10 Best museums in Phoenix

There are many things to see and do in Phoenix in and around the city, including a wide variety of museums that may interest not only culture lovers but also those who wish to learn more about the city and the region.

In Phoenix you'll find museums about history, culture, art and science, as well as musical instruments, race cars, the mysteries of the streets, archaeological museums and museums that showcase Native American art. Here's a list of Phoenix's top museums, so you can plan your visit to the ones that interest you most.

Phoenix is home to the Musical Instrument Museum, or MIM, which houses more than 7,500 different instruments from over 200 countries. It is a must-see for music lovers, but also for anyone who wants to discover this world, and even play some of the instruments that are available to the public.

The aim of the MIM is to showcase instruments from all over the world and from different periods, to present musical art in all its diversity. The exhibitions are divided into regions, periods, prominent artists, types of instruments, experimental and conservation rooms.

In addition to the exhibition of musical instruments and multimedia proposals, the museum hosts music concerts and workshops for all ages, and on weekends there are musical shows for the whole family. Some special exhibitions and/or concerts may have an additional cost.

The museum is located in the north of the city, in a building whose architecture has also been inspired by music and its forms, such as the windows that resemble piano keys. A visit to this museum, which takes between two and four hours, is always among the best things to see in a day in Phoenix.

Interesting facts

• Location: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix.
• Hours: daily from 9am to 5pm.
• Admission: about 22 € for adults, about 12 € for children and from 16 € for teenagers from 13 to 19 years old.

A very distinctive place in Phoenix is the Hall of Flame Fire Museum, which houses a large collection of antique fire vehicles, from horse-drawn carriages to the most modern fire engines. It also exhibits all kinds of objects and artefacts related to this profession, such as fire extinguishers and clothing from different periods.

The Hall of Flame Museum also has a large collection of graphic materials, such as paintings, prints, lithographs, magazines, clothing patches and photos (both prints and negatives). The lithographs are very interesting, as they depict famous fires and the firefighters' way of life.

There is also a Hall of Fame, the Hall of Heroes, which pays tribute to firefighters who have died in service. It's a good idea to take a guided tour, as it's the best way to learn more about firefighters and the significance of the museum.

Hall of Flame Fire Museum is about 14 km from the city centre, near Papago Park, an area where you can hike and visit other attractions such as the city's Botanical Gardens.

Facts of Interest

• Location: 6101 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm.
• Admission: about 16 € for adults, and from 14 € and 10 € for teenagers and children.
• How to get there: by bus it takes about an hour and a half, and by car it takes about 15 minutes.

Downtown Phoenix is home to the Rossom House Museum, one of the city's architectural wonders. Built in 1895, it is one of the oldest buildings in Phoenix, and part of Heritage Square, a legacy of the Victorian era that still stands in Phoenix. Today it serves as a historical museum.

Here you can see what life was like during the late Victorian era in the western United States, and also about the Rosson family, who lived in this house. The rooms display the complete furnishings, as well as artifacts and various objects as they were in those days, which will take you back in time.

The Rossom House is also known for the ghost sightings and strange occurrences that many people have reported, so it is included in most tours of Phoenix, especially ghost tours.

The Museum also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop. Admission to the house is limited to 8 people per hour only 3 days a week, so it is advisable to book your ticket in advance.

Facts and Figures

• Location: 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.
• Hours: Friday-Sunday 10am-3pm. Tours begin every hour.
• Admission: about €15 for adults and about €8 for children.

One of the must-see museums in Phoenix, especially if you're interested in art, is the Phoenix Art Museum, where you'll find a collection of some 20,000 pieces, ranging from classical works to more contemporary installations.

These works come from a variety of periods, and include North American, Latin American, Asian and European art. In addition to exploring the collections, the museum offers a variety of cultural activities, such as lectures, artist talks, live performances, workshops and other interactive activities.

On Wednesdays, admission to the museum is not fixed, so you can set your own price. Also, the Phoenix Art Museum is open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and often offers concerts or live performances. That's why a visit to this museum is one of the best things to do at night in Phoenix

Interesting details

• Location: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
• Hours: Thursdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm, and Wednesdays from 10am to 9pm. Some Fridays it can be visited at 6pm and 7pm.
• Admission: from approximately €22 per person. On Wednesdays there is no fixed price, so you can pay whatever you want.

The Pueblo Grande Museum is part of a 50-acre archaeological preserve located near Phoenix International Airport. Here you can see some 1,600 petroglyphs made by the Native Americans who inhabited the land (the Hohokam people), in addition to the museum's collections.

The museum features historical exhibits on Native American peoples, educational workshops, children's activities and a shop with Native American art and jewellery. It also often hosts live concerts. The museum's collections will help you understand the significance of the petroglyphs found on the reservation.

The petroglyph tour is not very long, but remember to bring a hat and sunscreen if you're visiting Phoenix in the summer. On the reservation you can see the remains of an ancient Hohokam village, including a va'aki (a kind of platform), irrigation canals, a sports field and replicated prehistoric houses, as well as desert plants and animals.

If you're interested in learning more about Native Americans, you can also visit the Montezuma Castle, which was built between 1100 and 1425 AD and is located in Sedona. This is definitely one of the best desert tours from Phoenix.

Interesting facts

• Location: 4619 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034.
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4:45pm, Sunday 1pm-4:45pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays in summer.
• Admission: about €6 for adults and about €3 for children.

The Heard Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Phoenix, as its mission is to promote Native American art, especially from the Southwest. It's the place to go if you want to learn about Native American history told in first person.

The Heard Museum has about 12 galleries with permanent exhibits, installations and special exhibits. It has a beautiful sculpture courtyard, a restaurant and a shop where you can buy authentic Native American art, clothing and accessories.

As for the restaurant, it offers special meals prepared with natural ingredients and carefully selected. It operates independently, so you can have lunch at the Courtyard Café even if you don't visit the museum.

To help you better understand the significance of the exhibits, you can take advantage of the free guided tours in English if you understand English, or download an app to listen to the information in Spanish.

Interesting facts

• Location: 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
• Admission: about 22 € for adults and 9 € for children and teenagers. Children under 5 years old are free.

The Arizona Science Center is the museum for people who are interested in science or want to learn more about science. There you will find more than 300 exhibits and demonstrations on astronomy, technology, renewable energy, neuroscience, forces of nature and much more, which will surely arouse your curiosity.

Some of the exhibits you can see in this museum are The Wonder, which proposes an exploration of the human brain; and Forces of Nature, which allows you to experience what happens inside a hurricane or a volcanic eruption. In addition to science exhibits, the museum also offers workshops, children's activities and festivals. It's an ideal proposition for the cooler autumn months, such as November in Phoenix.

The Arizona Science Center is home to one of the most advanced planetariums in the United States, the Dorrance Planetarium, which offers a truly immersive experience into the mysteries of the universe. Planetarium activities have a fixed schedule, so check the museum's calendar beforehand to make sure you don't miss anything.

Interesting facts

• Location: 600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States.
• Hours: daily from 10.30am to 4pm. Last admission at 2.45pm.
• Admission: about 21 € for adults and from 15 € for children and teenagers. Admission to the planetarium is about €9 more.

Although it is not really a museum, it is a place where children and adults can explore the Lego universe and let their imagination run wild. The centre has some 5 million bricks in the most diverse constructions, and has areas for the little ones to have fun building. It's definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Phoenix.

At the centre you'll find car tracks, where you can race the car you build; Lego characters to take pictures with; life-size games and incredible brick constructions, such as dinosaurs, stadiums and even a replica of Downtown Phoenix. You'll also find interactive multimedia options and video games.

While it is for all ages, adults can only enter with a child, with a minimum age of 10 years old. The time spent in Legoland is about 3 hours. Please note that admission is limited, so it is best to book your ticket in advance. There is also a shop and café inside.

Interesting facts

• Location: 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, STE 135, Tempe, Arizona 85282.
• Hours: daily 10am-5pm. Last admission at 3pm.
• Admission fee: about €29 for children and adults.
• How to get there: from downtown Phoenix you can get there by bus in about two hours.

Visiting the Children's Museum is one of the most interesting activities to do if you are travelling with children, especially if your stay is between December and February in Phoenix, when it's winter. The exhibits are designed to arouse the curiosity of the little ones, who will learn about art, science, history, etc., in a fun and playful way.

Among the games they can participate in at the Children's Museum of Phoenix are the market, where children can pretend to do the shopping; and the children's garden, where they can connect with nature and water the plants. Another highlight is the climbing frame, which invites children to develop their physical skills.

The museum is located on Akimel O'odham's traditional lands, so the institution not only recognises indigenous ownership of the land but also promotes their cultural heritage, in various programmes and exhibits.

There is a café and gift shop in the museum, with the most original toys to take home as souvenirs. Please note that adults may only be accompanied by a child, and that the activities are designed for children under the age of 10.

Useful information

• Location: 215 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034, United States.
• Hours: daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Admission fee: about €16 per person.

The Penske Racing Museum is a must-see for car and racing enthusiasts, as it has a private collection of race cars, trophies and memorabilia related to the history of the Penske Racing team and its 50-year history.

Many of the race cars on display at the museum are original race-winning cars, and others are replicas. As for Penske Racing, or Team Penske, it has won the Indianapolis 500 race some 18 times and has some 500 victories in other notable races.

The museum is located about 39 km from downtown Phoenix, very close to the Musical Instrument Museum, so you can visit both museums on the same day.

Interesting facts

• Location: 7191 East Chauncey Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85054.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 12pm to 5pm. The café is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2.30pm.
• Admission: about €10 for adults and €5 for children.