museums

ARIZONA RAILWAY MUSEUM
Various train cars and locomotives are located in a two block city park at 399 N. Delaware St. in Chandler. The museum building, open on Sat-Sun 12-4 houses railroad artifacts. 480-821-1108.

ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER
The museum features a planetarium, an Iwerks bigscreen theater, and such hands-on exhibits as psychological brain-teasers, a do-it-yourself flood plain, remote-controlled hot-air balloons and a passenger cabin of an American West airline. 600 E. Washington in downtown Phx. 602-716-2000.

ARIZONA SONORAN DESERT MUSEUM
Features living animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert region. Located at 2021 N. Kinney Rd. in Tucson. Daily. 520- 883-1380.

ARIZONA STATE CAPITOL MUSEUM
Located in a building built in 1889 to house the Arizona Territorial Government, it offers visitors a look at government offices as they appeared in the early 1890’s. This restored building served as the territorial capital from 1900 to 1912. Located at 17th Ave. & Washington in downtown Phoenix, Open 8-5 M-F. 602-542-4675.

CAVE CREEK MUSEUM
Features exhibits of the history of the Foothill communities including Indian artifacts, a restored church and the 1920’s “TB Cabin” where tuberculosis patients came to stay. Located at 6140 E. Skyline Drive. Cave Creek. 480-488-2764.

DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM
Exhibits include ancient and contemporary Native American works, period rooms, minerals and gems and Western art. At 21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg, the museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Sat, and 1-4 p.m. Sun. (928) 684-2272.

HALL OF FLAME MUSEUM
The world’s largest museum of firefighting exhibits over 100 pieces of fire apparatus from all over the world, dating from 1725 to 1961. Located in Phoenix Papago Park at 6101 E. Van Buren St. Open Mon-Sat 9-5; Sun 12- 4. Tours daily at 2 pm. 602-275-3473.

THE HEARD MUSEUM
Changing and permanent displays relating to the Native American culture are showcased at 2301 N. Central in Phoenix. 602-252-8840. Clothing, jewelry, kachina dolls, paintings, graphics and sculptures are on display. Hours are 9:30-5 Sunday - Saturday.

HOUSE OF BROADCASTING, INC.
The museum, dedicated to preserving Arizona's broadcasting history, owns more than 2,000 historical items from the states radio and television stations. Snapshots of well - knowns who visited Valley media outlets such as: Jackie Gleason Wayne Newton, George Bush, Ronald Reagan and Jack Kennedy are just a few! For donations call (602) 944-1997. Open 10am to 5pm daily. Located at 7150 E. 5th Ave. on the second floor.

PHOENIX ART MUSEUM
This 160,000 sq. ft. facility is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. Its collection of more than 13,000 artworks emphasizes American art; European art; Western American art; Spanish Colonial art; Asian art; and 18-20th century fashion design. Admission fee is $7 for adults; $5 for senior citizens and full time students, $2 children 6-18 years old, free to Museum members and children under 6. Museum hours are Tues.-Sun. 10 am to 5 pm, Thurs. 10 am to 9 pm. Museum information by calling 602-257-1222. Located at 1625 N. Central in Phoenix.

PHOENIX MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Focus on Phoenix area from Territorial era to the 1920’s with changing exhibits. 105 N. 5th St., Phx, 602-253- 2734. Mon-Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5 pm.

SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Presents the most compelling modern and contemporary art, architecture and design from around the globe. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA's minimalist building has five galleries for showcasing changing exhibitions and works from the Museum's growing permanent collection. The Museum presents a wide variety of educational programs and special events for adults and families, including lectures, docent-led tours, workshops and classes. The Museum Store @ SMoCA offers classic design objects and furnishings, contemporary jewelry, art and architecture books and imaginative gifts for all occasions. Located at 7374 E. 2nd St., 480-994-2787. Our fall hours are as follows: Tues.-Wed., Fri.-Sat., 10am-5pm; Thur, 10am - 8pm; Sun, 12-5pm; Closed Mon.

SHEMER ART CENTER
Housed in a Santa Fe mission-style house built in the 1920’s, displays include multi-media exhibits by Arizona artists. The Howard House, a miniature 1890’s colonial style mansion, is on permanent display. Located at 5005 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, Call 602-262-4727.

SYLVIA PLOTKIN JUDAICA MUSEUM
Focusing on Jewish history. Open 10-3 Tue-Thurs & 12- 3 some Sun. at 56th St.& Shea in Scottsdale. 480-951- 0323.

TALIESIN WEST
Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, studio, architectural laboratory and school is open for guided tours daily. Located at Cactus Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. in Scottsdale. Call 480-860-2700.

TEMPE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Offers changing gallery exhibits, photos, hands-on activities, videos and more. Located at 809 E. Southern in Tempe. 480-350-5100.

WEST VALLEY ART MUSEUM
With 5 exhibition galleries, the Museum Store, the Classic Cafe and regularly scheduled educational programs the Museum welcomes all visitors. Located at 17420 North Avenue of the Arts, Surprise, AZ is open 10 AM-4 PM, Tues. - Sunday.