Stories have the power to inspire, change history and celebrate cultures. At Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (SMoW), we bring authentic stories to life through Western and Native American art, artifacts and living cultures. Guests see the West from a whole new perspective at our Smithsonian Affiliate destination, which connects visitors of all ages to the Western lifestyle — past, present and future.
Ranked #1 Museum in Scottsdale on TripAdvisorwith rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars
True West Magazine has continually rated SMoW “The Nation’s Best Western Museum” (2019 Editors’ Choice).
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Located in the heart of Old Town and surrounded by lodging, eateries, shops and galleries, SMoW is a right-sized museum and takes about 1 to 2 hours to tour. Come-and-go same-day admission allows guests to get a bite to eat and return later to experience more. We feature permanent and rotating exhibitions, which keeps the experience fresh so that when guests return at a later date (and they always do!), they see a new perspective again and again.
You’ll experience iconic Western art – including contemporary artists’ work – pristine Navajo chiefs’ blankets; a collection of 1,400 examples of Old West cowboy gear; a tribute to the Hopi People with pottery spanning six centuries; and lots of fun social media-worthy photo opportunities, like our Western Spirit Trail 3D illusion mural that literally places you in the Old West. We also offer lots ofevents, gallery toursand educational activities.
Guest experience our LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certified environmentally conscious building. A work of art that tells a modern Western story.
Visit us and gain a new perspective of the American West today!
Maynard Dixon’s American West (Oct. 15, 2019 – Aug. 3, 2020)
By Beauty Obsessed: Gilbert Waldman Collects the West (Sept. 10, 2019 – Aug. 24, 2020)
Paul Calle’s Life of Exploration: From the Mountains to the Moon (Feb. 19, 2019 – Oct. 11, 2020)
Photographs by Barry M. Goldwater: The Arizona Highways Collection (January 6, 2019 – March 27, 2020)
New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West (October 16, 2018 – September 15, 2019)
Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection (September 16, 2017; Ongoing)
Of Spirit and Flame: John Coleman Bronzes from the Collection of Frankie and Howard Alper (Ongoing)
The Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection (Ongoing Exhibition)
Courage and Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the Early American West (Ongoing)
Latest Museum Updates
New Exhibitions — and a New Look!
March 26, 2019
If you haven’t visited the museum lately, now is the perfect opportunity to explore the many new artworks and exhibitions that have come to SMoW this season. You will See the West from a whole new perspective through our most recently opened exhibitions: Paul Calle’s Art of Exploration: From the
Are you interested in sharing the fun and fascinating stories of the west with people who are eager to learn? Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is recruiting volunteer docents who wish to help the museum by leading informative, engaging and entertaining tours. Those with previous museum volunteer experience,
