Reviews of Arizona Capitol Museum (Museum)

Shannon Exley

Very interesting spot. Would be an awesome addition to a field trip. Excellent place to cool off after visiting the Viet Nam memorial and other outside monuments.

Ryan Sauers

Great exhibits packed with relevant history. The staff was nice and were accessible. This would be an excellent destination for families or school field trips.

Joseph Nelson

The USS Arizona memorial rooms were reduced from what I remembered from my last visit. And what was left was closed the day we were there. That was disappointing. Loved the architecture and sense of history from the old capital building.

Christopher Aldana

it ight just cold and boring jk jk nah it was dope ;)

Diana Jürgens

Great experience. Loads of interesting information about Arizona from the days of foundation until today. Very friendly staff. Free of charge

Ruth Biggs

Great historical information. Super nice and helpful guides. Must see if you live in Arizona!

Erin Tiscareno

Great place to teach your kids about AZ history. For free

Basic B.

The staff was friendly. The building is beautiful. It's amazing this building is almost 120 years old. There is plenty to see here. Lots of exhibits. This is a donation based museum. There is also a penny smashing machine here. :)

Mechell Gross

Amazing history! You will Love the friendly reception area and guided tours.

Katie H.

It's a nice museum for anyone who visits Arizona. You can learn a lot about some of the history. Volunteers are helpful and direct where some popular exhibits are. Kind of dirty in some rooms. Overall good experience.

Susie Ponce

We are from Washington state and enjoyed learning the history of Arizona. The best part was seeing pieces from the USS Arizona. Everyone was full of information and very pleasant.

Peter Beckel

This is what 140k buys you!... Well done AZ!

James Knox

an interesting look at our state's history. i recommend skipping smaller state history museums elsewhere in the state and saving it all for here. its bigger, better, and free.

Brynley Mosley

Great place to take the kids and learn about the capitol

Marilou.juanita Garcia

A great place for you to know your History Of Arizona But the lady in the font is very rude

Kay Perz

There is a lot of history here to learn for free!

Jacob Frantz

Old Capital Building is nice and the parks around there. Unfortunately the rest are newer government buildings no charm in a redeveloped area minus any amenities.

Calaiha Hamburger

Comfortable rooms

Tewana Smith

Beautiful building inside and outside. Staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. Went there to attend the late Senator's Funeral viewing. My family is planning to make trip back to the museum. There is many interesting photo of our states history. Well worth going back and looking at the displays more thoroughly.

M

A lot of interesting history to read about

Matthias Lampe

The old capitol building now hosting a museum. House and senate are the two modern building to the right and left of the capitol.

TO Wildcat

I was recently in the downtown area and decided to stop by the Arizona capitol while I was here I learned there was a museum of the Old Capitol building. This is a great place to check out history. There are four floors of great exhibits and displays.

Mitch Friedlander

If you want to learn about the State of Arizona, from its wild beginning to present day happenings, and the state legislature, this IS the place to go.

Jill Matteucci Gombosi

Good overview of Arizona.

J Kiernan

Fun place to take visitors from out of town. Plus it is free and free parking

Carlos Osornio

if you want to know all about AZ history this place is a MUST visit!!! remember start from top to bottom... amazing place to know where this place has come from. I had never been here and I've been in Phoenix for 30 plus years. will definitely come back.

Sergeant Hutzel

I just waked through quickly, I will be back what I did see was interesting.

Brenda Hall

Very well laid out for a basic history of Arizona. Time well spent!

affisch

Super interesting. The surrounding area is also worth visiting.

Dan Millis

Ok, I admit that as museums go, this place doesn't deserve the five stars, but that is how much I like it. The building demonstrates Arizona's mediocre governmental history perfectly. From the moment you walk in the front door, which was designed to be the garage entrance for the tunnel underneath the staircase that was never built to the actual entrance, you see sweeping architectural flourishes, a racist and janky state seal mosaic, a number of rushed additions over the years that all attempted and failed to cope with constant overcrowding, and some exhibits that are really good and others that will make your face hurt. Go upstairs and see the grand entryway with huge wooden doors barred shut because they are hanging in mid-air one story off the ground! unfortunately, the public is no longer allowed in the library, which used to have terrible exhibits like one dedicated to our impeached criminal ex governor Fife Symington, along with yet another homage to Arizona's racist history, this time a bunch of pasty pioneers surrounded by stereotype images of the Indigenous and Mexican people who were displaced, in huge mural across the ceiling. Don't forget to hit the gift shop for some Ditat Deus flip-flops, mousepads, and other cheap stuff made in China. Yes, I am posting this on Arizona's 107th birthday. On purpose.

Veronica Lana

Very beautiful. I learned quite a lot while touring.

Karen Doerr Basalla

Completely surprised about how interesting the museum was. Enjoyed walking around at our own pace. Isn’t a comprehensive review, but worth the free cost of admission. Take some time to walk the grounds as well!

Deidra Leslie

It was easy to access

J.D. Sutter

The Arizona State Capitol Museum is well worth a visit. Admission is free and you can do self-guided tours or ask for help at the information desk. There are multiple levels in the building which can be toured. Exhibits include items recovered from the USS Arizona shipwreck and much much more. There is also a gift shop and a coffee shop on the first floor.

Charlotte Rynerson

Nice low pressure, low cost way to connect with history. You can go at your own pace. If you park across the street, the plaza has some great memorials.

Susanne M.

Most state capitols have walking tours of their active capitol building. Phoenix is unique in that the tour is of the former building; the active government buildings have been built up and around the original state house and it has been converted to a lovely museum. However, you can view the current house and senate chambers (each located in their own buildings on either side of the grounds) from the galleries -- just ask a guide or security guard. Arizona's state house is one of the smaller in the USA, but is charming and they've converted it into a fantastic museum covering many different areas of the state's history. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and were pleased to see Arizona citizens participating in government and exercising their right to protest.

thdinh1

It is free to visit. Learn some history about Arizona.

Sy'reeta Jones

This was an eye-opening experience and I enjoyed it and will be returning for another history lesson!!

Jeanne Lambson

Worth the trip.

Carl Valle

display of arizona ship was good - lottery exhibit was good

Tim Joseph

Great on Arizona history.

Daniel Griffith

Love the overall layout. Guide provided for the elementary field trip was nice as well, and very patient with the myriad of oddball questions the kids had. Would like to go again, and enjoy a more leisurely review of the AZ, and State Capital history.

William Thomson

The free walk in your was awesome! Very friendly people.

Alexis Torres

Four floors covered in long readings with little thinking behind the flow of the exhibited items. Often, less is more. I would recommend that you focus on specific rooms in your next visit.

Christine Slay

Very interesting tour. We learned a lot about little known facts and well known fact about Arizona. Great for the kids who are in 4th grade.

Maria Ayala

This was nice to visit, alot of history, exactly what we need in schools

Mellannie Hansen

My sister and I tagged along with a tour group. The guide gave wonderful info about what life was like back then and how the process works. My sister loves history so this is a perfect example of what Phoenix was and is about. Go go go it's worth it.

Carmm Y

It was a nice capitol to visit would recommend going inside and taking a look it's beautiful plus there is a Starbucks and gift shop.

Bob Hornok

We loved this please and learned a lot.

Mary Blancett

I went on a field trip and really enjoyed the building and all of the rooms. However on the field trip the woman at the entrance was extremely rude to the young 4th grade group and continued at say keep it down even when they were literally just talking to each other. Its a large group of young kids with energy and she should be more understanding. Some of the children had special needs and this was a very exciting experience for them and to get here they sat on a bus patiently for forty minuets, sat outside to each lunch on the grass before being able to go in. I would ask that they work on sensitivity training to accommodate school groups.

Corey Stohlquist

A great place to see Arizona history along with a great Staff. See the Silver Service from the USS Arizona and other ship artifacts. They also have other memorabilia from Territory & State history. In the Wesley Bolin Park there are very interesting memorials to First Responders and the Military. A most place to visit.

Pam Poglitsch

Could use more funding and more items in their gift shop

Kevin Mulvany

Its very nice went to see my sister retirement

Susan Treat

The museum building is beautiful, but they built hideously ugly buildings to the side and behind, which really takes away from the old beauty of the original building. You have to get really close to get a photo without the ugly tower behind. Then there's the information inside, which also leaves a great deal to be desired. These Texans were upset to see a placard that said, "United States Congress Voted to Annex Texas from Mexico - 1845" This is incorrect. Did they forget something called the Texas Revolution? The Alamo? San Jacinto? Texas was a REPUBLIC! Texas voted to admit the Republic of Texas into the union. Mexico didn't have anything to do with it. If they can't get that right, what else was wrong. Maybe they should hire a historian?

Deanne Adams

First time going, never realized that the museum was there; tons of interesting information.

Zeinab Hassan

Went on a field trip with my 4th graders, it was an amazing tour, a lot of information but it's all worth it...

Dennis Riley

Spent half a day there. Great history of Arizona. Don't skip the memorials out front. Impressive

Brytta Fitzgibbons

It was beautiful

Phuc Nguyen Hoang

Nice, clean landscape. The capitol building brings a featured architect of the northeast with a long forming history. There were some areas of the museum still closed such as the exhibition area of the train AT&SF train history. Need to visit once

Amy Lee

One of the most diverse Capitol visits we've done. This is #26 for us. Loved seeing the timeline in the old governor's office and the pieces from the USS Arizona! The members of the staff were came across were very friendly and told us stories of the different pieces including information about the weather vane!

Judith Lee

The Arizona State Capitol was built in 1901. Initially all three branches of the new state government occupied the four floors of the statehouse. You can visit the original historic House Chamber and House of Representatives. The Arizona Capitol Museum is home to the silver service (silverware) that was donated to the USS Arizona by the citizens of Arizona in 1919.

Phaedra Culley

We were there for #RedforEd.the staff were so amazing, patient, helpful, and friendly! Even with over 20,000 of us there.

Deborah Swan

Had a great visit

Autumn Trimm

Beautiful. A must if you've never been!

amira sahar

Informative. Different. Grounds were well kept

Dawn Wright

Very knowledgeable staff! Cool place for the history lover in me!

Don Meek

I found it very informative. There was a lot that I had wondered about and I found answers to many of my questions.

Craig Shuman

Lots of history that I bet most Arizona natives don't know

Angel Rios

The. Artchitech looks historical. Beautiful place.

Cassie O'Quin

Very informative and interesting tour through Arizona's history! Be sure to check out the gift shop too!

Leona Marchant

It was really nice to visit

Amanda Billings

Very cool experience ! Michael was awesome to talk to when you come in ! USS Arizona was neat to see as well! Thank you

Cassy Marx

Lots of history about Arizona. If your a history buff or just looking for a place to cool off this is a cool stop. There's 4 floors to explore and outside there are many monuments in honor of fallen firefighters, police and military. There is also a monument for the USS Arizona. Well worth the stop.

David Sarnicki

Capitol Museum is a fun way to spend an hour or two. I didn't realize how much of Arizona history I had forgotten from high school. It's three floors and self-guided. It's handicap friendly.There is an elevator.

Amy Tran

The tour was great, I learned a lot about Arizona. It's really nice to learn what your history is. It made me appreciate Arizona more. This museum also has volunteers that are very helpful. If you have never been to this museum, you're missing a lot!

Brian Cavanaugh

Lots of good information. A bit stuffy, but overall interesting!

CR Turney

Great place. Loved visiting

Gilbert Serafin abeyta danny

Loved it! Friendly people, well run state

Marcella Lambert

Love it.

Avery Torres

It's a fascinating museum, it has a lot of things to do with local and U.S. history, you get good attention from staff, and the gift shop has great items at great prices.

Emily G.

It’s a nice little museum. Cool gift shop w/ lots of post cards, and they have a penny press. Interesting exhibit for the USS Arizona, I spent most of my time there. The building/architecture is very cool. I also enjoyed the memorials outside. I took my time and was there for just over an hour.

Alexis Orozco

I have spent a majority of my life in Arizona and I think the history behind this state is really interesting. The tour I took was a self guided tour. This museum has rotating exhibits, associated with Arizona's history and it is cool opportunity to learn more about what has formed state forty-eight. If you are not so interested in history, I could imagine the information would be harder to take, but if you are fascinated by it, this is a place to visit!

Trudy Schuett

I love this location for meetings! If you arrive a little early, there's something enjoyable to do with your time. During the meeting, there are easily- located restrooms that still have some lovely antique fixtures. You may also have an unexpected "guest from the past" check in!

Bob Harms

A somewhat modest mixture of historic displays. We spent time in the miniature railroad exhibit which has and aggressive overview of history updated through modern technology...the complete package is still being phased in, but there are committed people volunteering to tour their exhibit with the vision they are pulling together..take time to see it

Kevin Delvalle

One section of the first floor houses a very informative exhibit of items from the USS Arizona. Seeing a section of metal from the ship, reading about the attack on Pearl Harbor, and seeing photos of the ship is worth the time you spend here. One also learns about how important the territory was to the U.S. and about the efforts it took for Arizona to become a state. Go across the street, to the plaza to learn more about Arizona and to see the memorial to the USS Arizona.

Amy Whitney

Unique gifts and interesting information found in the Capitol museum. I work nearby and enjoy a visit here every few months. A coffee shop is conveniently across the hall.

Gene Standaert

Fantastic, the outside park is a great rembrance for all of our patriotic men and women.

Mojdeh Karimzadeh

Mini Washington DC, very interesting place

Todd Horne

Sang here, cute place, good architecture

Marc Glowczewski

A great self-guided tour. The volunteers were helpful in explaining the exhibits. The statues on the mall in front of the capitol were really interesting.

AMY Hall

A beautiful place to discover some of Arizona's rich history. Fun Fact: There's a Starbucks on the main level of the Capital bldg. I never expected that.

Nora Marple

Just so amazing and quite beautiful. Has a old building feel but a fun day trip.

DaveandJamie Wyma

History at it's finest. D was a world full of knowledge. We will be back very soon

Michael Bird

Not much changes but decent for free.

Michael Gardinier

It was amazing and free definitely a place to bring your kids to learn about Arizona government and war

Jay DeArrastia

It’s a very pleasant museum.

Courtney Smythe

Neat museum with a lot of Arizona history that you'd never think about

Brett Harper

Beautiful building and lots of historic displays, including USS ARIZONA memorial displays, and the ships artifacts displayed in nearby Wesley Bolin Plaza , BB-39 anchor, flag mast, 14" gun barrel, etc

Paul Z

This museum was free. It showcased a brief history of Arizona which was nice for tourists.

Kat T

It's a great place for learning about Arizona's history. Guided tours are free; I'd suggest checking this place out. It's incredible! You can also sit in the rafters of the senate house and the legislative house situated in the buildings on either side of the museum. It's a great experience. Thanks to Sen. Smith and Reps. Finchem and Leach for the amazing behind-the-scenes tour you gave me and my family!

Lauren Hovey

Beautiful piece of history.

Pat Stricker

Great preservation of Capitol building. It has exhibits chronicling AZ history. Open admission.

Ethan Fromm

There was amazing architecture and the tour guides were very informative. I also got two souvenirs for a great price.

Shane OConnor

Neat place and free.

corey shultz

Went to the Capitol on my sons 4th grade field trip and had a great time. We had an opportunity to have a tour of the museum and learned a lot about Arizona state history.

Rodrigo Ávila

Amazing Place!!! Beautiful and full of respect, history and Honor!

Leanna Dawn Santillan

The map was an excellent resource to help me find my way around..

Julie Wolff

Amazing! Beautiful building! I love all of the history that was included in our tour! I really enjoyed looking around and learning so much!

Bob Jacobson

Wondrous expositions on Arizona's indigenous cultures highlight the amazing collection of Arizona-relevant items and events. I was impressed!

Bruce Rivera

Historical and interesting for history buffs

Daniel Sierra

Not a good Capital to see. We are in a mission to see all the capitals in the U.S. so far we have seen 15 of them and this one is in the bottom.. the story on how they got the capital is unique.

Michael Urban

We were looking a low cost something to do with our kids. You really can't get much more low cost than free. The volunteer staff they have are very helpful and knowledgeable. The exhibits are informative and great to see. Being from another state, I was not aware of much of the history of Arizona. This museum was great in informing me of many things I didn't know about Arizona. Admission is free. The cafe is great. Restrooms on each floor. And the best part was that after the kids complained about going, they said it was cool when we had finished.

Karen Donaldson

The old capitol building with the copper dome is a nice museum with both permanent and changing displays. Visit former offices and legislative chambers. Enjoy the beautiful architecture and the giant state seal mosaic. The memorial park across from the museum is worth half a days visit on its own.

Carrol Rosado

It's a wonderful museum. It has a lot of memorabilia & photo op places. The U.S.S. Arizona area was gorgeous.

Pat Smith

The museum is free (donations) are appreciated. The exhibits are very mixed most are related to the building & it's original function but some are not - those that aren't didn't fit well for me. The gift shop is very sparse compared to shops in other museums.

Jan Smith

Nice museum in the old territorial Capitol building. Good displays and exhibits. Helpful staff. Not one of the prettiest capitol buildings we have seen.

David Hutchinson

Boo the Arizona Government. It has discriminated against me dozens of times.

Linda Hill

Loved the history lessons and visiting the state's government.

Jennifer Brown

For a State Capitol, it was neat. For a museum, it looks a little run down. A lot of great information to be read, though.

Britney Gomez

Really interesting

Arsenia Fabros

Beautiful historic place nearby

Jay’s World

Great tours just wish they were open more hours and the elevators were in use for the handicap.

A, two K,E,M Family infinity

Best free trip with family or date night! The Valentine State Capital is worth the trip. Amazing architecture and history with tour guides who keep it fun and moving. Great lawns to walk around outside. My favorite part is the old stairway and woodwork put into it. The tile floor I posted picture of was done wrong but to this day no one wants to or has changed it. It was a bad picture but got to go see for yourself!

SENG CHUIN LU

To be honest, i think they need to invest more to make the museum more interesting and informative. It's kinda run down and boring compared to other state capitol.

Kelly Rawcliffe

Went on a school field trip with my son, and it was amazing. Wish I would have gone there sooner. I would like to go back and take more time looking at all the monuments.

INFAMOUZ OZ

SUPERB! LOTS OF GREAT HISTORY

Shannon shannon solis

Arizona history was helpful

Michael Fisher

Good place to come for a school tour. The class lived the time at the museum and it was perfectly timed with their studies, so in enforces what they have learned. It is always a great opportunity to invest time to understand the history of where you live, no matter your beliefs or parties. Remember who you are and why you are here by understanding the past and how your actions can affect the future.

Tom Schramek

Great place to learn about the state's history. Recommend going there if your looking for something free to do for a few hours.

Jon Fenderson

Very nice historical museum.

wayfour96

It was interesting usually spend an hour or two in this Museum. USS Arizona was very informative and interesting. There is a coffee shop and a gift store.

Luke Enno

Very interesting building and museum. A significant exhibit dedicated to the history of the Phoenix Suns was included. For that reason alone, I give this museum a 4.5. Not a 5 though!

Kosmo

Full of wonderful information and interesting displays of Arizona's history.

Jesus Cereceres

Very educating on the history of Arizona.

Julian Zermeno

oi m8 2 hot for me lol im8 no review ehh gross

Marge Mauzer

Learned so much about our adopted State, love it!

Grant Dervishi

A short but worthwhile visit. Learned something new about France. Small , reasonably priced gift shop with good selection of postcards

Antonio Montana

Great museum, must see when vising Phoenix. Four stories worth of exhibits. Some exhibits get moved around and replaced so there is always something new to see.

JL Brady

This place is actually really cool. There's a Starbucks inside, but its terrible. Save your money. But the museum part is neat.

Donald Judd

OMG, great staff, so much history

Grady Preston

Great place to take the kids/grandkids and learn about our great state

sunbuddy

Always good to know history. And it's free of course.

Tania

I lived here my entire life but never been to Capitol. It's a lovely building converted museum. Learned quite a few new things. The staff was very nice and easy to navigate.

Caron Schwahn

What a great time. Our docent was very knowledgeable and the museum, which used to be the Capitol is fully restored with a ton of photos and artifacts. A must see for everyone.

Glen Wacker

I happened to be coming down here one day and they had a AAA meeting with free food so that was good

Lalaine Dowdell

This outdoor museum of memorials dedicated to Arizona's fallen in support of our country and communities is a great place to visit. You are provided a lovely path to stroll and learn a little history. Public parking is part of the park, so its very easy to access.

Timothy Powers

Great place to learn about Arizona's history! Free to the public.

Julie Sessions

There are many wonderful things to see at the Arizona State Capitol, but I have been to other museums that have far more to look at. I would think since it is a State Building that there could be more available. Having said that, there were numerous rooms that are in process of being put together for viewing.

Jennifer Kirshman

Was here during the teacher strike. Was busy but the staff handled it well. Was very clean and a pleasant experience

Joseph Hinojosa

Awesome field trip

Robert Sell

Excellent tour! It's astounding threat so much of the Arizona State Capital is open and accessible to the public!

Julie Heineking

Loved learning about Arizona history The silver service from the USS Arizona is beautiful has so much detail to it

Greg Brown

Love learning about AZ!

Erika B

So so cool! Your able to tour the old wings for the State Legislators, State Court House, etc. There is also a wing devoted to the USS Arizona... so moving. There are also a TON of memorials for a variety of military devisions, state groups, first responders... its impressive.

Mathew McLean

Definitely a great place to learn about Arizona history.

Carolyn Campero

Great place for the whole family.

Joanne Robinson

Interesting museum, free, very well done.