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Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine #15-4 (July 2025 - August 2025)

Mid Summer Issue (Current Issue July-August) Subscribe Free at https://discovertheregion.com/subscribe/ to Gain Access to the Entire Book Now! On The Cover: Kevin Costner 108 Pages Dear Readers, As summer peaks in the Valley, the city hums with monsoon storms, laughter on shaded patios, and the quiet beauty of museum halls. On our cover, we celebrate Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, where Kevin Costner was honored with the Western Spirit Award—highlighting a decade of preserving Western heritage. This season isn’t just about staying cool, but living smartly. “Cool Home, Hot Savings” shares tips to keep homes comfortable and energy bills down, while “Splash Safely” and “Prevent Drowning” offer must-know pool safety advice. And for pet owners, “Fur-ever Friends” helps cats and dogs live together peacefully during lively summer days. Food lovers will find plenty to savor. “Sweet Escapes with a View” reveals Phoenix’s coolest indoor dessert spots, and “Summer Happy Hours” lists the best dining deals in Old Town Scottsdale. Adventurous readers can explore “Exotic Culinary Delights,” featuring goat stew with cassava and vegan lavender ice cream. Beyond dining, we spotlight movement and conservation: “Workout Cool” showcases the inclusive Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, while “Saving Every Drop of Water!” highlights SRP’s innovative efforts to protect our desert’s most vital resource. When the city heat lingers, “High Country Treks” invites you to cooler trails in Northern Arizona. And indoors, our “Book Reviews” recommend titles like “The Wide Wide Sea,” “Original Sin,” “Never Flinch,” and “Nightshade”—perfect reads for summer afternoons. What truly makes Phoenix summers special isn’t just how we cool off, but how we come together as neighbors, families, and explorers. We hope this issue inspires you to discover, taste, and celebrate the best of our region. Warmly, Marie Taylor Editorial Director Discover The Phoenix Region Magazine

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DTPR JULY THROUGH AUGUST 2025 / COVER STORY

Come Into the Cool:

Museum-Hopping in the Valley

By Annabel V Sclippa

Summer is a different world here in the Phoenix Region.

Many wake in the wee hours to catch any glimpse

of a moment of “cool” air, and others avoid the

outdoors completely. Well, I give you reason to

brave a passage to one, or more, of your closest

museums. Here you will truly be transported

to other times and places, days and ages,

mindsets and expressive creatives, all

within the magic of cool (in all meanings

of the word) spaces.

Other added benefits of Summer Museum

Hopping: the Gift Shops are prime for

early ‘Christmas in July’ pickings; with

the reduced number of tourists you

have to vie less hard for almost private

collection viewings; and, in many cases,

the Museums are offering extra special

entry fee reductions or BOGO, and other

incentives.

Here is my breakdown of four of my Valley

favorites. I have a bit of a personal connection

with them, so I invite you to come along with

me on my journey. I’ll kick off with Western

Spirit where my bias reigns strong, as I am a

Founding Member of the museum’s Western

Spirit Council.

**Western Spirit**

Discover the Western Spirit Museum in Scottsdale:

Your Cool Summer Escape Into the Heart of the American West

If you are looking for an engaging, educational, and downright fun way

to wrap yourself in Western culture and beat the summer heat, look no further

than the Western Spirit Museum in Scottsdale, AZ. The Western Spirit Museum,

formerly known as the Museum of the West, stands out as a proud Smithsonian

affiliate, ensuring top-tier exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural artefacts.

It’s gold-standard shown bright earlier this year when the museum kicked off its

10-year anniversary celebrations with an in-person appearance by the charismatic

and handsome Kevin Costner, as seen on this issue’s cover image.