Note: This is a blog about a fascinating museum we discovered in our travels as fulltime RVers.
We’re always looking for interesting places to visit and share with our readers, and we’ve found many wonderful and fascinating attractions while we’ve been poking around in every corner of America. But we’re always surprised at how many places that are right under our noses get overlooked while we research the next location down the road.
A good example is the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Having called Arizona our home before we hit the road as fulltime RVers, and with Terry’s parents and sisters living here in the Valley of the Sun, we had seen signs and advertisements for the museum many times but never bother to check it out until now. Oh, what we have been missing!
With 14 galleries devoted to different geographical regions of the world, as well as an Artist Gallery and more, the 200,000 square foot museum is home to a collection of more than 15,000 instruments and associated objects. There is so much to see and do that you have to come early and stay late, because you’ll need every minute to see it all.
Visitors are given hands free wireless headsets that play music keyed to the different exhibits as they move through the museums galleries. Don’t be surprised if you find your toes tapping and your body swaying to the music. I know ours did!
The variety of instruments on display is amazing! From primitive African drums to finely crafted guitars to a huge octobasse that towers over the room, there is something new to see everywhere you look.
You will also see instruments and stage costumes worn by some of your favorite stars of country, pop, blues, and rock and roll in the Artist Gallery.
In the experience gallery, visitors can make their own music and actually play a variety of different instruments.
The Musical Instrument Museum is located at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free but limited to passenger vehicles. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for ages 13-19, and children ages 4 -12 are $10. Children under 4 are admitted free. Complimentary wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers are available. For more information, call (480) 478-6000.
Thought For The Day – Sometimes the thoughts in my head get bored and go for a stroll out through my mouth. This is never a good thing.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!