Top 4 Attractions to See In Phoenix
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I just got back from driving to Arizona from Los Angeles for the Thanksgiving holiday. Just traveling briefly through Phoenix, I was super impressed with all that it has to offer and can’t wait to go back with more time and explore! So, let me tell you a little bit about Phoenix itself and what is on the list of attractions for my next trip that are “can’t miss” locations.
Phoenix, Arizona has been rapidly growing for a wide variety of reasons which I wasn’t aware of until now. First, the climate in Phoenix is absolutely gorgeous, making it a great place to live in let alone visit. The air is crisp and the skies are clear. It is basically warm all year round, meaning residents can avoid the brutally cold winters that locations like the Northeast and Midwest may have to endure. But if you want snow and something a bit cooler for the holidays, you just travel about an hour or so in a different direction and tada! So, it is like the best of all situations. The local economy of Phoenix has been doing quite well in recent years and has drawn a lot of transplants from other states. New and hip businesses are opening up, providing new products and services to local residents that are more progressive than in recent years. These new and expanding businesses have created a multitude of jobs that have been attracting new residents; I, personally, have four friends that have just bought homes there. They say that they love the lifestyle. What is the lifestyle? The biggest reason for Phoenix’s recent growth is the multitude of great attractions that are in and around the city. Some of these attractions are truly remarkable and really separate themselves from the pack.
So, here are the top four attractions to see in the Phoenix area.
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If you love nature and plants, then the Desert Botanical Garden is the perfect Phoenix destination for you. The area is 140 acres and is filled with all kinds of desert plant life. This area of Phoenix real estate is home to over 50,000 plants, meaning that there is surely something for all plant lovers to enjoy. The attraction’s collection of plants ranges from local sights like cacti to more exotic flowers. The Garden also has other nature-related events too, such as their “Mighty Monarchs” event that celebrates the monarch butterflies returning to the garden. In addition to what the garden has on display, there are also specialized tours and lectures for visitors to enjoy. There are also a wide variety of events that the area hosts, ranging from concerts to art exhibits. If you love nature and the arts, then the Desert Botanical Garden is the perfect attraction for you to visit. Plan for the day. Pick up a trail guide at the garden and don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, bottled water and comfortable walking shoes.
ADMISSION
General Admission | $24.95 – $29.95
Youth 3 – 17 | $12.95 – $14.95
Children under 3 – FREE
Members – FREE
Active Military Personnel – FREE (with valid government ID for General Admission only)
*General Admission does not include special events or exhibitions.
CURRENT HOURS FOR GENERAL ADMISSION
Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Garden opens an hour early Wednesdays and Sundays for members. (7 a.m.)
EARLY CLOSURES
Nov. 29 – 30, 2019; Dec. 6 – 8, 13 – 15, 17 – 24, 26 – 31, 2019:
Garden closes at 4 p.m., last general admission at 3 p.m.
Feb. 21, 2020: Closes at 3 p.m., last general admission at 2 p.m.
March 27, 2020: Closes at 3 p.m., last general admission at 2 p.m.
April 25, 2020: Closes at noon, last general admission at 11 a.m.
If you’re a person who loves to go outdoors and hike, then you’ll love visiting Camelback Mountain. The attraction is a mountain located near Phoenix, and it bears a close resemblance to a camel. Well…kind of. You get it. The mountain is an important natural landmark in the area, and it is an extremely popular destination as it is noted as one of the nation’s most desirable hiking spots. Thousands of people flock to Camelback Mountain each year to hike, camp, and rock climb. The area is also a great place for running and biking. This is the perfect attraction to visit if you want to take advantage of the beautiful Phoenix weather and do some outdoor activities. The mountain is home to several trails that are labeled as “difficult” and “intensive”, meaning that experienced hikers and outdoorsmen will be especially at home at this attraction. Take precautions if you are not experienced, of course. The trail offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area, meaning the attraction may be worth a visit even if you’re not big into outdoor activities. Trailhead hours are Sunrise to Sunset.
The Heard Museum is a truly great concept that represents what Phoenix is all about. The attraction is a non-profit museum that primarily focuses on displaying the art of Native Americans. The museum also has several displays and presentations that can educate visitors on Native American history and culture. Native American artists directly collaborate with museum officials, ensuring that they have a place to display their art. This is a great attraction because it shows off a little bit of the history of the Phoenix area, as well as the culture of the people who originally inhabited it. People who love art, history, and cultures will especially enjoy this attraction.
Museum Galleries Hours
Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. First Friday of each Month (except March) 6 p.m to 10 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: The Heard Museum, the Heard Museum Shop, Books & More and the Courtyard Café are open 361 days a year – every day except Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Museum Admission Prices for admission and events are subject to change.
These prices do not reflect special event ticket prices, such as for the Hoop Dance Championship or the Indian Fair.
Heard Museum Members FREE
Adults $25
Seniors (65+) $15
Students (college with I.D.) $9
Children 6-17 years $9
Children 5 years and younger FREE
American Indians (with tribal I.D.) FREE
First Fridays Free general admission each first Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. except March (specially ticketed exhibitions/events are extra)
The Musical Instrument Museum was opened less than a decade ago but has quickly become one of the premier attractions to see in Phoenix. As the name implies, the museum is all about musical instruments and the music they create. The museum has several thousand display pieces, making it the perfect place for music lovers. In addition, the museum has instruments from around the entire globe. These instruments can be quite old, and may even date back to an area’s indigenous people. Due to this, this museum is also a great place for those that love history and studying culture. Overall there is great educational value to be gained from visiting this museum, something that makes it a great attraction to visit.
MIM displays more than 7,000 instruments collected from around 200 of the world’s countries and territories. Most displays are enhanced by state-of-the-art audio and video technologies that allow guests to see the instruments, hear their sounds, and observe them being played in their original contexts—performances that are often as spectacular as the instruments themselves. What’s more, all guests are invited to play instruments from around the world in the Experience Gallery. They can also see instruments from music icons such as Elvis Presley®, Johnny Cash, Pablo Casals, Buddy Rich, “King” Sunny Adé, Clara Rockmore, Maroon 5, and many more in the Artist Gallery.
HOURS & ADMISSION
Open Daily | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Christmas Day | 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
1-Day Pass Members | Free
General | $20
Teens (ages 13–19) | $15
Children (ages 4–12) | $10
Children (ages 3 and under) | Free
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