So maybe you’ve visited the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, even the Musical Instrument Museum and think you’ve seen all the best museums the Phoenix area has to offer. There’s no shortage of fascinating, mind-expanding museums in the Phoenix, intimate spaces with specific focuses on underrepresented topics and cultures, so we’ve done you the favor of highlighting five of our favorite under-appreciated museums in and around Phoenix that are absolutely worth your time. 

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
The Hall of Flame is an extremely interesting collection of equipment, memorabilia, and images that spans hundreds of years of firefighting. Founded in 1961, the museum continues to support the goals of the National Historical Fire Foundation, which include preserving objects related to the history of the trade, as well as fire safety education and paying tribute to firefighting heroes of the past, including those who have died while on duty. The Hall of Flame also boasts a massive fleet of fire engines and other wheeled pieces, sure to delight all those interested in the history of this noble profession. $17; 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday; 6101 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ; hallofflame.org // @hallofflamemuseum

Pioneer Living History Museum
Located just north of Phoenix, this massive, open-air museum is an immersive recreation of a Wild West town, featuring 30 rustic buildings spread out across over 90 acres. A mixture of original and reconstructed structures dots a winding, mile-long path, transporting visitors back to the 1800s with a charming atmosphere populated by enthusiastic volunteer reenactors giving visitors a glimpse of what day-to-day life was like back then. Spots like these are a staple of roadside Americana, it’s a treat to have one of this quality this close to home. $12; 9am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday; 3901 W. Pioneer Road Phoenix, AZ; pioneeraz.org 

Pioneer Telephone Museum
An offshoot of the aforementioned Pioneer Living History Museum, The Pioneer Telephone Museum is a separate attraction worth its own entry. This hidden gem is exactly as advertised: a facility dedicated to tracking the history of telephonic communication, documenting countless technological developments and experimental pieces of equipment from the era of Alexander Graham Bell to the present day. This collection is more specific and more comprehensive than your typical modern museum, and all the more delightful for it. $12; 9am to 4pm Wednesday through Sunday; 3901 W. Pioneer Road Phoenix, AZ; pioneertelephonemuseum.org

Sunnyslope Historical Society & Museum
Dedicated to preserving the history of the unique Sunnyslope community that developed in the Phoenix area during the early 20th century, founded by “health seekers,” travelers suffering from tuberculosis who traveled to the area in an attempt to remedy their illness with the dry climate and clean air. The neighborhood has a unique story, attracting characters like Dr. Kenneth E. Hall, who at one point dubbed himself the “King of Sunnyslope,” among others, and a quixotic history of attempting to incorporate into its own town, before finally being annexed by the City of Phoenix in 1959. This small but mighty museum is a great glimpse at a quirky bit of Arizona history. Free; 11am to 3pm Thursday through Saturday; 737 E. Hatcher Road, Phoenix, AZ ; sunnyslopehistoricalsociety.org

Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center
Since 2009, the ALAC has played a vital role in the Phoenix arts scene, highlighting the myriad ways Latino people have influenced the culture in Arizona and beyond. The center, conveniently located in Downtown Phoenix, features multiple galleries, as well as a performance space. From classes, to musical performances, to gallery openings here’s always something new and exciting to check out at the ALAC. Free; 11am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday; 147 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ; alacarizona.org // @alac_az