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8.5.25: Brought my family to visit this amazing one of a kind museum. We spent almost 3hrs and didn't finish it all. It was great to learn about various instruments, how they came to be and the sounds they make via the interactiveness of the exhibits. We also ran into singer Corrine Bailey Rae who was performing that evening onsite (and we had tickets for her show). Great museum HIGHLY recommended & fantasy concert by Corinne!
There was a reggae event happening at the museum during my recent visit, featuring a drumming workshop and reggae performances on Saturday, as well as documentary shorts on global reggae culture and guest speakers throughout the weekend. Even without special events and exhibits, there is so much to see and explore here. It is unbelievable how much they pack into this place. Give yourself at least two hours, or more if you want to thoughtfully read each of the exhibit descriptions or attend any of the optional workshops or performances on site. Food and drinks are not allowed in the museum rooms, except in the food area and courtyard, with Cafe Allegro offering a global menu and Beats Coffee Bar selling all day breakfast along with other snacks and beverages. Museum staff were helpful and welcoming, and I loved using the headphones given in the beginning, as these were connected with the exhibits, and the sounds of various instruments and videos could be heard as you walked by displays throughout the two levels of the venue. The second floor takes you across continents in the world of music, with unique instruments from Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and beyond. I learned about how instruments were played to engage with spirit animals in African culture. And I was fascinated with the Indonesian Gamelan exhibit, showcasing the arts I've experienced before with shadow puppetry. I even discovered many unique and amusing instruments I was not familiar with, like the tortoiseshell drums of the Garífuna and the buccin (french slide trombone), characterized by a dragon's head, as well as Belarus' instruments used for "teasing" songs. In addition, the STEM Gallery allowed for exploration of the science of sound, where I learned that all musical instruments share a common characteristic: vibrations! And the Artist Gallery had individual displays dedicated to iconic musicians, like Elvis, Taylor Swift, and The Wailers. My favorite section of the museum was the Mechanical Music Gallery. It felt like I was at the circus, captivated by vintage instruments such as the calliope (a self-playing steam powered organ) and antique nickelodeon machine. This room definitely added excitement to my visit. I also tried my hand at the theremin in the Experience Gallery, and it was like making music with magic. Lots of quirky items were offered in the gift shop too, like themed puzzles and ornaments, boom box lunch boxes, and a quote book for the melophile in your life. I absolutely enjoyed and appreciated my time at this museum, learning about and listening to the diverse and beautiful sounds created across cultures and throughout time.
MIM is amazing! This is one of the most thorough and thoughtfully curated museums that I've been to, with something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. I went with my family on a Monday morning in early May. While there were a few school groups and retirement homes visiting during that time, it didn't feel crowded at all! There's so much to learn and explore ... you could honestly spend all day here and still not see everything. Some exhibits are interactive, and there are literally instruments from every corner of the world on display. We did check out the coffee shop before exploring, and grabbed a quick bite! They do not let you bring any food or drink into the exhibits, even water. However, you can check your items at the front desk to pick up on your way out. All tickets include a headset with music or a voiceover that will automatically play as you get close to a specific display. It's hard to choose a favorite room, but the diversity in the Asia wing really stands out. My younger sister also loved the jazz exhibit! I highly recommend a visit to MIM for locals and travellers alike.
The Mim. That's what my son called it when he told me he wanted to go to a museum that his musician friends had told him about. I was down for a visit, even at the hefty price tag of $20. It' educational and cultural, after all. I had no idea how absolutely amazing it would be. I go to lots of museums and this is in the top ten, maybe five, for sure! If you have any interest in music, history, instruments or just an appreciation for the arts, you'll likely enjoy a visit here. I'd say that it's more appropriate for older children and adults. There is a room for hands-on play that the younger kids will enjoy, but the majority of the museum is slightly less interactive-although the headphones that automatically play as you get closers to the TVs throughout the exhibit are pretty cool! This will absolutely be a place I'll revisit with my son-and we will plan even more time to visit some of the exhibits that we ran out of time to see this trip.
The Musical Instrument Museum is one of the best museums that I've ever visited. It's a unique concept and you can easily spend an entire day there. When you enter, you're given your own headset which connects to the exhibits in the museum. As you approach a specific exhibit, it starts playing something for you - usually an informational video or sample songs of the instrument. There is so much to see, hear, and learn here and they have instruments from all over the world - many that you didn't even know existed!
Whether you are a music fan or not, you have to go to this museum! Museum is the Language of the World and this museum takes you around the entire world of music! We're taking instruments everywhere! Wall to wall with a wonderful headsets to let you hear it! You also get to ignore everyone else I the museum. I realized how important music is to each and every culture and to appreciate everyone!
I've lived in Arizona a long time now and had never been to this museum, which is well-renowned and highly rated. I'd heard good things about their concerts, specifically. April is community college month and for that, they offered all MCCCD students and employees half off admission, which I took advantage of. I brought my friend here and we got two for one admission, plus entry to their special exhibition: The Magical Flute. After we got our tickets, we were given a headphones and audio set so we could hear. The music being played on the screens throughout the museum. No food/drink allowed, or backpacks. I was wearing a small one but was able to keep it with me by wearing it on my front, maybe so I wouldn't inadvertently knock things over if it was on the back. We started on the second floor and moved through the continents, starting with Africa, "Middle East" (aka West Asia), Asia, Latin America, USA/Canada, and Europe. Saved the two we were least interested in for last. Honestly, I was overwhelmed with the variety and amount of instruments; the orientation video said they have 10,000. I was curious how they amassed them all and hoped it was done ethically (saw a few spots that notated gifts and donations by certain people). I liked the similarities of instruments across geographical areas, and it made sense when I saw the Silk Road section and how trade connected these countries. I had quite the jump scare as I was moving through West Asia and I came across "Isr*el". That is NOT a real place and it should be correctly labeled as Palestine. I didn't even look at that exhibit as it made me too mad, and I vocalized my annoyance. Almost ruined my visit honestly, and I wish they would rectify this particular exhibit. I read a review that said it used to be Palestine; if so, shame on them for changing it. During the Latin American section, the power ran out on my portable headset so we went back downstairs and got new ones so we could continue to enjoy the music. It did make me think about how deaf people experience this museum in a much different way than people who can hear, as it becomes primarily a visual experience. I agree with my boba sistah who shared her desire to play with the instruments, as that same feeling came over me many times during my visit. I understand why this isn't allowed, but it takes some self-restraint. I must have missed the experience gallery with instruments that could be played, that would have been fun. Though the gift shop had a few instruments that we tried out. The special exhibit on flutes was fine, but not worth the extra price if I had to pay. I did recognize a familiar face: Ken Koshio, who plays the drums and flute at sunrise on Piestewa Peak. The museum also has an artist gallery of different musicians that I didn't find too interesting (Maroon 5? Taylor Swift? Really?). They have a cafe and we quickly perused the menu, but seeing items like a pork banh mi for $19 doesn't sound tempting. Overall, I would say this is a worthwhile visit and there is so much to take in and explore. I was glad to have gotten a deal on admission. Though I am super bummed about their exclusion of Palestine, hence my rating.
This museum was soo much bigger than we thought it was going to be! Sadly, we arrived with only an hour to walk around, which was not even close to being enough time. We still had to pay full price for admission and it is expensive! It would be nice if they gave reduced pricing if you come when they are close to closing since they know you won't get to see much. The staff were also giving me the stinkeye for having my service dog with me. The museum has a lot of different areas to explore and lots of interesting videos, audio, and facts to read. From what I could see, most of the audio/visual displays were working. It was really nice being able to move at our own pace and do a self-tour, especially since we didn't have much time to explore. Although the headphones are very cheap and uncomfortable. We sped through the museum trying to see as much as possible. Some of the audio/video clips are very short and poor quality and could really use some updating. I love music, so this was a very interesting museum for me, but I can see kids getting bored after a while with the poor videos and repetitiveness of the museum. It would be nice to come back, but I wouldn't do it intentionally unless they update their stuff. With how expensive admission is, they should put more effort into having better quality and longer videos. 10 seconds doesn't tell you a lot about what cultures can offer.
Looking at musical instruments from all over the world. Climate controlled environment was nice this time of year. Friendly and helpful staff!
I've always wanted to visit this museum and finally made it happen. I had absolutely no idea how beautiful and big this place is. I easily spent a couple of hours here. You are given a set of headphones that allow you to experience the sounds of the different music at certain exhibitions. My favorite room, I can't remember the name, was an interactive room with all sorts of instruments that you can play. I definitely got an opportunity to be big kid. I went when there was a special hip hop event where they had a double Dutch workshop and dance battle. I had an awesome time at this venue and can't wait to return!
I'm not a big museum person but I'd heard amazing things about this one and was looking for an indoor activity to do with my mom. This museum is massive and it is really cool that they have an interactive room where you can play a bunch of the different instruments. You're also given headphones that use Bluetooth to sync up to the different exhibits and automatically play the music. I spent two hours here and had my fill but I could see how people spend even longer there.
Can I give this museum 10+ stars?! Wow! 4 adults and 3 kids, 8, 6, 4 years old. Every one of us enjoyed our first visit to the museum. Beautifully curated and displayed. Each person receives a blue-tooth headset upon check-in which works so well for the kids. The headset is on a lanyard. There is so much to see, and we definitely did not have enough time in one day to experience it all. We will be back next year. The museum is organized so well. There is so much information to learn. We visited the Museum Store before heading out.
The MIM has a fantastic reputation both as a music venue and museum, and rightfully so! First, as a museum, it is extensive. It will take you longer to go through than you would expect if you want to actually see everything. I'd suggest selecting a few areas and their current special exhibit and then saving the rest for another trip. As a music venue, its unmatched. Easy (free) parking. A beautiful lobby space and then the venue itself is intimate, comfortable, and with excellent acoustics. The seats are very cushy and much larger than most venues these days. They always have interesting artists and I always leave with a new appreciation of music, and with a smile from the absolute joy artists seem to have in playing this venue.
4 days ago
While visiting Scottsdale we stumbled upon this musical instrument museum and it was an amazing experience. They show case various musical instruments from all over the world. Feels like from every country. We did a good 2 hours here unguided and we barely scratched the surface. There was so many to see and hear. This place cost $20 admission for adults and you get to use a headset that will play music when you get close to the tv screen. It was nice to hear various instruments around the world. The staff here are really nice and friendly. There's a cafe on site so you can get beverages and meals to enjoy. Mathis museum has 2 levels and on the bottoms level there's a room where you can play various instruments. I finally got to play the gong and the harp!!! What a dream it has been for me and I finally got to play it. There's also an electronic self playing self built organ that they named Appollonia and there were 2 songs that were played at 12 noon. What a treat. There's even a museum store that you can take trinkets home. Overall a great and educational time here at the MIM. Highly recommend for people that visit Arizona to see this one out! read more
2 months ago
8.5.25: Brought my family to visit this amazing one of a kind museum. We spent almost 3hrs and didn't finish it all. It was great to learn about various instruments, how they came to be and the sounds they make via the interactiveness of the exhibits. We also ran into singer Corrine Bailey Rae who was performing that evening onsite (and we had tickets for her show). Great museum HIGHLY recommended & fantasy concert by Corinne! read more
4 months ago
There was a reggae event happening at the museum during my recent visit, featuring a drumming workshop and reggae performances on Saturday, as well as documentary shorts on global reggae culture and guest speakers throughout the weekend. Even without special events and exhibits, there is so much to see and explore here. It is unbelievable how much they pack into this place. Give yourself at least two hours, or more if you want to thoughtfully read each of the exhibit descriptions or attend any of the optional workshops or performances on site. Food and drinks are not allowed in the museum rooms, except in the food area and courtyard, with Cafe Allegro offering a global menu and Beats Coffee Bar selling all day breakfast along with other snacks and beverages. Museum staff were helpful and welcoming, and I loved using the headphones given in the beginning, as these were connected with the exhibits, and the sounds of various instruments and videos could be heard as you walked by displays throughout the two levels of the venue. The second floor takes you across continents in the world of music, with unique instruments from Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and beyond. I learned about how instruments were played to engage with spirit animals in African culture. And I was fascinated with the Indonesian Gamelan exhibit, showcasing the arts I've experienced before with shadow puppetry. I even discovered many unique and amusing instruments I was not familiar with, like the tortoiseshell drums of the Garífuna and the buccin (french slide trombone), characterized by a dragon's head, as well as Belarus' instruments used for "teasing" songs. In addition, the STEM Gallery allowed for exploration of the science of sound, where I learned that all musical instruments share a common characteristic: vibrations! And the Artist Gallery had individual displays dedicated to iconic musicians, like Elvis, Taylor Swift, and The Wailers. My favorite section of the museum was the Mechanical Music Gallery. It felt like I was at the circus, captivated by vintage instruments such as the calliope (a self-playing steam powered organ) and antique nickelodeon machine. This room definitely added excitement to my visit. I also tried my hand at the theremin in the Experience Gallery, and it was like making music with magic. Lots of quirky items were offered in the gift shop too, like themed puzzles and ornaments, boom box lunch boxes, and a quote book for the melophile in your life. I absolutely enjoyed and appreciated my time at this museum, learning about and listening to the diverse and beautiful sounds created across cultures and throughout time. read more
MIM is amazing! This is one of the most thorough and thoughtfully curated museums that I've been to, with something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. I went with my family on a Monday morning in early May. While there were a few school groups and retirement homes visiting during that time, it didn't feel crowded at all! There's so much to learn and explore ... you could honestly spend all day here and still not see everything. Some exhibits are interactive, and there are literally instruments from every corner of the world on display. We did check out the coffee shop before exploring, and grabbed a quick bite! They do not let you bring any food or drink into the exhibits, even water. However, you can check your items at the front desk to pick up on your way out. All tickets include a headset with music or a voiceover that will automatically play as you get close to a specific display. It's hard to choose a favorite room, but the diversity in the Asia wing really stands out. My younger sister also loved the jazz exhibit! I highly recommend a visit to MIM for locals and travellers alike. read more
The Mim. That's what my son called it when he told me he wanted to go to a museum that his musician friends had told him about. I was down for a visit, even at the hefty price tag of $20. It' educational and cultural, after all. I had no idea how absolutely amazing it would be. I go to lots of museums and this is in the top ten, maybe five, for sure! If you have any interest in music, history, instruments or just an appreciation for the arts, you'll likely enjoy a visit here. I'd say that it's more appropriate for older children and adults. There is a room for hands-on play that the younger kids will enjoy, but the majority of the museum is slightly less interactive-although the headphones that automatically play as you get closers to the TVs throughout the exhibit are pretty cool! This will absolutely be a place I'll revisit with my son-and we will plan even more time to visit some of the exhibits that we ran out of time to see this trip. read more
The Musical Instrument Museum is one of the best museums that I've ever visited. It's a unique concept and you can easily spend an entire day there. When you enter, you're given your own headset which connects to the exhibits in the museum. As you approach a specific exhibit, it starts playing something for you - usually an informational video or sample songs of the instrument. There is so much to see, hear, and learn here and they have instruments from all over the world - many that you didn't even know existed! read more
Whether you are a music fan or not, you have to go to this museum! Museum is the Language of the World and this museum takes you around the entire world of music! We're taking instruments everywhere! Wall to wall with a wonderful headsets to let you hear it! You also get to ignore everyone else I the museum. I realized how important music is to each and every culture and to appreciate everyone! read more
I've lived in Arizona a long time now and had never been to this museum, which is well-renowned and highly rated. I'd heard good things about their concerts, specifically. April is community college month and for that, they offered all MCCCD students and employees half off admission, which I took advantage of. I brought my friend here and we got two for one admission, plus entry to their special exhibition: The Magical Flute. After we got our tickets, we were given a headphones and audio set so we could hear. The music being played on the screens throughout the museum. No food/drink allowed, or backpacks. I was wearing a small one but was able to keep it with me by wearing it on my front, maybe so I wouldn't inadvertently knock things over if it was on the back. We started on the second floor and moved through the continents, starting with Africa, "Middle East" (aka West Asia), Asia, Latin America, USA/Canada, and Europe. Saved the two we were least interested in for last. Honestly, I was overwhelmed with the variety and amount of instruments; the orientation video said they have 10,000. I was curious how they amassed them all and hoped it was done ethically (saw a few spots that notated gifts and donations by certain people). I liked the similarities of instruments across geographical areas, and it made sense when I saw the Silk Road section and how trade connected these countries. I had quite the jump scare as I was moving through West Asia and I came across "Isr*el". That is NOT a real place and it should be correctly labeled as Palestine. I didn't even look at that exhibit as it made me too mad, and I vocalized my annoyance. Almost ruined my visit honestly, and I wish they would rectify this particular exhibit. I read a review that said it used to be Palestine; if so, shame on them for changing it. During the Latin American section, the power ran out on my portable headset so we went back downstairs and got new ones so we could continue to enjoy the music. It did make me think about how deaf people experience this museum in a much different way than people who can hear, as it becomes primarily a visual experience. I agree with my boba sistah who shared her desire to play with the instruments, as that same feeling came over me many times during my visit. I understand why this isn't allowed, but it takes some self-restraint. I must have missed the experience gallery with instruments that could be played, that would have been fun. Though the gift shop had a few instruments that we tried out. The special exhibit on flutes was fine, but not worth the extra price if I had to pay. I did recognize a familiar face: Ken Koshio, who plays the drums and flute at sunrise on Piestewa Peak. The museum also has an artist gallery of different musicians that I didn't find too interesting (Maroon 5? Taylor Swift? Really?). They have a cafe and we quickly perused the menu, but seeing items like a pork banh mi for $19 doesn't sound tempting. Overall, I would say this is a worthwhile visit and there is so much to take in and explore. I was glad to have gotten a deal on admission. Though I am super bummed about their exclusion of Palestine, hence my rating. read more
8 months ago
This museum was soo much bigger than we thought it was going to be! Sadly, we arrived with only an hour to walk around, which was not even close to being enough time. We still had to pay full price for admission and it is expensive! It would be nice if they gave reduced pricing if you come when they are close to closing since they know you won't get to see much. The staff were also giving me the stinkeye for having my service dog with me. The museum has a lot of different areas to explore and lots of interesting videos, audio, and facts to read. From what I could see, most of the audio/visual displays were working. It was really nice being able to move at our own pace and do a self-tour, especially since we didn't have much time to explore. Although the headphones are very cheap and uncomfortable. We sped through the museum trying to see as much as possible. Some of the audio/video clips are very short and poor quality and could really use some updating. I love music, so this was a very interesting museum for me, but I can see kids getting bored after a while with the poor videos and repetitiveness of the museum. It would be nice to come back, but I wouldn't do it intentionally unless they update their stuff. With how expensive admission is, they should put more effort into having better quality and longer videos. 10 seconds doesn't tell you a lot about what cultures can offer. read more
20 days ago
Looking at musical instruments from all over the world. Climate controlled environment was nice this time of year. Friendly and helpful staff! read more
8 months ago
I've always wanted to visit this museum and finally made it happen. I had absolutely no idea how beautiful and big this place is. I easily spent a couple of hours here. You are given a set of headphones that allow you to experience the sounds of the different music at certain exhibitions. My favorite room, I can't remember the name, was an interactive room with all sorts of instruments that you can play. I definitely got an opportunity to be big kid. I went when there was a special hip hop event where they had a double Dutch workshop and dance battle. I had an awesome time at this venue and can't wait to return! read more
I'm not a big museum person but I'd heard amazing things about this one and was looking for an indoor activity to do with my mom. This museum is massive and it is really cool that they have an interactive room where you can play a bunch of the different instruments. You're also given headphones that use Bluetooth to sync up to the different exhibits and automatically play the music. I spent two hours here and had my fill but I could see how people spend even longer there. read more
10 months ago
Can I give this museum 10+ stars?! Wow! 4 adults and 3 kids, 8, 6, 4 years old. Every one of us enjoyed our first visit to the museum. Beautifully curated and displayed. Each person receives a blue-tooth headset upon check-in which works so well for the kids. The headset is on a lanyard. There is so much to see, and we definitely did not have enough time in one day to experience it all. We will be back next year. The museum is organized so well. There is so much information to learn. We visited the Museum Store before heading out. read more
The MIM has a fantastic reputation both as a music venue and museum, and rightfully so! First, as a museum, it is extensive. It will take you longer to go through than you would expect if you want to actually see everything. I'd suggest selecting a few areas and their current special exhibit and then saving the rest for another trip. As a music venue, its unmatched. Easy (free) parking. A beautiful lobby space and then the venue itself is intimate, comfortable, and with excellent acoustics. The seats are very cushy and much larger than most venues these days. They always have interesting artists and I always leave with a new appreciation of music, and with a smile from the absolute joy artists seem to have in playing this venue. read more
10 months ago
So truly fully saying, this place is the most amazing, wow-ing museum of riveting fascination I've ever been to, said after multiple museum memberships and museum network memberships spanning 2 decades including while working in Manhattan and DC both and traveling aggressively globally and nationwide (all 50 states). MIM is a unique level of awesome cultural experience, far more than a museum, rather, a living tribute to the full-of-life experience of music. The instrument is a wise pathway to what is just such a whole body experience of music in every exhibit, show, and moment in their special space. First, the building, the approach, such a immaculate lot and campus with impressively large facilities to properly pay homage to the global musical traditions and their active great list of unique musicians and musical experiences and shows. The very unique, I could use that word over and over as I can't well convey how mind-expanding their finding and crossing the wide cultural chasms of the world come together in music. For the inside, wow, it's again impressive and yet much more, it sets the tone as did the outside for the reverence, the majesty, the high notes of a colorful life which music captures, channels, carries, and propels. The store is imaginatively stocked as to bring a new level of marrying retail to music, itself an achievement. The welcome desk efficiently processes all manner of entry from the large school groups to global cultural ambassadors to the average person. The copiously available staff from full-time to volunteers, all exude the shared love of music and have interesting individual experiences so be sure to talk to them, they're there to enjoy you, too. The restaurants are a huge delight with both the cafe and the full-service restaurant such pleasant, classy, and cost-efficient dining experiences. Don't sleep on their food, it's prepared carefully by hand with such love. One can tell from their open kitchen showing the Le Creuset dutch ovens that it's going to be good, and we had a group of 7 so we ordered 5 mains from the menu and 4 sides and deserts so I can attest to the food being so so good. Food is fuel for the hours of viewing their immacuately, carefully signed. I'm the type to read every placard and sign so I had a great time. They make every wall panel, mounted sign, and speciality signage all so engaging. The audio tour format of AM/FM microtransmitters to the headset is sooooo great, and it all worked without problems or difficulty. Restrooms are well stocked, clean, smell good, and spacious. Every other amenity is well thought out. A++ everywhere. Their restoration department's window is riveting with centuries worth of musical instruments being loving restored in open view. The children's experiences room makes me a child again with dozens of novel instruments for use and what a brilliant time being a musical child again. The Apollina bi-daily playings are a trip both back and forward in time, do go. We only wish we lived closer to enjoy their programming and shows more but greatly anticipate being back to advance these lifelong feelings of music. read more
I have been to museums around this globe, and most of the ones in Washington D.C. are some of the most impressive (to me). But, the Phoenix MIM, is in a class of it's own! Recommend: Without prejudice! One of the best cultural spots in all of Arizona. Created by (previous Target CEO) Mr. Robert J. Ulrich, he has amassed in excess of 15K instruments from around the globe, that of which approximately 7-10K are currently on display. This number has fluctuated a bit from who you get this from either through the 400+ volunteers or professional editorials but the point is that one of their lead volunteers said the number is pretty close to 10K being on display at any time! Think about that, and all of these were collected from over 200 countries and territories and meticulously and carefully presented here. This was a LOT OF WORK! The building: Indian sandstone is the primary element on the building's façade, but you'll find the intricate and extremely articulated curvatures throughout the building, creatively symbolic of the curved notes on a Staff as well as paying homage to the local landscape. On site security and free digital audio commentators are available so as you stroll throughout the museum, and as you enter the 'range' in front of an LCD screen, you'll get immediate information on the instruments, music and location details. Super modernized approach vs reading elongated panels and serves you well since you have a LOT of ground to cover if you'd like to keep your time under 2 hours. The gracious amount of instruments is truly nothing you've ever seen before. I couldn't find a single country - that didn't have an instrument on display, even Alaska which also included a Totem Pole! One of a couple notes to share is one display chronicled a group of individuals that specifically sought out 'trash' and turned items around, creatively, into stringed instruments, drums and other various musical machines. Truly, the mark of innovative engineering when the world gives you lemons, you make lemonade! Additionally, there are also concerts held here throughout the year so there's always an exciting option to consider too! Unfortunately, there are literally , NO discounts here. A bit surprised at this because ALL Federal and State museums across my 40 years of traveling offer at the very least some kind of discount, if even for the military/veteran or at least the elderly groups, but nope, not here. This, in my opinion should honestly be revisited being that Phoenix is FILLED with 150K+ Military/Veterans and of course, we have a senior group that's pretty large too. But anyways, I digress... Last but not least, there IS a cafe to get a refreshment, a sammich and other small items as well as a place to sit to rest. We pretty much couldn't get to use due to closing times on our visit. Summary: Would recommend this as a cool (temperature wise) place to visit that is highly artistic in it's magnanimous design, implementing patterns that evoke all things musical that can be found throughout the building such as the staircase railings, lighting, and the floor to just name a few points. Loved this place and would certainly consider a second visit to catch an actual concert! read more
When I first heard about Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), I wasn't terribly excited. And this is coming from the guy who says he's the self-appointed king of concerts in Phoenix. I thought, well, while I love music, I don't know if learning about musical instruments would be that interesting. Boy was I wrong! I have checked out MIM on three occasions. Monthly, they hold special events where they highlight a particular country's music. There are a bunch of performances, often including vocal or dance, going on over three days. I've been to Experience India, Experience Cuba, and Experience France. These special exhibitions are included with your general admission ticket. Outside of these special events, they often host concerts at the venue that is part of the museum. I haven't been to one yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. And o, I should have started with this, but parking is easy in their large lot. Located in Desert Ridge, it's conveniently located close to my place. Now, to the meat of things: the museum itself! On the first floor, you'll find a store, cafe, the special exhibit going on at the time (for an extra surcharge), a room highlighting some of the biggest musicians of all-time, a room where you can play various instruments (interactive), and more. On the second floor, things are split up by continent. So, for example, in Asia, you'll learn about the history of music/notable facts about each particular country. Part of what I love about MIM is how things are set up logistically. You get a headset and as you approach different areas of the museum, the music that is playing on various screens starts playing automatically on your device. They're short music videos that helps you learn in addition to the text and the musical instruments themselves. Plus, attire and other music-related stuff. The combination of different forms of multimedia makes for an engaging experience. I haven't ate at the cafe, so I can't comment on the food, but they also have a large patio outside (when the weather cooperates). And when they have a special event, like Experience Cuba, for example, some of the food at the cafe reflects the event. I haven't been to the shop either yet. What else to mention? The museum is air-conditioned. I think that about sums it up. I went from not being too interested in MIM to thinking it's one of the best, certainly top three, museums, in Phoenix. I even recently became a yearly member. Look how far we've come. read more
Super cool museum with some wonderful exhibits. The museum is huge and goes through instruments from around the world. It was pretty cool checking it out. Lots of kids on field trips so beware if you're hoping for a quiet trip. The guides did a great job corralling them, but there were a ton of groups. The experience center was pretty cool as well, so was the cafe! read more
Our 2nd visit to MIM. July 2025 on a weekday so it wasn't busy. We arrive at opening when we go to museums. We had my grandsons again. We last came 2 years ago the first time when they were 2 and 6. Now 4 and 8. This is a state of the art 3 story high tech museum. They give you free headphones and have some sized for kids too. The headphones automatically play music when you walk past each display The museum has a cafe inside and there's a nice patio with tables outside too for a snack, coffee or to have a sandwich. . . read more
As usual the concerts here do not disappoint... This is the greatest place to experience any type of live music . The acoustics will leave you speechless! A music lovers dream. The museum has great exhibits ! One could spend the entire day here. The staff is awesome everyone is so helpful. read more
Musical Instrument Museum The MIM, what a wonderful experience this museum has from years past to present. The entire world is represented here with different items that whatever they could form to create an instrument to the modern electric or acoustic instruments. Besides the displays are the concerts that are top notch, if you have not been here to see the museum or concert you are missing out. This is must see read more
4 months ago
Amazing! So fun. We spent 3.5 hours here. I play the violin and like instruments so this was pretty cool to see. I liked the artist walk where you can see items from Taylor Swift, Elvis, Maroon 5 and others. The experience hall is also very cool, you can play a bunch of unique instruments you normally don't get to play including harps and a huge gong. There is hand sanitizer in that room, and it's well kept. The whole museum is super clean and well maintained. Plenty of bathrooms as well. We saw the special exhibit of violins and guitars and that was cool. $7 extra. $20 for adults. And you get a headset to wear. Most of the sections have a video monitor showing you how the instruments sound. Awesome experience and I learned a lot! read more
1 year ago
Wow! My favorite museum by far! You could spend two whole days here and not fully explore and experience the vast cultural types of music and read about the organisms and history of each instrument. If you love history AND music this will definitely be your cup of tea. I wish we had more time bc there was so much yo take in. Definitely stop and watch the videos bc it makes you can see the people playing the actual instruments displayed in the museum in their country of origin. With so many museums to choose from in Scottsdale, I'm grateful we chose this to explore and experience on our one free day while visiting from Vegas. read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
I learned so much about the history of music that I never thought! I've been here multiple times and always learn something new and different each time. There's so much to do and listen to. The headsets are pretty big but they do have kids sizes for the petite girlies read more
2 months ago
This museum gets 10+ stars! Most of the museum is arranged geographically. An excellent docent walked us around for over an hour telling us about many of the instruments. We learned the history and what types of instruments currently exist; string, skin, air & hard objects. The other part of the museum is done by genre; country, jazz, cool jazz, rap etc. It's a beautiful two floor museum. There are stairs, an escalator or elevator for use. Many of the instruments are either on permanent loan or were purchased. Make sure to use their headsets with speakers. The moment you step close enough to an exhibit, the talk will begin. As you walk away, the talk will stop. I was very intrigued by the costumes worn while making music. You can also wander the museum on your own. We enjoyed the docent and learned quite a bit. There was a special exhibit on the Stradivarius violin. There is also a "hospital" for instruments needing repair and some TLC. An artists galleries is set up for big named singers such as Elvis, Prince, Taylor Swift and so forth. There is a coffee shop and restaurant on site. You will find a few benches here and there to rest. If you haven't been and live in Arizona, I highly recommend visiting. Even if you are not into musical instruments, the set up alone is very impressive. There are also performances here at a reasonable price. They have their own free parking lot and Wi-Fi inside read more
AMAZING collection of musical instruments from all over the world. We thought we would spend an hour here and pushed it to 1.5 hours because we had an appointment but we could have easily been here 2-3 hours. When you buy your tickets you get a wired headset that is slightly different than ones you get at other museums. The unique and amazing thing about these is they can sense proximity so when you get close to the black boxes in front of the instruments it will play that instrument for you automatically. The kids loved this and wandered around looking for boxes so they can hear everything. It's huge inside with most of the music instrument exhibitions on the top floor, save energy and time for the first floor though because there is some great stuff down there worth checking out such as famous musician's instruments and stage worn clothing, automated music instruments, a room children and adults can play different things, and a repair shop. The special exhibit when we went was a Violin and Guitar exhibit, they had these instruments made by important makers such as Andrea Amati and Andrea Guarneri, however the big draw was the Stradivarius "Tartini" Violin. You do need a separate ticket for this exhibition. read more
The MIM has always peaked my interest, but the admission fee always scared me away!! But I had family visiting from out of state, and just so happens that all my nieces and nephews were musically inclined so I figured why not! The building is absolutely beautiful and the surrounding area was very well maintained. It gave the impression of tranquility and quiet... which was interesting for a musical instrument museum. We got our tickets an were given a small radio with headphone attachment, this is crucial to really exploring the museum. Our party got situated and we were off to the first exhibit. The headphones and the exhibit are linked so as you pass by, you will hear what the instrument sounds like and it being played from their region or country. If you are a regular museum lover, I think you would appreciate this, especially if you like to keep to yourself and immerse yourself. It was incredible to see various instruments for every country. For the parents, if you need a break, there is a family room on the lower level and past that, there is an area for your little ones (and yourself) to try the instruments you just saw! This was a lovely visit, and I hope to come again when my little one is older and more interested. read more
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More info about Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85050
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(480) 478-6000
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http://mim.org
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Ask the Community - Musical Instrument Museum
Does anyone know the adult beverage availability during concerts at the MIM, specifically the beer options?
Great bar! Available 1 hour before the concert (only bottled water allowed in theater- so get there early)…
Is the museum kid friendly?
Very kid friendly. But not too young. They would have to understand the beauty.
I will be going on 5/30/2022. I play bass so I'm very excited to see the lower octave brethren there! Will the giant extremely low bass still be there?! I know museums switch the installation around. Anyone know where I can see or know?!
There is a giant low bass! But I am unclear if it is okay to play it.
How long does it take to get through the musem?
We spent at least 3 hours there and probably saw half of it, at least. It seemed like the sort of place that might require more than one visit...
Are masks currently required?
Hi Lisa, thanks for reaching out! Masks are no longer required for museum entry.
Hello. Is access to the special exhibitions included in the membership?
Hi Patricia, Thanks for your question. In addition to unlimited museum admission for 2, members who give $250+ annually receive a select number of entry passes to each special exhibition. To see MIM’s membership levels and benefits, visit…
Is It wheelchair accessible?
Yes. There is an elevator and all displays are wide open and no tight areas. It's fantastic.
Are any food, drink , or alcoholic beverages served for/during concerts?
They have alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages for purchase before the concert. You may only bring bottled water into the actual concert.
If I don't play an an instrument (and to be honest, I'm not musical at all) will I find this museum interesting?
Definitely yes! I only used to play a piano. I found it fascinating to travel around the world and see in person and hear (on the wireless device) the music!…
Are you able to play any of the instruments?
Hi Joaquín, MIM's Experience Gallery gives guests of all ages a hands-on opportunity to make their own music by playing instruments from around the world. The Experience Gallery is open to all guests who want to play musical instruments from around…
Review Highlights - Musical Instrument Museum
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