The exhibits were pretty creative and fun! I loved that most of them were super interactive…read more Beautiful installations of lights for sure. Selection of the art was good. The staff were also super helpful. I think it was worth coming here for sure.

A nice unique thing to do in Scottsdale when you want to cool off from the oven-like conditions…read moreoutside but still want to wander around on your feet. Wonderspaces is basically a poor-man's TeamLabs. Large scale immersive and sometimes interactive artpieces arranged in a minimal modernist setting. When I first looked to go here it looked like it was only operating 5 days a week but to my surprise and delight they were open on the Monday that I was in town, so naturally I grabbed myself a ticket for a mental diversion from my workcation otherwise holed up in my hotel. When you check-in, a nice old man explains all the exhibits and points out a few highlights, one of which is a piece where you have to sit still for 20 minutes and let "3 robuts" draw you - cuz when else do you get drawn by a robot? (Well, in the age of AI, is it all that different?) Thankfully it wasn't too crowded when I went otherwise it could get quite backlogged waiting to sit for a digital caricaturist! This was probably the most tedious of the works, so I'll start here, as I had to get the host's attention and he came over and did some set up with the robot arms and the nearby tablet's app. He made small talk with me so as to keep my gaze steady as the robots with their webcams and drawing arms started their work. After a few minutes he left me alone but insisted I stay seated still until all the robots were done. One of the robots worked on me for an extra 8 minutes, so this felt more like a dental appointment than a fun electronic experiment. Another work was very reminiscent of teamlabs with dangling strings of LED lights They made such a big deal of each light having its own IP address, which was an implementation detail that really should not have needed oversharing. The work spoke for itself and the lights synchronized to the music immersively. Another fun one was large dots flipping in such a way that you could tell was capturing your motion and playing it back. And some 3D models spun at high speed with flickering lights to make it look like they were pulsing. Then there was the uninteresting video about a boy growing up awkwardly. Didn't seem to fit the theme of the exhibit. The last large scale piece were large plastic takeout bags almost recalling the nihilism from American Beauty and the futility of consumerism - which I think is the underlying principle that got me to spend money in this museum in the first place. A big crowd pleaser which was a large suspended tapestry was out of commission - you could see it but it was lowered for maintenance, so I missed out on that. Anyway, was it a good diversion? I'm satisfied.

Looking for an inexpensive way to kill time, we stumbled upon the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary…read moreArt! There is a free parking garage located behind the museum, shared with nearby businesses. Admission is as follows: Non-members: $16 Students, seniors (65+), veterans, active duty-military, and educators: $13. ID required. Not on their website but healthcare workers are also given this $3 discount! Thanks! I showed up in scrubs after work and qualified lol. * Squidsoup * Infinite * Mark + Making Visions '26 Open Spaces: Fiber Arts Addressing the Landscape Knight Rise by James Turrell ... and more! Small but quaint museum with enthralling exhibits. Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in the area and even remotely into art!

This is a small, contemporary art museum. There are 5 galleries, which are well marked and very…read moreinteresting. The museum is very clean and modern. Parking is FREE, in adjacent covered parking structure Bathroom is in Performing Arts Building, which is right next door to museum Admission is $3.00 less ($13) is bought ahead of time Docent George was a real standout- What a nice guy! He was extremely knowledgeable about the exhibits There is a small gift store area as well as a outdoor exhibit All exhibits were contemporary art Overall, this is a fabulous museum to visit. It takes a couple of hours to see everything

Been here many times over the decades and great to see new exhibitions and installations added…read more This visit was for the sock puppet workshop, which was actually more exciting than it sounded on paper. Our group was given every piece of crafting materials needed to make our own sock puppets. Walking through the museum after we were treated to areas of fashion, paintings and sculptures of different materials. Usual long standing exhibits still there inside the artfully designed museum

It was a great day hanging out in an art museum since it's still warm out. Several areas in the…read moremuseum were roped off. There were still several exhibits to enjoy. There were large Korean paintings in many large rooms, indigenous paintings, photography, sculptures, a light show exhibit, the butterfly wall, recycled art and more. Their gift shop is well stocked. Staff are helpful. There is a multitude of items to choose from. Free parking lot and WiFi in the building.

Lots to see and learn here, and guided tours available at scheduled times, though I preferred to…read moreroam the museum at my own pace. Posters and film clips of westerns like A Man Called Horse (1970) and Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josie Wells (1976). Handcuffs of all kinds on display (more accurately described as "retaining devices") in a western themed set. Mac Schweitzer's impressive collection of artworks, including depictions of desert animals and the wild west, especially a multitude of horse pieces. Countless paintings and artifacts on the second level, portraying native american history, the buffalo, and the evolution of american west landscapes. Scenes of collective work in western life among cowboys, herders, and traders. I found Eddie Basha's cottonwood tree root carvings interesting. And I was especially a fan of "Rabbit Hunt" by Loren Phillips (Hopi). Fistful of Colors in the north gallery explored the diverse meanings of color, such as the term "feeling blue", and how colors tell stories, evoke emotions, and create connections. The room transitioned into displays of movie posters, explaining why those from different countries vary in the way they are presented. Interactive exhibits throughout allow visitors to learn about Shakespeare in the Old West, women of the rodeo, even a scavenger hunt to find "escaped animals" in the museum. I was amused by fun facts like the first circus (Ryland's traveling show) taking place in Tombstone Arizona Territory in 1880, or how the full saying of "Ay Chihuahua" translates to "Yikes! How many Apache Indians are there without sandals!", referring to Apache raiders like Geronimo invading northern mexico wearing calf-high deerskin moccasins. There was also a small sculpture garden outside and gift shop worth checking out before leaving.

I poked my head into this Museum in Old Town Scottsdale. They have quite the collection of Eddie…read moreBasha of Basha's market. Mr. Basha was a huge collector of a Native American and Western type art. There are baskets and many bronzes to enjoy. There is a fee to enter the museum. A docent is available to explain the exhibit. They also have a small gift store. You can also see the Basha collection in his personal gallery in Chandler, AZ. It is a free event. Free street parking and WiFi.

This is one of the most magical things I've ever done. I had wanted to go to the botanical gardens…read morewhile I was in Phoenix but it was so hot, I didn't want to go during the day. Thankfully it was already time for Fall Lights, and I can't imagine experiencing this magical garden any other way now! The cacti are GINORMOUS in there and the lighting is so beautiful, it's really spectacular. It's one of those moments in life you realize how grand nature is. It was easy to walk through, and we loved the different displays. Whether it was the tall cacti lit up, or the trees with hanging twinkling lights, it was all beautiful. I can't recommend this enough!

Nice park in the Scottsdale area,well kept and full of desert cactai. Best for early mornings or…read morenighttime walks. We went on a Saturday morning which happened to be dog day so the locals were walking their dogs and catching up with each other. At night they light the place up which I'm told looks fabulous. There is 5 trails you can follow each with a different theme and easy on the feet. We did the whole walk in an hour and half. Clean restrooms, visitor's center with dining and grab and go options. Worth a visit if in the area.

Visited: Afternoon while waiting for lunch nearby…read more A fun, informative glimpse into life in Phoenix in the late 1800s/early 1900s. The home is in its original location and hasn't been moved. A lot of parts have been restored and it seems well cared for. You can only explore the Rosson House through a guided tour (about 45-60 minutes), which costs $15 per person. Our guide was knowledgeable and funny (blanking on his name--will add if I remember!). He walked us through the history of the house, the people that lived there, what they used each room for, and the types of possessions they owned. It was interesting to think about what life might have looked like in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and how the rooms evolved over time. The rooms are furnished with a mix of original and period-appropriate items, so it feels immersive and well-curated. We stopped in while waiting for our table at Pizzeria Bianco, and it was a perfect way to pass the time. Overall: A great piece of history, an 1895 house still standing in the middle of downtown Phoenix.

Was in the area from out of town and I wanted to see this beautiful house in person. I wasn't able…read moreto go inside but the outside is so pretty Love all the details. It's truly breathtaking

We live in Scottsdale Arizona and frequently do the Art Walk on Thursday nights. This past…read more Thursday we stopped into the Marshall Gallery, one of our favorites. The art work covers many mediums. We saw some alabaster pieces by Larry Frazier. They were spectacular! Jill Latzman spent time with us explaining the work involved in making those pieces. She was very friendly and helpful. Whether you live in Scottsdale or you're visiting, make the Art distract a stop on your itinerary and stop into the Marshall Gallery and say hi to Jill. Marcia B

The Marshall Gallery is located in an Old Town Scottsdale. It is one of my favorite galleries in…read morethe area for all their contemporary collection of paintings, glass, and sculptures. Don't forget to visit their upstairs area showing more glass works and paintings. Free street parking.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is beautiful with a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere and stunning koi…read morefish. Everything is very well maintained, and the restrooms were especially clean. There's also a small gift shop with nice items, though it can feel crowded when several people are inside at once. Keep in mind the garden is outdoors, so Arizona summers can be very hot. It's best to visit early, bring water, and plan for the heat. The garden is also smaller than expected--you can likely walk through it in about 30 minutes or less, depending on how long you stop to enjoy the scenery and koi. They also offer excellent workshops and special programs throughout the year, which are worth checking out for a deeper experience. Be sure to visit their website for the latest schedule. Overall, it's a peaceful, beautiful escape and definitely worth visiting--especially if you enjoy koi, gardens, and tranquil scenery.

Beautiful grounds! I…read morewent in June in the early morning and it got hot fast. It's a small park so very doable for a quick in and out of your area short on time or want to avoid the heat. It cost about $15 for an adult ticket. No food or drinks are allowed on the grounds. I thought I could walk around with my morning coffee it had to quickly drink it before entering the park.

This is now run out of Chapin house by Carol. BUYER BEWARE!…read more A majority if not all their stuff is fake and forgery under the guise of "we don't authenticate". However, they label the products with famous artists names and have premium pricing making people think they are authentic. At least Payton (owner at Chapin) understood and took back our fake paintings and gave a full refund. I believe Chapin house in general is a fine business, but "Estates fine art" inside Chapin house is sketchy at best. Probably illegal and needs some sort of reporting to someone who handles art forgery.

I happened upon this charming gallery while killing time waiting to head to the airport for my…read moreflight . What a FIND, I purchased several small pieces for a very reasonable price. John was extremely helpful and answered all my questions and followed up with more information on my artist after I got home. They had an incredible variety of art and artists to consider for both the novice collector (myself) or the experienced one. Definitely worth the stop!

My family and I recently visited the Museum of Illusions, and we had a great time! We purchased our…read moretickets online, and if you sign up for their email list, you can receive 10% off. We visited on July 24, and there was plenty of parking available. The museum was easy to find, very clean, and the staff was incredibly friendly. They were happy to answer questions and even offered to take pictures for guests, which made the experience even more enjoyable. There are also several other attractions nearby, so it's easy to make a day of it. One thing to keep in mind is that it gets extremely hot during the summer. It would be nice if there were sprinklers, misting stations, or cooling areas outside to help guests stay comfortable. The only downside was the ticket price. While the experience was fun and memorable, I would love to see family package deals or discounted pricing for families of three or more to make it more affordable for everyone. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would definitely recommend visiting if you're looking for a unique and interactive activity for the whole family!

Went here with my kids (6, 8) and unfortunately they have the attention span of a gnat. They just…read morewanted to rush through so I didnt get to see everything. But what I did get to see/experience was pretty cool. The place is not that big but they pack a lot of stuff in. Most things are interactive in some way. Went here on a Go Pass and I'm not sure if I would go on my own if I didn't have the pass (especially since my kids zoomed through).