If you're a lover of cultural attractions like museums who purchased a home among Phoenix real estate, you're in luck as this Arizona city is home to multiple outstanding institutions, including these.
With the sizzling heat of summer, visiting the Phoenix Art Museum is a popular thing to do, although it's worth visiting year-round as the Southwest's largest art museum. It offers hands-on displays for art enthusiasts of all types, along with more than 20,000 modern and contemporary works from the Americas, Asia, Europe, and beyond. There are also exhibits on fashion, while the Thorne miniature rooms are focused on various historical periods, scaled down to the size of hat boxes. The museum also hosts film screenings, major exhibitions, and special cultural events throughout the year, along with a gift shop where you can pick up unique art-inspired gifts or souvenirs.
Arizona Capitol Museum
This museum housed inside a magnificent stone building that was once the state capitol building is focused on Arizona's days as a territory and its early years as a state. It provides a fascinating look at the state's history spread over four floors with more than 20 exhibition areas, a cafe, and a museum store. There are displays with flags representing various times in the state's history, including the Confederacy, Mexico, and Spain, along with congressional chambers and offices restored to their original period splendor. Those interested in the Second World War will appreciate the USS Arizona display, which includes recollections from survivors and multiple artifacts.
Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art
Anyone interested in Southwestern history and culture should be sure to put the Heard Museum on their must-visit list. It's world-famous as one of the leading living repositories for authentic and rare Native American art and also includes displays with works by contemporary Southwestern artists with everything from painting and drawings to sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and dolls. There is a revolving calendar of special exhibitions for insight into Native American history and tradition, along with a gift shop, cafe, and amphitheater performances.
Children's Museum of Phoenix
The Children's Museum of Phoenix is housed within the historic Monroe School building, where a number of its alumni have become well-known artists, including Jackson Pollock. It has a focus on hands-on-learning, ideal for kids through 10 years old to learn through play. It includes over a dozen exhibits organized by themes like physical activity, books, art, blocks, and role-playing.
This institution also offers special programs like art projects, pop-up activities, and performing arts too. It's impossible to miss the three-story treehouse-like play structure made of 50 tons of steel, complete with a winged bathtub, hanging car doors, and a boat with mannequin legs, meant to be climbed. They can also make forts out of cloth, walk through Noodle Forest, ride trikes through a waterless car wash, and more. Be aware that adults can't visit this museum without kids, and kids can't visit without an adult.
