What a surprise -- this place was absolutely amazing! We honestly didn't know exactly what to…read moreexpect, and it ended up being such a fun and memorable experience. Every room and installation was completely different, creative, interactive, and made you stop and look at things in a new way. Liam and I both loved exploring everything and finding our own favorites. Definitely one of those places that is much more impressive in person than you expect from the photos. Such a unique experience -- we will absolutely be back!

A nice unique thing to do in Scottsdale when you want to cool off from the oven-like conditions…read moreoutside but still want to wander around on your feet. Wonderspaces is basically a poor-man's TeamLabs. Large scale immersive and sometimes interactive artpieces arranged in a minimal modernist setting. When I first looked to go here it looked like it was only operating 5 days a week but to my surprise and delight they were open on the Monday that I was in town, so naturally I grabbed myself a ticket for a mental diversion from my workcation otherwise holed up in my hotel. When you check-in, a nice old man explains all the exhibits and points out a few highlights, one of which is a piece where you have to sit still for 20 minutes and let "3 robuts" draw you - cuz when else do you get drawn by a robot? (Well, in the age of AI, is it all that different?) Thankfully it wasn't too crowded when I went otherwise it could get quite backlogged waiting to sit for a digital caricaturist! This was probably the most tedious of the works, so I'll start here, as I had to get the host's attention and he came over and did some set up with the robot arms and the nearby tablet's app. He made small talk with me so as to keep my gaze steady as the robots with their webcams and drawing arms started their work. After a few minutes he left me alone but insisted I stay seated still until all the robots were done. One of the robots worked on me for an extra 8 minutes, so this felt more like a dental appointment than a fun electronic experiment. Another work was very reminiscent of teamlabs with dangling strings of LED lights They made such a big deal of each light having its own IP address, which was an implementation detail that really should not have needed oversharing. The work spoke for itself and the lights synchronized to the music immersively. Another fun one was large dots flipping in such a way that you could tell was capturing your motion and playing it back. And some 3D models spun at high speed with flickering lights to make it look like they were pulsing. Then there was the uninteresting video about a boy growing up awkwardly. Didn't seem to fit the theme of the exhibit. The last large scale piece were large plastic takeout bags almost recalling the nihilism from American Beauty and the futility of consumerism - which I think is the underlying principle that got me to spend money in this museum in the first place. A big crowd pleaser which was a large suspended tapestry was out of commission - you could see it but it was lowered for maintenance, so I missed out on that. Anyway, was it a good diversion? I'm satisfied.

Looking for an inexpensive way to kill time, we stumbled upon the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary…read moreArt! There is a free parking garage located behind the museum, shared with nearby businesses. Admission is as follows: Non-members: $16 Students, seniors (65+), veterans, active duty-military, and educators: $13. ID required. Not on their website but healthcare workers are also given this $3 discount! Thanks! I showed up in scrubs after work and qualified lol. * Squidsoup * Infinite * Mark + Making Visions '26 Open Spaces: Fiber Arts Addressing the Landscape Knight Rise by James Turrell ... and more! Small but quaint museum with enthralling exhibits. Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in the area and even remotely into art!

This is a small, contemporary art museum. There are 5 galleries, which are well marked and very…read moreinteresting. The museum is very clean and modern. Parking is FREE, in adjacent covered parking structure Bathroom is in Performing Arts Building, which is right next door to museum Admission is $3.00 less ($13) is bought ahead of time Docent George was a real standout- What a nice guy! He was extremely knowledgeable about the exhibits There is a small gift store area as well as a outdoor exhibit All exhibits were contemporary art Overall, this is a fabulous museum to visit. It takes a couple of hours to see everything

The Phoenix Art Museum is a gem located in downtown Phoenix, offering beautiful exhibits, films,…read moreperformances, workshops, lectures/talks, and more! It has its own parking lot, shared with the Phoenix Theatre Company, so parking can be difficult especially when there are shows going on. The normal admission prices are as follows: Museum Members | Free Children (5 and younger) | Free Adults | $23 Seniors (65+) | $20 Students (with ID) | $18 Youth (6-17) | $13 They also graciously offer free/reduced admission on - Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays from 3-8pm - First Fridays 5-8pm which includes access to in-gallery sketching, live music with resident DJ J-ME LEE, unique books and resources at the library pop-up, delicious food and drinks from local vendors, and docent-led art tours - Family Fundays 2x yearly for all-ages, free-access day with arts-engagement programming suitable for visitors of all ages, interests, and abilities Note that general admission is free, but special exhibitions require a ticket (pricing may vary) They also offer $5 off tickets for Phoenix Theater ticket holders, $3 for AAA members, and discounted admission for military personnel/veterans. When I visited, The James K. Ballinger Wing (Art of the Americas + Europe galleries) was temporarily closed for necessary infrastructure updates, but it is scheduled to reopen this Fall. Otherwise I got to see the: Janet Cardiff & George Bures Miller: The Instrument of Troubled Dreams Colorwear: A Kaleidoscope of Fashion Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan Modern Treads: The Discount Tire Poster Collection Flowers of the Punjab Carlos Amorales: Black Cloud The Collection: 1960 - Now Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room ... and more!! Super fun visit for any casual or serious art enthusiasts. Expect to spend hours here exploring!

My sister and I stopped by the Phoenix Art Museum on Friday for their August First Friday event. We…read moredidn't really know what to expect of the event, as we had not attended one before. We went in assuming it would be a toasty and crowded outdoor event, but instead, we encountered a calm, organized, indoor event. We waited in a brief line for the aura photography station. Because we arrived later in the event's timeframe, we weren't able to do much else, but the aura photography was incredible. We really enjoyed what we saw of the museum and the museum's associated store...why are museum stores always the best!? We look forward to returning to the museum and plan on attending future First Fridays as much as possible!

Lots to see and learn here, and guided tours available at scheduled times, though I preferred to…read moreroam the museum at my own pace. Posters and film clips of westerns like A Man Called Horse (1970) and Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josie Wells (1976). Handcuffs of all kinds on display (more accurately described as "retaining devices") in a western themed set. Mac Schweitzer's impressive collection of artworks, including depictions of desert animals and the wild west, especially a multitude of horse pieces. Countless paintings and artifacts on the second level, portraying native american history, the buffalo, and the evolution of american west landscapes. Scenes of collective work in western life among cowboys, herders, and traders. I found Eddie Basha's cottonwood tree root carvings interesting. And I was especially a fan of "Rabbit Hunt" by Loren Phillips (Hopi). Fistful of Colors in the north gallery explored the diverse meanings of color, such as the term "feeling blue", and how colors tell stories, evoke emotions, and create connections. The room transitioned into displays of movie posters, explaining why those from different countries vary in the way they are presented. Interactive exhibits throughout allow visitors to learn about Shakespeare in the Old West, women of the rodeo, even a scavenger hunt to find "escaped animals" in the museum. I was amused by fun facts like the first circus (Ryland's traveling show) taking place in Tombstone Arizona Territory in 1880, or how the full saying of "Ay Chihuahua" translates to "Yikes! How many Apache Indians are there without sandals!", referring to Apache raiders like Geronimo invading northern mexico wearing calf-high deerskin moccasins. There was also a small sculpture garden outside and gift shop worth checking out before leaving.

One of my goals this year is to be more like a tourist even though I'm a resident. Meaning hitting…read moreup the types of spots that tourists would visit in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Case in point: Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon with my mom to check out this museum that specializes in Western and Native American art. Here's what I really like: complimentary docent-led tours three times daily. We got to participate in two of them. They're a great way to get a more in-depth view of the museum. With that being said, even if you explore the museum on your own, you'll have a great time doing it. It's a two-level museum and there's plenty to read about and check out. We spent roughly three hours there and probably got through about 50% of the museum. Here's what I didn't like: they have two back-to-back video presentations in the small theater. They unfortunately weren't happening when I was there due to a private event. Bad luck on my part. Also, general admission is a bit pricey. Outside of the price, it's a fantastic museum. There's a complimentary parking lot across from the museum or you can find street parking. And it's a few blocks away from the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. You'll see Arizona's landscape represented in paintings, Native American artwork, Western movies, and much, much more. I'll definitely be back again!

We came to check out the After Dark experience in August, and it totally exceeded our expectations!…read more There were beautiful lights hanging from the plants, and the whole place was decorated in such an artistic and magical way. There were also lots of fun interactive activities--stargazing, a scavenger hunt, drawing desert plants with fluorescent markers, a kaleidoscope, and more. Unfortunately, it was still pretty hot when we went around 8 PM, so we didn't get to explore everything before heading home. But we'll definitely be back next time--hopefully when it's a little cooler!

I came here during a work trip--my first time visiting Arizona. I was looking for something to do…read moreon my last day, and several people recommended checking this place out. I arrived just before sunset, and it was absolutely beautiful. The gardens were well-maintained, peaceful, and offered some amazing views as the sun went down. I really enjoyed taking my time walking through the different areas and soaking in the scenery. The grounds were very clean, and the pathways were easy to navigate, making for a relaxing and enjoyable experience. If you're visiting the area and looking for a scenic way to spend a few hours, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

Was in the area from out of town and I wanted to see this beautiful house in person. I wasn't able…read moreto go inside but the outside is so pretty Love all the details. It's truly breathtaking

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.

The Marshall Gallery is located in an Old Town Scottsdale. It is one of my favorite galleries in…read morethe area for all their contemporary collection of paintings, glass, and sculptures. Don't forget to visit their upstairs area showing more glass works and paintings. Free street parking.

I visited the Marshall Art Gallery this morning and received an excellent education in many fine…read moreartists and their outstanding pieces. I personally loved the works of Douglas Aagars. Jillian did a wonderful job of demonstrating the importance of lighting when displaying his Birch Tree painting. The Gallery had a wonderful display of multiple mediums from many artists from the Western States. I would recommend visiting this Gallery and working with Jillian Latzman.

Wowww, I have heard about this garden for sometime but finally I made it happen to visit…read more As soon as you stepped in-- you already find yourself in the right place; calm, peaceful, beautiful and simple. The garden is well maintained and organized, quiet place for give yourself quiet time and meditation. The garden is not that big place to walk around, but it's definitely worth it if you feel like need to escape and looking for nature therapy--this is the one! Give yourself more time to sit back and enjoy the greenery. The staff is super friendly and welcoming! I will definitely come back again soon.

Beautiful grounds! I…read morewent in June in the early morning and it got hot fast. It's a small park so very doable for a quick in and out of your area short on time or want to avoid the heat. It cost about $15 for an adult ticket. No food or drinks are allowed on the grounds. I thought I could walk around with my morning coffee it had to quickly drink it before entering the park.

Super fun for all ages! Daniele was super friendly and nice. Overall a great experience!read more

My friend and I had such a great time at the Museum of Illusions! This is seriously the perfect…read moreactivity, especially during the Arizona summer when you're looking for something fun to do indoors. The staff was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and interactive throughout our visit, which made the experience even better. There were so many different illusions to explore, and quite a few genuinely had us amazed and questioning what we were looking at The best part was definitely all the photos we walked away with. Some of them are absolutely priceless, and we had so much fun creating memories together. Such a unique, interactive experience and definitely worth checking out!

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?

My husband and I really enjoyed this museum! We spent about 4 hours here (with a break at the cafe)…read moreand did not see everything. We are planning to return soon to finish the areas we didn't have time to see. There is a ton of information on Native American culture and history. There are also a lot of videos scattered throughout to learn even more. My favorite gallery was the Majestic Figures section. The figurines are extremely intricate utilizing various materials. Food options here are better than most museums. I really enjoyed the sit down restaurant with a full menu in the courtyard area. It's different than most museums who have a small cafe with limited options or none at all. If you live in Phoenix or are visiting this is a must see!