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.

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.

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.

Absolutely worth the $20 admission fee!!!…read more Beautiful place filled with musical instruments from all over the world. Ways they could improve: The African content could've been better. Synthesizer/computer music is under represented. In the contemporary artist section they dedicated a space to the guitar player for the Police while there were many other pop guitar players who were more impactful. I think the curator particularly liked banjo - as Earl Scruggs and Bela Fleck were presented, and many banjo-like instruments proliferate. I can't believe they had martin guitar for kids to bang on and an open to the public steinway in the hall way!? Great job! Great place.

I went here on a solo date on a Wednesday - middle of the day. The staff were extremely friendly…read moreand welcoming, and quick to offer help, if needed. It took me about 2-3 hours to walk the entire museum, and appreciate different music and sounds across the world. They provide headphones and an audio box for volume that you use to walk around the museum, with each exhibit having about 2-5 videos to watch and listen to. This is a good place to go for a fun date with friends, partner, and family!

If you're at the Penske Automall and have time to kill while waiting for your car to be serviced,…read morethe Penske Racing Museum is a great distraction -- and the best part is that it's FREE. This is a self-guided museum with informational plaques for every exhibit. The museum itself is on the smaller side, so if you just breeze through without reading anything you could probably finish in 15 minutes... but that would completely miss the point. The real fun is learning the history behind each car, trophy, and piece of racing memorabilia on display. Most of the vehicles are IndyCar and NASCAR race cars, along with a few pace cars. The museum has two levels: downstairs features the full-size cars, while upstairs has trophies, scale models, and other memorabilia. There's also a small cafe upstairs that serves food. I tried the chicken tenders and fries, which came out piping hot and were surprisingly delicious. Even if you're not a huge car enthusiast or racing fan, this place is absolutely worth checking out.

Awesome little free museum! Saw a local influencer went here and I was influenced to take my son…read morewho is obsessed with all things cars. Everything indoors in phx is so expensive so it's nice to have something to do in summer that isn't! We got here right when it opened and it wasn't busy! There are two floors and a little cafe on the second floor. My son loved seeing all the cars, the engines, model cars, and trophies. Definitely worth a visit if you are nearby!

Rare Earth Gallery is the place to go for large carved sculptures, stone water fountains and large…read moremineral and gem specimens. You will marvel at their amethyst crystals, butterfly specimens and stone jewelry. Have a staff person play their singing bowls for you. The vibration and soothing sound will magically transport you elsewhere. They have their own parking lot.

I visited even after seeing some of reviews, because it is nothing I am not used to where I live. I…read morewas pleasantly surprised I didn't feel watched at all, or looked down on. The place itself feels more like a museum. The prices feel like a museum. Maybe museums are buying the items? Each aisle has something pretty to look at, and outdoors as well. I know I wasn't going to able to afford anything, so I went in just to stare. They also have a nice selection of jewelry as well. Even the smaller items, seem priced out a little higher than they should, but I was able to just walk at my leisure, and I wasn't asked anything, or upsold which I appreciated. They were having a scavenger hunt for kids at the time we went in, which I thought was a fun idea. The kids got a treat at the end of it. There was also a woman talking to various people, and sharing interesting tidbits . There is a cool transformers guy out front you should visit. All in all, while way out of my budget I had a nice time, and saw some cool things. That is good enough for me. Worth a stop

This is the last Carefree Art & Wine Festival until the winter season returns. The hot spell has…read morecooled down today making it a windy time yet enjoyable. At least it was sweltering out. Attendees enjoyed their glass of wine while looking at art. There were familiar and new artists showing their creative makings. There's always an assortment of art to enjoy. Some food trucks are available. Many have samples in the hopes of enticing you to buy their product. The stores in Carefree were also open. I visited a few while there at the show. An excellent show as always. $5 entry fee and free for residents. Additional fee for wine plus glass. Shared and street parking.

Juried fine arts and wine festival with beautiful paintings, jewelry sculptures, photography, and…read moreso much more. Hundreds of artists both local and from around the country. Several weekends throughout the year with the wine tastings as well. Gourmet food and live music. It takes over Easy Street in Carefree.

Peoria City Hall Art Gallery is a small, but very well maintained art gallery in beautiful Peoria…read moreCity Hall. Rotating exhibitions, special events and juried shows. Once a year they present a Celebration of Artists exhibition that features West Valley and Arizona artists.The best of the best. Cream of the crop! The extensive grounds of Peoria City Hall and the historic district also include a number of pieces of well executed public art. * "Agrarian Memories" are small resting spots that highlight this part of the state and its farming past. Each one represents a different memory from this agrarian community's history. * "Back on Track," "Leading the Way," "The Valentines," and "The Family" sculptures all highlight the rich family history of this small agrarian community. As you explore the art and history across our country don't forget to search out the small museums and galleries.They sometimes contain the cream of our creative souls and the keys that unlock our rich history. Get up off that couch and go explore!

Another warm day in Fountain Hills, perfect for an art walk stroll. This is a large arts and craft…read moreshow offering many types of media. The show is located adjacent to the Fountain Park. There are also plenty of food vendors to keep your belly full. You will find tables and chairs to sit at while eating. Along some of the walkways are businesses you can wander into. Bench seating is available in some area. Port-A-Potties are scattered throughout the festival. Entry to the festival is free drawing a good amount of people. Plenty of free parking that is marked for your convenience.

Price gouging'. Even food was expensive'. Definitely geared towards the rich and not general public,read more