Things To Do
Desert Botanical Garden
Discover the tranquil vibrancy of desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes. Visitors can stroll through five thematic trails to explore the fascinating beauty of the Sonoran Desert, from towering cacti and alluring succulents to brilliant wildflowers and lush trees. Scroll through the Gardens calendar so not to miss festive events and dazzling exhibitions.
Heard Museum
The internationally acclaimed Heard Museum is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of Native Americans of the Southwest. With a commanding presence on Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix, the museum hosts nearly 250,000 visitors a year and " provides Indian artists with a wonderful home that will excite and inspire visitors from around the world." according to Arizona Highways, October 1999. The museum's 10 spacious exhibit galleries and beautiful outdoor courtyards feature outstanding traditional and contemporary Native American art.
OdySea Aquarium
OdySea Aquarium, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is one of America’s largest aquariums and has won numerous awards including Best Kids Indoor Entertainment and Best Family Entertainment. This state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and offers educational, interactive, and entertaining experiences for guests of all ages. From sharks, sea turtles, and penguins to otters and rays, it is home to more than 6,000 animals. Highlights include SeaTREK™ underwater ocean walking, a submerged escalator that descends into the deep ocean, one of the largest collections of sharks in the country, a Giant Pacific Octopus, and the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit. OdySea is also home to Voyager, a stadium-seating style theater with 46 ft. viewing windows that takes guests on a journey through the ocean in the world’s only revolving aquarium.
Organ Stop Pizza
Home of the Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ!! Each night in Mesa, Arizona, the largest theater pipe organ ever created rises above the audience on an 8,000-pound rotating hydraulic elevator to sit 10 feet above the 700-seat dining room. The organ has 1,074 keys, buttons, and switches linked to a series of xylophones, glockenspiels, gongs, and cymbals to create the sound of a full orchestra. Nightly shows also include dancing marionette cats, disco balls and spectacular light shows.
Phoenix Art Museum
Since it opened in 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has become the largest art museum in the southwestern United States providing access to visual arts and educational programs in Arizona. In the past 60 years, millions have visited the museum to view hundreds of national and international exhibitions it has hosted. These are shown alongside Phoenix Art Museum's collection that has grown to more than 20,000 objects of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, photography, and fashion design. The museum hosts photography exhibitions through its landmark partnership with The University of Arizona's Center for Creative Photography in Tucson. Visitors can also enjoy robust programming, films, lectures, and more, and the lush Dorrance Sculpture Garden.
Phoenix Zoo
Outdoor adventures. Lifelong memories. That’s Zoo We Are! Since 1962, the Phoenix Zoo has inspired and motivated guests from across the world to care for the natural world. Nestled on 125 acres within beautiful Papago Park the Zoo is a wondrous place of curiosity, imagination and discovery. Featuring over 3,000 animals, including Bornean orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, Masai giraffes and many more — it is like no other place in the Valley! With outdoor cafés, shops, lush gardens, water landscapes and exciting up-close animal encounters like Stingray Bay, your visit will be memorable for the entire family. Other not to be missed activities include the Safari Cruiser and Endangered Species Carousel. As a non-profit, the Zoo relies solely on admissions, memberships, donations and sponsorships to continue conservation initiatives, educational programs and the care of our animals. So join us today and help support this unforgettable Valley gem!