Scientific, hands-on and outdoor experiences for all ages
A day at the museum is arguably as timeless of an itinerary item as possible. From school-aged field trips to new discoveries for those who haven’t been in a classroom this century, these Tempe museums prompt the same — just slightly different — wonder and curiosity. The possibility is as vast or as limited as you can imagine them.
Of course, choosing what type of museum you’ll spend the day at is also key to tapping in to the level of entertainment or the depth of the history you’ll experience. Which is why we have the top Tempe museums organized as follows:
• Hands-On Museums
Bright, colorful environments that are great for all ages and especially inclusive of the little ones.
• Museums For Learning Local History
Deeper dives for tapping into what makes Tempe, Arizona and the Southwest region so unique.
• Arizona State University Museums
Routinely earning top rankings, ASU is a campus of innovation, exploration and experimentation … and art!
• Outdoor Museums
Flora, fauna and this landscape’s original inhabitants make for history-meets-present-day reflection and appreciation.
• Historic Houses-Turned-Museums
Preservation make these museums and their distinct architecture possible.
Hands-On Museums
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Explore the history of firefighting through exhibits that include restored fire trucks, fire gear and more. The collection, which dates back as far as 1725, includes items from around the world. The museum is also home to the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, a gallery dedicated to honoring firefighters who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The children’s play area and a real fire truck for hands-on learning are big hits with the little ones.
6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 602-275-3473
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona
Who doesn’t love playing with legos? Located inside Arizona Mills, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is where families with children ages 3 to 10 can enjoy a world of creativity, color and building fun in the ultimate indoor LEGO playground. Get hands-on with the thousands of LEGO bricks in themed build and play areas where kids’ imaginations can run wild with the endless possibilities that LEGO offers. Kids (and adults too) will be endlessly entertained by two LEGO rides, a 4D Cinema, massive, large-scale models, building areas and a Model Builder Academy.
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 877-526-3960
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Dive into SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium for all kinds of fishy fun! Located inside Arizona Mills, across from LEGOLAND Discovery Center, it’s the perfect outing for family fun. Discover thousands of creatures, walk through the amazing 360-degree ocean tunnel and marvel at 30 incredible displays.
5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 877-526-3960
Museums For Learning Local History
Arizona Heritage Center
Formerly known as the Arizona Historical Society Museum, the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park invites the entire family to explore the contemporary development of Arizona through exhibits, interactive installations, recreated landmarks and more. Learn about early settlements, life during World War II and the post-war housing boom, and even how the invention of air conditioning led to the development of metro Phoenix. And don’t miss the scale model of a copper mine as well as an up-close look at minerals and gems. Additionally, rotating exhibits and programming showcase the culture and diversity that makes the Southwest distinct.
1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-929-0292
Tempe History Museum
The past, present and future converge at the Tempe History Museum, which offers a glimpse into the evolution of the city through collections, exhibits and programs and curated gallery space. Four themed areas: Surviving the Desert, Building Our Community, College Town, and Living Together. Kids’ Place features a miniature Sun Devil Stadium, a police motorcycle and music from bygone eras. Featured exhibits rotate and the museum also hosts a variety of events and programming by season.
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Arizona State University Museums
ASU Art Museum
The largest of the museums on the ASU Tempe Campus, ASU Art Museum features rotating exhibits with national and international contemporary artists. The museum showcases contemporary art, especially art that makes a statement about our world today, created by regional, national and international artists — with a focus on Latin American art. It’s also home to the largest collection of Cuban art in the U.S. and an award-winning print collection. Art-making experiences for kids and families can be found on the museum’s website. Bonus: Museum admission is always free.
51 E. 10th St., Tempe, AZ 85281, Tempe, AZ 85287 | 480-965-2787
Gallery of Scientific Exploration
Another free museum on the ASU Tempe Campus is the Gallery of Scientific Exploration at the university’s School of Earth and Space Exploration. This gallery is dedicated to educating the public around earth and space with interactive displays, digital media and 3D planetarium shows (on a flat screen) in the Marston Exploration Theater. Entrance to the gallery is free; however, there is a small fee for Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon the shows at the theater.
781 E. Terrace Road, Tempe, AZ 85287 | 480-965-5081
Lunar Exploration Museum
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Operations Center (LROC) Visitor Gallery
Launch into space at the museum and gallery that offers a window into lunar exploration. Learn about America’s space program, the scientists who pushed lunar boundaries, and explore the moon through real-time imagery, history, videos and interactive kiosk. Visitors can expect to see new Moon images in the lobby, take a look at a visitor gallery with Moon rock, 3D image viewing, 3D puzzles, scavenger hunt for Moon data and the opportunity to draw your own mission patch.
Interdisciplinary A Building: 1100 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281
Mars Space Flight Facility
As part of the School of Earth and Space Exploration, scientists and researchers are using spacecraft instruments on Mars to explore the geology and mineralogy of the Red Planet. This research facility, which is housed in the Moeur Building on the ASU Tempe campus, features displays — including a full-size Mars Rover model — that are available to the public during normal business hours. Guided group tours (for up to 25) are also available.
Moeur Building: 201 E. Orange Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-965-1790
Outdoor Museums
Desert Botanical Garden
Can a museum be outside? Yes, when it is a living museum like the Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden has more than 50,000 plants from arid climates around the world including Sonoran Desert gems like Saguaro cactus, cholla and mesquite trees. The Garden hosts numerous events throughout the year that kids love such as the summertime Flashlight Tours, Butterfly Walks, the Chilies and Chocolate Festival and the Great Pumpkin Festival.
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 480-941-1225
S’edav Va’aki Museum
For a prehistoric look at the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People, known to archaeologists as the Hohokam, visit S’edav Va’aki Museum (formerly Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park), the only publicly accessible ancestral village site in the city. Begin your visit with an award-winning introductory video on the civilization that inhabited this village and browse galleries that explore the Hohokam culture. Then head outside to the trail that winds around the archeological site, including a platform mound, a ballcourt, and centuries-old irrigation canals as well as recreated dwellings.
4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 | 602-495-0901
Historic Houses-Turned-Museums
Tempe’s Historic Houses are closed May through September for maintenance and upkeep. For more information on events and docent-guided tours, visit the City of Tempe’s Historic Houses website.
Eisendrath House
This historic Pueblo Revival-style adobe house was designed by famed Arizona architect Robert Thomas Evans and commissioned by builder Rose Eisendrath and her family in 1930 — the residence is one of the finest remaining examples Evans’ skill and mastery of adobe architecture.
The mission of this majestic home is “to be a place where the community comes together to explore Tempe’s past, share its present and imagine its future.” As such, visitors will see some of the home’s original furnishings inside, as well as educational plaques, galleries about the history of water in Arizona and sustainability best practices for the future. Eisendrath sits atop 9 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert in Papago Park, and open houses take place on select spring and fall dates.
1400 N. College Ave., Tempe, AZ 85288 | 480-858-2202
Peterson House Museum
This 1892 home is the oldest Queen Anne Victorian brick residence still standing in the Salt River Valley. Once located in the Tempe countryside — now in the heart of the city — this historic residence-turned-museum stands as a reminder of our community’s past and the people who helped pave the way for future generations.
Petersen House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and received the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation in 1990. These days, the elegant home is open several times throughout year for scheduled tours, events, and public programs. Each spring, Petersen House Vintage Garden Party, hosted by Phoenix Vintage Society at Historic Petersen House takes place in March, and docent-guided tours are scheduled throughout April. Winter programming includes free, self-guided tours, light refreshments, entertainment and festive activities on pre-holiday weekends in December.
1414 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5151
