- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Rating Details »
7 reviews for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated with ancient things. Call me crazy, but when I was a kid, all I wanted was a subscription to National Geographic or Archaeology Magazine. My sister even bought me a book about Ancient Egypt for Christmas one year.
It was only natural for me to become an anthropologist, even though the path hasn't led me to archaeology. And it was only natural that I stand in awe of Casa Grande.
Part of it was the fact that I didn't have to go deep into Mexican jungles or climb Peruvian mountains to see ruins. Part of it was the sheer magnificence of the edifices and the knowledge that these people possessed in order to build these high temples with a calendar-like system with windows.
Who were these people? Where did they come from? Where did they go? Their voices are haunting, walking through.
Like any museum, price is slightly steep, although it includes admission to a(n) [boring] informative film and a walk-through display of ancient desert life.
But like any time you're overwhelmed by what those who came before us did, it's impossible to attach a price.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (5)
Caliche mud structure
Arizona's national monument
Sadly didn't quite appreciate the ruins
Ahhh it was 102 outside and all I could think of was shade!
I was expecting this "Casa Grande" to be BIGGER!! Admission to get in was $5 and I don't think it was worth the drive and the cost. Though I guess the money goes back to mantaining the ruins, but still it's just a pile of mud!
Advice:
+ Go earlier in the day, when it's cooler
+ If you have a national park pass, then I guess you should go visit it
+ But it's OK to skip this one
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (2)
Ok lets just put it out there. If your in charge of the entertainment committee and you take your group here your going to end up fired. I sadly found this out first hand.
Unless you have a genuine interest in dirt and mud castles this is going to hit the "Boiled Cabbage" mark on the rector-scale of excitement.
I mean no disrespect to the heritage and history behind this place. Personally the history review and time-line inside the facility caught my interest more than the actual park. It is amazing what this group of people accomplished with very limited resources.
But again, if you have kids or a group of people really excited to do something thrilling, your going to lose your brownie points here.
Also in my opinion the cost is a bit steep for a group etc. $5 a person for aprox 15-20 min of something to do.
Side note: Archaeologists please don't throw rocks at me for this review.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (4)
- Cool (2)
In town for vacation and wanted to visit with the family. I know it's not much, but if your kids love history this is a very good place to visit. Will I every come back? Most likely not! But if you have never been there and is nearby, you should check it out.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
This is the Casa Grande (Big House) for which the town of Casa Grande is named. Maybe its not much to look at, especially if your imagination has been attenuated by repeated exposure to surround sound and multimedia sporting events. Maybe its just a big pile of mud. But. Its a big pile of mud that is the remains of a multistory structure built by people much like you--people who had no electricity, no TV, no iPods, no videogaming--all they had was what they could make with their own hands--and they made lots of cool stuff. The government has erected a ramada (look it up) to protect the big house from the effects of the elements...so it does look a little jarring...but still... Its worth a visit, just to see it, especially if you can just for a moment release yourself from the cruel prison of your own culture and just experience this place as something created by people a long time ago. Very cool. Others clearly differ. Five Stars.
People thought this was:
- Useful (22)
- Funny (16)
- Cool (20)
Who said sand castles can't stand the test of time? Well, this wasn't originally a sand castle, but a possible celestial observatory, three stories high, built by the Hohokam people in the early 1300s. Seven hundred years later, this delicate structure -- covered by a large metal canopy for protection -- seems ready to blow away before your eyes. You can approach it and stick your head through some of the openings to peer inside, but it's a cautious experience to be sure. Who knows how long this building will stand? You'd be wise to step lively and take the short road trip south from Phoenix and visit while you can.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
Casa Grande was a blast to see. It's a really humbling experience to view the ruins and see what an ancient civilization was able to construct without all of the modern tools that we use. The surrounding area is very nice and the site is punctuated by informative signs printed with what we know about the Hohokam people. A must visit!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)