Free & Affordable Ideas in Phoenix, Arizona

The Phoenix Art Museum has offered access to educational programs and visual arts in Phoenix, Arizona for more than fifty years. It is also the largest art museum located in the southwestern region of the United States. General admission, which typically doesn’t include special exhibitions, is by voluntary donation during certain days and times for the Phoenix Art Museum.

1625 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: 602-666-7104

The Heard Museum in Phoenix features twelve different galleries with various exhibitions, outdoor sculpture gardens, trading-post style shopping, a gallery of contemporary art, and free guided tours. The art collection at the Heard Museum focuses on the lives of the country’s Native people, consists of over forty thousand items. The two main areas of focus are North American contemporary native fine art and cultural collections of the Greater Southwest. Free parking is available on the museum grounds.

2301 North Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Phone: 602-252-8840

Guests visiting the art center and museum can take advantage of the on-site free parking. The Shemer Art Center/Museum East Phoenix is housed inside of a stucco home from the 1920’s originally owned by Martha Shemer. She donated the home in 1984 to the city. The facility boasts an amazing view of the nearby Camelback Mountain, along with now hosting exhibits inside of the front room, sculptures in the outdoor garden, history throughout the home, and art classes in the kitchen.

5005 East Camelback Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, Phone: 602-262-4727

The goal of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Museum is to enhance the experience of airport visitors by providing a memorable environment promoting the unique cultural and artistic heritage of Arizona through the Aviation History Collection, Art Collection, and Exhibition Program. The Aviation History Collection shares artifacts, memorabilia, and documents associated with the Goodyear, Deer Valley, and Sky Harbor airport community as a way to increase awareness of important Arizona air transport achievements. The Art Collection consists of contemporary works of art meant to create a sense of community and warmth and to improve the environment of the airport.

3800 E Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034, Phone: 602-273-2744

Visitors to the Ellie and Michael Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum can relive some of the best moments in the history of the Fiesta Bowl. The football museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm, and there is no charge any day for admission. Fans of college football have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of exhibits that feature memorabilia from Fiesta Bowl games and events and each one of the 128 FBS team helmets. Some of the most prestigious trophies are also on display, such as the Heisman and the Fiesta Bowl.

7135 E. Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, Phone: 480-350-0900

The Sahuaro Ranch Historical Area in Glendale is open to visitors from 6:00am until sunset. There is no admission fees to visit the Historic Sahuaro Ranch, with the exception of particular special events. The historical area preserves one of the most magnificent and oldest ranches in the Valley. The Historic Sahuaro Ranch encompasses seventeen acres and features historic orchards, a barnyard, a rose garden, and thirteen original buildings. The site is also designated on the National Register of Historical Places. Free guided tours of the site’s Historic Main House are offered every thirty minutes from the porch.

9802 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302, Phone: 623-930-4200

The ASU Art Museum is housed inside of the Nelson Fine Art Center on the campus of of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The museum features three different floors that display a variety of year-round rotating exhibits, as well as an award-winning store. The permanent collection at the ASU Art Museum focuses primarily on contemporary works of art, including contemporary art by emerging and regional artists, both contemporary and historic Latin American art, contemporary and historic prints, and contemporary crafts with a focus on wood, fibers, and ceramics. Complimentary parking is offered in ASU Lot 9 in front of the museum.

51 E 10th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, Phone: 480-965-2787

The Phoenix Police Museum is housed inside of the Historic Phoenix City Hall on the first floor. This museum highlights the long history of the Phoenix Police Department starting in the year 1881, beginning with Henry Garfias being elected as the city’s first city marshal and going up to present day. There is no fee for admission to the Phoenix Police Museum. Visitors can see the First Mashal’s office and jail in Phoenix, Arizona, along with several exhibits that display 130 years of law enforcement history.

17 South 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, Phone: 602-534-7278