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Phoenix is renowned for its beautiful desert landscape and luxurious sun-drenched resorts, but that doesn’t mean a trip to the Valley of the Sun has to be expensive. There are many popular attractions that are free to enter and plenty of activities suitable for visitors on a budget.
Here are 20 of the best free things to do in the Phoenix area.
1. Explore Nature in South Mountain Park
- Address: 10919 South Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain
- Opening hours: 05.00 am – 07.00 pm
Encompassing three mountain ranges across more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park is one of the USA’s largest municipal parks.
It has a huge range of hiking trails to explore, which are well-maintained, so it’s easy to find routes for all experience levels. Highlights include Dobbins Lookout Point, which offers incredible views of Phoenix from 2,330 feet.
Happy Valley is another essential visit, particularly in spring when wildflowers blanket the ground.
2. Learn About State History at Arizona Capitol Museum
- Address: 1700 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: azcapitolmuseum.gov
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 09.00 am – 04.00 pm
Arizona Capitol Museum is a fantastic way to learn about the state’s fascinating history. Its exhibitions cover Arizona’s political, social, and cultural history, and they’re very family-friendly.
The museum is housed in a stately stone building that is crowned with a copper dome and a Winged Victory statue. This building was once Arizona’s state capitol and is worth a visit if you’re in the area.
3. Take in Fine Art at Phoenix Art Museum
- Address: 1625 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: phxart.org
- Opening hours: Free admission on Wednesdays, 3.00 pm – 9.00 pm
The Phoenix Art Museum houses Arizona’s most comprehensive collection of fine art, with works by renowned artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, and Diego Rivera.
There are multiple galleries to explore, each filled with contemporary art from all over the world. The Western Gallery showcases artworks inspired by Arizona’s rugged desert landscape. Admission is free on Wednesday afternoons, but you can also look out for special exhibitions, workshops, and entertainment events: some of which are free.
4. Entertain the Kids at Enchanted Island Amusement Park
- Address: 1202 West Encanto Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: enchantedisland.com
- Opening hours: Wednesday & Thursday 11.00 am – 4.00 pm, Friday & Saturday 10.00 am – 8.00 pm, Sunday 12.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Families with young kids love Enchanted Island Amusement Park, which is nestled in the heart of Encanto City Park in central Phoenix.
There are nine rides and a carousel to enjoy, or your can tour the park on the C.P. Huntington Train. Canoe and pedal boat rentals are also available. Entrance to the amusement park is free, but individual rides have fees, or you can purchase an all-day park pass.
5. Challenge Yourself to a Hike up Camelback Mountain
- Website: phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback-mountain
- Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Camelback Mountain is one of Phoenix’s best-known natural landmarks thanks to its 2,700-foot twin-humped peaks. The trails up Camelback are short but very challenging due to steep elevation and uneven terrain.
Two of the most popular hikes are Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail. You’ll be able to spot many native critters of the Sonoran Desert along the way, such as rabbits, rattlesnakes, and lizards, as well as desert plants, such as cholla and prickly pear cacti.
6. Discover American Indian Culture at the Heard Museum
- Address: 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: heard.org
- Free hours: Free admission every first Friday of the month (except March) 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm
The Heard Museum highlights the art, culture, and history of American Indian tribes in Phoenix and the Southwest. It houses multiple art galleries and ethnographic displays, as well as a vast collection of Hopi kachinas (spirit dolls) that is unrivaled.
Be sure to look out for special events and temporary exhibitions throughout the year, some of which are free. In addition, the Heard Museum offers free admission every first Friday of the month.
7. Inspire Young Minds at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- Address: 215 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
- Free hours: Free admission every first Friday of the month, 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is designed to get kids aged ten and under involved in fun activities that inspire them to create and enquire. Play experiences are set out over three floors, and with more than 300 fun things for kids to try, it’s easy to spend several hours here. Admission is free on the first Friday of every month after 5.00 pm.
8. Take a Leisurely Stroll Around Tempe Town Lake
- Address: Mill Ave and Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ
- Website: tempe.gov/government/community-services/tempe-town-lake
- Opening hours: 5.00 am – 12.00 am
Tempe Town Lake is a perennial reservoir that is beloved by local residents. Paths run on each side of the lake and are connected at Priest Drive and Mural Road.
A walk around the lake is a brilliant way to see the many pieces of public art on display. Nearby Tempe Beach Park is also a great spot to enjoy a picnic or take a relaxing stroll.
9. Take in Incredible Street Art in Roosevelt Row Arts District
- Address: Roosevelt Row Welcome Center, 918 North 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: rooseveltrow.org
- Opening hours: 24/7
Phoenix’s art district is centered around Roosevelt Row, an area that is packed full of street art, murals, and galleries. You can discover the works of many talented local artists here for free when you take part in the First Friday Art Walk, a monthly event that sees artists, musicians, and vendors head out into the streets to connect with fellow creatives.
The atmosphere is friendly and inspiring, and there are many bars, restaurants, and food trucks available to grab a drink and bite to eat along the way.
10. Get Jaw-dropping Views from Piestewa Peak
- Address: Multiple trailheads.
- Website: phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/piestewa-peak/hiking-trail-map
- Opening hours: 5.00 am – 7.00 pm
The 1.1-mile hike to 2,600-foot Piestewa Peak is very challenging and incredibly popular. The mountain was named after Lori Piestewa, a local American Indian soldier who died serving in the Armed Forces in 2003.
Piestewa offers the second-highest point in Phoenix for views of the city, which is why more than half a million hikers take it on every year.
11. Witness Rugged Red Rock Formations in Papago Park
- Address: 625 & 626 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/papago-park
- Opening hours: 05.00 am – 11.00 pm
Papago Park is known for its incredible red rock buttes, which look otherworldly as they tower over the desert landscape. The park sits right on the border of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, which makes it easy to access. It’s also close to the Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo, so you can drop by when taking a day trip to this area.
12. See Flora of the World in the Desert Botanical Gardens
- Address: 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: dbg.org
- Free hours: Free admission every second Tuesday of the month, 8.00 am – 8.00 pm
The Desert Botanical Gardens are spread across 55 acres and are home to thousands of flowers, trees, cacti, and plants from all over the world. This is the perfect place to learn about desert plant life and see flora that is native to the Valley of the Sun.
Every second Tuesday is a Community Day which means admission is free, but be sure to book your free tickets in advance during the busy spring season to make sure you don’t miss out.
13. Wander Back in Time in Old Town Scottsdale
- Address: Scottsdale, AZ
- Website: oldtownscottsdaleaz.com
- Opening hours: 24/7
Downtown Scottsdale is known by locals as Old Town, thanks to its historic architecture and museums. It’s easy to spend a few hours wandering around and checking out the unique buildings, boutique stores, and luxurious restaurants and saloons. This is also a great spot to catch live music in the area’s many bars and clubs.
14. Taste the Region’s Best at Phoenix Farmers Market
- Address: 720 North 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: downtownphoenixfarmersmarket.org
- Opening hours: Saturday 8.00 am – 1.00 pm
The Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market is an open-air event where the very best local vendors sell their wares. You can pick up seasonally grown local produce, organic meat, bread, spices, and salsas, as well as jewelry and other accessories created by local artisans. It’s free to enter the farmer’s market, and there are often free samples on offer from vendors.
15. View Art for All at Arizona State University’s Art Museum
- Address: 51 East 10th Street, Tempe, AZ
- Website: asuartmuseum.org
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11.00 am – 5.00 pm
ASU’s Art Museum is free to enter at all times in line with its “art for all” ethos. The exhibitions rotate frequently so that local visitors can see something new every time. The focus of the museum is on education, equity, and social justice, so this is a must-see attraction for art and culture enthusiasts.
16. Learn About Motorcar History at Penske Racing Museum
- Address: 7191 East Chauncey Lane, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: penskeautomall.com/penske-racing-museum
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Sunday 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm
The Penske Racing Museum chronicles the 50-year dynasty of Penske Racing, which includes more than 500 race wins and 18 Indianapolis 500 victories.
The museum is home to a vast collection of racing memorabilia, trophies, and cars, including a replica of the Pontiac Catalina that was victorious in the Riverside 250 when driven by Roger Penske in 1963. Admission to the museum is free, and there’s a cafe on site for you to grab a coffee during your visit.
17. Explore the Old West at Goldfield Ghost Town
- Address: 4650 North Mammoth Mine Road, Apache Junction, AZ
- Website: goldfieldghosttown.com
- Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Goldfield Ghost Town was once an abandoned mining town and has since been renovated to offer a glimpse of Western life. The historic wooden buildings include a shop, museum, restaurant, cafe, and rattlesnake exhibit.
You can take a horse ride through the Superstition Mountains or take a train and mine tour to witness the historic Mammoth Gold Mine. It’s free to enter Goldfield Ghost Town but many of the activities involve fees.
Look out for the free gunfighter shows that take place hourly between 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
18. Take in Local Contemporary Art at the Mesa Arts Center
- Address: 1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ
- Website: mesaartscenter.com
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 12.00 pm – 5.00 pm
The Arts Center in Mesa is the biggest in Arizona, and its contemporary art galleries are always free to enter. A store connected to the museum space is a brilliant place to pick up paintings and crafts from local artists.
Look out for events taking place in the center’s four theaters. There are often workshops, classes, and live performances taking place, some of which are free.
19. Glimpse Victorian-era Phoenix in Heritage Square
- Address: 113 North 6th Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: heritagesquarephx.org
- Opening hours: Visitor center is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.00 am – 03.00 pm
Heritage Square is a block of historic homes that date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. They contrast dramatically with the modern skyscrapers of Downtown Phoenix. It’s free to wander around Heritage Square and enter some of the buildings.
There’s a fee to take a guided tour of Rosson House Museum, which is incredibly well-restored and a brilliant way to get a glimpse into late-Victorian life in Phoenix.
20. Explore McDowell Mountain Regional Park
- Address: 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive, Fountain Hills, AZ
- Website: maricopacountyparks.net/mcdowell-mountain-regional-park
- Opening hours: May to October 05.00 am – 09.00 pm, November to April 06.00 am – 08.00 pm
McDowell Mountain Regional Park has more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Hikers can find trails of varying difficulties, many of which offer fantastic views of the Scottsdale skyline and the Valley of the Sun’s northern mountain ranges.
The North Trail is an easy 3.1-mile route suitable for beginners. Experienced hikers can challenge themselves to the Pemberton Trail, which covers 15.3 miles.
Experience Phoenix for Free
There are lots of free and affordable attractions available in Phoenix, so take inspiration from this list and get started planning your itinerary in the Valley of the Sun.
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Ruck
