S'edav Va'aki, formerly Pueblo Grande Museum and archeological park, is a sacred ground with informative 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 read more

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This property is sacred ground. The Museum itself is small-ish, but the outdoor adobe structures and 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. read more

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Staff were friendly and helpful. Umbrellas were readily available for the unseasonably hot March weather. The exhibits were informative and well-marked. The outdoor area (including the parking lot) was clean and free of litter. Very educational and informative. read more

S'edav Va'aki, formerly Pueblo Grande Museum and archeological park is a whisper to us all that Family Human has inhabited the Sonoran Desert 13,000 years and we humans of this age live among the renovated ruins of a previous engineering, and farming civilization. We come every year for the Veteran's Gourd Dance -all vets invited, and the stellar Frienfs of Pueblo Grande Indian Market art sale and culture event. In 2024, the date is December 10. Step into ancient traditions here. read more

S’edav Va’aki Museum - Legacy Mural - Museums Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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This archeological museum shows the ruins of an Indian village near the Phoenix airport. Since the weather was nice, it was pleasant to walk around the outside portion of this in addition to seeing the fairly small indoor exhibits. Worth a visit if you're in the Phoenix area. read more

This is a hidden gem right here in Phoenix, AZ. I took my 14 year old Goddaughter and she absolutely loved it. There is so much information and exhibits. To see how the indigenous people lived and created so much is wonderful. The inside museum is wonderful...so much artistic talent. And the outside archeological site where you can really imagine how it was to live in a village was amazing. read more

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The S'edav Va'aki formerly know as Pueblo Grande Museum is honestly a hidden gem here in AZ. I was fascinated by the history of the Hohokam cultures. The ancient ruins and artifacts offer a unique glimpse into the lives of these early inhabitants of the Phoenix area. Lots of information inside too. A must visit if want to explore such wonderful culture. read more

S’edav Va’aki Museum - Museums Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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This is almost in the heart of Phoenix. I had no idea it was here. The ruins are not as magnificent as Montezuma's Castle, or many others I could name. Erosion as taken its toll, and apparently some of the complex was paved-over and is now Washington St. The interpretive displays inside were pretty nice. The signs outside were helpful, but even with those signs it was difficult to imagine some of the rooms/structures. I wouldn't go again, but if you are interested in local heritage, it is worth a visit once. We got free admission through the public library, which was very cool. read more

Who would have thought there'd be an archeological site right smack dab in the middle of Phoenix near the airport? We were looking for a local historic place to visit and it doesn't get any more historic than this Hohokam site. The ruins are part of a more than 1500 year old village. There is an indoor exhibit detailing the living conditions, traditions, and process of discovering the site back in the early half of the 20th century. The outdoor area has paved paths that are stroller and wheelchair accessible where you can see what remains of the village. Beyond that area there is also a short walk to a recreation of what some dwellings might have looked like. It was an interesting peek into the daily lives of the Hohokam. I was especially intrigued by the ball court. We learned about some Hohokam history in elementary school and for some reason the ball court games were one of the tidbits of info I still remember from way back when. Side note, the balls they used looked quite heavy and deadly! As for the outdoor area, it was hard for me to imagine what the village looked like since only the bare foundations of it are left so the indoor small scale recreation and village recreation really helped. The gift shop is small but has a decent selection of Arizonan and more specifically Native American items for sale. Some gifts I remember seeing were katsina dolls, prickly pear candies, museum hats, decorative stones and postcards. Admission is very reasonable so I thought it was overall a good place to visit. DETAILS (From their website): *Admission: -Adults (18-54): $6.00 -Seniors (55 & over): $5.00 -Children (6-17): $3.00 -Children (under 6): Free -Museum Members: Free *Hours: Spring/Fall Hours (October - April) ​ -Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. -Sunday: 1 p.m. - 4:45 pm. (Kids get in free!) *Museum galleries, lobby and restrooms are open at 75% capacity *Guests must wear a masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status *The Museum Store is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ​ *No dogs or bicycles allowed on the Interpretive Mound Trail *Free Parking *Accessible by Light Rail & Sky Train *ADA Accessible *Picnic Areas *Shade ramadas​ read more

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My wife and I had a layover in Phoenix and wanted to explore the city. This museum was nearby and figured it would provide good insight to the area. We took an Uber from the airport at minimal expense. I thought maybe they might offer some type of discount on tickets as many museums and parks do for military, but they don't. There is plenty of parking if you drive and plenty of social distancing as the museum was not busy and we were lucky to see 10 people during our visit. There is an inside piece with things to see as well as an outside walk. Both were interesting and insightful to the inhabitants, the importance of the canals, and their way of living. We were there for maybe an hour to view the sights without rushing. The exterior walk is a bit underwhelming as you walk through what was a village at one point. You have to use a little imagination as all there is to visualize is built up dirt with some structure that appears to be deteriorating with erosion. Not overly impressive as what there is to see has been rebuilt with modern tools and loses some of the wow factor. I've been to other archaeological sites and ruins around the world to where this didn't impress me as much I'm assuming. Definitely a site to see once but would have appreciated more of the original look and feel. Like the Yelp stars say, "could've been better". read more

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These galleries are quite fascinating and definitely a must-visit for anyone keen on learning about Arizona's tribal history! If you plan on exploring outside, I suggest opting for cooler temperatures or heading out early in the morning. read more

Charming museum for a leisurely stroll. Accessible by car or a pleasant walk by the grand canal. Enjoyed the fascinating outdoor exhibition showcasing Hohokam culture. Admission fee for adults was 6 USD. read more

Indian ruins in the middle of a major metropolitan- very cool history. Glimpses into life a thousand + years ago is fascinating. How they farmed, hunted, gathered, made tools and adorned jewelry. Where they chose to live and what type of dwelling. I saw a lot of Indian ruins, pueblos, cliff dwellings and such on this trip and it is astonishing how they made their homes, communities and the evidence of massive trading across huge regions. I loved the evidence of sports- something you might not think about when thinking of life 1500 years ago. The museum and loop outside around the ruins and replicas of buildings was wonderful. I especially liked that they made it handicap accessible. I was disappointed that the museum store is closed on Mondays- this was our last stop before flying home. read more

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The inside museum is nicely done with a surprisingly large display of pottery and many educational overviews. I found the map of historical dwellings in the Phoenix area to be particularly interesting as I had no prior knowledge of the extensive settlement in the region. This is a great place to take children or visitors and reasonably priced admission. The ruins are a very short stroll and are left in a natural state of degradation with a number of interpretive signs. I went during the annual Indian Christmas market, I highly recommend this. There were many artists with some beautiful jewelry, pottery, textiles and wall art, great for Christmas gifts or just for yourself! Ramona Farms was also there selling their heirloom beans and grains. Many of the artists traveled from New Mexico for this event, come shop and support them each December! read more

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A hidden gem in the shadow of Sky Harbor Airport, thus archeological site is not to be missed. This community complements the ruins at Casa Grande to the south. With informative interpretive signs and compelling reconstructed dwellings, you really get a sense of life in another era. A fascinating place. A plus is that pathways are wheelchair and stroller friendly. read more

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Great find. Cool museum. Worth a stop if you are an adult and have the patience to read and appreciate history. The visuals will probably not wow you, and I'm basing my 5 stars on my expectations going in. If you have a 5-6 hours between flights of a layover, and you don't want to sit at the airport, this could be something quick to do/see to kill some time. Very interesting museum with indoor and outdoor aspects. I learned a lot about the history of the area and how the indigenous people created waterways and irrigation that spanned hundreds of miles to help support crops and survival. If interested, check out their website, read a bit about it and figure out if it is your cup of tea or not. I forget what the admission price was, but it was not expensive and they had umbrellas and free bottled water to help battle the heat. Very nice touches. read more

Amazing excavation! It was a really place to visit. Great scenes and trail walk. Beautiful art gallery. read more

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A nice museum that focuses on the indigenous peoples who lived in the Phoenix area. They have an outside walking path that shows you how they lived and typical Adobe mud homes. The inside has more artifacts and educational material. They provide free water and an umbrella for use on the walking path. read more

This is a cool stop if you have an hour to kill. There isn't much to see, at face value it's just a mound of dirt and a walking trail. It is neat to see the history though and they do have a few artifacts in the main building. The actual archaeological site is all outdoors with no shade. Plan to spend about 30-60 minutes out there depending on how fast you walk and read the signs. read more

I love that this place is right next to a light rail stop and right next to the airport, definitely might be worth checking out if you have a long layover. The 6$ price is really reasonable, you get a little bit of exercise and get to learn about this actual historic location. I really loved the walkway up to the museum entrance as well. Staff behind the counter were very helpful. The sign outside suggests allowing 90 minutes for the experience. Inside is a typical small museum where you can learn about Hohokam culture, there is a short movie, a children's gallery and the main gallery. Sadly the changing gallery was closed for change on my visit, but I still felt like there was plenty to see. There is also a 2/3 mile outside walking trail of the actual archaeological ruin and some reconstructed structures to provided better examples of the housing that existed in the area. It is amazing to think about the canal system that previously existed in the area. It is quite bright and sunny on the trail, so definitely a good idea to bring some water and take advantage of the sun umbrellas. I found the site particularly interesting as I had previously visited the Hole in the Rock at Papago park which is believed to be significant to this location. I also found that the onsite store was a good location to pick up some last minute souvenirs I had been meaning to get. Definitely better prices than similar items at the airport next door. read more

Small museum with introductory video. Hot 2/3 mile trail to see the ruins and replicas even with an umbrella that they kindly provide . Make sure to bring water! I enjoyed learning about the history of the Native People of Arizona, the Hohokam people for only $6. Well worth the cost of admission. I also liked the museum store. I was not very interested or impressed with the temporary exhibit " Fragments: Broken bowls tell more tales" read more

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I was expecting a lot more from this museum it's mostly reconstructed with relatively not so good I'll do exhibits. And it's very warm thank God they offer free umbrellas Ellen at the gift store is very helpful and knowledgeable. read more

S’edav Va’aki Museum - Hot - Museums Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

I was really excited to see an old living community! This met this definition but it was too developed for what I was looking. If you were interested in old town, this is the place to go. If you are interested in going to a real live in did US community, town, this is not the place to go. He provided read more

WOW was this cool!! Archaeological site you can tour. Very cool! Inside is a 10 minute movie about the t r ibe that was here, how they lived and adapted to life in the desert. You then walk out to the site, take water with you as well as an umbrella. It was hot out and no shade around. Great history on the area and the canals they built. Vefy cool place! read more

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You may drive by the Pueblo Grande Museum every day without even knowing it. Nestled between the airport and freeway, this archaeological museum showcases some of the early finds of the Hohokam people and their massive canal system. Similar to other ruins, the walls and layout are typical of the Valley natives. Many of the features are similar to Casa Grande without the long drive. There are several recreated "suburban" houses and other structures. The museum is also much nicer. Pueblo Grande is popular with school groups and locals, but it should be a part of everyone's list with a good overview of the Hohokam people and their history in the region. read more

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I stopped by the Pueblo Grande Museum during a week long stay in Phoenix (centered around Spring Training). I was staying in downtown Phoenix and have a friend who lives in Mesa, and we decided to meet at the Pueblo Grande Museum before driving to Salt River Fields. I took the Light Rail from downtown Phoenix to the museum, and it was a very easy ride. The Museum is across the street from the 44th Street/Washington light rail station (at a diagonal). We probably stayed for an about an hour, strolling through the outdoor trail, watching a bit of the orientation video inside the theatre, and walking through the indoor exhibits. My friend's daughter (toddler age) really enjoyed herself, especially in the outdoor trail. She loved running along the path and exploring the pitthouses and adobe compound. The history lesson and hour or so of exploration was well worth the $6 admission! read more

Fascinating and underrated place super close to PHX airport. If you have a long layover it's right next to the airport light rail station which is easily accessible by the SkyTrain. This is also within walking distance from most of the airport hotels. Walking through the ruins of the prehistoric platform mound was incredible and the reconstructions of the other structures in the village are very well-done. There is no shade outside so bring lots of water and an umbrella (although I think they may have had these available for guests to borrow) if visiting in the summer. The indoor exhibits are nice too and it's more than worth the $6 admission. Highly recommend! read more

Lots of archaeological work has uncovered this Hohokam village and canals. This mound and surrounding area was inhabited by 1,000 people. Other villages along the 1,000 miles of canal sustained approximately 40,000 inhabitants. read more

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History is always with us. Especially in places like this small museum and archaeological site focusing on the mysterious Hohokam people, whose network of irrigation canals supported numerous settlements from about 450 CE to 1450 CE. You will discover that the more we learn about these early inhabitants of what would become southern Arizona, the more puzzling they become. Why did their culture suddenly vanish? Which contemporary Native people might be their descendants? Smack in the middle of a bustling modern city, with airplanes flying past on their way to the nearby Sky Harbor airport, this little gem is a place where one of history's mysteries invites your exploration. Check the website for opening times, as they vary with the season. There is a room with some nice exhibits and activities to teach kids about archaeology. read more

You can walk around and see the historical sites that seem to be reworked. It's kind of like walking through a park except with man made stuff instead of trees, bushes, and nature. Employees were super cool and nice, very helpful. I would not want to go back honestly. But maybe it's something you would like so see for yourself, it's not expensive. read more

Chances are, you've passed by the Pueblo Grande Museum over twenty times. Chances are, you've been right next door to it and didn't even realize it. Chances are, you'll pass by it again and still won't realize it. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's time to put this place on the map! So I bet you're wondering where Pueblo Grande is located. Well, believe it or not, it's right on the corner of 44th and Washington, caddy corner to the airport! See, I told you that you've passed by it several times without realizing! The Pueblo Grande Museum talks about the history of Arizona through the story of several tribes and different artifacts. It's home to not only a museum, but also archeological grounds that you can walk through and see ancient tribal structures, ruins, artifacts and and learn how the native tribes lived. It's not a massively large museum, but it's not small either. It's a great way to learn about the Arizona history that existed long before freeways and sushi bars. This is a good spot to visit if you want a crash course in some native Arizona history and in a setting where you actually walk through it. It's really fun and interesting to walk through the ruins and explore the history through the teepers, ancient housing materials, artifacts and mounds. I need to do plenty of more research on this museum and spend more time here to really walk away more knowledgeable. Luckily I now know it exists and will be back (when the weather is cool) with a notebook and pen in hand! read more

This is quite an amazing place, right in the heart of Phoenix. It was once the site of a Village for the local inhabitants of the Valley. It luckily has been perserved for all to see. It is only $6.00 for adults, and $5.00 for seniors, $3.00 for kids, Really young kids are free. It is open Monday thru Saturday from 9:00 till 4:45pm. and Sunday from 1:00pm till 4:45. I know strange hours. But, from May till Sept.they are closed on Sunday and Monday, the hours change. I guess because, of the extreme heat. Parking in the back,. good place to go and learn about the history of the place you live. Or even if you are visiting. read more

Truly an educational gem, right in the heart of Phoenix. I learned the Hohokam resided here 2,000 years ago. Their architecture evolved through the ages. Astronomy seems to have played a role in their buildings. I've been saying their name incorrectly for 8 years. And the mystery of them abandoning the site remains a mystery. ::cue Twilight zone music:: This museum is the perfect size for those of us with short attention spans. I've wanted to come here for some times now, and we took advantage of the free Smithsonian Day coupons. I'll likely come back, but will wait for the temperature to cool off more. Super fun for families, I'd imagine. read more

I understand that it's over 1000 years old, but I guess I found it unsatisfying that we don't know why they built these mounds. It was still neat to see and I enjoyed the replicas of the "suburban" dwellings. The museum was neat too, it's nice to see their pottery and shell jewelry after you imagine their "story" from viewing the ruins. The thoughts about how these people lived their daily lives lingers with you after you leave. It's something you can't experience from a book. You can do this in about an hour, 2 tops if you walk slowly. read more

We went to this museum after seeing multiple articles about it online. Overall, it was a really disappoint experience. There wasn't much to see - the museum was alright as far as the exhibits displayed go, but the walk outside wasn't that interesting. All the signs during the walk were really shiny making it ridiculously difficult to read the words ... Not sure why the AZ sun wasn't taken into account when making those. If you're looking to waste some time & have absolutely nothing else to do, sure, this will take up your time, but there are many other options that are worth the money & time. read more

Fascinating if you're into staring at piles of dirt and rocks and imaging how it must have looked before falling into ruin. It's somewhat comparable to Tuzigoot in that you're on top of the structure that's sectioned off into many rooms, but it's not as preserved and it's far smaller. What makes this exceptional is the fact that it's a piece of native history in the middle of a big city. In this regard, it's perhaps like the La Brea Tar Pits in the heart of Los Angeles. Admission was $6, which gets you into the little museum and the park in back. The park includes one large original structure that you can walk onto by a paved walkway with several recreated buildings scattered along the roughly 1/4 mile trail. The experience is closer to visiting Besh-Ba-Gowah over in Globe; however, you can't walk around in the ruins or climb up ladders. Unlike Globe, though, you get to walk into a couple of the recreated dwellings in Pueblo Grande, which are furnished with a few small items that you can gently handle. It's worth a visit. read more

Phoenix has no history, you say? Please, hurry thee to Pueblo Grande for an explanation about our canal system and the historical significance of the Hohokam (fascinating story) as well as others who have since adapted to living in this desert. In my opinion, no one tells the story better than Pueblo Grande, complete with the actual on-site ruins, and you're almost guaranteed to learn lots of neat stuff even if you already thought you knew everything. We've gone a couple of times in the last month or so, once to wander through the museum and once for the native market. Each was a blast, and the food at the native market was awesome! Given the incredibly convenient location of Pueblo Grande, I hope we go back often. I remember really liking this place as a kid -- I shouldn't have waited so long to go back. read more

This is a wonderful archaeological park! A little noisy outside as it's near the freeway but very informative and worth the very reasonable admission charge. read more

I checked this place out a few months ago. I believe the cost was about $6 a person to get in. There were very few people there when my friend and I were walking around. It is not my favorite museum but I do love to learn about history so for me I still had a great time. If you have a free afternoon and feel like strolling around taking some pictures with the family then you should give this place a shot. Also, The gift shop was lacking, hope they add more items. read more

The must! Especially if there's children. You think the US was a desert? It was a civilisation! And we need to know and be proud of it. Great staff, terse but clear and easy to digest data in two halls as an exhibit. Very recommended, and don't forget: tickets are only $6 adult. Sincerely yours, Www.californiaway.org. read more