Music lovers should head to the Musical Instrument Museum which has a collection of 15,000 musical instruments as well as multimedia exhibits. The collection of musical instruments comes from every corner of the world. Many so strange, they are exhibited along with an instructional video. Visitors get the opportunity to learn diverse music styles that exist around the globe. The museum also has live performances held at its theater.
Located close to the city of Scottsdale, the Camelback Mountain watches over Phoenix, Arizona's sweeping semi-arid plains from a spectacular elevation of nearly 1,400 feet (426.72 meters). The mountain gets its name from the resemblance it bears to the unmistakable shape of a camel's hump. The north trailhead offers views of red cliffs rising 200 feet (61 meters) in some areas, beckoning rock climbers with its challenges. Antelope squirrels, lizards, and snakes are the landscape's most widely-spread inhabitants. The Praying Monk red sandstone formation is arguably the site's most noticeable sight.
If you are in Phoenix and enjoy going on easy treks, then Papago Park is the place for you. With its sandstone buttes, marked paths and slight elevation, it is perfect for family hiking trips and there are plenty of easy mountain bike paths. The most notable attraction of the park is the hole in the rock formation, which formed over thousands of years most likely from water erosion. For the more adventurous, visitors can climb the face of the rock for an unparalleled view of Phoenix. Additionally, the park is close to famous attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo.
Located in the Phoenix Convention Center, the Orpheum Theater is one of the oldest historic venues in the city. Built in 1929, the Spanish Baroque-style building underwent major transformation after its purchase by the city of Phoenix in 1984. The theater reopened in January 1997 and continually hosts performances. The building itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue seats 1,364 and is used for performing arts and touring productions featuring dance, theater, and music concerts.
The Desert Botanical Garden was opened in 1939 to preserve the area's pristine desert environment. Today, the garden helps save endangered plants, with the focus still on native flora and special emphasis on succulents. The cactus collection is world-renowned and between the months of March through May, the seasonal blooms are spectacular. The garden hosts several events throughout the year, some of which include the popular 'Butterfly Habitat' during the spring and the 'Luminarias' during the holiday season. If you come during the summer months, don't forget your hat and sunscreen!
One of the largest in the Southwest, the Phoenix Art Museum includes a staggering collection of exhibits from the world over. Permanent displays in this facility include miniature interiors as well as 20th-century art. Featured pieces cover contemporary art and fashion design with international exhibits from Europe, Asia, Latin America as well as Western America. Interactive, hands-on activities are featured for kids at the PhxArtKids space. Traveling displays are often included in the museum's highlights. Exhibits include popular works by Ubertini, Nicolas Lepicie, Max Beckmann, Robert Henri, Eugène Boudin and many more.
Since 1982, this gallery has provided the Scottsdale area with an outstanding selection of Native American Art. This long-standing standard of excellence made way for the new on-line service. A piece of art can be at your door within days. Exhibiting renowned artists in pueblo pottery, Zuni fetishes, Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry, each year highlighting well-known and up-and-coming artists. Take time to browse and cultivate your taste for this unique and historic art. Year-round on Thursday nights you may browse the Art Walk where many galleries remain open until 9p. See website for online galleries and events calendar.
Arizona Buddhist Temple carries the distinction of being the oldest Buddhist temple in the state. Built in the 1930s, it was closed for a time during World War II, then ravaged by fire and rebuilt in 1961. Affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America and Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, the temple is open to all people to hear the Dharma together as one family. This is in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and Shinran Shonin. Educational programs include teachings of Buddhism for Pre-K through high school, as well as adults. Credit cards are not accepted.
This shop brings home fresh style with prints from artists of very diverse styles. You'll find thoughtful, appealing stills and panoramas from Dave Wilson, beautiful landscapes of Isabelle Hall and and Julie Gilbert Pollard and thought invoking abstract work of Linda Pullinsi. Other featured art includes the famous work of Robert Hilton, Pat Kofahl, and Louis Mason. More than 2,000 frame styles are offered to preserve your beautiful choice.
Started by Bill Faust, Faust Gallery is one of the city's leading art galleries and features the work of up coming and well known Native American artists. The gallery showcases a wide selection of work including contemporary and historic. The list of displays is wide and includes sculptures, jewelry, pottery, blankets, rugs, katsinas, baskets, beadwork, and paintings.
Gebert Contemporary gallery is an affiliate of the Gebert Contemporary that was started in Santa Fe as Chiaroscuro Gallery by the Gebert Family. The Scottsdale gallery started in 2001 as the Chiaroscuro Gallery and was renamed as Gebert Contemporary in 2008. The displays at Gebert are mostly contemporary abstract paintings and sculptures. They also showcase the work of well known artists, who are mid career or well established. Exhibitions of artists from all over the world are also held here and include those from China, Austria, Germany, Nicaragua, Spain, Mexico and Poland.
The Riva Yares Gallery was established in 1964, with locations in Scottsdale and Santa Fe. The gallery showcases the works of international and local artists and exhibits are museum-level modern and contemporary. This huge gallery with more than 15,000 square feet (1393.54 square meters) of space, is one of the oldest contemporary art galleries in the regions. More than 50 artists have showcased their work here. The gallery also publishes catalogs and books that document solo-exhibitions including critical essays, biographies and color reproduction.