Visitors to the city of Phoenix, Arizona, can find a wide variety of attractions to enjoy. Among these are a number of indoor activities that provide things to do when the weather is too hot or stormy for outside attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden or the Phoenix Zoo. Among these indoor Phoenix activities are museums that cater to both children and adults alike.
The Arizona Science Center is on East Washington Street between Fifth and Seventh Streets in Downtown Phoenix. The attraction has offered an indoor activity in the city since its opening in 1998. The science center held "Zagat" ratings of "very good to excellent" for its appeal, service and facilities as October 2010. The science center has more than 300 hands-on exhibits that allow children and adults to learn through doing. Among the topics of the displays at the museum are the human body, psychology, music, nature and solar energy. The planetarium hosts star shows daily. The Arizona Science Center also is home to a five-story IMAX movie theater that shows educational and first-run entertainment films.
The Arizona Science Center is open seven days per week, year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. General admission is $12 as of October 2010 with children and senior citizens receiving discounted rates. IMAX movies and planetarium shows require the purchase of additional tickets. The Heritage and Science Park parking garage, a pay facility, is located at Fifth and Monroe. Discounted parking rates are available with ticket validation from the science center.
The Arizona Capitol Museum is on West Washington Street near the intersection with North 19th Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records oversees the facility. Constructed in 1898, the former Arizona State Capitol Building serves as home to the museum. Twenty regular exhibits related to Arizona State history comprise the galleries of the Arizona Capitol Museum. Visitors can learn about the origin and significance of the Arizona state symbols and discover facts about famous Arizonans. The museum also hosts lectures and programs about state history throughout the year.
The Arizona Capitol Museum is open Monday through Friday. The museum closes Saturdays, Sundays and on all state holidays. Admission to the museum is free. Free parking is available at the Wesley Bolin Plaza adjacent to the museum.
The Children's Museum of Phoenix is on North Seventh Avenue at the intersection with East Monroe Street in Downtown Phoenix. The museum opened in 1998 and is located inside a former school. Nickelodeon Parents Connect has previously awarded the facility a "Parents' Choice Award" for "Best Museum in Phoenix" for families. The exhibits at the Children's Museum of Phoenix are designed to be enjoyable for children of all ages. In addition to its educational exhibits, the museum has climbing and play spaces for kids. The museum also hosts a variety of activities and classes, such as toddler yoga, music and movement workshops and early reading programs.
The Children's Museum of Phoenix is open Tuesday through Sunday. The museum closes on Mondays and some major holidays. As of October 2010, general admission is $11. Senior citizens receive admission discounts. The museum has a free, on-site parking lot. On busy days, the lot may be full; three pay garages are located nearby for such instances.
