Planning to visit Phoenix? You won’t want to miss the Musical Instrument Museum!
This one-of-a-kind museum houses over 7,500 instruments from around the globe and has exhibits on music icons ranging from Elvis Presley to Taylor Swift.
You’ll discover instruments you’ve never seen before, from ancient flutes to cutting-edge electronic synthesizers. The MIM’s innovative approach includes audio and video displays that allow you to hear and see these instruments being played.
Ready to explore the highlights of the Arizona Musical Instrument Museum? Lace up your shoes and let’s go!
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Musical Instrument Museum Exhibits
The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix is definitely one of the best museums in Phoenix!
See and hear instruments from around the world, with spotlight exhibits featuring famous musicians. As a Phoenix local, I feel so lucky to live so close to this fantastic museum.
I enjoyed their innovative audio system. Your headsets start playing the music as you approach the exhibit, rather than having to fumble around and find the right number to punch in.
Artist Gallery
In the Artist Gallery, see instruments, costumes, and memorabilia from famous musicians across the decades.
Highlights include John Lennon’s “Imagine” piano and Carlos Santana’s custom guitar. You can also see stage costumes worn by Taylor Swift and Elvis Presley.
The gallery features rotating exhibits, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. Interactive displays allow you to listen to recordings and watch performances by the featured artists.
I thought this was the most entertaining gallery at the MIM. You’re sure to find some of your favorite performers here!
(I could barely drag Mom away from the Roy Orbison exhibit, as the featured track was his unforgettable “Pretty Woman” song. And they even have the original lyrics, written on a yellow legal pad!)
Mechanical Music Gallery
Step into the fascinating world of self-playing instruments in the Mechanical Music Gallery. You’ll be amazed by the intricate mechanisms of player pianos, music boxes, and orchestrions.
Watch and listen as these vintage machines come to life, filling the air with melodies from bygone eras. The collection includes rare specimens like the Apollonia dance organ (orchestrion), which weighs over 2 tons!
Informative placards explain the history and technology behind each instrument.
Tip: If you time your MIM visit right, you can watch the Apollonia Orchestrion play the tune ‘Copacabana’. Fun!
Geographic Galleries
Embark on a musical journey around the globe in the Geographic Galleries. These exhibits are organized by continent, allowing you to explore instruments from different cultures.
In the Africa gallery, you’ll find djembes, koras, and talking drums. The Asia section showcases sitars, gamelan ensembles, and Chinese erhu.
European galleries feature classical instruments like violins and pianos, while the Americas section highlights indigenous instruments alongside modern innovations.
Each display includes audio samples and video clips, immersing you in the sounds and traditions of diverse musical cultures.
The Geographic Galleries take up nearly the entire second floor of the MIM. Mom and I ran out of steam and only explored about half of these galleries. I’ll definitely be back!
Experience Gallery
Get ready for some hands-on musical fun in the Experience Gallery! This interactive space lets you try out various instruments for yourself.
Strum a guitar, bang on drums, or play a theremin. The young (and the young at heart) will enjoy experimenting with different sounds and rhythms.
Don’t forget to check out the daily workshops and demonstrations, where you can learn more about specific instruments or musical styles.
You have to time your visit to the Experience Gallery right to dodge the school groups so that you can play the instruments!
One of the friendly staff members was kind enough to let me and Mom into the secondary (encore) gallery when a school group ‘took over’ the main gallery.
Target Gallery
The Target Gallery is the MIM’s special exhibition gallery.
This gallery hosts rotating exhibits that delve deeper into specific musical topics or genres. It has featured exhibitions on artists like Johnny Cash and instruments like the guitar.
The next featured exhibit will open in mid-November 2024, titled “Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars“.
Visiting the Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix offers a unique and engaging experience for music lovers of all ages. From its convenient location to its diverse programs and amenities, the museum provides everything you need for an enjoyable visit.
Location and Hours
You’ll find the Musical Instrument Museum at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s easily accessible from major highways and just a short drive from downtown Phoenix.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring the exhibits to fully appreciate the vast collection. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and has shorter hours on Christmas Day.
Tickets and Membership
General admission tickets are available for purchase online or at the door.
Adult tickets cost $20, while children aged 4-12 can enter for $10. Teens get a discounted rate of $15.
(Note that special exhibitions cost an additional fee.)
You can save money by becoming a museum member. Annual memberships start at $100 for couples and $119 for families.
Members enjoy unlimited free admission and special discounts on events and gift shop purchases.
Tours and Educational Programs
Enhance your visit with a guided tour led by knowledgeable docents. Tours are available daily and cover specific themes or geographic areas within the museum.
For a more in-depth experience, sign up for a hands-on workshop. These interactive sessions let you try playing various instruments from around the world.
School groups can take advantage of tailored educational programs aligned with curriculum standards. The museum offers both on-site and virtual field trips for students of all ages.
Museum Amenities
Take a break from exploring at Café Allegro, the museum’s on-site restaurant. It offers a diverse menu of fresh, locally-sourced dishes.
The Museum Store is a great place to pick up souvenirs, books, and even small musical instruments.
For your convenience, the museum provides free parking, wheelchair rentals, and a coat check service.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, allowing you to easily share your experience on social media.
Events and Performances
The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix offers a jam-packed calendar of events and performances throughout the year.
You can enjoy live music showcasing instruments from around the world in the state-of-the-art Music Theater.
For classical music lovers, the MIM Concert Series brings renowned international musicians to perform intimate recitals. Check the museum’s online calendar to plan your visit around exciting upcoming events and performances.
With a whopping 300 shows a year, the MIM concert series has something for everyone! Enjoy blues, jazz, bluegrass, pop, and even holiday performances.
Museum Shop and Cafe
The Musical Instrument Museum’s shop offers a delightful array of souvenirs and gifts. You’ll find unique items like instrument-shaped chocolates, colorful music-themed socks, and miniature replicas of famous instruments.
For the music enthusiast in your life, browse through an extensive collection of CDs and vinyl records. These feature world music, jazz, classical, and more.
You can also pick up books on music history, theory, and biographies of renowned musicians.
Feeling hungry after exploring the exhibits? Head to the museum’s Cafe Allegro for a tasty meal or quick snack. The menu changes seasonally, offering fresh salads, sandwiches, and hot entrees.
Just need a quick pick-me-up? Grab some coffee from the Beats Coffee Bar.
Grab a seat on the outdoor patio to enjoy your meal with a view of the desert landscape. On select days, you might even catch live music performances while dining.
History of the Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix opened its doors in April 2010.
Bob Ulrich, former CEO of Target, founded the museum. Ulrich’s passion for music and his travels around the world inspired him to create this unique museum.
From the start, the museum aimed to showcase instruments from every country in the world. To accomplish this, curators traveled extensively to collect instruments and record music.
They worked with local musicians and experts to ensure authentic representation. Today, you can find over 7500 instruments on display, from over 200 countries around the globe.
The motto of the MIM is “Music is the language of the soul”.
Arizona Musical Instrument Museum FAQ
The Musical Instrument Museum doesn’t offer regular free admission days. However, they occasionally host special events with discounted or free entry. Check their website or social media for announcements about upcoming promotions.
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring the museum. Many visitors stay for a full day to see all exhibits and enjoy the hands-on experiences. The museum is quite large, with over 7,500 instruments on display.
You might want to allow extra time if you plan to attend a live performance or workshop.
Don’t miss the Artist Gallery, featuring instruments played by famous musicians like Elvis and John Lennon.
The Mechanical Music Gallery displays incredible self-playing instruments, including a massive Apollonia dance organ.
Final Thoughts:
If you love visiting museums, you should put the Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum on your bucket list!
It’s such a fantastic museum and a great family-friendly Phoenix attraction. (Plus it’s a way to have fun and stay cool during the hot Phoenix summer months!)
Here are some more ideas for fun things to do and see in Phoenix:
- Desert Botanical Gardens Guide
- Best Museums in Phoenix Arizona
- More great Phoenix posts coming soon!
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Lisa Garrett
Lisa Garrett is the founder of Waves and Cobblestones. She has taken 35 cruises ranging from a multi-generational Caribbean cruise to solo Alaska cruises to fabulous Mediterranean cruises.
She lived in Ireland for 4 months and has taken over a dozen multi-city vacations in Europe (France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, and more!). Lisa helps people plan amazing vacations to Europe and popular cruise destinations.
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