If you’re taking a trip to Scottsdale and want to experience the thought-provoking sights that the city has to offer, there’s a variety of museums within a convenient distance to Scottsdale Park Suites.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is conveniently located in Scottsdale’s Old Town district. SMoCA offers the most captivating modern and contemporary art, architecture and design, and there’s a wide variety of changing exhibits. This space features a “skyspace” called “Knight Rise at Sunset” by artist James Turrell. This is one of the few places in the world where people can come and experience the light and beauty of the night sky in location for public viewing.
In Phoenix, there is the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). MIM showcases more than 5,000 different instruments, including those used by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and John Lennon. The museum also hosts up to 200 shows a year featuring different musicians and singers.
If you’re interested in learning more about Arizona’s history, Western Spirit: Museum of the West might be the place to go. This museum opened in January 2015, and it’s a Smithsonian Affiliate. There are exhibits showcasing historic cowboy gear, pottery, Western fine art, historic posters and more housed in a contemporary 43,000 square foot building. Western Spirit is considered a favorite downtown destination due to its proximity to restaurants, art galleries and retail shop.
If you want to learn more about Native American culture, stop by the Heard Museum. Founded in 1929, it has grown greatly in size and reputation. This museum is dedicated to the advancement of Native American art, and this can be seen in their artifact displays and the stories presented from a first-person perspective.
The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park also highlights the culture of the Sonoran Desert or Hohokam people. Pueblo Grande features a 1,500-year-old archaeological site with a platform mound, a ballcourt, and centuries old irrigation canals. There are also three galleries to visit featuring a variety of artifacts from the Hohokam. This is the only publicly accessible ancestral village cite in the city.
If racing is more your speed, then Penske Racing Museum is worth visiting. They have a vast collection of cars, trophies and racing memorabilia on display. Penske Racing has over 40 years of racing experience and over 300 big race wins highlighted by 15 Indianapolis 500 victories.
Whether you’re interested in art, the West, Native American culture or racing, Scottsdale has a little bit for everyone. Book a room at Scottsdale Park Suites and immerse yourself in everything that the local museums have to offer!
