Did a reading at this gallery last night and really loved the space. Great visual art on the walls,…read moreespecially the landscapes by Joshua Dean Wiley, they really grabbed me, The gallery had a really nice, open, and welcoming feel. They are also well set up to provide good and drinks. The staff seemed really friendly and stoked to host us. I gather the space is also available to rent for both public and private gatherings. I don't know the exact history of the ownership of the place but I hear it's a pretty good story. There were 40+/- people there last night, all seated, and the space felt full but not crowded. If you are down on Grand Ave. for sure go check out the art and if you are looking for a space for a small event or party I would for sure consider this place.

Great space. They always feature an eclectic variety of artists that feature many different media…read moretypes. Thanks for keeping our neighborhood a vibrant part of First Friday.

We attended a performance of the Phoenix Gay Men's Chorus at this location. It was our first time…read moreat this venue and we found it to be very comfortable and clean. The parking was easy as there is a garage nearby and the staff at Tempe Center for the Arts were happy to validate the parking voucher to waive the fee. The sound was great and we thought the seats were very comfortable. We would definitely return to Tempe Center for the Arts for future performances or events.

As the self-appointed king of events in Phoenix, I've been to pretty much every major event venue…read morein Phoenix and surrounding areas over the past 10 months. And it's safe to say that Tempe Center for the Arts is one of my favorites. First off, you can either park in the parking garage a few minutes away from the venue by foot or you can park in the gravel lot that is a minute or two farther away. If you park in the garage, they will validate your ticket. Guaranteed parking is always a big win in my book. I've been to the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCFTA) twice. Once for a concert and once for a play put on by the Arizona Theater Company. Both have been A+ experiences. First off, the venue is located right by Tempe Towne Lake which makes for a picturesque location. The venue itself is just as beautiful with stunning architecture, both inside and out. It's clean. It's comfortable. The ushers are friendly. There is plenty of seating to hang out outside before the show, during intermission, or after. You can also hang out on the patio where there's a fire pit and seating. On a certain day of the week that's escaping me, they do an open mic night out there. I haven't tried any of the concessions, but they have a bar and some snacks. There's complimentary water. The theater is pretty intimate which makes for a better experience. It's designed well. There are even often some art installations you can check out. Overall, you can't ask for much better than this when it comes to an event experience! I've become a season ticket holder of the Arizona Theater Company, so I can't wait to be back!

The Marshall Butterfly Pavilion is a part of the Desert Botanical Garden visit. It is a double…read moredoor entry and exit tent with live butterflies. Today was extra special as staff were letting interested patrons release live butterflies. Of course, I stepped right up for my turn. Three live butterflies were carefully tucked in a small waxed envelope. Each person carefully tore the sides of the envelope. Many took flight on their own while some lingered in the open envelope unsure of what to do. I got to release 9 of them with one lingering butterfly. I placed it in front of a flower and it gently walked on it. Sweet! After many visits to this pavilion, it is my first time experiencing this. What a great time I had along with others.

Honestly, I wish it was bigger!…read more Every time we come to the Botanic Gardens, I have to go see the butterflies, and they NEVER disappoint! The pavilion is a small tent like structure filled with blooming plants and tons of different kinds of butterflies native to Arizona. They walking path goes in a loop, but has a offshoot leading to the exit. You can spend as much time inside as you want; the only rule is that you can't touch the butterflies. Luckily, THEY usually end up touching ME! ;) At one end is a small aquarium type display showing the lifecycle of a butterfly, and there are actual caterpillars and chrysalises of the different species to look at. If you're lucky, you may even get to see a butterfly emerge! There are feeding stations stashed among the plants throughout the pavilion, along with a small pond full of goldfish. The best part is, it is not oppressively humid like in most other butterfly exhibits. This one is just like a tent with airflow to and from the outside. As you leave, there is a person that checks to make sure you are butterfly free before you exit. Entry is included with admission to the garden, so get out of the hot Arizona sun for a few minutes, and admire the beauty inside! 51/2023

How did I not know about PHOESTIVUS!? My cousin asked to tag along over the weekend. We arrived a…read morelittle after 5 PM. Of course downtown was busy however we were able to find street side parking close by. This is the best place to get all your holiday shopping and to support all your local vendors/ artists! There's a mix of 170 vendors. We also enjoyed the food trucks! We snacked on popcorn, papusas, and tamales. Yummy! Everything we ate was very delicious. I'd come back again next holiday! Very festive and dog friendly.

Neat market, it takes up a whole block. All local valley vendors from Goodyear to Chandler. Food,…read morejewelry, vintage goods, soap, plants, art, and more. The Yeti wonders and you can take a photo with him, there's a hip Santa you can also take a photo with. You can air your grievances, and what you're grateful about. There was a glass making demonstration from a studio. There was live jazzy music which I loved. Overall, a nice holiday market. There is street parking, metered parking, and a parking garage nearby. It's dog friendly and there's vendors catering to dog products as well.

Beautiful local artwork that was reasonably priced. Knowledge staff that allowed us to export the…read moreart we liked on our own and was there when we were ready to learn more about the local artist and their work. Wish we had a local store like this that supported local artists like Practical Art.

This is a more modern art / contemporary art store. Worth a stop if you're in the Uptown area. I…read morelove that they support local artists! They have a large selection of unframed prints which is a great way to showcase more available art. Though the selection was small, the t-shirts were really nice. A lot of the art on the walls wasn't marked so I wasn't sure if it was for sale or not and I hate asking!

Here's yet something else exciting at the Farm at South Mountain, next to Quiessence…read more The Botanica website describes the store as "a modern market for the garden, patio and kitchen." In addition to a number of Valley-made food products, the store will offer garden, patio and home items for sale, including art and coffee mugs. What really draws you in, is the aromatherapy at the door. I couldn't help but seek out, what product's fragrance, I gathered at the door. Food-wise the store carried Queen Creek Olive Mill oils and tapenades as well as Tracy Dempsey confections. I spied Chato Loco jalapeno jellies, Muneca Mexicana mole and Arizona Spice Co. salsas to represent the south of the border cuisine. GoodyTwos toffee, Decio pasta and Ramona Farms tepary beans round out the list. I purchased bars of soap, scented with sage.

This is a cute little gift shop on the Farm at South Mountain property. When we dine at one of the…read morerestaurants on property, it is fun to stop in to do a little shopping here afterward. They have your typical soaps, t-shirts, candy, etc., but it is fun to browse around.

Nov 2025. The Arizona Capitol Museum was a worthwhile stop during our recent visit to Phoenix. The…read moremuseum, "a division of the Arizona Legislative Council, uses historic artifacts, guided interpretation, virtual resources, interactive activities and public programs to educate visitors on Arizona's governmental, political,and social history." The museum offers free admission and parking, and visitors are allowed to explore independently. We picked up a map and received valuable guidance from a volunteer near the entrance. Free guided tours for groups are also available, and must be scheduled in advance. While we were there, there were two groups of school children visiting; the museum did a great job in staggering their timing and whereabouts. The Museum is located in the historic Arizona Capitol building, which was constructed from 1899-1901. The Museum's iconic copper dome, featuring the 17' tall Winged Victory weather vane, is the centerpiece of the government complex. Did you know that Arizona is the #1 copper-producer in the US? There are many interesting museum exhibits -- including on the USS Arizona, Arizona's Campaign for Statehood, and Remembering Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. What particularly got my attention was an exhibit on the "Merci Train". In 1949, the French people sent a trainload of gifts to the US as a token of their gratitude for our country's help during and after World War II. Original artifacts are on display. Apparently, gifts were sent to every US state; I had not been aware. The museum is also adjacent to the Wesley Bolen Memorial Plaza, an urban park and gathering place. One of the Phoenix Points of Pride, it is the site of various memorials honoring prominent figures, wars, and events in Arizona history.

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.

I love the the opportunity granted to local artists. The event runs from 1st street to 7th street…read more It's a fun way to get your steps in! The vendors are all along the main road of Roosevelt, as well as the side roads. There's food music, beverage, art, and more! I love it. Parking can be a pain, so I advise you to ride share or expect to pay for parking.

Very crowded with a lot of kids. Hard to see any booths. Many of the shops were not open or no…read morelonger there. The art museum was nice but won't return to the streets portion again. Unfortunate because it used to be so filled with different artist and unique people.