Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
438
1625 N. Central Ave. (at McDowell Rd.).
&
602/257-1222.
www.phxart.org. Admission $10 adults, $8
seniors and students, $4 children 6-17; free for children 5 and under; free for all on Tues 3-9pm and first
Fri of each month 6-10pm. Tues 10am-9pm; Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (also 6-10pm on first Fri of each
month). Closed major holidays. Bus: 0. METRO light rail: McDowell Rd./Central Ave.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Scottsdale may be obsessed
with art featuring lonesome cowboys and solemn Indians, but this boldly designed
museum makes it clear that patrons of contemporary art are also welcome here. Cutting-
edge art, from the abstract to the absurd, fills the galleries, with exhibits rotating every
few months. Don't miss James Turrell's skyspace
Knight Rise,
which is accessed from a
patio off the museum shop and can be visited for free. By the way, the museum shop is
full of beautiful items that will fit in your suitcase.
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale.
&
480/994-ARTS
[2787]. www.smoca.org. Admission $7 adults, $5 stu-
dents, free for children 14 and under; free for all on Thurs. Sept 1-May 27 Tues-Wed and Fri-Sat 10am-
5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Sun noon-5pm; June-Aug Wed noon-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat
10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. Closed major holidays. Bus: 41, 50, or 72. Also accessible via Scottsdale Trol-
ley shuttle bus.
HISTORY MUSEUMS & HISTORIC LANDMARKS
Arizona Capitol Museum
In the years before Arizona became a state, the territo-
rial capital moved from Prescott to Tucson, then back to Prescott, before finally settling
in Phoenix. In 1898, a stately territorial capitol building was erected (with a copper roof
to remind the local citizenry of the importance of that metal in the Arizona economy).
Atop this copper roof was placed the statue
Winged Victory,
which still graces the old
capitol building today. This building no longer serves as the actual state capitol, but has
been restored to the way it appeared in 1912, the year Arizona became a state. Among
the rooms on view are the senate and house chambers, as well as the governor's office.
Exhibits provide interesting perspectives on early Arizona events and lifestyles. There are
free guided tours Monday through Friday at 10am and 2pm.
1700 W. Washington St.
&
602/926-3620.
www.lib.az.us/museum. Free admission. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm;
Sat 11am-4pm. Closed state holidays. Bus: 1 or DASH downtown shuttle.
Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park
This museum, at the
headquarters of the Arizona Historical Society, focuses its well-designed exhibits on the
history of central Arizona. Temporary exhibits on the lives and works of the people who
helped shape this region are always the highlights of a visit. An interesting permanent
exhibit features life-size statues of everyday people from Arizona's past (a Mexican miner,
a Chinese laborer, and so on). Quotes relate their individual stories, while props reveal
what items they might have needed during their days in the desert.
1300 N. College Ave. (just off Curry Rd.), Tempe.
&
480/929-9499.
www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org.
Admission $5 adults, $4 seniors and students 12-18, free for children 11 and under; free on 1st Sat of
each month. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun noon-4pm. Bus: 66.
13
Historic Heritage Square
The city of Phoenix was founded in 1870, but today few
of the city's early homes remain. However, if you have an appreciation for old houses and
want a glimpse of how Phoenix once looked, stroll around this collection of historic
homes, which stand on the original town site. All of the buildings are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, and although most are modest buildings from the
early 20th century, one impressive Victorian home was built in 1895. Today, the build-
ings house museums, restaurants, and gift shops. The Eastlake Victorian Rosson House,
furnished with period antiques, is open for tours. The Stevens House features the Arizona
