You Must Visit These 10 Fascinating Museums in Phoenix Where Admission Is Free

Don’t be one of those people who make the mistake of skipping out on museums when on a trip to Arizona. While the state has lots of wonderful destinations, you shouldn’t underestimate what a visit to a good art wonderland can do for you. Forget about the expensive ticket prices, and just check out our list of free museums in Phoenix! It’s one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Are you ready to see the amazing history, art and architecture the Valley has to offer? What are you waiting for? Take a look at these cool museums!

10 Fascinating Free Museums in Phoenix:

1. Arizona Capitol Museum

Source: Google Maps

The beautiful thing about this museum is that it uses a balance of technology, hands-on activities, and historical artifacts. The mix of these tools, as well as their public programs, help visitors learn about the state’s cultural, political and social history. This is the perfect place to start if you’re genuinely curious about how Arizona, how it became a state, and more. Basically, it’s the place you go to if you want to know more about Arizona’s vast and colorful history.

There are also many exhibition areas and events for the public. For instance, the USS Arizona Exhibits is one of the most loved exhibits in the museum, as it details the attack on Pearl Harbor as well as the heroic Arizona natives. Make sure to regularly check their page to know what’s happening.

Museum Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Location: 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, Arizona (in the 1901 Arizona Territorial and State Capitol Building)
Website: http://www.azlibrary.gov/azcm

2. Phoenix Art Museum

Source: The PhotoPhore

You can’t make a list of free museums in Phoenix without the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. That’s for sure! Phoenix Art Museum boasts an expansive collection of acclaimed art, with some dating back from the Renaissance period. It also features regularly-changing exhibits and permanent galleries that display American, Asian, European, Western American, and modern and contemporary art among many others.

It’s safe to say that this museum is a great place not only for the whole family, but even for yourself. You don’t have to worry about being bored while touring the place on your own. There are a lot of wonderful pieces that will demand your attention and appreciation. The beautiful exhibitions are simply what it is: beautiful.

They provide free general admission for all ages and interests. They are all about opening their doors to the community to see art and experience fascinating cultural events. However, it’s important to take note that their special exhibitions require a ticket.

They also have a Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday complimentary-admission program which has welcomed nearly 1 million people to the Museum over the past two decades.

Museum Hours: Open hours vary
Location: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://phxart.org/

3. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Museum

Source: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

What do you know? One of the free museums in Phoenix includes a fun little gallery to walk through while at the Phoenix airport. It’s certainly a delight! Not to mention, it’s completely open to the public.

You should come here if you want to see Arizona’s unique artistic and cultural heritage through an Art Collection and Exhibit before flying home. That will just enhance your whole Arizona experience, because you get to see something interesting before you leave. And don’t you just love the idea of using the airport space to offer a lovely experience instead of just filling it with retail venues?

The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Museum may be small, but it’s worth visiting. In general, each exhibition is on view for six months. So you better visit the exhibition you like best before it changes.

Museum Hours: Open always (it’s in the airport)
Location: 3800 E Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, Arizona (in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)
Website: http://www.skyharbor.com/Museum

4. Phoenix Police Museum

Source: Instagram

What better way to learn about the history of the Phoenix Police Department than by visiting the Phoenix Police Museum? Here, you’ll learn a lot of cool and interesting facts of Phoenix law enforcement history from 1881 until today. That’s over 130 years of stories! Pretty sweet, huh?

Some of the things you will see here include the origins of the Miranda Rights, homage to fallen officers and K9 officers, Old West Law, forensics, as well as 9/11 Memorial. We guarantee you, this place has a lot of great displays, helpful staff, and informative historical documents. It’s definitely a fun way to look into the history of Phoenix police. It would be a crime to miss out on this museum, so you better plan ahead and take a trip here if you have time.

Museum Hours: Open during weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm.
Location: Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://phxpdmuseum.org/

5. Buddy Stubbs Harley Davidson Motorcycle Museum

Source: Google Maps

Apparently, one of the coolest free museums in Phoenix features more than 130 rare machines from 37 different manufacturers. It doesn’t matter whether you’re still a boy or a grown man with mad love for motorcycles, this 3,000 square-feet museum will definitely excite you.

We don’t need to tell you that Harley Davidson is a premiere iconic brand. The manufacturer produced its first motorcycle in 1903, and ever since, it has grown through decades supplying motorcycles for the United States’ war effort. Interestingly, a Harley racing legend and Hollywood stuntman decided it was a good idea to open a Harley-Davidson dealership in Phoenix in 1966. It became the home of his wide collection of vintage motorcycles, and the motorcycle museum was born.

Check out the motorcycle collection here which features rare models from AJS, BMW, BSA, Triumph, and more. There are also street bikes and racing bikes from the 30s to 50s. It’s definitely paradise for all motor lovers.

Museum Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
Location: 13850 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://www.buddystubbshd.com/museum

6. The Gallery @ City Hall

Source: Visit Phoenix

For a gallery with rotating exhibitions, this one is pretty interesting. The Gallery @ City Hall is famous for giving guests a glimpse of the City’s historic Municipal Art Collection. It features approximately 1,000 portable works and even highlights the best projects that are commissioned by the award-winning Phoenix Public Art Program.

Drop by and visit to enjoy the Phoenicians’ legacy of art which mas made evident since nearly a century ago in 1915.

Museum Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2pm.
Location: 200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona (in Phoenix City Hall)
Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/arts/the-gallery-@-city-hall

7. Wells Fargo History Museum

Source: Wells Fargo History

There is something for everyone at the Wells Fargo History Museum! If you have a free day, make sure to give this place a visit. The museum tells the beautiful story of historical Arizona back when mail was still delivered by stagecoach and bandits had bounties on their heads.

Some of the other interesting finds include Tombstone artifacts about Wyatt Earp, a replica mine shaft, and a beautiful gallery with a large collection of Western-themed oil paintings.

Museum Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm
Location: 145 W. Adams St. Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://www.wellsfargohistory.com/museums/phoenix/

8. Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Source: Instagram

Combine learning with playtime, and you’ll get the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the perfect place for both kids and adults. It is an expansive museum with about 300-plus interactive play areas for babies to kids up to age 10. There are many exhibits and experiences and these are all spread throughout three floors in the equally magnificent Monroe School Building.

There’s plenty to touch and discover here, so make sure your kid is energized to make the most out of your visit. They offer free admission on First Fridays of most months from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Museum Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm and on select holiday Mondays.
Location: 215 N 7th St, Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/

9. Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center

Source: Google Maps

This is not just one of the free museums in Phoenix you should visit when in the downtown area. The Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center is also a great hidden gem that holds events for local artists from Hispanic and Native communities to showcase their work. It’s truly a beautiful organization helping a great cause.

Check out the beautiful artistry in this gallery and gift shop, and see what makes this place so popular not just to locals, but also to visiting guests. You will definitely take in some of the cultures before you leave.

Museum Hours: Open daily from 11 am to 6 pm.
Location: 147 E Adams St, Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://www.alac-az.org/

10. Desert Botanical Garden

Source: Instagram

There’s nothing better than the opportunity of enjoying the raw beauty of the desert and just roaming around the gardens like a free spirit. The Desert Botanical Garden may not be an indoor museum, but it’s definitely a must-visit. Many Arizonans take their out-of-state guests here because the place is simply beautiful. It has the power to leave anyone speechless.

Be in awe of the vibrant spring blooms while taking in the stunning scenery. They offer free admission during the second Tuesday of each month. Those active-duty military are also given free admission.

Museum Hours: Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Location: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, Arizona
Website: https://dbg.org/

NOTE: Many places are closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Please check each museum’s website to learn more about when they will open soon. When you do visit, remember to practice social distancing and maintain proper hygiene to reduce the risk of acquiring the said disease.

Once you’re done touring Phoenix museums, you might as well check out their cool murals too!