Texas may have its black gold, but Arizona made its underground fortune in the mines. Get a load of the state’s haul at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum (1502 W. Washington St., 602/771-1611, http://mines.az.gov [1], 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat., $2 adults, children 17 and under free), which showcases more than 3,000 minerals, rocks, fossils, and mining artifacts, including an eight-foot specimen of copper and rocks from the first moon landing.
The sparkling gemstones and iridescent semiprecious stones are real show-stoppers, and kids will love the enormous excavation and mining equipment.
Links:
[1] http://mines.az.gov