When the sun sets over the McDowell Mountains and the temperature finally dips below 100 degrees, Scottsdale transforms. The city’s art galleries, award-winning restaurants, luxury resorts and spas come alive as visitors and locals alike flock to experience all that Scottsdale has to offer.
And at the heart of it all is Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. This one-of-a-kind museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the art, culture, history and spirit of the American West. Since opening its doors in 2015, Western Spirit has become one of Scottsdale’s most popular attractions.
Come explore real histories through Western and Native American artwork, objects, and cultures. The museum is home to more than 300,000 artifacts, works of art, and documents, making it one of the largest collections of its kind in the country. The permanent collection features a wide range of items from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, firearms, saddles, and spurs.
Guests will be able to admire iconic Western art such as contemporary artists’ work, as well as a collection of Native American art and artifacts. There are also interactive exhibits throughout the museum that bring the stories of the West to life. In addition to the permanent collection, Western Spirit also hosts a variety of rotating exhibitions. Past exhibitions have explored topics such as the American cowboy, women in the West, and Spanish colonial art.
The museum is also home to a state-of-the-art research library, which houses more than 10,000 books, periodicals, maps, and manuscripts. The library is open to the public and provides a unique resource for students, scholars, and anyone with an interest in the American West.
Whether you’re a longtime resident of Scottsdale or just visiting for a few days, Western Spirit is a must-see. The museum is located in downtown Scottsdale, just minutes from all of the city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife.