The Phoenix Metropolitan area may be known for its soaring summer temperatures, but there’s a lot more to the city than meets the eye. The Phoenix area has a lively art scene where you’ll find a wide range of museums from contemporary art galleries to historic sites and desert wonderlands.
Many of the museums in Phoenix offer free admission at least once a month, making them perfect destinations for anyone on a budget! They’re also great places to escape the heat in the summer, so plan on visiting at least a few of the following museums when the temperature starts to rise.
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Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix
If you’ve never been to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, now’s your chance to experience this unique destination for free. This extraordinary desert garden opened its doors to the public in 1939 and has since grown to become a 140-acre living museum that includes over 50,000 plants. In addition to the garden’s regular attractions, they also feature guest installations, including the breathtaking Chihluhly in the Desert installation that is currently in place through June 2022.
How to get in free: Admission to the Desert Botanical Gardens is normally $29.95 – $39.95, but they offer free entry on the second Tuesday of each month. To take advantage of this special offer, you’ll need to head to their website, select Tickets, then select General Admission, and click on Community Day Reservation to select your preferred entry time.
Location: 1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Capitol Museum
The Arizona Capitol Museum is located on the grounds of the Arizona State Capitol in the 1901 Arizona Territorial and State Capitol Building. You can take a self-paced tour to learn about Arizona’s early days of statehood and view several special pieces, including the USS Arizona’s silver service and a 7-foot flag made with 114,006 Legos that symbolize the total amount of square miles in Arizona.
Admission: Free
Location: 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, Arizona
