Finding wallet-friendly activities around Phoenix doesn’t have to be a challenge. No matter if you enjoy the great outdoors or great art, there is something for everyone – free of charge.
1. Get a Culture Pass – This pass gives Phoenix Public Library customers FREE admission for two people to an arts or cultural institution. There are a limited number of passes available, but you can pick one up at any of the 17 library locations. You have seven days to use the culture pass before it expires.
Check out a Culture Pass at the South Mountain Community Library and enjoy the building too. It’s made from 76,000 pounds of copper, 665,000 tons of steel and glass.
2. Phoenix Art Museum – Enjoy international exhibitions, amazing photography and more than 17,000 works of art. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 3 – 9 pm and on the First Fridays from 6 – 10 pm.
3. Continue the first Friday fun with Artlink Phoenix. Several art galleries, venues and spaces offer free admission between 6 pm and 10 pm. You can sign up for the Artlink’s newsletter so you can know about the different exhibitions and activities that will be going on each month.
4. Cosanti, in nearby Paradise Valley, is home to the Paolo Soleri Windbells. You can visit the gallery, Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and from 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday. The gallery also features sculptures, graphics and sketches.
Cosanti – home and sculpture studios of Paolo Soleri
5. A night of cinematic entertainment may be more up your alley. Each spring, the Movies in the Park series begins. Classic movies are shown in their original formats. You get to sit back and enjoy the free shows under the stars on the lawn. Check the Biltmore Fashion Park event list for dates and times.
6. The North Mountain Visitor Center opens the doors to visitors for free admission on the first and third Saturday of each month (from October to May). Starbucks coffee is available at the front desk and there are home-baked goods available for purchase (with proceeds going to support the NMVC). Admission to the center is always free, but the Coffee House Saturdays are a nice bonus.
7. The Arizona Science Center offers an Adults’ Night Out on the first Friday of each month (from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm) – only those 18 and over are allowed to enter. It’s the perfect time for adults to enjoy the four floors of hands-on science fun. The Center also rolls out the cash bar and invites in local DJs to make it a night to remember.
Play at Arizona Science Center without the kids
8. There are plenty of outdoor trails to keep you on the go, but Camelback Mountain is one of the more popular locations. Keep in mind that during the peak season the parking lots fill up fast. This makes a great mid-week adventure (with weekends being the busiest time for the popular location.)
9. McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers a wide variety of outdoor fun. You can enjoy the views, keep an eye out for wildlife (including deer, javelina, and coyotes) or test your endurance along the 50 miles of multiuse trails.
One of the best things about Phoenix is that there is always something to do, whatever it is you enjoy doing. It only makes things better (and lighter on the wallet) that you can find plenty of interesting and exciting free things to do in Phoenix.