Cheap or Free Thing To Do
Discover the region's American Indian culture through history and art. Free admission is 6 p.m.–10 p.m. every first Friday of the month (except March), and the fourth Sunday of the month 11 a.m.–5 p.m., June through September.
Heard Museum
2301 North Central AvenueDiscover the region's American Indian culture through history and art. Free admission is 6 p.m.–10 p.m. every first Friday of the month (except March), and the fourth Sunday of the month 11 a.m.–5 p.m., June through September.
The Southwest's largest collection of classic and contemporary art offers free admission every Wednesday from 3 p.m.–9 p.m.; the first Friday of the month from 6 p.m –10 p.m.; and the second Sunday of the month from 12 p.m–5 p.m.
686 locals recommend
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveThe Southwest's largest collection of classic and contemporary art offers free admission every Wednesday from 3 p.m.–9 p.m.; the first Friday of the month from 6 p.m –10 p.m.; and the second Sunday of the month from 12 p.m–5 p.m.
This must-see Phoenix attraction houses thousands of desert plants on acres of trails. Admission is free all day the second Tuesday of every month.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
This must-see Phoenix attraction houses thousands of desert plants on acres of trails. Admission is free all day the second Tuesday of every month.
Kids up to age 10 can crawl, play and create at this imaginative museum for free from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. the first Friday of the month.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 North 7th StreetKids up to age 10 can crawl, play and create at this imaginative museum for free from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. the first Friday of the month.
Arizona's largest arts center is located in Phoenix's East Valley city of Mesa. The five art galleries in its Contemporary Arts Museum are always free to browse.
115 locals recommend
Mesa Arts Center
1 E Main StArizona's largest arts center is located in Phoenix's East Valley city of Mesa. The five art galleries in its Contemporary Arts Museum are always free to browse.
Free historical and and educational exhibits are housed in the Capitol Building under a dome made from copper, the state's official metal.
12 locals recommend
Arizona Hall of Fame Museum
1101 W Washington St Free historical and and educational exhibits are housed in the Capitol Building under a dome made from copper, the state's official metal.
The Roosevelt Row Arts District is a good place to start, especially if you're in town for First Fridays, a bustling artwalk happening the first Friday of each month.
Arts Commission
417 W Roosevelt StThe Roosevelt Row Arts District is a good place to start, especially if you're in town for First Fridays, a bustling artwalk happening the first Friday of each month.
Start your explorations at South Mountain Park, where steep hairpin turns and steady rising elevation leads you to Dobbin's Lookout, a popular overlook offering incredible views of the whole city. This is a great and scenic attraction that doesn't require any spending.
350 locals recommend
South Mountain Park
10919 South Central AvenueStart your explorations at South Mountain Park, where steep hairpin turns and steady rising elevation leads you to Dobbin's Lookout, a popular overlook offering incredible views of the whole city. This is a great and scenic attraction that doesn't require any spending.
Enchanted Island is located in the heart of central Phoenix's Encanto Park, one of the city's oldest and most picturesque parks. This small amusement park offers the perfect budget-friendly escape for families with young children. The park features nine rides, a carousel, a C.P. Huntington train, a small selection of arcade games, and snack bars. When the weather is cool, don't miss the pedal-boats, which allow you to travel across Encanto Park's fish-filled lagoons. There is also a splash zone for those hot summer days. When you're done exploring the park, explore the grounds of Encanto Park, which features recreational opportunities, trails, and plenty of shady trees for picnicking. Admission is always free at Enchanted Island. Visitors pay for individual rides and games.
27 locals recommend
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
1202 W Encanto BlvdEnchanted Island is located in the heart of central Phoenix's Encanto Park, one of the city's oldest and most picturesque parks. This small amusement park offers the perfect budget-friendly escape for families with young children. The park features nine rides, a carousel, a C.P. Huntington train, a small selection of arcade games, and snack bars. When the weather is cool, don't miss the pedal-boats, which allow you to travel across Encanto Park's fish-filled lagoons. There is also a splash zone for those hot summer days. When you're done exploring the park, explore the grounds of Encanto Park, which features recreational opportunities, trails, and plenty of shady trees for picnicking. Admission is always free at Enchanted Island. Visitors pay for individual rides and games.
This desert park, dotted with red rock and weather-sculpted buttes, is located near the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens on the border between Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. A network of trails runs through the grounds, and fishing lagoons punctuate the landscape. Ramadas (covered picnic shelters) provide a perfect place to take in the views and can be reserved with a call. The area is ranger-patrolled for safety. Located at East Van Buren Street and North Galvin Parkway, the red sandstone buttes at Papago Park are a must-see during your next Phoenix visit. Bring a camera to capture these otherworldly works of nature.
543 locals recommend
Papago Park
625 N Galvin PkwyThis desert park, dotted with red rock and weather-sculpted buttes, is located near the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens on the border between Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. A network of trails runs through the grounds, and fishing lagoons punctuate the landscape. Ramadas (covered picnic shelters) provide a perfect place to take in the views and can be reserved with a call. The area is ranger-patrolled for safety. Located at East Van Buren Street and North Galvin Parkway, the red sandstone buttes at Papago Park are a must-see during your next Phoenix visit. Bring a camera to capture these otherworldly works of nature.
This monthly showcase of Phoenix's gallery and art communities grants folks the chance to browse spaces where artists create and sell their works. The event also involves local restaurants and shops, and visitors are regaled by street performers and musicians as well. A free shuttle eases getting from place to place, and a diverse crowd gives the event added character. The event has gotten more popular over the years, making this the biggest monthly art walk in the country. Food trucks and art vendors set up shop along the Roosevelt Row Arts District, creating a carnival-like atmosphere full of art, music, and food.
Artlink Inc.
3121 North 3rd AvenueThis monthly showcase of Phoenix's gallery and art communities grants folks the chance to browse spaces where artists create and sell their works. The event also involves local restaurants and shops, and visitors are regaled by street performers and musicians as well. A free shuttle eases getting from place to place, and a diverse crowd gives the event added character. The event has gotten more popular over the years, making this the biggest monthly art walk in the country. Food trucks and art vendors set up shop along the Roosevelt Row Arts District, creating a carnival-like atmosphere full of art, music, and food.
One of the most popular hiking trails in the valley is the Echo Canyon trail at Camelback Mountain. The Echo Canyon Recreation Area is made up of layered sandstone and comprises the "head" of Camelback Mountain. Prepare to catch of glimpse at some of the smaller animals of the Sonoran Desert, including cottontail rabbits, snakes, lizards, Harris antelope squirrels as well as a variety of birds. Rattlesnakes are also common on the trail. Native desert flora includes saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla, Christmas, staghorn, cholla and prickly pear cacti. Be warned that parking is extremely limited, so it pays to come early and carpool.
1751 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveOne of the most popular hiking trails in the valley is the Echo Canyon trail at Camelback Mountain. The Echo Canyon Recreation Area is made up of layered sandstone and comprises the "head" of Camelback Mountain. Prepare to catch of glimpse at some of the smaller animals of the Sonoran Desert, including cottontail rabbits, snakes, lizards, Harris antelope squirrels as well as a variety of birds. Rattlesnakes are also common on the trail. Native desert flora includes saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla, Christmas, staghorn, cholla and prickly pear cacti. Be warned that parking is extremely limited, so it pays to come early and carpool.
Every Thursday night for the past 30 years, many of the more than 100 art galleries in downtown Scottsdale have opened their doors to art lovers, art lover wannabes, and people watchers during Scottsdale ArtWalk. The only day the event isn't held is on Thanksgiving.
67 locals recommend
Scottsdale Art walk
7056 E Main StEvery Thursday night for the past 30 years, many of the more than 100 art galleries in downtown Scottsdale have opened their doors to art lovers, art lover wannabes, and people watchers during Scottsdale ArtWalk. The only day the event isn't held is on Thanksgiving.
During the summer, you can enjoy free outdoor concerts in the West Valley. During the fall and winter, students at Glendale Community College present a variety of musical performances with free admission. At various times all year long, the Chandler Symphony Orchestra presents free concerts indoors. Get there early for the best seats.
22 locals recommend
Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N Arizona AveDuring the summer, you can enjoy free outdoor concerts in the West Valley. During the fall and winter, students at Glendale Community College present a variety of musical performances with free admission. At various times all year long, the Chandler Symphony Orchestra presents free concerts indoors. Get there early for the best seats.
You can take a free guided trolley tour of downtown Scottsdale. The Scottsdale Trolley Tour introduces you to downtown Scottsdale districts, history, and trivia while traveling between Old Town, the Arts District, Fifth Avenue Shops, and Scottsdale Fashion Square.
385 locals recommend
Scottsdale
You can take a free guided trolley tour of downtown Scottsdale. The Scottsdale Trolley Tour introduces you to downtown Scottsdale districts, history, and trivia while traveling between Old Town, the Arts District, Fifth Avenue Shops, and Scottsdale Fashion Square.
A tour of the Hall of Fame Fire Museum will cost you a couple bucks, but it’s money well spent to explore over an acre of fire history exhibits, including 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus dating from 1725 to 1969.
35 locals recommend
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E Van Buren StA tour of the Hall of Fame Fire Museum will cost you a couple bucks, but it’s money well spent to explore over an acre of fire history exhibits, including 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus dating from 1725 to 1969.
Another great way to explore the city is to browse local farmers’ markets while you’re in town. Even if you’re not in the market to buy any fruits, vegetables, or local honey, it’s fun to people-watch and walk through the markets to see what’s grown nearby. You can often find markets set up in the city and also the surrounding areas like Sun City, Tempe, and Fountain Hills. A couple of local spots to check out include the Ahwatukee Farmers’ Market and the Phoenix Public Market on North Central Avenue, both of which are open year-around.
48 locals recommend
Uptown Farmers Market
5757 N Central AveAnother great way to explore the city is to browse local farmers’ markets while you’re in town. Even if you’re not in the market to buy any fruits, vegetables, or local honey, it’s fun to people-watch and walk through the markets to see what’s grown nearby. You can often find markets set up in the city and also the surrounding areas like Sun City, Tempe, and Fountain Hills. A couple of local spots to check out include the Ahwatukee Farmers’ Market and the Phoenix Public Market on North Central Avenue, both of which are open year-around.