It’s opening weekend of our spring exhibition – Art of the Story – and we hope to see you enjoy this beautiful, interactive storytelling experience.

If you plan to visit on Saturday, Feb. 8, please note there will be some traffic restrictions between 4 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. primarily north of the i.d.e.a. Museum to accommodate the Sprouts Mesa Marathon. But don’t worry! You can still access the museum. And it may make for a fun family day – first cheering on the racers and then visiting the museum.

Marathon FYI

From the northeast, the marathon route heads toward downtown Mesa along 1st Street between Mesa Drive and Robson (just north of the museum – approximately 4 1/2 miles from the finish line), before heading north toward University. The route then goes to Center Street to Brown (becoming Date heading south) to Rio Salado before heading back north on Alma School to Bass Pro Drive until the finish. The race begins at North Usery Pass Road.

Alternative directions to the museum

If you’re coming to the museum from the south, east and west, you are unlikely to encounter any street closures. The race route is north, northeast and northwest of the museum.

However, we suggest everyone check out the interactive traffic routing map provided by marathon organizers. Find it by clicking on this link.

Where to park your car

Parking is accessible from the south of the museum in the lot across the street, as well as the museum parking lot adjacent to our building (on the east side).

We hope to see you soon!

Full marathon route

TURNS MADE FROM START TO FINISH:

  • Begin south on N. Usery Pass Rd.
  • Right at McDowell Rd.
  • Right at N. Ridgecrest
  • Continue on N. Ridgecrest
  • Veer Left onto E. Eagle Crest Dr. (N. Ridgecrest becomes E. Eagle Crest Dr.)
  • Right at N. Power Rd.
  • Left at E. Redmont Dr.
  • Left at N. Recker Rd.
  • Right at E. McDowell Road
  • Left at N. Val Vista Dr.
  • Right at E. Brown Rd.
  • Left at N. Mesa Dr.
  • Right at E. 1st St.
  • Right at N. Robson (just north of the i.d.e.a. Museum)
  • Right at W. University
  • Left at N. Center St.
  • Left at W. Brown Rd.
  • Veer Left onto N. Date (W. Brown Rd. becomes N. Date)
  • Right at W. Rio Salado Pkwy
  • Right at N. Alma School Rd.
  • Left at Bass Pro Dr. to finish