Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum, Phoenix

Their website says to call first if it's raining to see if they're open, but you should call even if it's not raining. Their website says after September 1, they're open until 4. We arrived on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, September 3 at 12:45 and were told they were closed. I asked about the hours posted on their website and was told they, "extended summer hours for a few weeks," due to a heat advisory. Newsflash: This is Phoenix, it's hot here. They didn't even have the courtesy to post a sign at the gate saying they weren't really open. There were two cars in the parking lot, so we proceeded to the cashier's window where a woman came out to close the shutter over the window and told us they were closed.

This place could be really amazing - my son and I enjoyed walking around and seeing all the buildings and it sure was realistic of what a pioneer town would look like - we had just kind of expected to be able to see in the buildings other than peering through windows of the houses - I expected to be able to go into the them and see the furnishings and such....the blacksmith shop did get unlocked for us but we kind of expected him to share information even though he did answer a few questions....we were told to come back when they did the gun battles and had more people so I guess we came in the "off-time" - this has such amazing potential to be a super cool place - just thought we would see more people around to tell us what we were looking at or maybe some kind of tour paper that would give information about each of the buildings

Pioneer Living history Museum is an outdoor museum, they have a few rashackle buildings falling apart and it very dusty, They have somewhat of a gunfight but all very amatuer actors. For the 8.00 it cost to get in .. it is not worth the money... very disappointing I would spend my vacation seeing things more interesting and more hospitable.. also my wife is handicapped and needed to be pushed in her wheel chair over dirt and gravle.. not handicap friendly at all.

I thought this was a "living museum". The only museum personnel we saw were the blacksmith and the ticket seller. This place could be SO much more. I expected a bustling interactive exhibit like Plimouth Plantation. Yes, some interesting displays and artifacts, but overall a bit disappointing. Even the gift shop was small, we expected to see a larger exhibit of the blacksmith's fine crafts for sale. It does appear to have a wonderful set up for weddings though, but some buildings in the exhibit need repairs and authenticity.

What a great place and the people who are dressed is period clothing are very nice to talk to and all know about history. Prices are very reasonable too.

This place is fantastic. I can't believe more people don't know about it. If you love history or antiques, go here. This is like going back in time. A wonderful authentic experience that is not commercialized or fake reproductions. I would recommend this place to all. The cost is reasonable and well worth the trip!