This is the fourth installment about Fabulous Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun. Today we'll discuss some of the incredible cultural attractions throughout the Valley.
We have some internationally-known institutions here. The most famous is probably the Heard Museum. Its full name is Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art. The Heard was founded in 1929 by Dwight and Maie Bartlett Heard. The museum specializes in heritage and living cultures and arts of Native peoples, with an emphasis on the peoples of the Southwest. Its main location is in Central Phoenix and it has opened two satellite locations in North Scottsdale and Surprise.
The Phoenix Art Museum's Collection includes 17,000 works of art that span the centuries and the globe. There
are galleries specifically dedicated to American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary, and Western American art, and fashion design. Not to be missed are the Thorne Miniature Rooms of historic interiors and the interactive children's gallery, ArtWorks. In addition to its collection, the museum hosts many temporary exhibits that have run from Impressionist, to modern glass and sculpture, to ancient civilization and modern architecture. The Museum is strong on art education and includes programs to get today's kids interested and understanding art. (We are witness to this as Adam's wife has gone through their docent led training for classroom volunteers. The kids soak it up!!)
The Heritage and Science Park in Downtown Phoenix houses three great museums. The most well-known is the Arizona Science Center. The museum delights kids of all ages with over 40,000 sq ft of gallery space including permanent and traveling exhibitions, the Dorrance Planetarium and an IMAX theatre. The other museums in the heritage and Science Park are:
Phoenix Museum of History which is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the early history of Phoenix. The museum features exhibits from the beginnings of the city as a small dusty town to sprawling metropolis of today.
Historic Heritage Square, also located inside Heritage & Science Park, is comprised of several beautifully-restored turn of the 20th century homes (including the 1895 Rosson House) and buildings located on what was part of the original Phoenix townsite during the late 1800s. The Rosson House is available for tours to see what a turn of the century home (of a well-to-do owner) was like.
Pueblo Grande Museum and Cultural Park - More than 1,000 years ago the Hohokam built the first irrigation system. This site is Phoenix's lone National Historic Landmark. The ancient cultures of the prehistoric Hohokam residents who lived, farmed and prospered for centuries are displayed here.
There are many other smaller but great museums throughout the Valley of the Sun including: Shemer Art Center and Museum, Hall of Flame firefighting Museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Historical Museum and many more. Art is not just for the bigger museums. Scottsdale is renowned for its large number of art galleries. Phoenix is growing in that respect as well. There is a growing arts community in downtown Phoenix, and a monthly art walk called First Fridays that brings huge crowds every time.
The Phoenix area is home to some beautiful parks as well.
The Desert Botanical Garden is nestled amid the red buttes of Papago Park, and
hosts one of the world's finest collections of desert plants. It is one of only 44
botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums.
Papago Park is home to awesome etched sandstone buttes and provides family hiking, mountain biking and climbing trails. The park is bordered by Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Located on 125 acres within the confines of Papago Park is the Phoenix Zoo. The zoo is the largest non-profit zoo in the country and was rated one of the Top 5 zoos for kids.
Camelback Mountain is not only a Phoenix landmark, but also a popular hiking and climbing destination. The summit of Camelback Mountain is at 2,704 feet above sea level and provides breathtaking views of the entire Phoenix area. These trails are really not for the beginner.
The Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area and Dreamy Draw Park are gateways to the base of 2,608-foot Piestewa Peak in the middle of Phoenix. This peak provides a variety of hiking choices from beginner on up.
South Mountain Park is just what it says. It is south of the downtown area. At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is often referred to as the largest municipal park in the country. It boasts 51 miles of primary trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking for all ability levels and skills.
Scottsdale has the beautiful McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This park is still growing and the goal is to eventually have over 36,000 acres dedicated to the park. This is equivalent to 1/3 of Scottsdale's total land area.
There are dozens of recreational facilities throughout the valley providing residents with opportunities for swimming, ball fields and more. There are miles of bike paths snaking through the valley for those who prefer the two-wheeled approach to quiet touring.
Phoenix Arizona and the Valley of the Sun - A GREAT place to live
Phoenix Arizona and the Valley of the Sun - A GREAT place to live P.2
Phoenix Arizona and the Valley of the Sun - Pt.3 Sports
Adam Tarr and Sharon Kotula, RE/MAX Excalibur
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