Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix

Large Instruments at the entrance to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ

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Details

• Location: 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050

• What: An overwhelming amount of musical instruments from different eras, countries and cultures

• Vibe: A relaxed and also jammin place. Quiet, yet also not if you have the headphones on. Read on and I’ll explain myself.

• Admission: $20

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If you love music and musical instruments, you’ll be pretty happy here. If you have zero interest in music or musical instruments, this place is still pretty cool. I have to admit I like music, but I’m not obsessed like some. Still, this place has been highly rated and so I took a chance on it just to see what the fuss was about.

Worth it!

First off, I knew there would obviously be a ton of musical instruments, but not the quantity I witnessed upon arrival. The instruments and artifacts range from really freaking old to almost brand new. From quirky to primitive. Huge to teeny tiny. The first floor has a couple groupings such as the guitar room, the artist gallery and a room you can bang on some drums and play with some instruments. The upstairs is divided by continent and then by country inside those rooms. The organization and display of all of these instruments and artifacts is a little unreal, to be honest.

The unexpected part was that they give you these little “walkmen” to wear as you tour the building. Walk up to Cambodia, for instance, and you’ll hear what’s playing on the TV there. They flip between different video clips from that region and the instruments they play. So, it’s not noisy in this place, but yet you can hear examples of everything as you pass the displays. The music just appears in your ear as you arrive to the displays.

For those who are fans of music legends, the Artist Gallery is a must-visit. There’s even a section for the Swifties! This section of the museum features instruments and memorabilia from some of the most iconic musicians in history. There’s even a section for the Swifties! The Taylor Swift display in the Artist Gallery that holds an American Music Award as well as some stage outfits and a guitar….all donated by Taylor herself. Whether you're a fan of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, or Taylor Swift, you'll find a treasure trove of fascinating artifacts that offer a glimpse into the lives and careers of these musical icons.

Refuel

You could easily spend hours exploring the vast collection of instruments from around the world. In case you do, there's no need to worry about hunger pangs or coffee cravings. Conveniently located on the first floor, the museum's cafe offers a delightful range of options, from a quick coffee to a satisfying meal. Whether you're in the mood for a light snack or a more substantial dish, the cafe ensures that you can refuel and continue your musical journey without leaving the museum.

The Guitar Room at the Musical Instrument Museum

What Else?

Also in the building is an area to try your hand at some new and old instruments in the Experience Gallery. There’s also a Conservation Lab where you can see instruments getting a new lease on life. Near the front entrance there is a gift shop including, of course, instruments to buy, as well as music related treasures.

make a game of it

I took my 11 year old daughter with me and she loved it. Something we did was try to find the oldest and newest instruments in the building. This gave her reason to check in at each section and slow her down a bit so she could read all of the signs. It gave me a reason to pay closer attention to what I was looking at, as well.

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