Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
435
second Sat of each month). Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students,
and free for children 5 and under.
2301 N. Central Ave.
&
602/252-8848.
www.heard.org. Admission $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 students,
$3 children 6-12. Daily 9:30am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Bus: 0. METRO light rail: Encanto Blvd./
Central Ave.
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
Located near Sky Harbor
Airport and downtown Phoenix, the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
houses the ruins of an ancient Hohokam village that was one of several villages along the
Salt River between a.d. 300 and 1400. Sometime around 1450, this and other villages
were mysteriously abandoned. Some speculate that drought and a buildup of salts from
irrigation water reduced the fertility of the soil and forced the people to seek more fertile
lands. The small museum here displays many of the artifacts that have been dug up at
the site. Although these exhibits are actually more interesting than the ruins themselves,
some furnished replicas of Hohokam-style houses give a good idea of how the Hohokam
lived. The museum sponsors interesting workshops (some just for kids), demonstrations,
and tours (including petroglyph hikes). The
Pueblo Grande Indian Market
in mid-
December features more than 300 Native American artisans.
4619 E. Washington St. (btw. 44th and 48th sts.).
&
877/706-4408
or 602/495-0901. www.pueblogrande.
com. Admission $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children 6-17. Oct-Apr Mon-Sat 9am-4:45pm, Sun 1-4:45pm;
May-Sept Tues-Sat 9am-4:45pm. Closed major holidays. Bus: 1. METRO light rail: 44th St./Washington St.
ART MUSEUMS
Arizona State University Art Museum at Nelson Fine Arts Center
Although it isn't very large, this museum is memorable for its innovative architecture and
excellent temporary exhibitions. With its colorful stucco facade and pyramidal shape, the
stark, angular building conjures up images of sunsets on desert mountains. The entrance
is down a flight of stairs that leads to a cool underground garden area. Inside are galleries
for crafts, prints, contemporary art, and Latin American art, along with outdoor sculp-
ture courts and a gift shop. The collection of American art includes works by Georgia
O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and John James Audubon. It's definitely a must for both art
and architecture fans. Across the street is the
Ceramics Research Center,
10th Street and
Mill Avenue (
&
480/965-2787
), a gallery that showcases the university's extensive col-
lection of fine-art ceramics. The latter gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from
11am to 5pm.
10th St. and Mill Ave., Tempe.
&
480/965-2787.
asuartmuseum.asu.edu. Free admission. Tues 11am-
8pm (11am-5pm in summer); Wed-Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 1-5pm. Closed major holidays. Bus: 66. METRO
light rail: Mill Ave./Third St.
13
Phoenix Art Museum
This is one of the largest art museums in the Southwest,
and within its labyrinth of halls and galleries is a respectable collection that spans the
major artistic movements from the Renaissance to the present. Exhibits cover decorative
arts, historical fashions, Spanish colonial furnishings and religious art, and, of course,
works by members of the Cowboy Artists of America. The collection of modern and
contemporary art is particularly good, with works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Pablo
Picasso, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Georgia O'Keeffe, Henri Rousseau, and
Auguste Rodin. The popular Thorne Miniature Collection consists of tiny rooms on a
scale of 1 inch to 1 foot. Because this museum is so large, it frequently mounts traveling
blockbuster exhibits. The cafe here is a good spot for lunch.
