5 Historic Places To Visit in Phoenix Arizona
Ever wonder what it was like to live in Arizona back in the late 1800s or early 1900s? I am always curious how people lived years ago and the history of the city. Luckily, there are a few spots in Phoenix where you can step back in time and soak up a bit of history. If you’re like me and love wandering through old houses or going on historical tours, these five places are definitely worth adding to your list.
To me, visiting a city isn’t just about hitting the big tourist attractions—those are fun, sure, but I always find myself wanting to dig a little deeper. I want to know the city’s stories, meet its old bones, and walk through the spaces where people actually lived, worked, and dreamed.
Now, Phoenix doesn’t have as many historic homes as some older cities across the U.S., but the ones we do have are full of character and charm. These five buildings are not only fun to explore—they each tell a unique story about how this desert city came to be.
Historic Places in Phoenix Arizona
- Mystery Castle
- Orpheum Theatre
- Rosson House
- Tovrea Castle
- Wrigley Mansion
1. Mystery Castle
Okay, so it’s not technically a castle—but it sure feels like something straight out of a fairy tale… with a quirky, desert twist. Built in the early 1930s, this oddball gem of a house sits up on South Mountain. It has a gorgeous view overlooking Phoenix. If you’re into touring old homes or love poking around in unusual historic buildings, this place is definitely worth a visit.
The story behind it is just as unique as the house itself. A man named Boyce Gulley built it—by hand—for his daughter, Mary Lou. He actually got the land for free and used whatever materials he could get his hands on: stone, old car parts, scrap metal… anything and everything. And here’s the wild part—neither his wife nor his daughter knew the house even existed until after he passed away.
When we first visited years ago, Mary Lou was there in person to greet guests. She passed away in 2010, but her presence is still felt throughout the home—especially if you’re a cat lover. She had a soft spot for felines, which you’ll see in her many hand-painted cat-themed rocks and quirky decorations scattered around the house.
The Mystery Castle is filled with oddities and imaginative ways to use discarded items. I am especially fond of the room with the saguaro cactus designed using river rock on the floor. Beautiful work! What a view of the city this house has!
This place is full of surprises and clever uses of discarded things—every room feels like a scavenger hunt with a creative soul behind it. One of my favorite spots? There’s a room with a stunning saguaro cactus design made entirely out of river rock set into the floor. From the top of the house, you get a sweeping look over the city. Mystery Castle is one of those offbeat places that tells a bigger story—not just about Phoenix, but about creativity and love.
2. Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum Theatre is hands down my favorite place in Phoenix to catch a show. It’s not just about the performance—this place is a total gem when it comes to Arizona history. The building itself is stunning, with its Spanish Baroque architecture and old-world charm. It opened its doors back in January of 1929, just before the Great Depression hit. This was the spot to see traveling vaudeville shows between LA and Denver.
Peacock Staircase
If you’ve got a free Tuesday, I highly recommend taking the Orpheum Theatre tour. It’s such a fun peek behind the scenes. You’ll notice details that are easy to miss if you’re only there for a performance. When you’re walking up the grand staircase, make sure to look up—there’s a reason it’s called the Peacock Staircase. The colors and details are just beautiful.
Whisper Room
Even if your seat isn’t on the top floor don’t skip heading up this way during intermission… that’s where you’ll find the whisper room. Stand in the center of the circle and try whispering—you’ll hear your voice echo back to you like magic. It’s such a cool, unexpected little space.
Drinks & Food
As a heads-up—there’s no food served at the Orpheum. You can grab a drink there and bring it into the theater with you. If you’re hungry before or after the show, you’ve got plenty of great options nearby. One of the most convenient places to eat is Adam’s Table—it’s literally right across the street. I ordered the chicken wrap there and it totally hit the spot. I’d definitely go back.
Another favorite of ours nearby is Harumi Sushi. It’s a local favorite, and once you try their dishes, you’ll understand why.
3. Rosson House
If you’re in downtown Phoenix and want a peek at what life was like back in the 1800s, the Rosson House is the spot to visit. This beautifully restored Queen Anne Victorian home isn’t something you see every day in the desert.
Victorian architecture isn’t exactly common in Phoenix, which makes the Rosson House a true standout. Built in 1895, it’s one of the few surviving homes from the city’s original townsite. Yep, when Phoenix was just getting started, this house was already here—complete with tin ceilings, wood floors, built-in cabinets, and even indoor plumbing (a total luxury at the time!). The Rosson House should be on your list for historic places in Phoenix.
Visit the Historic House Rosson House
You can tour the inside of the Rosson House and get a close-up look at what upper-class life looked like in early Phoenix. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and takes you through both the main level and the upstairs. The third floor and attic aren’t open to the public, but there’s still plenty to admire.
One fun detail to look out for? The original bathtub has a wooden trim around the top. That wasn’t just for looks—it helped keep the tub warm to the touch, which was considered quite the fancy upgrade in 1895.
Forest’s Carriage House
Just around the corner, there’s another piece of Phoenix’s early history you won’t want to skip—Forest’s Carriage House. This building also dates back to the late 1800s. It is extra special because it’s the only structure on Block 14 that was brought in from somewhere else. It’s a quiet reminder of how people lived, worked, and got around when Phoenix was still a tiny desert town.
Lath House Pavilion
The Rosson House is part of Heritage Square, a charming corner of downtown that’s home to several restored buildings from the original townsite. In total, there are ten historic structures here—some were moved in, others have been right here since the early days of Phoenix.
Behind the Rosson House, you’ll find the Lath House Pavilion, a unique open-air structure built in 1980 to host events. It’s also where you can walk through a small conservatory with desert-adapted plants—a sweet little bonus if you love botanical spaces (and let’s be real, who doesn’t?).
How to Tour Rosson House
You can only see the inside of the home with a guided tour. Purchase tickets online and in person. Each tour has a small group size of 8 people. Rosson House is in Heritage Square. This is within walking distance to the Arizona Science Center and Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
4. Tovrea Castle
Locals call it the Wedding Cake House—and once you see it, you’ll totally get why. Tovrea Castle is a quirky little landmark perched on a hill in Phoenix. It is surrounded by 44 acres of stunning cactus gardens. From up there, the views of the mountains are pretty amazing.
Built back in 1929, this tiered beauty was going to be a fancy boutique hotel… but that dream never quite panned out. Instead, it became something even cooler—a piece of Phoenix history. Renovating both the castle and the cactus garden took years of TLC. After opening to the public in 2012, it’s been a hit ever since.
Curious about the story behind this desert castle? You’ll need to book a guided tour—they’ve got all the juicy details. And if you’re up for a deeper dive, check out our post: Tovrea Castle: A Boutique Hotel That Never Was.
5. Wrigley Mansion
Another one of the historic places in Phoenix is in the Biltmore area. The Wrigley Mansion is a Spanish Colonial-style home that William Wrigley Jr.—yep, the chewing gum guy—built as a sweet 50th anniversary gift for his wife. Construction kicked off in 1929 and wrapped up a couple of years later, in 1931.
Today you can take a guided tour of the Wrigley Mansion. You can also eat at one of the two restaurants onsite or have a drink at the bar.
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