A very subdued environment that's an eclectic mix of area history, vegetation, animals, and…read moreobservatory. The staff was very friendly, but it appeared to be a "one-man-band" while we were there.

Great 3-D show at the Planetarium--Marston Exploration Theater!!!…read more Times: Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 1 pm and 3:30 pm Cost: Adults $7.50; Students $5.50 My boyfriend and I came to check this planetarium out all the way from Los Angeles, CA! We caught the "Undiscovered Worlds" showing, and I must say, I compared it to the Griffith Observatory and thought this one was more enjoyable! Why? Well, first of all, we had a real-time, live narrator explaining everything in person and being able to manipulate the 3-D showing according to their narration and explanations. As a result, no two experiences will be the same. Everything was explained in detail in words I would understand (me, being a not-so-science-savvy person). I stepped out the theater truly understanding how small and vulnerable Earth really is--our home sweet home. The ending of the show really made me feel quite emotional (don't really want to spoil it). Sadly, my boyfriend and I didn't have time to check out the rest of the Planetarium since we were behind in our schedule. We would love to come back and check out the other showing and the rest of the Planetarium though. :)

Very fun and interactive art pieces! Make sure to pull up the descriptions on your phone for an…read moreeven better experience. Some fun pieces, some unique, and some inspirational artwork as well.

Bestie was in town and she had this genius idea to visit Wonderspaces Arizona. She's been to the…read moreSan Diego one twice and loved it, so I was excited to see what it's all about. This place is beyond cool! There are different rooms to experience, and each one is truly unique. I think I speak for us both when I say the one with the string lights was the most entertaining visually. The light show lasted about 15 minutes total from beginning to end. When you first walk in through the mall entrance, you'll end up at the bar area. Alex was so nice and very engaging. She answered our questions and whatever you order at the bar, you can bring it with you so don't feel confined to the bar area as you finish your drink! I got the School Rules (mocktail) and bestie got the Mango Colada. They were so good, I finished mine pretty quickly! One of the other exhibits that I enJOYed was the coin flipping one. Whoever thought of all this is amazing to say the least! The face display made out of different sized balls on strings was so cool to see, especially when you walked up to it and to the side of it. We don't have membership, but the older gentleman sitting near the bar informed us that if you pay the $99 fee, you can come as many times as you like and you'll get 20% off any merchandise. He was really informative and we appreciated that he wasn't trying to push it on us. I believe you can also bring a guest for a discounted fee. Some of the exhibits were not as entertaining as others, and I do wish there was more to see, but they do switch it up every couple of months so that would definitely be worth the membership. Don't forget to get your selfies in front of the huge mirror near the bar! I highly recommend coming here if you have out of town guests, or if you've just never been. The bonus is that it's located inside the Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale (same floor as the food court under the escalators), so you can have something to eat or walk around before or after Wonderspaces! It would be a cute date idea, too. I just may buy into the membership because the best part about it is that it does NOT automatically renew. So, if you don't like it, you won't have to worry about your account being charged. Good idea! Check out Wonderspaces Arizona and have so much fun!

My best friend and I visited Desert Botanical Garden after a lovely dinner in the area. She…read morementioned that she had tickets left over from a visit earlier in the day that granted admittance later in the evening/after dark. I had never been to Desert Botanical Garden despite living in the area for nearly five years, so I was quick to agree to tag along! We visited on an evening that was also dog night, so in addition to seeing the beautiful botanicals, we got to see lots of happy pups. Though my dog was not with us, I appreciated how they had lots of doggy bags, water bowls, and water stations at the ready for the dog owners. The exhibit was beautiful, seeing the lights intertwined with the plants and the cacti. This was truly breathtaking. I will definitely add Desert Botanical Garden to my list of places to take friends and family who visit me out west.

Beautiful area to stroll in nature and see desert plants and animals, with a similar experience to…read moreBoyce Thompson Arboretum but less sprawling. The spring is also a great opportunity to see cactus flowering; the nice thing is experiencing the space in different seasons. They frequently have special exhibits and events. This month, it was focused on desert photography and there were several screens put up throughout the garden including a video screening indoors. They also have the garden at night if you want to explore under the cover of darkness and the garden is lit up. On certain weekends they also have dog days where pets can come with owners. In the butterfly area they happened to be releasing butterflies so we got to open envelopes and let them go; kids especially enjoyed this. There are plenty of lizards, bees, hummingbirds and other birds, and for the first time saw a snake slithering around. In the summer, they open early and it's better to go early because it can get very warm when the sun is full force. There are many places to walk, sit on benches and enjoy nature. There are also water bottle filling stations and bathrooms throughout. There's a store with gifts and garden items and a restaurant as well. If you're a member, you also get a small discount at the store. The restaurant isn't cheap, entrees are about $30-35 and they have tacos, salads and appetizers. Near the airport and Papago park, visit the gardens for a peaceful outing.

S'edav Va'aki, formerly Pueblo Grande Museum and archeological park, is a sacred ground with…read moreinformative and immersive exhibits. The overall museum, inside and outside, is relatively small, but it's truly a hidden gem to truly understand the history of the Sonoran Desert and rich culture of the O'Odham people. Admission prices are relatively cheap and are as follows: Adults (18-64): $13.00 Seniors (65 & ove​r): $10.00​ Students (with ID): $6.00 Children (6-17): $6.00 Children (​under 6): Free Museum Members: Free *Discounted Admission on Thursday evening (4 pm - 8 pm) Hours are dependent on month and are as follows: ​Regular Hours (September - June) Monday, Friday, Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm​ Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm - 4pm Tuesday - Wednesday: Closed Summer Hours (July and August) Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday: CLOSED Interpretive Mound Trail ​ Closes at 4:00 pm Closes at Twilight on Thursday evenings Museum Store Store Hours ​Vary.​​ ​Holida​y Closures New Years Day, Juneteenth,​ Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day,​​ and Christmas Day We explored the entire establishment, inside and out, but enjoyed the outdoor trails the most, as it provided the most immersive experience. We got to savor the temperate spring weather on a Saturday afternoon, entering a pit house and climibing onto a platform mound. Definitely recommend all visitors interested in museums, culture, or history to stop by while in Phoenix!​ For more information, visit the City of Phoenix's webpage on the museum: https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/sedav-vaaki.html

This property is sacred ground. The Museum itself is small-ish, but the outdoor adobe structures…read moreand walking path are informative and educational. It's truly remarkable how folks managed to survive in the Arizona desert without the luxuries of running water, air conditioning, etc. High praise to the archeologists who have uncovered these adobe structures including the large public gathering place.

This is a must do in Scottsdale. Period. Art is an…read moreexperience. A memory. This will be a core memory for you right here. You will expand your mind and think about how art parameters are often too narrow. Parking was easy. Old town shopping is across the street. There are a plethora of outdoor sculptures to explore. This is a day for the whole family. Be sure to say hi to the nicest docent ever! George loves to tell you about the work and is the most lovely soul. So far this was my favorite day in AZ yet.

SMoCA, Scottsdale's Museum of Contemporary Art was a refreshing find in Old Town Scottsdale. The…read morevenue is intimate but that is where it shines. We enjoyed three main exhibitions which were all well curated, interactive and amazingly well presented. Squidsoup - Infinite : a darkened space filled with lighted spheres dancing to instrumental music commissioned by SMoCA. An immersive experience evoking thought and mood. Casey Curran - Tidal Sky : immersive and interactive sculptures framed and freestanding, each incorporating delicate movement, beauty and decay. James Perkins - Burying Painting : literally, this artist buried his artwork in locations such as beaches and the desert, exposing them to the collaborative forces of nature to evoke beauty and emotion. --- Bonus for us was a weekend Merchantile Market gathering of vendors for the afternoon in the nearby Civic Center Plaza offering live music, food trucks, handcrafted beverages, and vintage finds and handmade goods perfect for gifting. Street parking was easy and free nearby. Well worth a visit in Old Town!

I wasn't sure what to expect with Western Spirit - Scottsdale's Museum of the West, as it is a…read moreniche museum, but I was thoroughly impressed with my visit here. Located just off Old Town Scottsdale, this museum has beautiful and modern interiors, with wood accents and colors that perfectly complement Western and frontier themes. The employees/docents are all incredibly kind and friendly. Exhibits are spread out over 2 floors, with much of the artwork on the 2nd floor, with unique Western and Native American artifacts and exhibits on the first floor. There's also a theater showing a film which we enjoyed. The collection of cowboy tools on display was truly impressive and unparalleled, as the only place in my travels that has come remotely close to showing such a vast collection of similarly themed artifacts would be the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. We really enjoyed our visit here, and really regret that this museum wasn't on our radar on prior visits to Scottsdale. For those even remotely interested in Western and Native American history, I'd recommend a visit to this museum when visiting the Phoenix and Scottsdale region.

One of my goals this year is to be more like a tourist even though I'm a resident. Meaning hitting…read moreup the types of spots that tourists would visit in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Case in point: Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon with my mom to check out this museum that specializes in Western and Native American art. Here's what I really like: complimentary docent-led tours three times daily. We got to participate in two of them. They're a great way to get a more in-depth view of the museum. With that being said, even if you explore the museum on your own, you'll have a great time doing it. It's a two-level museum and there's plenty to read about and check out. We spent roughly three hours there and probably got through about 50% of the museum. Here's what I didn't like: they have two back-to-back video presentations in the small theater. They unfortunately weren't happening when I was there due to a private event. Bad luck on my part. Also, general admission is a bit pricey. Outside of the price, it's a fantastic museum. There's a complimentary parking lot across from the museum or you can find street parking. And it's a few blocks away from the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. You'll see Arizona's landscape represented in paintings, Native American artwork, Western movies, and much, much more. I'll definitely be back again!

This small museum is currently exhibiting Tempe's Old West history, and I found it very interesting…read moreto read about how quickly the town changed and spread. Included in the exhibit are pieces of clothing, tools, and toys from this boomtown era. The rest of the museum has displays from an ethnic standpoint to the movie industry to sustainability in the desert to ASU history. One corner has a truck, books, and costumes so that kids can get hands-on. Admission is free, and the museum shop has lots of unique gift items. Bonus: the Tempe Public Library is right next door

This little museum is amazing! A great layout of the history of Tempe and right now they are doing…read morea very cool Lowrider exhibition. You can create a postcard with your friends and family in the photo and email it to yourself. The staff is friendly, there is an old truck that the kids can get into as well as a police motorcycle that they can get on as well. And it's hard to believe but this place is totally free! If you're in Tempe, check it out!

As a retired firefighter I had to give this place a look. I came here with my kids and grandkids,…read moreand there was plenty for them to see and do (grandson is 4). They have a very extensive patch collection if you're into that sort of thing, and it is searchable by computer. They have fire apparatus dating from the late 1700's all the way up to about present day with one being a FDNY squad that was restored after being in the 9/11 terrorist attack. There are video clips as well as an apparatus that kids can climb on. Well worth the trip for fire buffs, or retired guys like myself.

Synopsis - an absolutely amazing treasure if you are in the area and well worth a few hours of your…read moretime to walk-through. The missus and I were vacationing in Arizona and looking for museums to visit. This museum popped up on our search and we were both extremely glad that we went to see it. The staff members were absolutely amazing and offered tours for those who are looking for a bit more constructive journey through an immense amount of history, content, and firefighting lore. You are able to peruse the museum at your own pace if you so choose to. There are endless avenues for you to go down, mediums of content to view, and history to soak up. No review can do it justice: you simply need to get over to the Hall of Fame and check it out yourself! 5 Flaming Stars out of 5!

Each time found staff helpful & friendly…read more I really enjoy the contemporary art exhibits that are socially relevant & displayed here. Easy parking in small lot, not crowded and could be a quick trip in and out in as little as half hour. I like buying items in their very small gift choices.

What a beautiful art museum! For a free museum to visit, they do an amazing job and have some…read morereally high quality exhibits! Love the focus on Mexican and Native American art. It is definitely one area of art and culture in general that doesn't get as much focus or emphasis. Diving into their art, you really see and feel the history and struggles that Mexicans and Native Americans have gone through. Highly recommended stop if you find yourself close to ASU campus :)

It's amazing how much there is to see considering this aquarium is in the mall…read more It is accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums. The animal displays were beautiful. There was lots of information to read and learn about sea life and preservation. It was a great deal for the money. We went on a Monday morning and it wasn't crowded at all. The staff were pleasant and helpful. All in all a great visit.

This aquarium had way more than we expected! We thought with it being at the mall it wouldn't have…read moremuch but we were able to spend a good 45 minutes here! Great sea animals to see- I just wish they would clean the windows better as some animals were hard to see through the glass. But overall a great indoor place to take kids. They should have senior discounts as that was my mother in laws only complaint but still affordable for an aquarium!