Phoenix Attractions
Nearly perfect year-round weather and several impeccably designed championship courses have made Phoenix one of the top golf destinations in the world. But there's more to this mild-mannered metropolis than pristine greens and tee times. The greater Phoenix area also offers visitors an array of impressive cultural attractions. Visit the internationally renowned Heard Museum for an in-depth look at Native American history or peruse the fine collection at the Phoenix Museum of Art. Enjoy a ballet performance at the ornate Orpheum Theater or catch a Broadway show at the state-of-the-art Dodge. In addition to golf, the city offers access to numerous outdoor endeavors including rock climbing, hot-air ballooning, desert jeep tours and more. Family-friendly attractions, first-rate shopping, dining and entertainment, and spectacular recreational activities make Phoenix a must-visit destination.
Heard Museum, Phoenix
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.
Attraction type: Art museum; Specialty museum
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Located in Papago Park, these gardens offer visitors an opportunity to learn about desert flora.
Attraction type: Garden; Specialty museum; Nature center
Arizona Science Center, Phoenix
A museum with over 300 hands-on exhibits that keep visitors involved.
Attraction type: Science museum
Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix
One of the largest art museums in the Southwest, the museum houses a permanent collection of some 16,000 works of art spanning the centuries and also includes a popular miniatures collection and a "Please Touch" children's gallery.
Attraction type: Art museum; Art gallery
Phantom Horse Golf Club, Phoenix
An excellent golf course with beautiful landscaping and a welcoming feel, this club offers two different styles of golf, traditional and desert.
Attraction type: Golf course; Ghost town
Mystery Castle, Phoenix
Built by a father to realize his daughter's dream, this three-story castle, completed in 1945, is made of stone, adobe, automobile parts and petroglyphs and is held together by a cement mixture including goat's milk. Take a tour - usually led by the daughter, who still lives there - of this odd, yet imaginative dwelling.
Attraction type: Castle
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, Phoenix
The world's largest firefighting museum chronicles the history of the profession and commemorates fallen firefighters.
Attraction type: Specialty museum
Chinese Cultural Center, Phoenix
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza; Mall
Tovrea Castle, Phoenix
According to the official website, Tovrea Castle is closed for renovations, a project that may take several years. No reopening date is set.
Attraction type: Historic site; Garden; Castle
Pueblo Grande, Phoenix
More than 1,000 years old, these ruins from a Native American village and the artifacts unearthed from the area tell a fascinating story of the lives of the inhabitants. Hands-on activities, hikes and tours enhance the learning experience.
Attraction type: Ancient ruins; Museum; History museum
Shemer Art Center and Museum, Phoenix
A Phoenix Point of Pride, this museum is a cultural locus, featuring local artisans and offering its own arts and crafts workshops.
Attraction type: Art gallery; Art museum
Arizona State Capitol Museum, Phoenix
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.
Attraction type: Museum; History museum
Phoenix Museum of History, Phoenix
Full of interactive and interesting exhibits, like aroma-smelling barrels which take you back to the smells of old Arizona.
Attraction type: History museum
Burton Barr Central Library, Phoenix
A library for the space age, this five-story cube of steel and glass is clad in ribbed copper sheeting and sunshine.
Attraction type: Library
Historic Heritage Square, Phoenix
This tourist center contains shops, museums and restaurants, and also includes the only remaining group of residential structures from Phoenix's original settlement.
Attraction type: Town center/square/plaza
Deer Valley Rock Art Center, Phoenix
Protected site of 1,500 Native American petroglyphs covering the Hedegepath Hills.
Attraction type: Ancient ruins; Valley
Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum, Phoenix
Countless minerals and mining tools are on display here.
Attraction type: Specialty museum; Museum
Arizona Doll & Toy Museum, Phoenix
If you want to see a classroom full of dolls of the antique variety, check out this museum.
Attraction type: Specialty museum
St. Mary's Basilica, Phoenix
Attraction type: Religious site
Wells Fargo History Museum, Phoenix
Attraction type: Specialty museum
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Located in Papago Park, these gardens offer visitors an opportunity to learn about desert flora.
Attraction type: Garden; Specialty museum; Nature center
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix
Attraction type: Mountain; Hiking trail
Deer Valley Rock Art Center, Phoenix
Protected site of 1,500 Native American petroglyphs covering the Hedegepath Hills.
Attraction type: Ancient ruins; Valley
Hole in the Rock, Phoenix
Scenic mountain in the Lake Powell area.
Attraction type: Mountain; Geological formation
Squaw Peak, Phoenix
Attraction type: Mountain; Park