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!

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

This place is fantastic. You gonna love to see historical figures. It's cozy and comfortable.read more

We visited the museum on a weekday morning. We enjoyed the displays of rocks from various parts of…read morethe earth, the Arizona-Mexican artifacts, and of course the dinosaurs, especially the aquatic dinosaurs. This museum has an active dinosaur fossil dig - you can watch and even talk to the paleontologist working on it! There's lots to see and enjoy here, including real elements from a jail that held prisoners from the 1830s to the 1970s!! The gift shop is reasonably priced and you can even purchase a "memory bag" filled with pencil, notebook eraser, etc, for only $2.50 each.

Paid $14 and only stayed about 40 minutes. There were multiple groups of school children that were…read morerunning around, screaming, jumping and bumping into everything. I expect that behavior to be tolerated at a children's museum, not a public museum where a basic level of respect and decorum is expected for EVERYONE inside. Wish I could say I enjoyed it but the hundreds of screaming children ruined any experience I could have had and left with a migraine. **Would appreciate museums to have specific days for "field trips" or hours for school days. Unfortunately many museum experiences are ruined due to the behavior of unruly children, and I'm still the one paying full price.

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.

Always a lovely spot!…read more The desert really does bloom! Well-attended and great walking trails.

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 Musical Instrument Museum is one of the best museums that I've ever visited. It's a unique…read moreconcept and you can easily spend an entire day there. When you enter, you're given your own headset which connects to the exhibits in the museum. As you approach a specific exhibit, it starts playing something for you - usually an informational video or sample songs of the instrument. There is so much to see, hear, and learn here and they have instruments from all over the world - many that you didn't even know existed!

When I walked through this museum I thought about the words of the Artemis II astronauts as they…read moreviewed the earth from the furthest vantage point ever. I recalled the stories they shared of noticing how small we are in comparison to the universe. I had expected to see exhibits of flutes and horns, pianos and stringed instruments - all manner of drums. But I hadn't expected the global context, nor the gift of automatically hearing those instruments played, sung with, danced by their people. It made me feel small, insignificant, but not in bad way. All of this beautiful music is going on around the world uplifting souls, bringing joy, initiating. I thought of the photos the astronauts took of the earth and I love imagining it in the context of the atmospheric music I experienced, world without end. Given this context, how sad it was to head to the gift shop for a sweet souvenir of my experience - and to be followed by a poorly raised, uncivilized employee. How else to explain having a space above her that celebrates and unifies the whole world and yer to operate with so little love, care and basic respect for humanity. Maybe she wanted me to feel insignificant, as her parents or neighborhood had taught her. Our mismatched melanin appeared to have her give herself mental license to not only pretend to straighten socks, but move her body close enough to mine to emit an empty, useless alarm. All while smiling smugly and offering no customer service. I had been thinking of getting these guitar measuring spoons but I put them down. Because her goal was loss prevention she lost a sale. I went home and found them on Poshmark for half the price.

My family and I recently visited the Museum of Illusions, and we had a great time! We purchased our…read moretickets online, and if you sign up for their email list, you can receive 10% off. We visited on July 24, and there was plenty of parking available. The museum was easy to find, very clean, and the staff was incredibly friendly. They were happy to answer questions and even offered to take pictures for guests, which made the experience even more enjoyable. There are also several other attractions nearby, so it's easy to make a day of it. One thing to keep in mind is that it gets extremely hot during the summer. It would be nice if there were sprinklers, misting stations, or cooling areas outside to help guests stay comfortable. The only downside was the ticket price. While the experience was fun and memorable, I would love to see family package deals or discounted pricing for families of three or more to make it more affordable for everyone. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would definitely recommend visiting if you're looking for a unique and interactive activity for the whole family!

Went here with my kids (6, 8) and unfortunately they have the attention span of a gnat. They just…read morewanted to rush through so I didnt get to see everything. But what I did get to see/experience was pretty cool. The place is not that big but they pack a lot of stuff in. Most things are interactive in some way. Went here on a Go Pass and I'm not sure if I would go on my own if I didn't have the pass (especially since my kids zoomed through).

AC and free water. Who wouldn't like a quick stop at the Scottsdale Historical Museum. After…read morespending the afternoon walking around Old Town Scottsdale, we stumbled upon the historical museum. What a fun museum to explore the founding of Scottsdale. The staff were super nice as well.

Pretty cool little museum in between old town and the park. The people were really nice that…read moreworked there. There was some interesting information about scottsdale. I liked the baseball history of scottsdale. Best of all this was free!!!!