewait for more painting, and to explore all that She CAVE Company offers! Thank you for a great experience! 10/10 would recommend!!