Phoenix Arts and Culture - Best Places to Visit

Arizona is home to a variety of cultural adventures, from musical to Western history, you’re sure to find the right culture fix for one and all. Whether you’re entertaining visitors from out of town or just looking for some fun for the family, check out these great Phoenix-Metro museums and cultural centers, most just a 30-mile drive from our private golf course community in the Phoenix Area. 

1. Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum, often called “the MIM,” opened its North Phoenix doors in 2010. Guests get the chance to view, listen and learn the history and cultural significance of music. Home to more than 15,000 instruments and artifacts from more than 200 countries, the displays are both unique and diverse. Video and audio demonstrations provide cultural context for each exhibit. The MIM also features galleries that pay homage to significant musical icons from John Lennon and Johnny Cash to Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift. Complete with a concert venue, café, gift shop and more, there is plenty to see and experience at the Musical Instrument Museum. 

2. Phoenix Art Museum
It’s easy to spend an entire day in the Phoenix Art Museum. With three levels, more than 18,000 pieces in more than 400 exhibits, this is the place to get your fix of culture in downtown Phoenix. From classical to modern art, you’ll enjoy incredible exhibits wherever you look. The museum also offers live performances, films, festivals, lectures, art-making activities and other family events. If you cannot make the trip downtown, some exhibits can even be viewed online! 

3. Arizona Science Center
Focused on inspiring, educating and engaging minds through science and technology, the Arizona Science Center is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The center has activities for all ages including a multitude of hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences. With camps, themed events, a planetarium and frequent national-traveling exhibits, the whole family will enjoy a visit to the Arizona Science Center. 

4. Heard Museum
Founded in the late 1920s, the Heard Museum is one of the oldest cultural centers in Arizona. Guests have the unique ability to view more than 40,000 Native American artifacts and inspired artwork from Arizona and nationwide Indian communities. Since opening, the museum has undergone numerous expansions and renovations. The museum is currently comprised of 12 galleries, a café, bookstore, auditorium and outdoor sculpture garden showcasing preserved American Indian fine jewelry, pottery, textiles and more. 

5. Gammage Auditorium
The Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, often shortened to just “Gammage,” is a massive multipurpose performing arts center located in Tempe on the main campus of Arizona State University. Designed by world-renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, Gammage is an iconic venue in the southwest. Since opening in 1964, distinguished productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, and The Lion King have graced its stage.As beautiful inside as it is out, a show at Gammage is an exciting experience. To learn more about upcoming shows, visit www.asugammage.com/shows

These are just a few reasons to love Arizona and our culture scene! Regardless of what type of cultural experience you’re seeking, there is plenty to find here in the Valley.