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.

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.

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

Right in the heart of downtown Mesa and crafted with love. I remember having a great time here as a…read morekid decades ago and finally returned for the first time as an adult today. It's still really great, I thought it might feel like a children's museum but not at all. Chock full of artifacts and tons to read and take in. I liked its three winding levels with stairs in the center and the ceiling height display throughout, so charming with its big waterfall and recurring thunderstorms. Parking was super easy in the free garage right next door. The museum was wide open on a Sunday, all families with kids. I'll definitely be returning here solo to take more time, there's a wealth of information on display and you could kill a whole summer afternoon here easily.

This is a WONFERFUL museum for school age children & adults. Our 3 year old grandson enjoyed some…read moreof it, but I wouldn't recommend this museum for toddlers because the exhibits are too advanced. Dinosaur Mountain felt like a bit too much for a three-year-old. The dark rooms, loud roaring noises, and unexpected thunder was overwhelming and scary for him. The museum is three stories with a lot of interactive exhibits. There is an outdoor courtyard where kids can try gold panning. All of the exhibits are engaging - a living, educational experience that helps people understand the past and think about the world today. Staff were great, and readily available for questions. Parking is free and in adjacent covered structure. Annual memberships are very reasonably priced ($100 for four people). Adults or school age children could easily spend 3 hours. We stayed 1.5 hours with our grandson.

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

Wow. Wow. Wow. It's…read moresuch a joyful experience walking through a museum that puts a smile on your face. This is by far one of the neatest museums I've ever been to. I completely understand why they sell two day tickets. I spent about four hours here, including having lunch at the cafe. I was blown away by the technology. You get a headset with admission. As you approach TV screens, it automatically connects you to the audio so you hear it in your headphones. It's like museum meets silent disco. Highly recommend if you are in the Phoenix area and looking for something different.

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!

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).

AC and free water. Who wouldn't like a quick stop at the Scottsdale Historical Museum. After…read morespending the afternoon walking around Old Town Scottsdale, we stumbled upon the historical museum. What a fun museum to explore the founding of Scottsdale. The staff were super nice as well.

Pretty cool little museum in between old town and the park. The people were really nice that…read moreworked there. There was some interesting information about scottsdale. I liked the baseball history of scottsdale. Best of all this was free!!!!

Such a fun place to visit! There are so many restaurants and activities all in one area, plus…read moreparking is easy. Not too fun during the summer though because it's open parking! It's also a great spot to entertain and tire out the kids! Lol There's even a Ferris wheel, but it was way too hot for us to ride. We also found a photo booth near the restrooms ($8), which was a fun little bonus. It's conveniently located near OdySea, Topgolf, and Talking Stick, and it's super easy to get to from the freeway. If you're visiting during the summer, I'd recommend saving the outdoor walking for the cooler months and spending the hotter afternoons indoors at OdySea.

1 Star - Dangerous and disappointing experience on the Big Wheel…read more I rode the Boardwalk Big Wheel at Arizona Boardwalk today with my two young boys, ages 2 and 4. The experience was honestly terrible and, more importantly, felt unsafe. It was 105°F outside, and we were placed in the orange #15 gondola. The gondolas are primarily enclosed by glass and have no effective air conditioning. The AC in ours was clearly broken and was blowing hot air instead of cooling the cabin. Within minutes, all three of us were drenched in sweat and the heat inside was becoming extremely uncomfortable. The biggest issue was that the attendant locked us inside the gondola despite the extreme heat. We waved at her to let us out, but she didn't. We went around the entire wheel and, when we came back around, we waved again. She saw us, but still didn't open the door. I ultimately had to yell and knock on the glass to get her attention before she finally let us out after the second trip around. When we got off, I explained what had happened to the attendant. Her response was essentially an unenthusiastic, unapologetic "sorry." There was no concern about whether my children or I were okay, no offer to move us to a functioning gondola, and no refund or other attempt to make the situation right. I paid $22.71 for the ride, but the money isn't really the issue. What concerns me is putting young children into an enclosed, extremely hot gondola with a malfunctioning cooling system and then failing to respond when the passengers are clearly asking to get out. I would strongly recommend that Arizona Boardwalk inspect and properly maintain these gondolas and, more importantly, make sure attendants respond immediately when passengers are signaling that they need to exit. I would not recommend riding the Boardwalk Big Wheel, particularly with young children in extreme heat.