Whether you are looking to explore the desert, or simply enjoy the warm temperatures of the Phoenix area, you are bound to find plenty of great things to do. The city is known for its year-round sunshine and a number of high-end spa resorts. You can also find plenty of shopping, great nightclubs, and golf courses in the area.
Mesa Arts Center
Located in downtown Mesa, Arizona, the Mesa Arts Center is an artistic and performing arts complex. The complex houses 14 art studios and theaters, a sculpture garden, and a series of community events. The arts center is home to several resident companies, including Mesa Encore Theatre, the Sonoran Desert Chorale, and the East Valley Children's Theatre.
Mesa Arts Center is the largest performing arts complex in Arizona. The center features several theaters, including the Virgina G Piper Repertory Theater, the Farnsworth Studio Theater, the Ikeda Theater, and the Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse. The theaters also offer a variety of performances, including ballet, musicals, and theater productions.
The Mesa Arts Center is an excellent destination for the entire family. Its visual art galleries and art studios are a fun place to spend an afternoon. They also feature many educational exhibits. For example, the HUB gallery has 11 interactive exhibits that teach children about science, inventions, and problem-solving skills. In addition, there are a number of hands-on exhibits that allow kids to create art and music.
Mesa Arts Center offers a wide variety of free events. There are many concerts, comedy shows, and performances. There is also an annual Dia de los Muertos Festival. The festival includes live music, traditional Mexican dances, a market, and more.
Desert Botanical Garden
Located in Papago Park, just west of Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit in Phoenix. While it may not be the prettiest garden in the country, it has a lot to offer. It features a large number of botanical specimens from the surrounding desert, as well as a number of educational displays and exhibitions.
For one thing, the garden has an award-winning library with an impressive collection of botanical drawings. In fact, it is one of the best in the country. It also offers free daily tours.
In terms of the garden, the Desert Botanical Garden is home to over a thousand different plants. There are also five walking paths to explore. Each of the trails is designed to help visitors get a better idea of the garden's most notable features.
The Garden also boasts two hydration stations to help visitors stay hydrated. This is especially important in Phoenix, where the average temperatures range from 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 105 degrees in the summer. Considering that the average water intake is 11 to 15 cups per day, it is recommended to hydrate frequently.
The garden also hosts several special events throughout the year. Some of these include the Las Noches de las Luminarias, which invites visitors to participate in family-friendly activities.
Orpheum Theatre
Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, the Orpheum Theatre has a long and storied history. It's not just the oldest theater in Phoenix, but the oldest theater in the state, period.
The Orpheum is also the oldest movie palace in the state. It opened in 1929. At that time, it was a movie palace that hosted the earliest forms of cinema, including talkies.
In 2004, the Orpheum received a landmark designation. A few years later, it reclaimed its name and reopened as a theater again. Today, it is a well-kept theater that's still used for shows, concerts, and other events. The theatre is owned by the City of Phoenix, and is operated by Phoenix Convention Center & Venues.
There are various tours to choose from at the Orpheum. Some of the tours are private, and others are available for free. However, there is a limit to the number of people who can take the free tours. For a private tour, you will have to make a reservation. A private tour typically requires at least three weeks advance notice.
Another good thing about the Orpheum is the $10 parking garage. The theatre also has a complimentary coat check, a downstairs bar, and a sound system that's above average for a theatre of its vintage.
Pueblo Grande Museum
Located on the site of an ancient Hohokam Indian village, Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park is one of the best places to visit in Phoenix. This archaeological site is a National Historic Landmark, and it's a fun educational day out for the whole family.
The museum features a variety of exhibits and displays that tell the story of the Hohokam. Visitors can see replicas of prehistoric housing structures and ballcourts, and learn about the lives of these ancient people. There's also a walking path that takes visitors through the site. Visitors can also enjoy workshops and special events.
The museum is open seven days a week. Visitors can explore the museum's collection of artifacts, ruins, and other archaeological sites. The museum is also open on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:45 p.m. The museum also hosts a Native Art & Rug Auction, and a Native Market. During these events, more than 250 Native American artisans sell their work.
The museum also features an interactive children's gallery. Children can use the interactive exhibits to learn about the lives of the Hohokam. Children can also participate in crafts and arts and crafts workshops. Pueblo Grande Museum also offers educational programs and special events for children and adults.
Castles N' Coasters amusement park
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Castles N' Coasters is an amusement park that offers a great experience for everyone in the family. The park features several rides and attractions, as well as four miniature golf courses. It is open year round and is ideal for families, children, and thrill seekers.
One of the main attractions of Castles N' Coasters is Desert Storm, which is a two-loop roller coaster that will take you through a logging town. There are many twists and turns in this ride. There are also loop-the-loops and vertical drops.
Another attraction is the Sky Diver, which is a 120-foot free-fall drop tower. It has two large drops and a circular track. The ride also features a logging town, native huts, and squirts.
Castles N' Coasters is one of the only family fun parks in the Phoenix area. The park features four miniature golf courses, a full arcade, and a variety of rides. The park is open year-round, with different hours depending on the season. There are also special events and school breaks that may affect the park's schedule.
The park is also stroller friendly. There are several snack bars and food stalls for guests to enjoy. The park has a wide variety of ticket options, as well. There are also seasonal passes that include unlimited rides for the entire day.
State Capitol Museum
Located in the historic state Capitol building in downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Capitol Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Arizona and Arizona's statehood. Various exhibits are displayed at the museum, focusing on the state's territorial history and political history.
Visitors can also find a number of exhibits and one-off events at the museum. A research library and gift shop are available. The museum also offers tours and workshops. The museum is open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The museum is closed on weekends and state holidays.
The museum also offers a store that sells Arizona-themed gifts. It's also worth noting that the museum is free to visit.
The museum has a number of exhibits on state symbols and political history. It also has an exhibit on the USS Arizona, a battleship that was sunk during a Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
The museum has a number of interesting features, including a big railway model. Visitors can also enjoy food items in the 1st Floor lounge.
The museum also has a large collection of musical instruments. There are over 15,000 instruments from around the world. The Musical Instrument Museum is a great place to visit if you're looking for a way to spend half a day learning about music culture.
Governor Hunt Tomb
Located in Papago Park, the Governor Hunt Tomb offers visitors an amazing panoramic view of eastern Phoenix. The tomb is a monument to the first governor of Arizona.
Hunt served as the governor of Arizona between 1912 and 1933. He was a supporter of women's suffrage and the abolition of child labor. Hunt also advocated for Arizona's right to use the Colorado River water.
Hunt's tomb is a white pyramid that contains the ashes of the governor. Hunt's wife, daughter, and parents are also buried here. The tomb is located on top of a large hill overlooking the Phoenix Zoo.
The tomb was completed in 1932. In 2008 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Phoenix Parks Department contributed $35,000 to the project.
Hunt's Tomb is a great place to visit for history buffs. The tomb is not didactic but rather an eye-catching monument that looks out over the area. The tomb is a short walk from downtown Phoenix.
Hunt's Tomb is located on a hill in Papago Park. The tomb is about 20 feet high and is covered with white tiles. The pyramid's exterior is cracked and chipped. It was repaired and a second layer of tile was added to protect it. The exterior door was replaced and casket shelves were improved. The interior of the tomb was also cleaned and repaired.