Introduction
Phoenix, Arizona is a vibrant city with culture, history, and natural beauty. It’s also home to some of the best museums and parks in the country. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Phoenix unique as well as some of our favorite things to do there.
Arizona Science Center
- Location: 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closes at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m on Sunday (closed Mondays)
- Admission: $17 for adults ($14 for children 2–12); free admission to Arizona residents who show proof of residency before 7 p.m., children under 2 years old receive free admission with an adult ticket purchase; discounts available for seniors over 60 and veterans with ID cards; special exhibits may have extra fees associated with them
If you’re looking for something different than your average museum visit, this is the place for you! The Arizona Science Center offers interactive exhibits that are sure to keep both kids and adults entertained throughout their visit here at this science-themed park located in downtown Phoenix. They have tons of different rooms where kids can play games or participate in experiments while they learn about science topics like physics or chemistry while also having fun doing it! You don’t even need to be an expert scientist yourself because there are plenty of friendly staff members who will take care of everything so that all you have to do is sit back and relax while having some fun learning about how things work around us every day without even realizing it sometimes.”
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden is home to more than 50,000 plants, including over 30 acres of cacti. The garden has several special events and activities throughout the year, including a Greek Festival and Oktoberfest. If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy the desert landscape while learning about its flora and fauna, this is the place for you!
The Desert Botanical Garden offers guided tours by appointment only; however, it does have an on-site gift shop as well as a restaurant if you would like to spend some time outdoors without having to worry about planning your day around your visit.
Heard Museum
The Heard Museum is a museum of Native American art and culture located in Phoenix, Arizona. The museum was founded in 1929 by Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard as an educational institution to promote appreciation of Native American history, art, science, and culture. The museum’s collection includes more than 20,000 objects arranged into several galleries, including ceramics from the Southern Plains Indians; baskets from the Southwest; jewelry from Zuni Pueblo; textiles representing the Navajo and other Pueblos; paintings by contemporary Hopi artists; outstanding kachinas (shrines), masks and sculptures collected during field trips to reservations throughout Arizona.
The Heard Museum operates three satellite locations: The Hiremuseum at Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix offers rotating exhibitions as well as permanent galleries focusing on different cultures within Native American communities throughout the Southwest region; The Tséhootsooi Medical Center Museum highlights both traditional healing practices used by Navajo medicine men but also modern medical advances made possible through collaborative efforts between tribal members such as Drs Rene Malanai-aho who served as lead researcher for “Project Medicine Man” which studied health conditions facing Navajo people living along remote areas where access is limited at best
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
If you’re looking for something fun and educational to do with your family, Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is the place to be. With its unique history, this museum is an interesting place to visit.
The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park were built in 1939 as a part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It was then purchased by the city of Phoenix in 1959 when it became clear that it had historic value. Since then, they have spent over $15 million restoring this national landmark so that visitors can come to see what life was like for the early inhabitants of Arizona.
The exhibits found here include artifacts from ancient Native American tribes who inhabited southern Arizona more than 1,000 years ago as well as archaeological findings from Mexico and Central America dating back over 3,000 years ago! There are also special events held throughout each year including tours where visitors can explore inside authentic structures such as pit houses or ramadas.
Papago Park
Papago Park is a great destination for anyone who’s looking to spend a day in the sun and enjoy some family-friendly activities. The park is located in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona and covers an area of 1,200 acres. It was established in 1912 as a desert preserve and contains several hiking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds. During your visit, you can also see some of Phoenix’s oldest buildings within the park grounds (including an impressive stone church), as well as try out classic games like golfing or horseshoes.
When planning your trip it’s important to note that Papago Park has extended hours during fall/winter months from 9 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays & Sundays only! Additionally, late spring/early summer crowds tend not to be too overwhelming so this would be the ideal time for families with young children; however, keep in mind that many facilities close down after Labor Day weekend which could affect your plans for visiting later in September/October/November).
The best time to visit? Anytime except during monsoon season when winds are most severe! The overall population tends more towards retirees than anything else but there are plenty of younger couples who come here just because they love being outdoors while still having access t downtown amenities (I’d recommend staying at least 20 minutes away though so traffic isn’t much issue).
Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is a popular hiking destination in Phoenix, Arizona. The mountain is the most popular trail in Phoenix and offers great views of the city and nearby areas. Camelback Mountain was named by John R. Packard, who moved to Phoenix from Missouri in 1888 (where there are many mountains called “Camelback”). The hike takes about 3 hours to complete with an elevation gain of roughly 1,280 feet per mile on its way up to 2,704 feet above sea level at its summit.
Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum is a museum of musical instruments located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of the most popular attractions in Phoenix and it has over 15,000 instruments on display. The exhibits are interactive and visitors can try out different instruments for themselves. There are also frequent concerts held at this museum which makes it a great place to visit if you’re interested in learning more about music or seeing some live performances while you’re there!
Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and Freedom Trail Loop
- Piestewa Peak Summit Trail and Freedom Trail Loop: This is a great hike, especially if you want to see the sunrise or sunset. You can get up early or stay late to catch both! The trail winds through the hills near the summit of Piestewa Peak, which offers views of the city below. The trail is about 2 miles long and takes about an hour roundtrip.
- Phoenix Art Museum: A visit to this museum is essential for art lovers looking for something interesting to do in Phoenix. Their permanent collection includes work by Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, and Alexander Calder among others as well as special exhibits that change every few months so there’s always something new on display at this museum!
Chase Field Tours
Chase Field Tours are available year-round and take you on a tour of the stadium, including the dugout and locker room. Tours are free but must be scheduled in advance by calling 602-462-6262 or emailing [email protected].
Phoenix Zoo
- It’s a great place to take the family. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in Phoenix, with many animals including endangered species. In addition to its animal exhibits, there’s also a water park and train ride.
- The butterfly pavilion is very popular among kids and adults alike. The pavilion houses hundreds of butterflies from around the world that can be viewed through windows or via an enclosed walkway through their habitat.
Takeaway:
If you’re looking for a great place to visit, Phoenix is it. There are many things to do and see, so it’s hard to know where to begin. One of the best places to start is the Arizona Science Center. You can learn all about science there, or even take part in some hands-on activities. The Desert Botanical Garden offers beautiful gardens that are perfect for walking around and enjoying nature’s beauty. Finally, if you want to learn more about Native American culture and history, then visiting the Heard Museum is a must!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a little inspiration as to what to do in Phoenix, Arizona then take a look at our list of the best things to do. There are so many activities and adventures that can be found around the city that it can be hard to know where to start. So we have put together this list of some of the most popular places and activities available for visitors from all over the world who come here wanting more than just another day at work with these great ideas!
