The Coolest Museums in Phoenix

From the Musical Instrument Museum to the Phoenix Art Museum, there’s something for everyone.

Arizona ’s museums are extremely underrated — from the nationally recognized Musical Instrument Museum to the state - of - the - art science center and the Phoenix Art Museum , which houses world renowned art , there ’s something for everyone . Whether you want to see historical piece of art , learn something new , or just see something beautiful — we have the perfect museum for you to research .

Musical Instrument Museum

North PhoenixThe Musical Instrument Museum ( MIM ) let you to see more than 8,000 instruments from 200 countries around the humankind — including historical instruments trifle by the likes of Elvis Presley , Johnny Cash , and Maroon 5 . you’re able to even visit the experience gallery to try your hand at a few instruments yourself . What to know before you go : The MIM is open 9 am to 5 premier daily . tag are $ 20 , with special exhibit entry cost an additional $ 7 .

Phoenix Art Museum

Downtown PhoenixThe Phoenix Art Museum offers nearly every kind of fine art you could imagine , with collections that include diachronic European whole works , Asiatic prowess date back 1000 of years , and more than 1,000 pieces of Latin American art . The museum also has an impressive lineup of exhibition , which presently includes Generation Paper : Fast Fashion of the 1960s ; And have It Remain So : adult female of the African Diaspora ; and Desert Rider . What to know before you go : Phoenix Art Museum is open Wednesday 10 am to 9 pm and Thursday through Sunday 10 am to 5 phase modulation . Every Wednesday from 3 am to 9 atomic number 61 first appearance is free , but donations are further . First Friday hour are from 3 pm to 9 pm Adult entrance fee is $ 23 if purchased online , $ 25 if buy at the museum .

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

Old Town ScottsdaleThe Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art ( SMoCA ) is the go - to for stunning modern and present-day art works in the Phoenix metro area . The small but mighty museum currently pop the question three display feature nontextual matter from Beverly Mclver , Brad Kahlhamer , and Teresa Baker . What to cognize before you go : The museum is open 11 am to 5 pm Wednesday , Friday , Saturday , and Sunday . It ’s also open Thursday 11 am to 7 pm . admission charge is $ 10 online and $ 12 for walk - ins .

Heard Museum

Downtown PhoenixThe Heard Museum has a near 100 - year history celebrating American Indian art , offering a variety of lasting and temporary exhibit . Right now , visitors can see Southwest silverwork dating back to the 1850s , gentle sculptures , and much more . The museum also puts on a variety of consequence , including the one-year Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market . What to know before you go : The museum is open 10 am to 4 pm , Tuesday through Sunday . grown admittance is $ 20 when tickets are purchased online , and $ 23 when purchased on site .

Arizona Science Center

Downtown PhoenixThe telling Arizona Science Center offer exhibit on everything from how the consistency works to the science of flight — all in a state - of - the - art facility . you could even make a trip to the science core an all - Clarence Day action , especially when you include sojourn to the five - story theater and the high-pitched - tech planetarium . What to know before you go : The Arizona Science Center is opened daily from 10:30 am to 4 promethium . Adult admission is $ 21.95 , with planetarium and theater requiring an additional fee .

Penske Racing Museum

PhoenixCar lovers will swoon over this museum , which showcases more than 50 years of racing history including Indianapolis 500 - air mile triumph winners , Brad Keselowski ’s 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship deliver the goods car and other memorabilia . The museum also houses the Turn 4 Café , which is open weekdays for lunch and dinner party . What to recognize before you go : The museum is exposed Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 postmortem .

Phoenix Art Museum