Top Rated Attractions in Phoenix

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.

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.

True to its name, FilmBar, showcases mostly indie films and it serves superb craft beers, wine and other spirits while you enjoy the flick. The micro-cinema space within the bar seats up to 70 and screens an interesting selection; from foreign and independent titles to cult classics and the work of local filmmakers. Tickets to the shows can be bought at the venue itself and members enjoy concessions and combos. For those coming in just to enjoy the bar, their range of drinks covers 25 different craft beers and a wonderful selection of wines. One other note, if you wish to continue the drinking after the film ends, the Angels Trumpet Ale House across the street is a beer lover's dream.

Founded in 1929 by Dwight B. and Marie Bartlett Heard, this museum houses tributes to American Indian art and culture. At the Heard Museum, permanent displays are showcased along with traveling exhibits displaying the rich heritage of the people. Home of approximately 40,000 artifacts, the museum has on display American Indian jewelry and more than four hundred Hopi katsina dolls. Heard Museum also has an exhibition that narrates the stories of Native Americans in 19th-century boarding schools.

Home to the Arizona Rattlers, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, this arena is located in downtown Phoenix. This facility that accommodates thousands of spectators not only hosts sporting events, but also concerts and boxing matches. Epic artists such as Frank Sinatra and Lady Gaga have performed here in the past. Nearby landmarks and entertainment opportunities include the Chase Field Stadium and the Arizona Center.