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Museums are fascinating to visit, normally you have to purchase a pass to enter, but some museums in Phoenix offer days that admission is free. This article will list the museums that offer free days and when they offer them.
Phoenix
Phoenix Art Museum | 1625 N Central Ave
For the past 20 years, the Phoenix Art Museum has offered free admission every Wednesday during the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. They also offer a free day on the first Friday of every month from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix | 215 N 7th St
In 2020, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix will be allowing free admission from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month.
Heard Museum | 2301 N Central Ave
The Heard Museum will be hosting a free admission day on the first Friday of every month except March between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Children 5 and under are always free to enter, as well as American Indians with tribal identification.
Arizona Capitol Museum | 1700 W Washington St
There are a variety of days and times to visit the Arizona Capitol Museum free in 2020. This museum near Phoenix offers free admission from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the first Friday of every month except March. You can also visit free every fourth Sunday, June through September, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Arizona Science Center | 600 E Washington St
If you are looking for free admission into this museum in 2020, head to your nearest library. The Arizona Science Center near the Phoenix area has partnered with Phoenix Public Libraries to offer a “Culture Pass” allowing free entry into the museum. It is first-come, first-serve, so don’t miss out.
Pueblo Grande Museum | 4619 E Washington St
Children under 6 and museum members are always free, and children 17 and under are free on Sundays.
Desert Botanical Garden | 1201 N Galvin Pkwy
The Desert Botanical offers free admission on the second Tuesday of every month between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Wells Fargo Museum | 145 W Adams St
If you’re looking for free museums near Phoenix, admission is always free at The Wells Fargo Museum to display the history of the institution.
Shemer Art Center | 5005 E Camelback Rd
The admission at the Schemer Art Center is always free, but it is suggested to donate $7 per individual or $10 per couple. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday – Monday.
Musical Instrument Museum | 4725 E Mayo Blvd
Members and children 3 and under are always free to this musical art museum near Phoenix.
Hall of Flame Fire Museum | 6101 E Van Buren St
Children under age 3 are admitted free of charge.
Pioneer Living History Museum | 3901 W Pioneer Rd
Children under 5 are always free, and they have events throughout the year!
Martin Auto Museum | 17641 N Black Canyon Hwy
The $10 admission fee to this museum near Phoenix is only suggested, so you can essentially visit this museum for free all year long!
Phoenix Police Museum | Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave
Free admission to all who wish to visit the Phoenix Police Museum.
Buddy Stubbs Historical Motorcycle Museum | 13850 N Cave Creek Rd
Admission is ALWAYS free to this Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer.
Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center | 147 E Adams St
While admission is always free, this place offers 1st Friday Programs for children that are free and open to the Public every month of the year, 6 – 9 pm.
Tempe
ASU Art Museum | 51 E 10th St
The ASU Art Museum always offers free admission.
Tempe History Museum | 809 E Southern Ave
While admission is free, donations are encouraged at the Tempe History Museum.
AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park | 1300 N College Ave
AHS Members, children under 6, and military veterans can get in free any day of the week.
Mesa
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum | 1 E Main St
This museum always offers free admission.
Arizona Museum of Natural History | 53 N Macdonald
Children 2 and under are always free, and there will be a schedule released for free Discovery Days/Evenings soon!
i.d.e.a. Museum | 150 W Pepper Pl
The i.d.e.a. Museum will have plenty of free days in 2020, but the schedule has yet to be released! Check back in soon.
Scottsdale
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West | 3830 N Marshall Way
Members and Children 5 and under are always free, but on Thursdays from November – April, Scottsdale residents with proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, etc.) receive free admission to this museum near Phoenix!
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art | 7374 E 2nd St
Free to all with a ONE Membership. SMoCA also offers free admission every Thursday and second Saturday of the month.
Scottsdale Historical Museum | 7333 E Scottsdale Mall
Offering free museum admission throughout the year, there’s no bad time to visit the Scottsdale Historical Museum (except June, July, and August, and select holidays, when they are closed).
Chandler
Chandler Museum | 300 S Chandler Village Dr
The Chandler Museum offers free 45-minute tours led by our volunteer docents every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m.
Arizona Railway Museum | 330 E Ryan Rd
Infants under 2 and active military are free, since the Arizona Railway Museum in the Phoenix area is a Blue Star Museum.
Crayola Experience Chandler | 3111 W Chandler Blvd Suite 2154
Purchase an annual pass once and you’ll have free, unlimited admission the whole year! But, if you don’t even want to spend that, find a friend who will and nab one of their free admission passes that they can give to family and friends.
Peoria
West Valley Art Museum | 8401 W Monroe St
Admission is always free to this art museum.
On April 4th, 2020, Museum Day Live! hosted by Smithsonian Magazine offers free admission to one of 1,000 museums taking part in this event. The other museums participating in Phoenix include:
- ASU Art Museum – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- CAF Airbase Arizona Museum – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Chandler Museum – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Mesa Historical Museum – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sedona Heritage Museum – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
International Museum Day
Many museums throughout the Phoenix area are participating in a free admission event as part of International Museum Day on May 18th, 2020. The museums offering free admission include:
- Phoenix Art Museum – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Pueblo Grande Museum – 9 a.m. – 4.45 p.m.
- Heard Museum – 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- i.d.e.a. Museum – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Arizona Science Center – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
