1. Pollack Tempe Cinemas

An unassuming discount theater in Tempe, but inside is filled with unique displays, posters, and memorabilia. There are life sized wax statues of Hollywood icons including Batman, Superman, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Darth Vader. Don't let the words "discount theater" mislead you. In 2014, owner. Michael Pollack, decided to convert the cinema to an all-digital format with state-of-the-art digital video and surround sound. To add to the experience he upgraded to all new seating in the 6 theaters and refinished the floors. The savings doesn't stop with the $3 admission, you will find the popcorn and items in the concession stand cost less than competitors.

1825 E Elliot Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284

2. You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies

Yayoi Kusama’s You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies is one of the artist’s more whimsical works. Inspired by a Japanese folktale about a person in a field with 10,000 fireflies, Kusama’s work brings the fairy tale to life. 

The piece is a dark room lined with mirrors on every surface and strands of looping LED lighting suspended from the ceiling. This deceptively small room feels as if it’s a vast, infinite galaxy of lighting and allows the viewer to enter and be surrounded, or obliterated by Kusama’s fireflies.

Located at the Phoenix Art Museum at 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004

 3. Book Gallery

This store has a comfortable ambiance surrounded by antique and modern oak bookcases, decorated with vintage and collectible bookends with lots of room to roam with good lighting. Friendly, knowledgeable professionals to assist you with questions and requests. The owner is picky about what goes in the shelves, but the magic of Book Gallery is that it's one of the few places to find some truly rare books — not just rare for Arizona, but the entire world.

3615 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 85018

4. Hanny's

Hanny's has an incredible past. The building was constructed in 1947 originally as a department store. After its closing, Hanny’s was purchased by the city and was used to train the city’s firefighters.

This building is now a fine dining restaurant, but has held onto much of its history. There are odd bathrooms, an empty elevator shaft made of glass, and basement access to view dolls leftover from the factory. 

40 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

5. Mystery Castle

Mystery Castle is located in in the foothills of South Mountain Park. It was built in the 1930s by Boyce Luther Gulley for his daughter Mary Lou Gulley. After learning he had tuberculosis, Gulley moved from Seattle to the Phoenix area and began building the house from found or inexpensive materials. Boyce Gulley died in 1945, and Mary Lou and her mother were notified by attorney that they had inherited the property. Shortly after, the mother and daughter moved in.

Today, the castle remains intact, just as it was left when Mary Lou passed. Visitors can tour the site and hear the story firsthand. While guests are free to roam through the rooms and get an up-close look at their surroundings, one room remains inaccessible to visitors: the private bedroom of Mary Lou. She wanted to keep her personal sleeping quarters behind closed doors, and only a privileged few have seen it. 

800 E Mineral Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042

6. Oak Street Alley Murals

Want to peruse dozens of murals in one short block? Check out Oak Street Alley. This stretch of Oak Street, between 14th and 15th Streets in Phoenix, contains several murals by notable artists.