Filled with theaters, avant-garde galleries and museums, Central Phoenix is the Valley’s cultural nerve center.
Arizona Opera
The company produces operas of the highest quality with artists of international stature as well as emerging talent. Highlights: La Bohème, Jan. 25-26; Aida, April 12-13; Zorro, Sept. 27-28. Productions take place at Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., and Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., 602-266-7464, azopera.org
Arizona Science Center
Designed to engage curious minds through science, the center boasts four levels of hands-on exhibits, plus live demonstrations, a planetarium and giant-screen theater. Highlights: Where Science Gets Loud, where lessons about soundwaves and vibration come through interactive instrument play. 600 E. Washington St., 602-716-2000, azscience.org
Arizona Theatre Company
ATC specializes in comedy, drama and musicals, including Scrooge! A New Holiday Musical, Dec. 7-28; Blues in the Night, Feb. 22-March 9; Bob & Jean: A Love Story, April 19-May 4; and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, June 14-29. Performances take place at Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., 602-256-6995, arizonatheatre.org
Ballet Arizona
Dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating innovative new works, including The Nutcracker, Dec. 6-24; Frida, Feb. 13-16; Spring Mix, March 27-30; All Balanchine, May. 1-4; and Eroica, May 14-31. Performances take place at various Downtown Phoenix venues, 602-381-1096, balletaz.org
Celebrity Theatre
A historic landmark, this intimate theater features state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and a revolving center stage, with no seat farther than 70 feet from the action. Highlights: Gladys Knight, Dec. 5; Kenny G, Jan. 24; and Carvin Jones, March 30. 440 N. 32nd St., 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
This is not your typical museum – the staff here wants you to touch everything! And with more than 48,000 square feet of space, there is plenty to touch. Focusing on learning through play, the museum offers hands-on, interactive and imaginative exhibits designed for children from birth up to age 10. 215 N. Seventh St., 602-253-0501, childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
Desert Botanical Garden
The garden focuses on education, exhibition and conservation of desert plants with an emphasis on the Southwest. Gardening workshops, a desert landscaping school, butterfly exhibit, spring and fall plant sales, and a variety of tours, festivals and cultural celebrations attract visitors of all ages. DBG also plays host to one of the Valley’s best restaurants – Gertrude’s – featuring excellent farm-to-table cuisine. 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., 480-941-1225, dbg.org
First Fridays
Dozens of art galleries and art spaces participate in this Downtown art walk. 6-10 p.m. first Friday of every month, artlinkphx.com
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Nearly an acre of fire history exhibits is showcased, including more than 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus dating from 1725 to 1969. The National Firefighting Hall of Heroes honors firefighters who died in the line of duty or were decorated for heroism, and another gallery is dedicated to the history of wildland firefighting in the U.S. 6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 602-275-3473, hallofflame.org
Heard Museum
Founded in 1929, this globally renowned museum explores American Indian arts and cultures with comprehensive exhibitions, interactive learning opportunities and a variety of festivals. Highlights: Art & Sole, through Jan. 5; Harry Fonseca: Transformations, through April 20; and Substance of Stars (ongoing). 2301 N. Central Ave., 602-252-8848, heard.org
Herberger Theater Center
The center is home to Arizona Theatre Company, Arizona Opera, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Childsplay and iTheatre Collaborative, and also hosts performances by Valley Youth Theatre. 222 E. Monroe St., 602-252-8497, herbergertheater.org
Japanese Friendship Garden
Celebrate the history and culture of Japan at this tranquil garden in the heart of Phoenix. The immaculately maintained venue boasts a pond with more than 300 koi, a waterfall, stone garden, teahouse, cherry trees and Japanese flora. 1125 N. Third Ave., Phoenix, 602-274-8700, japanesefriendshipgarden.org
Madison Center for the Arts
This venue engages patrons with a variety of Broadway, off-Broadway and multicultural performances, including 360 Allstars, Nov. 30; The Nutcracker, December 21-22; and Peking Acrobats, Jan. 28. 5601 N. 16th St., 602-664-7777, themadison.org
Musical Instrument Museum
Thousands of instruments and artifacts from around the world, plus live performances, make MIM a music-lover’s dream. Advanced wireless technology and high-resolution video screens enable a full sensory experience. Highlights: Arizona Musicfest, Nov. 3; Booker T. Jones, Nov. 24; and The Klezmatics, Dec. 2. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., 480-478-6000, mim.org
Orpheum Theatre
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1929 theater is a choice venue for performing arts. Highlights: Anne Wilson, Nov. 1; For The Dreamer Fest, Nov. 16; and Andrew Santino, Jan. 30. 203 W. Adams St., 602-262-6225, orpheumphx.com
Penske Museum
Fans of auto racing can get their motors running with a collection of superb racing machines and memorabilia that captures and preserves the Penske Racing team’s many accomplishments on the track. 7191 E. Chauncey Ln., 480-538-4444, penskeautomall.com
Phoenix Art Museum
Rotating exhibitions are shown alongside the museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of international modern and contemporary art, photography and fashion design. Highlights: Larry Bell: Improvisations, through January; You Who are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies (ongoing); and The Collection: European and Latin American Art, through June. 1625 N. Central Ave., 602-257-1880, phxart.org
The Phoenix Theatre Company
Founded in 1920, the company offers Broadway and world-premiere musicals and plays, including Waitress, through Nov. 24; Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Show, Nov. 20-Dec. 28; Seussical the Musical, Dec. 18-Jan. 26; and Jersey Boys, Feb. 19-April 27. 1825 N. Central Ave., 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
S’edav Va’aki Museum
Located on a 1,500-year-old site left by the Hohokam culture, this national historic landmark features an interpretive trail that takes guests through a prehistoric archaeological village site with a partially excavated platform mound, ball court and walk-in reproductions of Hohokam dwellings. Exhibits and hands-on activities define three gallery spaces. 4619 E. Washington St., 602-495-0901, svmfoundation.org
Shemer Art Center
Built in 1919, this former residence with a panoramic view of Camelback Mountain offers a variety of art classes, workshops and events. 5005 E. Camelback Rd., 602-262-4727, shemerartcenter.org
Tovrea Castle
Located in the heart of metropolitan Phoenix, this four-story, 5,000-square-foot architectural wonder is visible to all yet secluded by 44 acres of saguaro-studded desert. Resembling a wedding cake, this “Jewel in the Desert” has a rich history that intertwines the lives of three families. 5025 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, tovreacastletours.com
Waterworks at Arizona Falls
Formed by a natural 20-foot drop along the Arizona Canal, this splashy hidden gem combines art, history and technology to generate clean electricity from the canal’s waterfall. Visitors, surrounded by water on three walls in the water room, can sit on boulders as they enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water. A shade structure allows guests to enjoy the experience year-round. G.R. Herberger Park, 5802 E. Indian School Rd., phoenix.gov/arts/public-art-program/explore-the-collection/arizona-falls
