Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West

Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West boldly immerses its guests in the unique story of the Greater Western Region, illuminating the past to shape our future.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West is dedicated to telling stories of the greater Western Region through art, artifacts, community and culture. We say "See the West from a Whole New Perspective" because we offer our guests a new point of view. As a "museum of ideas" our Smithsonian Affiliate institution explores new notions and fresh ideas related to the Western lifestyle, bridging the Old West to the New West. As an educational institution, we host school groups, artists-in-training, educators and home school families. We rely on private support to fund a meaningful portion of our operation. Our generous donors help us achieve our mission and enable us to bring the full menu of outstanding exhibitions and programming to our many local, national and international visitors. Help us continue our mission to educate, inspire and illuminate the past to enlighten the future. Please contribute to SMoW today!

SMoW is dedicated to telling the stories of the Greater western Region through both permanent exhibitions, as well as frequently rotating collections. Experience iconic Western art, including contemporary artists' work, pristine Navajo chiefs' blankets, a collection of more than 1,400 examples of Old West cowboy gear, a tribute to the Hopi people with pottery spanning six centuries, fresh rotating exhibitions and lots of fun social media-worthy photo ops! SMoW allows for both visitors and locals alike to be inspired by the stories of the Western region.

SMoW is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. Since opening in Jan. 2015, SMoW has become a Smithsonian Affiliate, been recognized as the nation's "Best Western Museum" (True West magazine, Editors' Choice 2019), and is an annual recipient of the TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence." SMoW has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Yelp and TripAdvisor.

Testimonials

"The docents are very knowledgeable and interested in engaging the students. It is refreshing to find an interest in children." -- Teacher

"The museum was great and thank you again for making up these exhibits and having us explore. Thank you for having us at your amazing museum." -- Student

"Where better to find a museum dedicated to Western life than in the West's most Western town? Exhibits explore cowboy and Native American culture, offering an understanding of frontier life decades before the land was tamed by cars and air conditioning. Visitors will find Western memorabilia in addition to art." - The Arizona Republic (Sept. 2018)

"Excellent museum. Exceptionally well-organized museum. The exhibits are very informative. The current exhibit of photographs by former AZ Senator and presidential candidate, Barry Goldwater, is stunning. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of the southwest." - TripAdvisor reviewer

"One of the best museums I have ever been to. I loved this museum so much. I would instantly go back. The kid in me had such a terrific time. The exhibitions were really interesting, the art was fantastic and the building itself was beautiful." - TripAdvisor reviewer