Where the Past Still Shines: "Best of Phoenix" Highlights for History Lovers

Every year, Phoenix New Times publishes its Best of Phoenix® issue, spotlighting the Valley’s quirks, icons, and hidden treasures. For preservationists, it’s a goldmine — highlighting museums, historic districts, restored landmarks, and cultural traditions that keep Phoenix’s past alive. Here’s a curated roundup of some of the most history- and preservation-related winners over the years.

Museums, Exhibits & Curated History

• Tempe History Museum – A perennial favorite for its dynamic exhibits on Tempe’s past, from Indigenous roots to Mill Avenue’s music scene, plus a robust online archive.

• Dry Surf: Local Skateboarding History – A colorful retrospective at Tempe History Museum on the Valley’s skateboarding culture.

• Arizona Museum of Natural History – Home to animatronic dinosaurs on Dinosaur Mountain, hands-on Paleo Dig Pits, and an expansive look at Arizona’s prehistory.

• Phoenix Retro Spectacular – Marshall Shore’s storytelling series that mixes artifacts, images, and local lore.

• Arizona Historical Society Museum, Papago Park – Hosts an annual Día de los Muertos celebration featuring altars, art, and cultural education.

• ASU Natural History Collections – Publicly accessible fossils, plants, and animals from the Sonoran Desert.

Historic Preservation, Landmarks & Adaptive Reuse

• Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights – This “wedding cake” landmark along Loop 202 was built in 1929 by Alessio Carraro, later owned by Edward Tovrea, and restored by the City of Phoenix in the 1990s. Public tours are offered by lottery twice a year.

• Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa – Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s protégés (or perhaps Wright himself), this resort has hosted everyone from Irving Berlin to the Reagans and remains a touchstone of Phoenix glamour and political history.

• Phoenix Trotting Park – Though abandoned and inaccessible, its futuristic mid-century design remains a striking I-10 landmark and a symbol of Phoenix’s boom-and-bust development history.

• The Neon Garden at The Post – Restored Main Street neon signs glow again, honoring Mesa’s midcentury heritage.

• The Historic Gold Spot – A century-old shopping center turned food-and-meeting hub, retaining architectural charm while serving as an informal political gathering place.

• Steele Indian School Park – Preserves buildings and stories of the Phoenix Indian School with interpretive signage.

• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument – Celebrated as Arizona’s prehistoric “Big House,” telling the story of Hohokam ingenuity.

Historic Neighborhoods & Home Tours

• F.Q. Story Historic District – Marked its 100th anniversary with new murals celebrating past and present.

• Willo Historic Home Tour – The premier look-inside event with a mix of architectural styles, trolley service, and a lively street fair.

• Roosevelt, Garfield, Windsor Square, Coronado, Del Norte Place, Yaple Park – All recognized for architectural preservation, affordability, and community vitality.

• Historic Glendale – A blend of antique shops, local eateries, and museums that create a walkable heritage destination.

Archaeology & Indigenous History

• Hohokam Pit Houses at Block 23 – Excavation revealed dwellings dating back to 300 B.C., linking downtown Phoenix to its earliest inhabitants.

• South Mountain Park Petroglyphs – Holbert Trail offers a chance to see centuries-old Hohokam rock art in its original setting.

Historic Dining & Cultural Institutions

• The Stockyards Steakhouse – Since 1947, feeding cattlemen and politicians; retains original furnishings and a haunted reputation.

• Bill Johnson’s Big Apple Sign – Now shining in Mesa’s Neon Garden, a glowing reminder of a beloved Valley restaurant.

Books, Media & Digital History

• Hiker’s Guide to the Superstition Wilderness – Combines trail descriptions with essays on Arizona’s most enduring legends.

• @azhistory Twitter Feed – Delivers photos, articles, and historic tidbits straight to your feed. Yours truly, the Arizona Preservation Foundation, curates the feed.

Antiques & Collectibles

• Historic District Antique Mall – Revitalized antique hub known for chalkware, silver trays, and old furnishings.

• Willo Historic District Antiques – A go-to spot for well-preserved furniture worth splurging on.

• Historic District Resale Mall – Affordable antiques and vintage finds in Peoria.

Genealogy & Community Memory

• Mesa Regional Family History Center – Offers workshops, research support, and Hispanic genealogy training, open to all faiths.

Pop Culture & Local Legends

• Wallace and Ladmo Way – Commemorates the Valley’s iconic children’s TV duo with statues, murals, and a dedicated intersection.

Why It Matters

These Best of Phoenix® picks remind us that Phoenix’s past is not just something we preserve in glass cases. It’s interactive, walkable, edible, and sometimes even glowing in neon. Arizona Preservation Foundation celebrates these winners for inspiring all of us to explore, protect, and keep telling the stories of our communities.