Arizona
Experiences|Museums

You Could Spend An Entire Day Exploring This Massive Arizona Museum

Published Feb 9, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Arizona has countless attractions that are ripe for exploration. This includes our many museums, an aquarium, zoos and wildlife parks, amusement and water parks, and so much more. Head to downtown Phoenix and you'll discover several museums including the Phoenix Art Museum, the Arizona Science Center, and the Heard Museum which I am excited to tell you about today. The Heard is a massive museum in Arizona where you can spend the day exploring.

The Heard Museum is an exceptional museum with numerous galleries displaying American Indian art. It is located at 2301 N Central Ave. in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Heard Museum/Facebook

Spend the day perusing the galleries and current exhibitions. You'll see traditional works of Native American art as well as contemporary pieces.

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Heard Museum/Facebook

Among the collections here at the Heard Museum include beadwork, paintings, sculptures, Hopi Katsina Dolls, sculpture, pottery, textiles, fashion, and so much more.

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Heard Museum/Facebook

There are also some hands-on activities my kids really got into in one of the galleries. They really enjoyed this museum and I did, too!

Programs, events, and classes are held at the Heard throughout the year including First Friday. During this art event held throughout Downtown Phoenix on the first Friday of the month, the Heard offers extended hours and free admission during the evening hours.

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Heard Museum/Facebook

Visiting the Heard Museum Shop is a must. Here you'll find authentic Navajo folk art, Navajo textiles, fine art, jewelry, and more.

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Heard Museum/Facebook

The museum also has a cafe that's open daily from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. You'll find an array of Southwest cuisines along with beverages for sale. There's also the Coffee Cantina that's open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

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Heard Museum/Facebook

If you've never been to the Heard Museum, I urge you to visit. I've taken my children here in the past and we all loved it!

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Heard Museum/Facebook

Have you visited the Heard Museum yet? Is there another massive museum in Arizona you enjoy visiting? Let us know! For more information, visit the Heard Museum website and give the Heard Museum Facebook page a follow.

Looking for a hotel in downtown Phoenix? Take a look at the Sonder at Hance Park and book your stay!

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Experiences|Museums

The Completely Free Car Museum Hiding In An Arizona Car Dealership Is A Must-Visit

Published Jul 22, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Sometimes the best things in life are free, right? Now in a state where many attractions have a cost attached, there are a few free places to visit. The one I'm going to tell you about today is one that my teenage son, a car enthusiast, loves. Best of all, it's free to visit! This free car museum in Arizona is tucked away among car dealerships but it's certainly worth finding.

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Calling all car enthusiasts! Have you been to the Penske Racing Museum in Phoenix yet?

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Robert Castaldi/Google Reviews

Located in a luxury car dealership, Penske Automall at 7125 E Chauncey Ln. in Phoenix, it's a bit unexpected to find a museum here. But it's still awesome!

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Penske Racing Museum/Facebook

Peruse the museum's collection of cars, memorabilia, trophies, and more from the professional auto racing organization, Penske Racing.

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Penske Racing Museum/Google Reviews

This group has won more than 600 major races over the course of 50+ years, and you'll be able to see several vehicles that won some of those races.

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J Mendez/Google Reviews

A few cars you'll get to see at the Penske Racing Museum are a 1974 Penske PC1 Ford Cosworth Formula 1 car driven by Mark Donohue, 1991 Penske PC21 Chevy driven by Rick Mears, and a few winners of the Indianapolis 500-mile race.

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Darien Scott/Google Reviews

Penske Racing Museum is open daily Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

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John Herrick/Google Reviews

If you're a car enthusiast, a visit to this free car museum in Phoenix is a must!

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Mateo Martinez/Google Reviews

Have you visited this free car museum in Arizona yet? If not, what are you waiting for? For location and hours, head to the Penske Racing Museum website. You can also follow the Penske Racing Museum on Facebook for updates.

You can also check out more free things to do in Arizona next time you're looking for something to do that won't break the bank.

Want to race around a track in a Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4? Take a look at the Race a Lamborghini with Xtreme Xperience driving experience from Virgin Experience Gifts!

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Experiences|Museums

The Coolest Visitor Center In Arizona Has A Route 66 Museum And Gift Shop

Kingman Visitor Center on Arizona's Historic Route 66 offers a unique experience with its museums, gift shop, and vintage signs.

Updated May 2, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

A trip down the Mother Road always feels like time traveling -- at least that's how I feel. With so many roadside stops belonging to a bygone era, there's never a dull moment along Arizona's Historic Route 66. And stops along this road are a must. One must-visit place on Route 66 just so happens to be the coolest visitor center in Arizona. Welcome to Kingman and while you're here, check out the visitor with its very own Route 66 museum and gift shop!

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No visit or drive through Kingman is complete without stopping at the Kingman Visitor Center. Hard to miss with its massive neon sign, the center occupies the historic Powerhouse building that helped power several mines as well as the town of Kingman in the early 1900s.

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explorekingman.com

This must-visit visitor center not only offers tourist information but also two museums, a gift shop, and more!

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Grzegorz Kulan/Google Local

Located on the Powerhouse's second floor is the Route 66 Museum. Here visitors can learn the history of The Mother Road while viewing photographs and artifacts. It's a fascinating museum to spend some time!

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Daniel Vassallo/Google Local

Don't forget to check out the Electric Vehicle Museum as well. Open since 2014, you can view a wide collection of electric vehicles from over the past century.

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Kingman Visitor Center/Google Local

And if you have your own electric vehicle, there are 16 Tesla Superchargers located at the Visitor Center.

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After visiting the museums, peruse the gift shop and pick up some Route 66 souvenirs and other American-made products. Why not buy yourself or someone else a gift?

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Kingman Visitor Center

Not only is this visitor center the coolest one in the state but you really have to appreciate the awesome and welcoming vintage signs as well! This is always one of my favorite parts of driving along Route 66.

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Kingman Visitor Center/Google Local

For more nostalgia, how about a bite to eat at Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner? Open since 1939, this classic roadside diner is a throwback to simpler times and located across the street from the Kingman Visitor Center. Be sure to try a burger, a shake, or a root beer float while you're here!

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Jacqui J/Google Local

Have you ever stopped at the Kingman Visitor Center to enjoy all it has to offer? What are some of your favorite stops along Arizona's Historic Route 66? Let us know in the comments! To learn more about all the coolest visitor center in Arizona has to offer, check out the Explore Kingman website.

Need a place to spend the night in Kingman? Check out TripAdvisor for options. 

Love exploring Arizona? Check out this stunning footage of Sedona:

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