Best Museums in Tempe Town Lake

"The largest art museum in the Southwestern United States, the Phoenix Art Museum houses hundreds of thousands of works of art and is home to a sculpture garden, a cafe, a research library, auditorium and the PhxArtKids gallery. Open for mingling and group gatherings, the museum also invites visitors to take in the aesthetics of the facility during holiday parties, business luncheons and special ceremonies. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N."

"Although sometimes overlooked, this museum is considered the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. It houses a wide collection of more than 20,000 artistic articles of all kinds and from a diversity of origins such as American art, Latin American, or European art. In addition, you can also find occasional exhibitions, live concerts or various cultural events."

"For example, you can see art from America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe here. Furthermore, there are sections of the museum about modern art, contemporary art, fashion, design, and photography. In short, there is much to see here!"

"With an emphasis on fun, the Arizona Science Center's exhibits open up the world of science to kids and adults alike. From the "Forces of Nature" exhibit, which features interactive displays that explain the weather, to “All About Me,” an anatomy exhibit, there’s always something to learn. Check the website for seasonal exhibits and special events."

"Five stories high, the Arizona Science Center is the largest and most interactive museum in Phoenix. One full day is hardly enough to explore it. A great learning environment, the Science Center features hands-on exhibits from all branches of science."

"One of Phoenix’s unique museums, Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, is located on the ruins of 1500 years old Hohokam. It unravels the Hohokam and the southwestern tribes’ hidden treasures and gives a guided tour across the prehistoric mounds and the canal irrigation system’s extraordinary past. The former president of Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society got acquisition over the Hohokam village of Pueblo Grande and, in 1924, assigned it to the City of Phoenix."

"The Pueblo Grande Museum is a perfect place to learn about the Hohokam people who have lived in the Phoenix area from A.D."

"This attraction on the west side of Papago Park chronicles the history of firefighting, but is also the setting for the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which pays tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty or have been decorated for feats of heroism. In the museum’s galleries are more than 90 preserved pieces of antique firefighting equipment, the oldest dating back to 1725. These pieces come from as far afield as Japan, Germany and England, and include beautiful horsedrawn carts and motorised engines up to 1969."

"Dedicated to firefighters and firefighting, the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting showcases more than 130 wheeled pieces, from hand pumpers to big steam fire engines to modern fire trucks. There are also more than 10,000 smaller items on display that help tell the story of how humans have interacted with fire throughout history. Most visitors begin with the 10-minute introductory video and end in the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which honors those who have died in the line of service or been decorated for heroism."

"This is the last of the museums that we are going to visit in the city of Phoenix. It is not the typical museum that you find in any city so, in my opinion, it is one of the best museums you can visit. The pieces, collections, and history of both the Arizona fire department and other regions of the world, is an unforgettable experience."

"The Shemer Art Center & Museum used to be a private residence overlooking Camelback Mountain, but now the four-acre property with beautiful gardens and different galleries is open to the public. The art center offers many different workshops and classes to try things like pottery, printmaking, fused glass, photography, and more. The outdoor sculpture garden offers beautiful views of the surrounding area with some incredible pieces of art that are available to purchase or just enjoy."

"Western Spirit, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, is a wonderful place to visit in the afternoon, highlighting the important cultural and historical changes of the area over time through museum exhibitions and educational programs. Those looking to kick back and relax rather than explore the history of the West should consider visiting the Scottsdale's Ale Trail. The up-and-coming brewery scene in the city is fantastic, and you can bounce from place to place to sample a little bit of everything. Of the local breweries, consider Goldwater Brewing Co., Bad Water Brewing, Craft 64 or Vines & Hops."

"The Phoenix Police Museum has some really interesting exhibits for the whole family to check out. Children can put on actual police uniforms for the city of Phoenix and get “sworn in” by the officers that are there. You can explore a display of an 1881 police station and what it would have looked like back then."

"What better way to learn about the history of the Phoenix Police Department than by visiting the Phoenix Police Museum?. Here, you’ll learn a lot of cool and interesting facts of Phoenix law enforcement history from 1881 until today. That’s over 130 years of stories!"

"This farmhouse turned eatery, nestled in the historic Farm at South Mountain, is a love fest both in setting and cuisine. Its rural tranquility offers a lush backdrop for guests as well as chef Dustin Christofolo, whose daily menu of contemporary American farm cuisine includes ingredients harvested at next-door Soil & Seed Garden. Whether clinking glasses of vino at the exclusive Brick Oven Table on the patio or holding hands over a dish of dreamy homemade pasta in front of a crackling fire, Quiessence at The Farm has amore written all over it."

"Enjoy a unique outdoor dining experience while sitting under the canopies of pecan trees amidst an organic-style garden at The Farm at South Mountain. You’ll find multiple farm-to-table experiences, with meals locally sourced with ingredients from the gardens on property at three restaurants: Morning Glory Cafe, The Farm Kitchen, or Quiessence. There’s something invigorating about breakfast outdoors, and the choices at Morning Glory Cafe add to the experience."

"Located at the picturesque Farm at South Mountain, Quiessence takes its farm to table experience seriously. Plan for a long dinner as the perfect dining experience takes up to two hours and is worth every minute. As you walk to the restaurant, be sure to enjoy the Soil to Seed Garden."

"The ASU Tempe Campus is home to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and the School of Sustainability. Known for offering unparalleled opportunities in multidisciplinary research and exploration, this historic campus features cutting edge laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities. Address:151 S Forest Avenue Tempe, AZ 85287Phone:855-278-5080Website:campus.asu.edu/tempe"

"You can see a game, visit a museum, attend a play or musical event, or just enjoy a walk around the large and vibrant campus of Arizona State University."

"Situated within the deluxe Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, Deseo features New Latin cuisine blending exciting flavours from South America with North American favourites. Upon making a reservation ask to be seated in ‘The Rail’ area for views into the open kitchen where the impressively skilled chefs are hard at work. The restaurant is colourfully decorated and the lighting is kept low, making the ambience just right for intimate dinners."

"deseo celebrates Latin American dining in the contemporary setting of The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Small plates, ceviche, and South American inspired meats grace the menu at deseo. A fantastic date night, deseo does a bang-up job with tapas and affordable drinks that highlight South American wines."

"If you're simply a local in need of a relaxing night out, the Muddle Bar at Deseo is just what the doctor ordered. Arrive during "descansar," the relaxing hour, to catch a glimpse of Cuban artist Nelson Garcia-Mirando. Every week he shares his..."

"Only a tad bit northeast of downtown Scottsdale, perched 15 stories high, at the top of Talking Stick Resort, is Orange Sky. Not only is this luxurious oasis in the heavens the perfect setting to impress exceptional company, but it is also ripe with dramatic vistas of consistently riveting orange sunsets; don’t just take our word for it, Trip Advisor has named the lookout point Arizona’s “Best Restaurant View at Dusk.” While sipping on your Martini, rooftop infinity poolside, take a moment to smell the roses, or in this case, appreciate the grandeur of mountain tops dancing along the edges of a once baron desert horizon that’s now teeming with life, lights, and lofty expectations."

"Located on the 15th floor of the Talking Stick Resort, Orange Sky is a fine-dining restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular panoramic views of the Valley. The restaurant is an excellent spot for a romantic dinner with awe-inspiring views and a menu and wine list to match. Orange Sky serves a creative menu of fresh seafood, prime, dry-aged steaks, and just-harvested vegetables from regional farms and local producers in the surrounding the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas."

"Obon Sushi and Ramen crafts both of its namesake specialties equally well. The Tataki Maki roll, which has shrimp tempura, spicy crab, cucumber, seared tuna and avocado, is topped with micro basil, marinated tomatoes and chimichurri. Order it alongside a bowl of tonkotsu or vegetarian red miso ramen."

"Obon does an excellent job at riding the line between upscale and casual dining, with an inviting atmosphere that's backed by a seriously delicious menu. The sushi menu is creative..."

"Mancuso’s Restaurant in Phoenix features Italian and American food alike inspired by family recipes. This eatery is fitted with a number of menus aiming to please — including a happy hour menu for the thirsty!. Featured Image Credit: Avanti Restaurant & Caterers Arizona Facebook Page"

"The colorful and elegant “Crab Stack” from Italian restaurant Mancuso’s. (Photo: Mer Norwood). Elevate your takeout with Mancuso’s, a family-owned fine dining Italian restaurant that has been operating for over forty years."

"Quiet and unassuming, hidden in a strip mall on the fringes of the Old Town spotlight, it changes its colors through the years as chefs come and go. It’s also one of the most reliably excellent restaurants in the Valley — a BYOB, to boot — that has never been better than it is under the auspices of chef Cory Oppold. The stark antithesis of flashy downtown Scottsdale just a few blocks to the north, Atlas Bistro piggybacks on AZ Wine Company, an intimate room with minimal decor and sound-deadening walls."

"The food alone is good enough to get you back to this restaurant but when they add one of the Country's biggest wine lists for retail prices how…"