With the record-breaking summer temperatures, everyone is looking for something to do, preferably indoors where it’s cool. Bowling, trivia nights, karaoke, roller skating, and game nights with friends are more popular than ever, but you can also check out some of the several fantastic museums we have right here in the Valley! Here are a few of my favorites:
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art – The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is the go-to for stunning modern art works in Phoenix. The small but mighty museum currently offers three exhibits featuring art from Beverly Mclver, Brad Kahlhamer, and Teresa Baker. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, from the end of this month to September 21st admission is pay what you wish. Located right in the middle of Scottsdale’s Civic Center, enjoy a delicious cocktail and food afterward at AZ88 next door, an east Valley staple from the same owners as Hanny’s downtown.
The Heard Museum – The Heard Museum has a nearly 100-year history celebrating American Indian art, offering a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits. Right now, visitors can see Southwest silver work dating back to the 1850s, soft sculptures, and much more. This beautiful building and museum is an absolute must if you are visiting or live in Arizona, right along Central Avenue (Save on gas and ride the light rail–there’s a stop directly across from The Heard!) in Midtown Phoenix.
Arizona Science Center – The impressive Arizona Science Center offers exhibits on everything from how the body works to the science of flight all in a state-of-the-art facility. You can even make a trip to the science center an all-day activity, especially when you include visits to the five-story theater and the high-tech planetarium. This is a perfect day activity for kids with plenty of hands-on exhibits and activities.
MIM/Musical Instrument Museum – Maybe the coolest museum here in Phoenix and one many people still don’t know about is the MIM, home to a collection of more than 7,500 instruments from more than 200 worlds and countries. Through state of the art, interactive media, guests can see the instruments, hear their sounds, and observe them being played in their original context. The museum also has a beautiful, incredible sounding indoor music ampitheater, which presents a wide variety of concerts from around the world, ranging from jazz to classical, bluegrass to a turntablist DJ puppet show.
-Jada