Photo from Media File.
Love visiting museums but don’t love expensive museum ticket prices? You don’t have to become a member to enjoy the stunning museums Phoenix offers. Many of Phoenix’s best museums are free or offer free museum days to the public, and Phoenix Living on the Cheap has the scoop on the best, free museum days you can’t miss.
One thing many people appreciate about visiting or living in a larger metropolitan area like Phoenix is the easy access to culture, like our many museums. Sometimes, though, daily life comes along and it seems hard to find time to get out and experience it.
Let these free opportunities (and some great low priced admissions) tempt you to venture out and see some of the amazing art, history, and architecture the Valley has to offer. There are museums and exhibits that will appeal to adults and kids alike.
If you’re not sure how to get around or want to avoid paying for parking, also check out this helpful information. Also, scroll to the bottom of the page for a quick look at the locations of the venues and the events listed.
Updated 6/13/2024
Phoenix Police Museum
FREE Admission
- Open weekdays, Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“You have the right to remain silent…” Did you know the Miranda rights statement you hear on almost every cop show was based on a case that started here in Phoenix? It’s true – find out more at this unique museum, which features Phoenix’s law enforcement history over the past 130 years, starting from 1881 until the ent day, with historical photography, equipment, and stories that bring them to life.
The Phoenix Police Museum is an exciting way to look into the history of Phoenix policing up until the modern day. Kids will particularly enjoy the exhibits offered at the Phoenix Police Museum, and parents will love the price.
Pro tip: The museum offers one-half off parking at the 305 Parking Garage on Jefferson for museum visitors. Just ask for your coupon at the end of your visit.
For more information, exhibits, and hours, please click here.
Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson
FREE Admission
- Open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo from Media File.
Love living life on two wheels? Here in Phoenix for Bike Week? Or maybe you and your family just think motorcycles are fascinating. This is the place for you.
Over 3,000 square feet of classic two-wheeled history, with 37 different motorcycle manufacturers, this museum is a must-see for all motorcycle enthusiasts.
Arizona Capitol Museum
FREE Admission
- Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Closed on state holidays; hours subject to change)
Want to learn about Arizona, how it became a state, and more? The Arizona Capitol Museum in downtown Phoenix uses a balance of technology, hands-on activities, historical artifacts, and public programs to help visitors learn about cultural, political and social history.
The Capital Museum is a four-floor treasure trove of information on Arizona, where you can learn all about Arizona’s 5 C’s and more. The museum has more than 20 exhibition areas and also hosts speakers’ series and events for the public.
Arizona Railway Museum
FREE Admission for active-duty military and children under 2. For adults admission is $15 and for children 2 to 12 it’s $10. The Family Bundle for 2 adults and 3 children is $40.
- Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (closed in the summer through September 7, 2024)
The Arizona Railway Museum is technically not in Phoenix (it’s in Chandler) but is such an exciting place to visit, especially for kids interested in trains, we had to mention it.
Another thing to note? The Railway Museum is closed in the summer because it’s too hot. They are wise.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
FREE Admission on First Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m.
The museum reports that space for Free First Friday is very limited and guests will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Your kids will love the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, a wondrous place of imagination, inspiration, creativity, and fun. It has three floors of interactive fun for the whole family, although it’s designed especially for children from birth to age 10. Note that for your family’s safety, adults are not allowed in the museum without children.
For more information, exhibits and location, please click here.
Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center
FREE Admission
- Open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
This gallery and gift shop right downtown showcases the talent of Latin American artists. Visitors say, “This little out of the way gallery is worth the hunt – everything Mexico is there in all its splendor.”
ASU Art Museum
FREE Admission
- Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.
You’ll have to venture a bit east of Phoenix to visit this gorgeous museum in Tempe.
With interesting architecture described as a “magic mountain” and an “oasis,” the museum features three floors of year-round exhibitions that rotate seasonally and an award-winning store. It was named “the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona” by Art in America magazine.
Intimidated by finding parking around ASU? Don’t be – FREE parking is also available, in front of the ASU Art Museum in ASU Lot 9, located on the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and 10th Street. Visitors using museum spaces must sign in at the front desk in the lobby of the ASU Art Museum.
Photo from Media File.
Desert Botanical Garden
FREE admission the second Tuesday of each month, and FREE admission for active-duty military with ID.
Reservations are required for the free museum day on the second Tuesday. Look for Community Day tickets on the website, they sell-out well in advance so plan ahead. Click here to purchase Community Day tickets.
Please note, advance tickets are strongly suggested for general admission on any day at the DBG.
- Hours vary by season.
A jewel in the desert, the Desert Botanical Garden isn’t an indoor museum, but a treat to visit, nonetheless. Looking to impress out-of-state visitors? Take them to the DBG and leave them speechless. Even better, save money every second Tuesday of the month with free admission to the Garden.
For location, hours, exhibits, and information, please click here.
Phoenix Art Museum
FREE PHXArt After Hours, Select Fridays, from 5 – 9 p.m. See below for the Fridays in 2024:
- Friday, June 7
- Friday, September 6
- Friday, December 6
FREE PHXArt Family Fun Days, 4 times a year, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. See 2024 dates below:
- Sunday, June 30
- Sunday, August 11
- Sunday, November 10
Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays, 3 to 9 p.m.
- For details on the museums Free and Reduced Admission Days, click here.
- Open hours vary but click here for more information
Phoenix Art Museum is the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. It features regularly changing exhibits and permanent galleries drawn from more than 19,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design.
Visitors also enjoy photography exhibitions through the museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona.
As the museum’s first and longest-running community-access program providing free general admission and programming for all ages and interests, the Museum’s Wednesday complimentary-admission program, now known as Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday, has welcomed nearly 1 million people to the museum over the past two decades. Note there is an admission cost for special engagement exhibits.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Museum
FREE Admission
- Open always (it’s in the airport)
Didn’t think you would find a museum in an airport, did you? Well, Phoenix has three airport museum exhibits – all completely free and open to the public. The art exhibits rotate, so it’s worth it to visit regularly if you live in the Valley.
Past exhibits have included Native American artwork and pottery. This is a can’t miss, and, with a free Sky Train available to shuttle you from downtown Phoenix to the airport, there’s no reason to miss these beautiful exhibits.
For more information, hours, and exhibits, please click here.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
FREE for guests under 18 with valid ID
FREE for Healthcare workers and first responders (with valid hospital or equivalent ID)
FREE admission the second Saturday of every month with timed entry.
Pay-What-You-Wish from January 20 to February 2, 2024 (Check back for updates)
- Open hours vary but click here for more information and to reserve tickets.
While also not in Phoenix, no museum round-up would be complete without a mention of Scottsdale’s SMoCA.
SMoCA is situated on a twenty-one acre, beautifully landscaped park in the middle of downtown Scottsdale, and presents the best of contemporary art, architecture, and design from around the world and from around the corner. Exhibits rotate continually so that a visitor will always experience the most current works of art that represent the thinking of the best and the brightest.
Photo from Media File.
Heard Museum
FREE Admission during First Fridays, from 5 to 9 p.m. except in March.
FREE daily for American Indians with Tribal ID or CIB
- Open hours vary but click here for more information
The Heard Museum has more than 130,000 square feet of galleries, classrooms and performance space. It is known worldwide for its exhibitions and programs celebrating Native artists, and for its Shop, which provides the opportunity to purchase museum-quality, authentic American Indian artworks.
Chandler Museum
FREE Admission during all open hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m.
This museum is obviously outside of the Phoenix City limits, but it’s a growing destination. Six to eight exhibits including multi-cultural exhibits, nationally traveling exhibits, as well as Chandler’s history are all celebrated. It’s worth a drive to Chandler, love the building, and it’s always absolutely free.
Are there any free Phoenix museums (or free museum days) we missed? Please share in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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