Heard Museum in Phoenix??

[lisareneeo]

Would children (ages 8 & 10) find this museum interesting? We are visiting Phoenix for a few days in April and are looking for fun things to do.
We will also be visiting Sedona then traveling to the Grand Canyon for a few days.

If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks
Lisa

 

[720L]

I found the museum boring, I don't think it would interest the kids much, IMO. There is a park somewhere in Phoenix/Scottsdale that has a small train that kids can ride and a merry go round. It's probably a 5 minute train ride around the park. I can find the name for you if you are interested. There are cool restaurants--Pinnacle Peak Patio, Rawhide. You could hike up some of the smaller mountains (a half hour hike is the most my kids wanted to do). Cave Creek is a fun little town. We usually shop most of the time. LOTS of shopping.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I have never been to the Heard Museum but, I think the AZ Science Center would be more fun for the kids.

http://www.azscience.org/

 

[lisareneeo]

Thanks for your replies.
I looked at the Heard Museum website and I didn't think my kids would like it too much.

I did look into Rawhide and think we are going to do that.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Lisa

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Heard museum would be too boring for kids, IMO. My kids loved the children's museum (It's a good one!) and definitely go to Rawhide in Scottsdale. My girls also enjoyed touring the Victorian houses and having tea in the tea shop.

 

[maleficent1959]

My 6 YO DS loved the Heard (as do I), but he loves museums in general. Weird kid actually asked for a museum membership for his birthday. DS really enjoyed Ed Debevic's. Another restaurant that's fun for kids is Rustler's Roost. I second the Science Center and the Museum for Youth.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Link to Destination guides. If you put in Phoenix and then click on Attractions, you'll get a list of stuff to do there.

http://dest.travelocity.com/DestGuides

 

[lisareneeo]

Can you give me more information on the museum for youth?

Thanks
Lisa

 

[ahutton]

You might check out the Mesa Southwest Museum. It was fun on a field trip I took many years back.

Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Gardens are really nice, and that time of year is very pretty in the Gardens. DBG has a great area on conservation of water and power with lots of fun stuff to play with.

You might also check if the Tempe fine arts festival is planned for when you will be here, it is a wonderful street festival, tons of artists and exhibits along Mill Avenue. I believe it is in the spring, but I'm not positive.

 

[maleficent1959]

Oh yeah, Mesa Southwest is a good museum. Ahutton is right, the zoo and the Botanical Gardens are very nice. And April is a good time of year. We lived there for 8 years, and I'm trying to remember everything. There is just so much to do. I really miss living there.

I seem to remember that the Museum of Youth may appeal to kids younger than yours though. http://www.cityofmesa.org/amfy/

There is a Children's Museum that is opening in 2007. Maybe it will be open when you go. http://www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/

I know this post seems museum-heavy, but if you want some Indian culture and good food, you can go to the Pima-Maricopa Hoo Hoogam Ki Museum. http://www.saltriver.pima-maricopa.nsn.us/history_culture/kimuseum.htm

In the city you could hike Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak. When you head north you could stop and see Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot.

Mill Avenue in Tempe is also a fun place to visit. Lots of shops, restaurants, movie theaters etc. If you like coffee and tea Coffee Plantation is a local institution.

 

[ahutton]

Also on the way north is Montezuma's Well, that is a cool place. And if you are thinking about Sedona and Grand Canyon you might think about taking Grand Canyon Railroad. Lots of fun, and from Sedona or Flagstaff it is an easy drive to Williams to catch the train. There also is a hotel there at the station. You can do day trips to Grand Canyon Village or overnights! We used to love going through Oak Creek Canyon on the way out of Sedona towards Flagstaff and stopping at the various points, and also at Slide Rock. There were always vendors selling handmade jewelry that was really nice. I still have much of it and it is almost 20 years old and still looks great.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

Duh! Well I guess I should be suggesting the stuff for the city I work for. The Mesa Southwest Museum is awesome. The Arizona Museum for Youth is just as awesome.

Link for the Youth Museum:

http://cityofmesa.org/amfy/default.asp

Link for Southwest Museum:

http://cityofmesa.org/swmuseum/default.asp

Also check out the Mesa Art Center to see what it going on when you are visiting.

http://www.mesaartscenter.com/

 

[Mackie's Mommy]

Another vote here for the Mesa Southwest Museum. We went last November and I could not believe the variety they have. Indians, Old movies filmed in the SW, alligators (or were the crocs?), geology, astrology, dinosaurs, an old mine, an old jail and a really reasonable gift shop. You kids will have a ball and Mesa is very nice.

We have been to the Heard and DD7 felt like her DGM and me-- very boring-- even if it is the pre-eminent Indian museum in the US. Their gift shop is also ridiculously expensive.

I would also recommend the Fry Bread House, 802 E. Indian School Rd in greater Phoenix. It is amazing what they can do with basically flour, water and crisco. My mouth is watering. Don't let the outside scare you off-- take a chance, you won't regret it!

 

[brasswillow]

I second the Arizona Science Center. It's all hands on and so much fun.

Although it would be a little further out of the way [2 hour drive] Old Tucson Studios is a great day trip. There are stunt shows and fun activities in the town where many old westerns have been filmed.

 

[lisareneeo]

Thanks for all of these suggestions. Everyone has been very helpful.
Lisa

 

[ahutton]

I was doing some work this morning and came across the dates for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. It is April 10-15 2007. It is a lot of fun. Here is their website:

http://www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org/

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am sad to say I have lived in Phx for 9 yrs and never been to any of those museums except the AZ Science Center and few exhibits that came thru town like the Titanic.
The Mesa Museum sounds great...we may have to try it out.