Location: Phoenix
Top Things to do in Phoenix
What to do and see in Phoenix, Arizona (AZ): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Nearly perfect year-round weather and several impeccably designed championship courses have made Phoenix one of the top golf destinations in the world. But there's more to this mild-mannered metropolis than pristine greens and tee times. The greater Phoenix area also offers visitors an array of impressive cultural attractions. Visit the internationally renowned Heard Museum for an in-depth look at Native American history or peruse the fine collection at the Phoenix Museum of Art. Enjoy a ballet performance at the ornate Orpheum Theater or or catch a concert at the state-of-the-art Comerica Theatre. In addition to golf, the city offers access to numerous outdoor endeavors including rock climbing, hot-air ballooning, desert jeep tours and more. Family-friendly attractions, first-rate shopping, dining and entertainment, and spectacular recreational activities make Phoenix a must-visit destination.
Restaurants in Phoenix
1. Phoenix Symphony
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By SDDPHOTO - Fountain Hills, United States
Guest artist Augustin Hadelich was brilliant playing Concerto in D major for violin and Orchestra Op. 61. It didn’t hurt that he was playing on a Stradivari violin. The audience was especially appreciative when he graciously played an encore piece that was both calming and magical. Originally from Cleveland Ohio I attended the Cleveland Orchestra from age 5. I’ve been in Arizona 35 years and had season tickets most of that time. Don’t miss a symphony performance if you are in town.
2. The Phoenix Theatre Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 158 reviews
The largest producing regional theatre company in the Arizona, The Phoenix Theatre Company offers more programs and experiences than any other. With nearly 500 performances on multiple stages and thriving education and outreach programs, we inspire more than 100,000 people every year.
Reviewed By 181heathere
Ten of us attended the Million Dollar Quartet show and loved the intimate theater where all of the seats are fabulous!! We were close to the stage and felt like were part of the cast.....enjoyed the story, music and cast that were all extremely energetic!! Parking was easy, no traffic getting in/out and nice bar set up. Will definitely go back.
3. Musical Instrument Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,330 reviews
The World's Only Global Musical Instrument Museum. Home of the MIM Music Theater--a 300-seat acoustically superb performance space--as well as the award-winning Café Allegro (open 11 am - 2 pm daily) and the MIM Museum Store. The average guest spends nearly four hours at MIM. Please allow plenty of time to fully enjoy MIM's galleries and exhibits. Open daily, 9 am - 5 pm; Closed Thanksgiving; Open Christmas, 11 am - 5 pm. General Admission: $20; Teens (ages 13-19): $15; Children (ages 4-12): $10; Children 3 and under: Free. Hours and prices are subject to change.
Reviewed By P1520TPandrewk
1. Expect to spend at least five hours or more! 2. Wear comfortable shoes! 3. Take your camera, phone charger etc.. 4. For Musicians, music lovers etc... 5. Bucket List Item 6. All styles of music represented 7. 777 Jackpot Rating! Go and see this place!
4. Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
The Jewish experience in Arizona is a unique one. Many Jews arrived in Arizona in the 19th century and played vital roles in the development of Arizona's mining industry, agriculture, and commerce which helped to settle the American West. Since then the Jewish population has become integrated into virtually every aspect of Arizona life. The AZJHS is dedicated to preserving local Jewish history, promoting awareness of our state's diverse history, and making local history accessible to all. Visitors to our newly renovated home, now called the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, can experience firsthand a bit of local history when they tour our 90 year old landmark historic building. Come explore our museum gallery, stay for one of our many fun, culturally rich programs, share a photograph with our archive, join our monthly book discussion group, or celebrate a special occasion in our beautiful sanctuary.
Reviewed By barbaracN4209MR - New River, United States
Catch the current exhibit at the Jewish Heritage Center, located in the first synagogue in Phoenix, and admire the restoration of the building.
5. Phoenix Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,059 reviews
Phoenix Art Museum has provided access to visual arts and educational programs in Arizona for more than 60 years and is the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. In addition to an annual calendar of exhibitions, Phoenix Art Museum’s permanent collection galleries are drawn from more than 19,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. Visitors also enjoy photography exhibitions through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. The Museum presents a variety of public programs year-round, including tours, lectures, films, special events, and more designed to enlighten, entertain and stimulate visitors of all ages. Voluntary-donation times every Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm and the first Friday of every month from 3 to 7 pm.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Established in 1959, the Phoenix Art Museum is the largest art museum for visual art in the Southwest United States. Located at 1625 North Central Avenue, it has 285,000 square feet of space and displays international exhibitions alongside its comprehensive collection of more than 18,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art and fashion design. The museum also features a 300-seat public theater, a research library, studio classroom facilities, a kids gallery, a museum store and a cafe. Not to mention the 40,0000-square-foot Bennett and Jacquie Dorrance Sculpture Garden. The art collection includes Claude Monet's Flowering Arches, painted at his home in Giverny, France, in 1913. Visitors can admire American paintings by Gilbert Stuart, Georgia O'Keeffe, Robert Henri, Sanford Gifford and Marsden Hartley, European paintings by Monet, Pablo Picasso, Ubertini, George Romney and Jean-Leon Gerome, contemporary art by Carlos Amorales and Yayoi Kusama and 20th century sculpture by Max Ernst, Hans Arp and Aristide Maillol. Another interesting feature is The Hub: The James K. Ballinger Interactive Gallery, an interactive space for children. Perhaps the most popular cultural attraction in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Phoenix Art Museum has hosted more than 400 exhibitions from all over the world, grown its collection to more than 18,000 works of art and been visited by millions of people in the last 60 years.
6. Chase Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,313 reviews
The home of the state's Major League Baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Reviewed By Pbuddy
Even if your aren’t a baseball fan put this on the list of things to do Great atmosphere, friendly environment and a beautiful stadium
7. Arizona Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Celebrating Arizona's vibrant cultural heritage through history! Housed in the restored Capitol Building, this museum presents programs and exhibits about the government of the Arizona Territory and the early days of statehood. Always FREE Admission Open: Monday through Friday 9am - 4pm
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
The people of Phoenix were happy. They had made the bill of rights at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Park. They put their rights on obelix's, with their rights. Everybody could look at at the obelix and get to know the rights. It seems it was great! Worthwhile to see!
8. Heard Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,899 reviews
The foremost showcase of Native American art and culture in the U.S., the Heard Museum reveals the cultures of tribes in the region through exhibits, demonstrations and live performances and displays the work of contemporary Native American artists. Artists demonstrate their work during the week and musicians perform on most weekends.
Reviewed By MsInformedALWAYS - Las Vegas, United States
This place was a real surprise, nice architecture, beautifully displayed/housed native America goods from clothes, baskets, paintings, and general artifacts in excellent condition. Very well laid out with a nice bookstore AND gift shop (a bit pricey) Most enjoyable visit and stands out above and beyond most I've seen (I'm a fan of native American indian works - I've been to a half dozen wonderful museums...)
9. Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 395 reviews
The world's largest firefighting museum chronicles the history of the profession and commemorates fallen firefighters.
Reviewed By Sheree1956
My husband and I spent the better part of the afternoon at this museum. Being from a paid to volunteer fire department family this place was absolutely wonderful. The total history of the fire fighting service, as well as, international fire history is found there. Just about all 50 states are represented whether it is a piece of equipment or a department patch. All aspects of the fire service is recognized from the cities to the smoke jumpers. The tribute room displays many photos and articles of heroes and fallen heroes, including the Granite Mountain Hotshots and the World Trade Center Port of Authority. The director, Chuck and Tim were very personable and enlightening as they both came from a paid fire department background. Highly recommend!!
10. Burton Barr Central Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
A library for the space age, this five-story cube of steel and glass is clad in ribbed copper sheeting and sunshine.
Reviewed By abqsage - Fort Myers, United States
An architect who recently visited this library told us how impressed he was with it, and encouraged us to visit, so we did- and we're glad we did. It's an amazing building with many special features. It's a tall building with a central atrium that goes to the ceiling, and glass elevator that connects the floors, A staircase that ascends over a large water feature, Poles which seem to support the ceiling, but actually leave a gap because it is a floating ceiling, special rooms for teens and children, and many study desks to accommodate hundreds of those reading and studying. There's a lot to see there, and it was so impressing to see hundreds of young people there reading books and studying. We're glad we stopped by and would encourage others to do the same.
