While visiting Phoenix to spend time with family friends, my husband and I decided to spend an…read moreafternoon wandering through the Phoenix Art Museum. Part of the trip was actually research for one of my books -- though admittedly the sort of humor-based research that probably makes my husband question my sanity from time to time. =) The museum itself has grown tremendously over the years. I remember visiting long ago when it felt much smaller and quieter, but now the collections and exhibits honestly feel world class. Even on a Sunday afternoon the place was bustling with visitors moving between galleries, exhibitions, installations, and special exhibits. One section that especially amused my husband was the wonderfully quirky TULI exhibit -- The Unrequited Love Institute. And honestly, how could something with that title *not* catch our attention? The installation leans into the bittersweet absurdity of heartbreak, longing, nostalgia, and romantic misfires in a way that somehow manages to be funny, awkward, and strangely touching all at once. My husband spent quite awhile wandering through it with the sort of entertained curiosity that usually means he's mentally filing away material to tease me with later. Considering how much of my own writing explores emotions, relationships, and memory, I suppose it was inevitable we'd wind up there eventually. Beyond the rotating exhibits, the museum itself contains some truly impressive long-term collections. I especially enjoyed wandering through the modern and contemporary art wings, while the fashion design collection always fascinates me because it quietly tells the story of entire decades through fabric, silhouettes, and craftsmanship. The museum also has an excellent Latin American art collection and a growing number of immersive installations that make the experience feel much more dynamic than many regional museums. One thing I appreciate about the Phoenix Art Museum is that it somehow manages to feel accessible even when displaying serious art collections. You don't feel pressured to be an art scholar to enjoy yourself there. You can simply wander. Observe. Laugh quietly at strange exhibits. Pause in front of something unexpectedly beautiful. And that is exactly what my husband and I did for most of the afternoon. By the time we finally left, I felt mentally exhausted in the best possible way -- the sort of exhaustion that comes from spending hours absorbing creativity, history, humor, and human expression all under one roof.

PRICE SLIGHTLY STEEP Not my favorite art museum I've ever…read morebeen to as it lacks big well known pieces. I felt the adult price of $28 was too high, especially as a couple -- that's almost $60 for a day out of looking at some pictures. They do offer a AAA $3 discount, which we took advantage of. KUMSAMA FIREFLIES INFINITY MIRROR ROOM My favorite part was the Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room, where you wander into a room of darkness surrounded by mesmerizing twinkling lights and mirrors. I wasn't aware that this was there, so it was a pleasant surprise. LAYOUT I felt the museum has a slightly confusing, disjointed layout. GIFT SHOP There's a quality gift shop selling typical art museum items like jewelry, scarves, mugs, etc. LOCKERS There are complimentary lockers for backpacks/purses and water. WEB SITE Before our trip, I used their web site and found it confusing to find out the price of tickets and as to whether they were actually open on certain days. See my photos attached. Helpful?

I grew up in an old victorian house and thought it would be fun to bring my dad here for a tour…read morewhen he was in town visiting. We ended up being the only ones on the tour which was nice. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny. The entire house has been restored to represent how the original owners would have it set up as closely as possible. The inside details are gorgeous and intricate. Our tour ended up being more like 45 minutes because it was just us and we didn't ask questions. It was a great way to spend a little bit of time before our next activity.

History aficionados, architectural enthusiasts and Fans of Phoenix - Rosson House Museum is one…read moreplace you cannot miss! It is an incredible work of art, craftmanship, technology and innovation, even after 130 years of its construction in 1895. Setting aside that one can actually attend what Victorians' interest of communicating with the dead through in house scheduled Séances, Rosson House offers a magnificent view and experience of that bygone age at the turn of the century industrialization which can only be likened to our recent 21st Century internet technological advances. Walking through the main door into the foyer, climbing the beautiful staircase, entering a bed chamber, seeing a pre-modern bathroom, admiring the kitchen and pantry antiquities in food preparation, admiring the home's décor, its design, its furnishings simply takes you back in time and allows one to somewhat sense the then lifestyle and what it was like to live a sophisticated, well-to-do lifestyle during that period. One is amazed at the stunning quality and fastidious workmanship created and implemented almost six generations ago! And compare the quality and art Rosson House personifies to today's Ikea and unassembled products. With every turn, every corner, every step and every breath of one's journey through this place in history is enjoyable and fascinating. The folks who walk you through this historic menagerie are professional and delightful, as well as brilliant in their presentation and knowledge of all things Rosson. I must say, this has been one of my most memorable attractions to attend in Phoenix and wholeheartedly recommend if you've not visited to do so as well as bringing out of town friends and family. The restoration and preservation of Rosson House is most admirable. And, make sure to stop off at the Museum Store - its well worth it.

Much more than we could absorb in one visit !! We are already planning our return. We never…read moreeven made it to the second floor where the boarding school exhibit was presented.

After discovering the Heard Museum in the book "1000 Places to go Before You Die", we put it on the…read morelist of ''must sees' for a recent trip to Phoenix. TAKE THE LIGHT RAIL We took the light rail to the museum from our downtown hotel. There's a stop just down the road. GET A DISCOUNT The adult entry fee was $26 and we used our AAA membership for an exciting $1 off. I feel by the time you're paying $50+ for a couple, the cost is getting off-putting. LOCKERS AVAILABLE We used their complimentary storage lockers for our carry-on luggage as we were on our way to the airport afterwards. You also have to stow water bottles in the lockers. There are a couple of water fountains around the museum in case you get parched. ALLOW HALF A DAY The museum is a quality museum with a lot to see and read, but you really have to be into southwest stuff to really appreciate it in my opinion. After a few hours we were getting slightly overwhelmed, glassy-eyed and tired/bored with aching backs. (To be fair, it was our fourth museum in 3 days, so we were a little burned out!) STAY FOR LUNCH We really enjoyed an excellent lunch at the cafe in the courtyard and highly recommend it. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP(S) There's a high-end store where you can purchase expensive rugs, jewelry, sculptures, etc. and there's also the 'Mugs and T-shirts' souvenir store and a small coffee shop. RIDE SHARE DROP OFF AND PICK UP The ride share pick-up and drop off is around the back at one end of the parking lot. Helpful?

A friend invited me here for a small military vehicle expo so I went with him, what the heck, I…read morelike classic cars I say to myself. The entry fee is low, the people are friendly and leave you alone and the cars are so cool you can lose your friend easily. Some of the cars are open so you can take pictures in them. I was very impressed by how well these show piece cars are taken care of. If I have any gripe it's that you don't see very many Mopars from the muscle era. I will come back here again when my buddy from LA is in town.

My original review is below. I am only leaving it here until I verify that the situation has been…read morefixed, but I'm very impressed that the owner promptly saw my comment and said it was rectified. I'll add the positives from our trip here in the meantime: The staff was very friendly. They walked & rode around the building during our visit and were happy to answer questions. They encouraged our kids to be engaged. The building was very clean & laid out so well. Our kids loved the free game room. I don't know a thing about cars, and my kids were still able to have a great time and sit in a lot of cool cars. There was also a lot of interesting history on all the placards. The price was higher than other reviews indicated, but that was on me for not verifying! We found it worth the price anyway. ---------------- I'm going to say the bad right off the bat: there was a topless woman painted on an antique gas pump right by the old race cars. For that reason only, we will never go back. As a woman, that is so degrading and disgusting, and to have that around children is inexcusable. Otherwise I would have given this place 5 stars. I am so angry that I wish I could get my money back.

Fantastic museum! Many interesting exhibits and helpful staff. Couldn't believe this museum was…read morefree. One of the best parts of my trip! Some of the kids' art was incredible. It's great to see such talent showcased.

I loved my visit! I love that it was FREE! I didn't notice any donation box or anything but I…read morewould've left something if I saw one.. I had a great experience. I love that they change exhibits every so often. I really enjoyed learning about Chandler. But was most meaningful to me during my visit was the 4th Grade Project Exhibit. "Judy Gelles mission to foster empathy and curiosity". She had been working on this project since 2008 and asked 4th graders all around the world 3 questions. Who do you live with, who do you live with and what do you worry about? Heartfelt. You never stop to think how much worries young people. Some worried about death, being shot, getting their only shoes dirty, etc. shows how much factors at home and impact them. It was deep to see and read!! Worth a visit I will return to see what the next exhibit might be!

I had such a wonderful time exploring the MIM! I highly recommend taking a day off to visit…read more There's so much to see, hear, learn, and experience here! Staff and volunteers are happy to be here and helpful. My faves were the artist gallery (Prince's purple piano!) and the experiential room where I could pound on a drum! Ahhhh. Two floors of meticulously curated items designed to inspire and educate you - just wow. Then, enjoy a coffee or snack or a freshly made salad or sandwich at their cafe. The food is exceptional, especially enjoyed on their patio. I stopped in to the gift shop and found a small token for my brother. If you can, also check out the many performers: some well-known and some up & comers - who perform in the comfortable performing arts theatre. They have a calendar of events on the website. The MIM literally has something for everyone. I think what's so great is I can bring guests to the MIM and not be bored b/c you can never see all there is to see in just one day!

I've lived in Arizona a long time now and had never been to this museum, which is well-renowned and…read morehighly 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.

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!

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!

Love this museum! You can definitely spend a full day here as there are multiple floors and kids…read morelove all the interactive exhibits and activities. I've been here about five times over the years and my kids never get sick of it. From exploring a giant human body and sliding down a digestive track to experiencing hurricane winds with fake water bursts, this museum is pretty awesome. They also offer various season exhibits that cost extra as well as free science demonstrations throughout the day that are interactive, educational and pretty cool. While pricy, it's totally worth it in my opinion - especially if you plan to spend the whole day here!

I should have read the one star reviews before we spent $80 for general admission and the Pompeii…read moreexhibit. As most have said, half the stations didn't work and/or there was zero context about... what the point of it was? So disheartening. This would be expected in a small town but in PHOENIX?! The Pompeii exhibit was okay. Not enough to redeem the poor experience other wise. At the end there's a grand finale video, unfortunately there were technical difficulties and it would t play. I really felt for the gal who was acting as host of that section. People were pretty grumpy and couldn't hear her. The music was too loud and overpowered her mic. I'll be reaching out for a refund. I likely won't get it. But I can't believe we spent just shy of $100 and it was such a WASTE of time and money.

We visited the museum on a weekday morning. We enjoyed the displays of rocks from various parts of…read morethe earth, the Arizona-Mexican artifacts, and of course the dinosaurs, especially the aquatic dinosaurs. This museum has an active dinosaur fossil dig - you can watch and even talk to the paleontologist working on it! There's lots to see and enjoy here, including real elements from a jail that held prisoners from the 1830s to the 1970s!! The gift shop is reasonably priced and you can even purchase a "memory bag" filled with pencil, notebook eraser, etc, for only $2.50 each.

Paid $14 and only stayed about 40 minutes. There were multiple groups of school children that were…read morerunning around, screaming, jumping and bumping into everything. I expect that behavior to be tolerated at a children's museum, not a public museum where a basic level of respect and decorum is expected for EVERYONE inside. Wish I could say I enjoyed it but the hundreds of screaming children ruined any experience I could have had and left with a migraine. **Would appreciate museums to have specific days for "field trips" or hours for school days. Unfortunately many museum experiences are ruined due to the behavior of unruly children, and I'm still the one paying full price.