Top Things to do in Central Arizona
Top Hotels in Central Arizona
- 1. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 2. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport
- 3. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley
- 4. Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
- 5. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 6. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- 7. Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass
- 8. The McCormick Scottsdale
- 9. The Wigwam
- 10. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Tempe
Countries
10 Specialty Museums in Central Arizona That You Shouldn't Miss
Home to the Phoenix metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents, Central Arizona offers an amazing array of museums, cultural venues and outdoor adventures. The Valley of the Sun boasts hopping nightlife and a thrilling selection of restaurants, resorts and spas. Discover Old West and Native American history. Hike among the cactus in the Sonoran desert. Try your hand at ranching in Glendale. Drive the Superstition Mountains. Visit Frank Lloyd Wrights Taliesin West in Scottsdale.
Restaurants in Central Arizona
1. Carstens
2. Musical Instrument Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,330 reviews
The World's Only Global Musical Instrument Museum. Home of the MIM Music Theater--a 300-seat acoustically superb performance space--as well as the award-winning Café Allegro (open 11 am - 2 pm daily) and the MIM Museum Store. The average guest spends nearly four hours at MIM. Please allow plenty of time to fully enjoy MIM's galleries and exhibits. Open daily, 9 am - 5 pm; Closed Thanksgiving; Open Christmas, 11 am - 5 pm. General Admission: $20; Teens (ages 13-19): $15; Children (ages 4-12): $10; Children 3 and under: Free. Hours and prices are subject to change.
Reviewed By P1520TPandrewk
1. Expect to spend at least five hours or more! 2. Wear comfortable shoes! 3. Take your camera, phone charger etc.. 4. For Musicians, music lovers etc... 5. Bucket List Item 6. All styles of music represented 7. 777 Jackpot Rating! Go and see this place!
3. Arizona Copper Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 494 reviews
--Winner of the Arizona Tourism Award!-- The Copper Art Museum is one of the most interesting in the USA, purposely located in the former copper town of Clarkdale - a USA City Beautiful Movement town founded in 1912. Clarkdale was built by Senator W. A. Clark "America's Copper King." The collection on display is massive with over 5000 artifacts and hundreds dating to the 1500-1800's, Galleries; Special Historical Information, Military Art, Art and Architecture, Kitchen Collection, Drinking Collection and Winery and Distillery Collection. You will be amazed by this museum!
Reviewed By tbone4 - Scottsdale, United States
An education around every corner. This museum is immaculately maintained and has wonderful self guided signs throughout. The feeling is cool, quiet and peaceful. They have worked hard to create this space. Plan on spending a couple of hours if you want to stroll through....longer if you want to read every sign. Every question you might have about copper and this museum is answered somewhere within these walls. Loved it! There's few places to eat while in Clarkdale. However we took a stroll around this cute little town. We went back to historic Cottonwood for lunch. There's a lot of places to stop there.
4. Dwarf Car Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By wendymetcalf - Brooks, Canada
AMAZING place to visit. Leave yourself a couple of hours to check out this wonderful musuem!!! Everytime you look around - you see something new! Owner was amazing - will answer any questions you have. Highly recommend stopping here!
5. Scottsdale Model Railroad Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Rebby2k - New Castle, United States
A large open building with massive amounts of functional model railroad displays. Free to visit and plenty to see. Multiple scale/sizes of tracks on display. It is a place where you can really be inspired to see the possibilities the hobby can bring. And, there is no charge to park or enter. Easily a top list family attraction.
6. ASU Museum Ceramics Center and Brickyard Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By AZnearnative
Grand opening of "Look to Nature" featuring the works of Toshiko Takaezu. Her family and former students will be doing online interviews tonight. Garage was closed so we parked in adjacent city lot. Forehead temp check first.
7. Sami Fine Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Visit the ONLY American Gemstone Gallery in the World! Let one of Sami's guides take you on a tour of Sami's 3600 square foot store. Touch and feel real USA gemstone rough, learn the history of American mined gems, and see one-of-a-kind numbered pieces from the American Gem Collection. We also offer private tours and group helicopter tours of the Arizona Four Peaks Amethyst mine.
Reviewed By kaplan6650 - Rio Verde, United States
Stopped in to look around today with a friend. I had my dog with me who is very timid and all of the employees were so kind and brought her treats and water. The jewelry is fabulous and the staff is very friendly and informative. I love Four Peaks so I bought a very unique pair of earrings made from Amethyst mined there.
8. Arizona Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Celebrating Arizona's vibrant cultural heritage through history! Housed in the restored Capitol Building, this museum presents programs and exhibits about the government of the Arizona Territory and the early days of statehood. Always FREE Admission Open: Monday through Friday 9am - 4pm
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
The people of Phoenix were happy. They had made the bill of rights at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Park. They put their rights on obelix's, with their rights. Everybody could look at at the obelix and get to know the rights. It seems it was great! Worthwhile to see!
9. Heard Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,899 reviews
The foremost showcase of Native American art and culture in the U.S., the Heard Museum reveals the cultures of tribes in the region through exhibits, demonstrations and live performances and displays the work of contemporary Native American artists. Artists demonstrate their work during the week and musicians perform on most weekends.
Reviewed By MsInformedALWAYS - Las Vegas, United States
This place was a real surprise, nice architecture, beautifully displayed/housed native America goods from clothes, baskets, paintings, and general artifacts in excellent condition. Very well laid out with a nice bookstore AND gift shop (a bit pricey) Most enjoyable visit and stands out above and beyond most I've seen (I'm a fan of native American indian works - I've been to a half dozen wonderful museums...)
10. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 395 reviews
The world's largest firefighting museum chronicles the history of the profession and commemorates fallen firefighters.
Reviewed By Sheree1956
My husband and I spent the better part of the afternoon at this museum. Being from a paid to volunteer fire department family this place was absolutely wonderful. The total history of the fire fighting service, as well as, international fire history is found there. Just about all 50 states are represented whether it is a piece of equipment or a department patch. All aspects of the fire service is recognized from the cities to the smoke jumpers. The tribute room displays many photos and articles of heroes and fallen heroes, including the Granite Mountain Hotshots and the World Trade Center Port of Authority. The director, Chuck and Tim were very personable and enlightening as they both came from a paid fire department background. Highly recommend!!
