Free and Cheap in Phoenix

Free Museum Days

Jump into Phoenix's rich arts and culture scene with free museum admission, offered specific days throughout the month. 

• Heard Museum: Discover the region's American Indian culture through history and art. Free admission is 6 p.m.–10 p.m. every first Friday of the month (except March), and the third Saturday of the month 11 a.m.–5 p.m., June through August.

• Phoenix Art Museum: The Southwest's largest collection of classic and contemporary art offers free admission every Wednesday from 3 p.m.– 8 p.m. and the first Friday of the month from 5 p.m.– 8 p.m.

• Desert Botanical Garden: This must-see Phoenix attraction houses thousands of desert plants on acres of trails. Admission is free all day the second Tuesday of every month.

• Children's Museum of Phoenix: Kids up to age 10 can crawl, play and create at this imaginative museum for free from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. the first Friday of the month.

• Penske Racing Museum: Check out this collection of cars, trophies and racing memorabilia chronicling the career of one of the most successful dynasties in all of sports, including a replica of the 1963 Pontiac Catalina which Roger Penske drove to victory in the 1963 Riverside 250. Admission is always free. 

• Mesa Arts Center: Arizona's largest arts center is located in Phoenix's East Valley city of Mesa. The five art galleries in its Contemporary Arts Museum are always free to browse.

• Arizona Capitol Museum: Free historical and educational exhibits are housed in the Capitol Building under a dome made from copper, the state's official metal.

• Arizona State University Art Museum: Don't be fooled by the fact that this museum is housed on ASU campus in Tempe — it's one of the best local museums for contemporary art. Even better is the fact that it's always free to check out. 

• Explore the Trails: The city's desert trails cross every corner of the metro area—and they are always free to bike, hike or ride. Download or request a pocket-sized version of our Phoenix Trail Guide for maps and trail picks for every level. Check out our top picks for hikes, biking, running, and more below. 

• Take a Guided Tour: For just a $6 per-car fee, you can join Maricopa County Parks' guided events and explore the outdoors on wildflower walks, moonlit hikes, scorpion hunts and more.

• Picnics: Phoenix has an abundance of beautiful parks that are perfect for a picnic. Check out some top spots, as well as nearby spots to pick up food. 

• Take a Scenic Drive: Hit the open road and see some beautiful views while you're at it. There's some gorgeous scenery to catch on these drives. 

• Farmers Markets: See all the delicious foods and artisan goods at Phoenix farmers markets — it's free to walk around, but you may want to bring a couple bucks to splurge on some treats. See when and where the farmers markets take place here. 

• Movement in the Courtyard: The Churchill in downtown Phoenix's Roosevelt Row hosts a donation-based fitness class every Saturday at 10 a.m., with a rotation on styles and instructors. 

• Take a Self-Guided Mural Tour: Downtown Phoenix has a plethora of eye-catching murals, perfect for selfies and photo backgrounds. Check out our favorite murals around town at the moment. 

• Splash Pads: Cool off with refreshing family fun at splash pads. CityScape, Fountain Park at WestGate City Center, Scottsdale Quarter and Outlets at Anthem are just a few shopping centers with free water features.