Discover the Best Museums in Greater Phoenix

Out here, in the scorching desert of southwestern USA, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Phoenix was a little parched when it came to cultural institutions. However, the opposite is true. Boasting some of the state’s best museums, plus many more besides, Arizona’s capital and the greater region is a flourishing oasis of world-class art, Indigenous history, authentic American West memorabilia, and real-life dinosaurs.

Here are the 12 best museums to visit in the Greater Phoenix area.

Experience Native American Art at the Heard Museum

This internationally acclaimed museum in Midtown is one of the best places in the world to learn about Southwest American Indian art and culture. A celebration of Arizona’s 22 sovereign tribal nations, there are more than 40,000 objects on display across 12 exhibition galleries, including 1,200 Hopi katsina dolls, Southwestern ceramics, and delicate Navajo textiles.

Hear Music from Around the World at the Musical Instrument Museum

This wonderful five-gallery space is home to the largest collection of musical instruments in the world. There are more than 8,000 on display, ranging from Stratocaster guitars to Japanese shō (mouth organ), with a working conservation laboratory, which allows visitors to see how older instruments are cleaned and restored.

Instruments from more than 200 countries feature, making it just as likely to see Scottish bagpipes as tam-tam, slit drums made in Vanuatu. Moreover, the Musical Instrument Museum’s special exhibitions often showcase culturally significant instruments like a Mayan shell trumpet. Its interactive exhibits allow guests to hear some instruments and see live demonstrations.

Admire Works from O’Keeffe to Kahlo at the Phoenix Art Museum

Designed in the 1950s by Alden B. Dow and Blaine Drake, this vast modernist space is the largest art museum in the southwestern USA. The size of nearly five football fields, it houses masterpieces from the Renaissance period to today, including works by Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Frida Kahlo. However, it’s perhaps Philip C. Curtis who leaves the most lasting impression with his magical interpretations of the desert landscape.

With over 20,000 objects on display, visitors will need at least three hours for a full experience. Look for contemporary works by Kehinde Wiley and Yayoi Kusama alongside Anish Kapoor’s intriguing Upside Down / Inside Out.

Explore Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Winter Home

With construction beginning in 1938, Taliesin West was the winter home of the revered architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Made from materials Wright referred to as “desert masonry,” the home also served as his architectural laboratory. Consequently, guided and self-guided tours are available, and the six-sided cabaret theater stands out as one of his finest architectural achievements.

Let the Kids Run Wild at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Dens! Blocks! Crafts! Messy play! For those age 10 years or younger, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix serves as a playground of imagination. With three floors of hands-on activities, climbing frames, and sensory-rich shapes in the Texture Cafe, this space will engage even the most energetic little ones.

Discover Indigenous History at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park

Home to the largest preserved archaeological site in Phoenix, this museum offers insight into how the Hohokam people built homes and created a complex irrigation network. The Main Gallery showcases their artistry and agricultural innovations, while the outdoor trail leads to ruins thought to have been used for astronomical observations.

Go Dinosaur Hunting at the Arizona Museum of Natural History

This vast museum provides a sweeping overview of the natural history of Southwestern US, featuring everything from Tyrannosaurus bataar skeletons to artifacts of the Indigenous Hohokam people. Visitors can also admire external sculptures and displays about the Spanish conquistadors who arrived in the 16th century.

Go Up in a Warbird at the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum

Located in Mesa, to the east of Phoenix, the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum offers more than your average aviation collection. Visitors can experience flying in several authentic WWII warbirds, including B-17G Flying Fortress and B-25J Mitchell, while also enjoying exhibitions on historic aviation.

Don Your Lab Coat at the Arizona Science Center

Designed by architect Antoine Predock, the Arizona Science Center features an almost infinite number of interactive displays highlighting the scientific process. From planetariums to electromagnetism workshops, this center thrills visitors of all ages.

Dip into the Modern Art Scene at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

Affectionately known as SMoCA, this museum in downtown Scottsdale celebrates modern art, architecture, and design through rotating exhibitions. The former movie theater turned gallery also hosts a variety of events, including film screenings and workshops.

Admire Victorian-era Architecture at the Rosson House Museum

Accessible only via guided tour, this Queen-Anne-style Victorian house, built in 1895, features intricate restorations that transport visitors back to life in the early 20th century. Part of the Heritage Square and Science Park, it showcases architectural styles beloved by affluent families of the time.

Chandler Museum

A 25-minute drive southwest of Phoenix, the Chandler Museum explores the history of the city and surrounding region. With a reputation for traveling cultural exhibitions, the museum also hosts lectures and activities for all ages, making it a well-rounded destination.