The Arizona Capitol Museum in the historic Capitol building is always free. Explore on your own Monday–Friday 9am–4pm and Saturdays 10am–2pm (September through May), or join a free walk-in tour Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm. A self-guided map and family activities are at the first-floor desk.
The contemporary art museum inside Mesa Arts Center is free to visit, with changing exhibitions. It's open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays and most major holidays). Free guided tours run Saturdays at 1pm.
Tue–Sat 10am–5pm (closed Sun, Mon and city holidays)
Tempe History Museum
The City of Tempe's history museum tells the story of the city, and admission is free. It's open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–5pm, and hosts events, most of them free.
Tue–Sat 8am–2pm Jan–Apr; Wed–Sat 8am–2pm May and Aug–Dec; closed June and July
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve · Phoenix
ASU's Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve protects ancient rock art on a desert hillside trail. ASU students, staff and faculty with a Sun Card, Indigenous visitors with a tribal ID, and children 6 and under get in free (general admission is $14). It's closed in June and July and keeps morning hours.
Verified Oct 27 · deervalley.asu.edu
Catch: Only for ASU students/staff/faculty with a Sun Card, Indigenous visitors with tribal ID, or kids 6 and under · Everyone else pays $14
Fri–Sun 11am–5pm (site also lists Wed–Sun; check before going)
ASU Art Museum · Tempe
Arizona State University's art museum on the Tempe campus never charges admission. Exhibitions change through the year. The site lists hours as 11am–5pm but shows both Wednesday–Sunday and Friday–Sunday, so check before a weekday visit.
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Heard Museum is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Phoenix Art Museum is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
AttractionsFree (worth about $25)Eligibility applies
On Veterans Day the Heard Museum gives veterans and active-duty military free museum admission, plus one guest. The day's schedule lists the American Indian Veterans Art Market, live Native music and a film screening from 10am to 4pm, then a Sunset Tribute and reception from 5 to 7pm (the page header says 11am–7pm, so check times). Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Verified Oct 27 · heard.org
Catch: Veterans and active-duty military only, with valid ID · Free for one additional guest only
Active-duty military get free general admission to the Desert Botanical Garden with a valid government ID (adult tickets start at $32.95). Open daily 7am–10pm October–December, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Free parking on site.
Verified Oct 27 · dbg.org
Catch: Active-duty military only · Valid government ID required · General admission only, not ticketed events
Phoenix Art Museum opens its general galleries free on the first Friday of each month, 5 to 8pm. It's an easy evening plan downtown on the same night as the city's First Friday art scene. Special exhibitions still need a paid ticket.
Verified Oct 27 · phxart.org
Catch: Special exhibitions need a separate paid ticket
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