Arizona Capitol Museum
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Closed until Oct 15, 2024

Arizona Capitol Museum

Arizona Capitol Museum
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Oct 15, 2024
About
Celebrating Arizona's vibrant cultural heritage through history! Housed in the restored Capitol Building, this museum presents programs and exhibits about the government of the Arizona Territory and the early days of statehood. Admission is always free.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • scott r
    Silver Spring, Maryland770 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Plain Jane Capitol packs a lot of interest inside
    As Capitol buildings go, this was clearly built on a budget - but they'll tell you that straight off. It is not 'grand' as some are. However, there are 4 floors of museum exhibits along the way (and a great model railroad, where a member of the club provided an enthusiastic tour just for me). There's a fair amount of interesting information along the way, and particularly considering this is a free stop - you really should include it on a trip to PHX
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 6, 2023
  • Pittwall
    31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting museum and all free!
    This is the original state capitol building. The museum is 4 stories and was very well presented. There are currently exhibits on the USS Arizona and the Merci trains from WW II which we had never heard about along with other exhibits on Arizona history. The museum and parking are free.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 5, 2024
  • Austin T
    Nashville, Tennessee35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Easily accessible, well-done museum!
    My wife and I visited immediately after landing at PHX. It was easy to get to and plenty of parking to the east of the building. We spent about an hour inside. There are tons of exhibits, all very well done. We walked through them all, spending more time on those we found interesting. There’s definitely something for everyone!
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 3, 2024
  • Scott V
    McAllen, Texas172 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Arizona Capitol Museum
    We originally went across the street, a park for all military, then went to the museum across the street. Both were amazing. Paying tribute to all branches of military. At the museum, which was built in 1898, was very nice. Loved the architecture, art work, history, and the information from the employees. Went up all 4 floors, not sure if the elevator was working. But the main courtroom was empressive. If you’re into history, this is a place to visit.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 28, 2024
  • BigMerk
    Glasgow, United Kingdom2,707 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice museum and you can also access the current House of Representatives which is adjacent.
    We were staying in Biltmore so we chose to take the public bus to downtown. The service is amazing and cheap, dropping us a few minutes from the museum. I am therefore not sure what parking facilities are nearby. The Capitol Museum is interesting and shows what things were like before the Government buildings became a bit more modern and spread out around this original building. The staff were helpful throughout. The museum comprises the original State Capitol which is now spread around in multiple modern buildings. We also got to visit the adjacent House of Representatives currently being used - only a quick visit to the gallery though.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles244 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
94
Average
33
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Melanie A
30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
The building itself is interesting. A docent pointed out a few of the finishes of the tiling and baseboards. We enjoyed the evolving train exhibit. The docent who is actively involved in the creation of this exhibit, was very informative about the towns this exhibit represents. Having grown up in Hawaii where the history of the USS Arizona is part of our history, it was interesting to see the silver service collection and pre Pearl Harbor history of this great ship. The history of the Japanese internment was well represented … and sad. The women’s history was interesting too. As a history buff and a lover of museums, this museum is well worth visiting. We were delighted to find that it was free!
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RoverP
Inverness, UK800 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
What a great resource for the people of Arizona! Situated over 4 floors of the original Capitol building in Phoenix, this museum is just so informative. Really fascinating information about the early days of becoming a separate state within the USA and votes for women. Information about the legal system and the “Miranda” law etc. Excellent exhibit about the sinking of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbour. Also good info on the rights of the Native American Indigenous people and so much more.

But the place was almost deserted. This was fascinating for us from Scotland and will be so much more relevant for the good folk in Arizona. Go visit! You are lucky to have such a wonderful resource available to you - and housed in such an historic building!
Written January 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

harryatkck
Kansas City, KS986 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
This is the old Arizona capital building & it's transformation into a museum is a model for other states. All of the exhibits are lighted well, have detailed descriptions & there was always somebody close by to help you if needed. There is plenty of free parking close by & admission is free. Come here if you are in Phoenix.
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

scott r
Silver Spring, MD770 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Solo
As Capitol buildings go, this was clearly built on a budget - but they'll tell you that straight off. It is not 'grand' as some are. However, there are 4 floors of museum exhibits along the way (and a great model railroad, where a member of the club provided an enthusiastic tour just for me). There's a fair amount of interesting information along the way, and particularly considering this is a free stop - you really should include it on a trip to PHX
Written October 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Omni F
Whitsett, NC225 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
I visit the Capitol Museum every couple of years when passing through Phoenix. The staff members are so pleasant and able to answer any questions I might have. Plus the exhibits are occasionally rotated to keep things interesting. There is now a miniature train exhibit that occupies one room and it is fabulous! The exhibit features sites in Arizona and the staff member, Dan, took the time to explain everything in the exhibit. Both kids and adults will get a kick out of the train exhibit! Great way to spend a couple of hours -- and you may learn something too! This may be the best free attraction in Phoenix.
Written May 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave S
Omaha, NE203 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
This was our 45th visit to a state capitol. It was very easy to find and parking was free and easy. We had fantastic weather. The memorial park to the east is very nice and worth visiting. The old capitol has been nicely restored and is free. Everything is self-guided. After the museum, we were able to visit the galleries for the nearby House and Senate buildings. We spent a couple of hours at the capitol.
Written April 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pittwall
Dallas, Texas31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
This is the original state capitol building. The museum is 4 stories and was very well presented. There are currently exhibits on the USS Arizona and the Merci trains from WW II which we had never heard about along with other exhibits on Arizona history. The museum and parking are free.
Written March 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BigMerk
Glasgow, UK2,707 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Friends
We were staying in Biltmore so we chose to take the public bus to downtown. The service is amazing and cheap, dropping us a few minutes from the museum. I am therefore not sure what parking facilities are nearby. The Capitol Museum is interesting and shows what things were like before the Government buildings became a bit more modern and spread out around this original building. The staff were helpful throughout. The museum comprises the original State Capitol which is now spread around in multiple modern buildings. We also got to visit the adjacent House of Representatives currently being used - only a quick visit to the gallery though.
Written September 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Caroline
3 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Family
Phoenix was an interesting city in that it is set in the desert. We stayed in Tempe which felt safe and had lots of bars and restaurants. Scottsdale was delightful with a great shopping mall a 10 minute bus ride away. We went to Phoenix downtown on public transportation and felt very unsafe. Hire a car if going to the downtown so you can relax and enjoy what Phoenix has to offer
Written April 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott V
McAllen, TX172 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
We originally went across the street, a park for all military, then went to the museum across the street. Both were amazing. Paying tribute to all branches of military. At the museum, which was built in 1898, was very nice. Loved the architecture, art work, history, and the information from the employees. Went up all 4 floors, not sure if the elevator was working. But the main courtroom was empressive. If you’re into history, this is a place to visit.
Written May 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Arizona Capitol Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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