This alley is very busy, as far as art goes, and has a lot going on. It is almost overwhelming…read more Murals runs the full length of the alley and is very vibrant and colorful. It spans between 1st and 2nd Streets and Adams and Washington Streets. A large portion of the alley pays tribute to Latino icons. This was a herculean effort led by the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC), with help from the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Convention Center, and Latinos Now. When they say that it takes a village, that it an understatement when it comes to this area. The alley features work from many local artist including Jose Andres Giron, Roman P. Reyes, Carlos Rivas, Ramon Aguirre, Edgar Fernandez, Elizabeth Toledo, Alfred Bilducia, Noreen Ayonayon, Tavo Barrios, Angel Diaz, Karlito Espinosa, Ivan Garcia, Luis Munoz, Edgar Munoz, Raul Rodriquez, Rey Lugo and Catyana Falsetti. This alley really grabs you and draws you in. The mural is on the backside of a parking garage and faces the back of some local business and has a good view of their dumpsters. Some notable images that I saw in the alley were the Virgin Mary, a rose, a portrait of U.S. Army Private First Class Silvestre Santana Herrera, who was presented the Medal of Honor during World War II, there arew a bunch of flowers, R2D2, Lalo Guerrero, American guitarist, singer and farm labor activist, a phoenix, a horse head, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, in Uniform and Carlos Santana, That is just a fraction of the images of art in the alley. It is something that you just have to see. You will notice the different styles of murals that make up the collection and also different skill levels of the artist. Most of the work is pretty good, but some of them are notable better than others. There is metered street parking and commercial parking garages within a reasonable walking distance from the alley if you want to park, get out and take a closer look. This is definitely not a destination stop, so I would highly recommend combining this with other stops or making this part of a larger itinerary.

Whenever I visit the ASU Downtown Campus, I always find myself walking through the Civic Space…read morePark. This is a park with a lot of potential as there is a nice grassy area, some tables and chairs next to the US Post Office and ASU Student Center, a beautiful sculpture, and other places to hold an event and escape from the heat. At the same time, the Civic Space Park in recent years has been overrun with the homeless who find their own spaces on the east side of the park and sometimes elsewhere in the park. This has led to some safety concerns from ASU students and their families as many students have to walk across the park to get from the Sun Devil Fitness Complex or the Fusion on First upper-division residence hall across to the rest of the ASU Downtown Campus. There have also been a number of altercations over the last few years between multiple homeless and occasionally between a homeless person and a student. I have seen groups of students and even community members holding events in the park either in front of the Student Center entrance at the tables and chairs (gatherings by students or staff), on the grassy lawn area (community members playing soccer, frisbee, or having a picnic), or even on the south side of the walkway (though the lighting wasn't very good in the evening in that area). Again, it may be a challenge if some of the homeless community members try to engage at these events with the students, staff, and/or community members. Another challenge we learned is that it isn't the role of ASU Police or Phoenix Police to monitor the park. Rather there are park rangers who are responsible for doing so, which adds some complications as the rest of the ASU campus is supported by ASU Police and on occasion, by Phoenix Police. If you look at other reviews of Civic Space Park, it is difficult to find one that doesn't highlight the famous sculpture known as "Her Secret is Patience." In fact, I recall doing a photo shoot about 12 years ago under the sculpture at Civic Space Park. This sculpture is a public art sculpture commission that was designed for the city of Phoenix. The sculpture consists of painted, galvanized steel, polyester twine netting, and colored lights. Again, the space has a lot of potential though due to safety reasons, there is some work to be done to really prepare this park to meet its full potential.

Nice park to just hang out at. Lots of grassy area for kids or animals to run through…read more We just sat there for a while soaking up the sun and people watching. At night the tornado looking thing lights up.

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.

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.

Quality art for all to see and enjoy at no cost. I wonder how long it took to paint…read more This artist is truly talented. I also would like to know if she has any more art on display.

This is some pretty neat street art to find in the middle of Phoenix. You can actually see some of…read morethe murals from the street when driving by. Very colorful and a retro vibe. A great place to take pictures. 5/5 stars.

With public art, the effort -- if not the outcome -- is almost always appreciated. But in this…read morecase, they really hit a home run! George Rhoads is one of my favorite artists. And "Based on Balls" is one of my favorite sculptures. This is an audiokinetic sculpture. Like much of his work (which can be found in public buildings, science museums, hospitals and airports around the world -- from Rishon LeZion to LAX), "Based on Balls" is a complex sequence of tracks and contraptions. In the middle, a conveyor belt continuously brings balls to the top and gently releases them onto the track. What happens next is easy to enjoy but hard to describe. It's not enough to say that the balls simply roll down the tracks. As they go, they push pinwheels, change direction, and trigger mallets to hit everything from wood-blocks to gongs. The result is an awe-inspiring symphony of sound and stimulation. Listen, I'm trying to describe this thing and I'm failing miserably. Why not just take a look at the thing yourself?! I put a couple videos of "Based on Balls" on youtube to help you do just that. Take a look, review it, visit it, and -- most of all -- voice your support. Governments and businesses will only provide us with things like this if they know that they're appreciated. Click on the following links for videos of "Based on Balls", one by me and one by fellow-yelper Matt R: http://youtube.com/watch?v=40qWtKwEOI8 http://youtube.com/watch?v=-SE-Jld6uKA Enjoy!

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!

Artist Kayla Newnam was selected and commissioned by the city of Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix Inc. and…read moreArtlink Inc to do this piece. This mural is very colorful and attention getting. It is a large mural covering 190-by-10-feet. It was painted in November 2022 and is intended to celebrate Phoenix's "festive and diverse culture and welcome visitor's to the city from upcoming large-scale events including Super Bowl LVII, the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four and the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four. It is across the street from the Hyatt Regency and is painted on the side of a commercial garage and parking to get a good look is relatively easy. There are metered spots right in front of and across the street from the mural. The mural was completed by Newnam using Community Paint Days and offering 50 lucky people two opportunities to help and watch the mural be created. The mural is intended to represent a panoramic journey through the desert. The mural has a large life-like Gila monster, some cacti. If you look closely, you will also see animals such as a hawk, owls, a snake and rabbit. I love the use of colors. They are like electric. It has a neon sign effect and the artwork is so detailed and realistic. Newnam is very talented. I will definitely need to check out more of her work. This was truly a nice welcome to the city. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

This is a nice vibrant mural that is the work of Hugo Medina and Darrin Armijo-Wardle. It was…read morepainted in May 2017 and measures 70 feet high and 50 feet wide. You will find the mural on the side of the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel overlooking a narrow alleyway. The colorful mural has a two-fold meaning. The Adams hotel, which is the predecessor of the Renaissance, burned down in 1910. You can see the image of the Adams hotel in the mural You will also see the image of a woman. That woman is rumored to be Malinda "Malindy" Curtis, (hence the mural's title). Curtis was a local favorite reportedly the madam of a nearby brothel and lived quite a colorful life (hence the mural's colors). I like the color usage in the mural the rainbow hair and accent is awesome. The detail of the hotel is also very good. I really like it. The image of Curtis looks very powerful and determined. I am not sure how I fell about the artwork though. There is metered street parking and commercial parking garages within a reasonable walking distance if you want to get out and take a closer look.. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

I have worked at the Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus off and on over the years,…read moreand over this past year, I have gotten involved with Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) by attending their monthly stakeholder meetings and attending events that either they have put on for the community or other community events that they have supported and/or marketed. In fact, ASU has hosted wellness events, student welcome events, and career fairs, and it is always great to see DPI engaged in our events, too. DPI is a community-building organization that delivers enhanced municipal services to the Downtown business core, marketing and event production to Greater Downtown, and manages the work plans for Phoenix Community Alliance and the Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation. DPI and its affiliate organizations are committed to making Phoenix a vibrant urban destination and one of the nation's great cities. In fact their mission is "to facilitate collaboration, cultivate connections, and contribute to both the growth and vitality of our community. To generate progress on issues, work toward sustainable growth and build a stronger, more inclusive city core that generates positive perceptions, memorable experiences and a sense of pride in Downtown." Their vision is to "deliver a vibrant and healthy Downtown that makes the experience of our community enriching and engaging to residents, visitors and businesses, and helps strengthen the reputation and heart of our city in a sustainable way." DPI also staffs the DTPHX Ambassador program with the mission " to make a person's experience in Downtown Phoenix safe, enjoyable, and memorable." They are around 365 days a year and wear orange shirts that say "ASK ME" on the back. Complimentary hospitality services provided in the Downtown Core include walking escorts, car battery jumps, umbrella escorts, restaurant information, personalized tours, and entertainment info. Visit the DPI website (https://dtphx.org) and sign up to become an Insider to receive updates from the people who know DTPHX best. Also on the website, learn about upcoming events, things to do, information about living in Phoenix, information about doing business in Phoenix, and general information about DPI. There is also news and media about Phoenix on the website. Some of the traditional events include the Wellness Fair, Urban Wine Walk, StoryWalk, Lotería, DTPHX Hallows' Eve, PJs in the Park, and Winter Wanderland just to name a few. I look forward to continuing my relationship with DPI and seeing what else is on the horizon in Downtown Phoenix.

Parking is my biggest deterrent to coming to Downtown Phoenix, but the Van Buren has had shows with…read moremy favorite band, From Ashes to New, twice so I dealt with it. Even paid $50 to park, which is just insanity! Usually I'll avoid things if in downtown as it's just too hard to navigate. Be mindful if you see an event in Downtown Phoenix to be pack patience to sort out parking and be prepared to pay a pretty penny.