Tours
Many city departments offer tours of city facilities and operations. Following is a list of available tours.
Airport Tours - The Sky Harbor International Airport Auxiliary provides tours for children in first grade through high school in groups of 10 to 60.
This tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. The touring season starts in October and ends in May, excluding city holidays and December. For more information and tour availability, call 602-273-8863 as far in advance as possible, as open dates fill up quickly.
Fire Stations - Tours of fire stations are available to school groups and citizen groups on a limited basis
(providing Homeland Security status allows). The tours are coordinated by the District Commander and conducted by firefighters who work at the specified fire station. Information includes what comprises a “typical” day at the fire station, along
with a description of the fire equipment used during various types of calls. Make arrangements for tours
at least three weeks in advance. For information on station tours, call 602-262-6910.
Parks and Recreation Tours -The Parks and Recreation Department has a variety of facilities open for formal and informal tours. South Mountain Environmental Education Center and community centers are just some of the places you can visit. Some locations charge an admission fee,
such as the Pueblo Grande Museum, site of ancient Hohokam Indian ruins; or the Rosson House at Historic Heritage Square in what was early downtown Phoenix. To find out more, call the department at 602-262-6862.
Phoenix City Hall Tour - To arrange a tour of Phoenix City Hall, contact the Budget and Research Department at 602-262-4800. Advance arrangements are requested.
Phoenix Civic Plaza and Symphony Hall - Tours of backstage and on-stage areas are available based on the Phoenix Symphony’s schedule for students in
sixth grade and older. Call 602-534-5600 three weeks in advance.
Phoenix Police Museum - The Phoenix Police Museum provides a history of law enforcement and the Phoenix Police Department from the 1880s to
the present. The free tour includes jail cells, an old police car and more. The tour is most appropriate for grades three and up in groups of up to 25. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 602-534-PAST (7278)
at least two weeks in advance to arrange a tour.
Public Transit System Facility Tour - Tour a transit facility and see where city buses are maintained, serviced and housed. It takes more than 100 different jobs to get a city bus on the streets, and this tour will introduce students to a few of these jobs in action. This tour is geared for
any age group, but group sizes are limited to 35 or less. The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, and the best days to take a tour are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call
602-262-4001 two weeks in advance to schedule a tour.
Solid Waste Management Facility -Tours of
the 27th Avenue Solid Waste Management Transfer Facility, along with the recycling sorting facility, are available free of charge. The one-hour tour includes the recycling sorting facility, garbage transfer, mulching, methane burn, and a landfill. The tour is also available on videotape. To schedule a tour or request a videotape, call 602-262-7251, send an
e-mail to pwserve@phoenix.gov.
