Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Governmental Mall
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
84 reviews
Excellent
56
Very good
24
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Ian H
Mullion, UK197 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We are from the UK on a road trip around Arizona and decided to end our visit in Phoenix. We walked out to the capitol building and thoroughly enjoyed all of the information in the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. In particular the memorials to those veterans who died in the service of their country. It’s such a shame that nobody can be bothered to empty and clean up the waste bins. The contents were spread all around. Not what I expect to see in such a memorial.
Written 25 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janet-wunnicke
phoenix734 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
I live in Phoenix and I've been to the plaza a couple of times to take pictures. It is very nice with lots of grass and about 30 sculptures-monuments & memorials, including the 911 memorial. I don't think I've seen them all in my two trips. It's free and there is plenty of free parking. I would recommend seeing it. The old state capitol is right across the street to the west, with it's copper dome and an angel on top. How much time youll spend there depends on how much of it you want to see.
Written 21 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerry A
Scottsdale, AZ291 contributions
Jan 2020
Lots of interesting monuments (USS AZ, fallen police officers memorial, etc.). Wide open are so you can social distance in this covid-19 world we live in.
Written 15 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dorecopilot
Sheffield32 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Came across this park by accident. Some really great memorials to the fallen from many conflicts and those lost serving the public.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jsblondie63
Safford, AZ11 contributions
Oct 2019
I have been to downtown Phoenix many times over the years for business and have never had the time to walk through the plaza and really had no idea what was there. In October 2019 I arrived an hour and a half early for a meeting, I found a parking spot in the plaza, from where I parked I realized I could see two very large 16 inch guns from the USS Arizona. As I walked closer I saw the signal tower and one of her anchors and a beautiful display for the sailors who lost their lives. The entire plaza is full of memorials from the USS Arizona, Navajo Code Talkers all branches of the military and law enforcement, even a beautiful statue honoring Father Eusebio Kino. I enjoyed walking the plaza and spending time at each memorial. I plan on going again so I can spend more than an hour. It's a for history buffs and people that just want to pay respects.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aud E
172 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Easy to walk. Takes about an hour to see it all. If you cross the street there is a city hall museum that is also free!!
Written 19 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen V
Tampa, FL3,157 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
It's like a mini version of the National Memorial at the U.S. Capital. It's very well laid out with the war & service memorials through out the park. I didn't get to stop at all of them. It's spread out, and we didn't have a whole lot of time to walk to each one of them. The heat can also be a factor for some. Bring some water if you plan on staying longer than 30 minutes.
We were able to visit the following memorials: Korean War, USS Arizona, USS Missouri, Arizona 9/11, and Desert Storm. Each memorial plaque described Arizona's contributions and were either dedicated to the units that participated, or to the citizens who sacrificed their lives for freedom. It was a very touching sight to see. I'd have to say that this was the highlight of our trip to Phoenix. It spoke more about the pride of Arizona than anything else I'd seen the entire trip. Very well done!
The only disappointment was that the State Capitol Museum was closed at the time of our visit. They have exhibits of salvaged artifacts from the USS Arizona. Would have loved to seen these displayed. Make sure you plan your visit by checking the hours of operation. We visited on a Saturday, but they may have been closed out of respect for Governor Rose Mofford (who had passed away that weekend). Totally understandable as she was Arizona's first female governor, and she lived a very long life. She did a lot for this state.
We were able to visit the following memorials: Korean War, USS Arizona, USS Missouri, Arizona 9/11, and Desert Storm. Each memorial plaque described Arizona's contributions and were either dedicated to the units that participated, or to the citizens who sacrificed their lives for freedom. It was a very touching sight to see. I'd have to say that this was the highlight of our trip to Phoenix. It spoke more about the pride of Arizona than anything else I'd seen the entire trip. Very well done!
The only disappointment was that the State Capitol Museum was closed at the time of our visit. They have exhibits of salvaged artifacts from the USS Arizona. Would have loved to seen these displayed. Make sure you plan your visit by checking the hours of operation. We visited on a Saturday, but they may have been closed out of respect for Governor Rose Mofford (who had passed away that weekend). Totally understandable as she was Arizona's first female governor, and she lived a very long life. She did a lot for this state.
Written 25 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry B
McMinnville, OR317 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Stopped to see the Vietnam Memorial and spent most of the day looking over the park and all the memorials to military, law enforcement, fire fighter and people of Arizona.
Written 8 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhxDogMom
Phoenix, AZ462 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
While the best known monuments at Wesley Bolin Plaza are the U.S.S. Arizona anchor and mast, there are several others of interest, too. There is a large memorial to the Navajo Code Talkers of Word War II: an educational monument to the Bill of Rights; a Vietnam War memorial monument; a Law Enforcement Canine Memorial; some monuments to Arizona historical figures; and many more. If you are interested in history, it's worth the trip to visit the plaza and the Arizona Capitol building nearby.
Written 13 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy H
Mahone Bay, Canada137 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
This was unexpected. I had intended to visit the State Capital Museum at the end of this park without realizing this place was here.
It is a quiet and surprisingly tranquil setting in which have been placed many beautiful memorials and statues to honour those who have served in the various Armed Forces and Civilian Services - Police, Fire Fighters, Army, Navy, Volunteers - it's all here.
And of course the centrepiece USS Arizona Memorial.
Touch the names here and be touched.
It is a quiet and surprisingly tranquil setting in which have been placed many beautiful memorials and statues to honour those who have served in the various Armed Forces and Civilian Services - Police, Fire Fighters, Army, Navy, Volunteers - it's all here.
And of course the centrepiece USS Arizona Memorial.
Touch the names here and be touched.
Written 24 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello - I am a member of a loosely organized group that send CARE packages to deployed soldiers and sailors. Our current group is Seal Team #1 deployed to Iraq and other places. As you most likely know Chief Special Operator Charles Keating IV was killed in Iraq on May 3, 2016. We would like to donate a memorial bench with his life details, accomplishments, etc. He is an Arizona boy, track star at Arcadia High and MCC so we feel a memorial in the valley is appropriate especially since he will not be buried here (he's been interned into Rosecrans National Cemetery). Please send me any forms or instructions on how to begin this process. Thank You. Dave Murray, (480) 650-6037
Written 17 May 2016
Wonderful idea -- you might contact the State Capitol and see how they direct you, if that is where you would like to do this. What a noble offer and commitment. Another idea is to contact your state senator and have them help you with a direct contact. Blessings and yes, praying for the Keating family.
Written 18 May 2016
Absolutely. Bring your puppy. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch and sit under one of the big trees.
However, I do not believe that dogs are allowed in the Capital Museum.
Cheers
Robert
Written 18 March 2016
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