Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West

Herb Drinkwater, Scottsdale's mayor from 1980 to 1996, first proposed a western museum for the city, and it opened in January 2015 on the old Loloma Transit Station site in Old Town. The two-story, 55,000-square-foot building is owned by the City of Scottsdale and run by a nonprofit. Its scope is broad: 19 western states, western Canada and Mexico.

Galleries rotate, but recent shows have included Navajo textiles, bronzes and a history of the Hollywood Western, and the site also lists the Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection. The film theme continues on Sundays at 2 p.m. with classic Westerns on the big screen. Docent tours are included with admission at 10:20 a.m. (Monday to Saturday), 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 1:20 p.m.

The museum suggests allowing 1.5 to 3 hours. It's open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Thursdays extended to 8 p.m. from November to April. From Memorial Day to Labor Day it closes on Mondays. Adults pay $28, seniors and military $25, and youth and students $12; children 5 and under are free. Free admission programs include the Blue Star Museums scheme for active-duty military and Bank of America's Museums on Us on the first full weekend of each month. Check the site for current exhibitions and any holiday closures.

Free parking is in the city's underground garage, reached from the driveway just south of Main Street on the north side of the building. Flash photography isn't allowed, and all guests must wear shirts and shoes.