Phoenix is more than cactuses and coyotes. The fifth-largest city in the United States boasts world-class museums, Native American and Latin American cultural experiences, luxury spas and PGA tournament golf courses. If that sounds a little over your budget, don’t worry. Some of the best things to do in Phoenix are free.
Scroll down to explore the top free things to do in Phoenix, from hiking to museum-hopping to window-shopping. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Get to Know State 48
Located in Arizona’s original, copper-domed capitol building, the Arizona Capitol Museum tells the story of the nation’s 48th state from its territorial days to the present. You’ll also learn about state-related topics, including the sinking of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
A short walk from the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown is the oldest remaining residential block in Phoenix, Heritage Square, which showcases 10 fully restored turn-of-the-century buildings. You can tour Rosson House Museum for a fee, but it’s free to walk the grounds of this Queen Anne Victorian house museum.
Discover a City Museum
Several of the cities that make up the greater Phoenix area have free museums focused on local history. Minutes from Element Chandler Fashion Center, the Chandler Museum covers the city’s history from its past as a farming community up to the present day. Similarly, the Scottsdale Historical Museum displays community artifacts and contains a replica classroom and farm kitchen.
The Tempe History Museum also chronicles the city’s evolution, incorporating the story of Arizona State University (formerly the Territorial Normal School) and information on the Sonoran Desert.
Hike a Desert Trail
Grabbing some water bottles and hitting the trails is one of the best free things to do in Phoenix. For an easy hike, take the 1-mile Kiwanis Trail in South Mountain Park or the family-friendly Gateway Trailhead at McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Hikers looking for a challenge and amazing city views can try Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon and Cholla trails instead.
Phoenix’s heat is a serious risk, so always make sure to pack more water than you need and avoid peak daytime temperatures, especially in the warmer months.
Admire Great Art
Art enthusiasts visiting Phoenix can view paintings by greats like Claude Monet, contemporary installations by living artists, photographs and more for free at the Phoenix Art Museum on Pay-What-You-Wish hours on Wednesdays and select Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. For an artsy stay nearby, try the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
In Tempe, ASU Art Museum emphasizes art from the Americas and contemporary artists, while the Mesa Contemporary Arts Center displays contemporary pieces, some experimental, in its five galleries.
Immerse Yourself in Native American Culture
The Gila River Indian Community’s free Huhugam Heritage Center displays cultural artifacts and exhibits on loan from national museums. If you’re looking for a hotel nearby, consider Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, which embraces the community’s culture through its architecture, art and food.
In downtown Phoenix, the impressive Heard Museum is renowned for its celebration of Indigenous art and robust programming. Free admission is offered during select hours on the first Friday of every month. For a convenient commute to the museum, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Phoenix Midtown is just five minutes away by light rail.
Explore Greater Phoenix’s Western Heritage
The Old West lives on at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, located a 10-minute walk from Scottsdale Marriott Old Town. You can admire Western art along with Old West artifacts at no charge on occasion. Or walk the streets of Goldfield Ghost Town, a once-thriving mining town. Although Goldfield is free to visit, some on-site museums and attractions charge a fee.
If you can avoid the temptation to spend, Old Town Scottsdale offers a mix of fabulous boutique stores, galleries and markets for window shopping — some highlights include The Paper Place and Native Art Market. As you explore, keep an eye out for historic buildings like the one that houses Porters Western Saloon.
You’ll find public art throughout Old Town, too, including Western-themed sculptures, Soleri Bridge and a James Turrell installation.
Enjoy Family Activities in Phoenix
Kids can learn through imaginative play at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix (situated across the street from SpringHill Suites by Marriott Phoenix Downtown), and you can score free admission in the evening of the first Friday of every month.
Nearby, the Arizona Science Center welcomes visitors free of charge on select dates. Entry for seniors is free on the first Sunday of every month, and active-duty military members and their family get free entry throughout the summer.
Museums aren’t the only free things to do with kids in Phoenix. Take them to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park to see actual railroad cars and model trains, as well as climb, swing and slide on train-themed playgrounds. Reproduction railroads and the carousel require tickets to ride, though they’re just a few bucks.
Learn About the Sonoran Desert
Unlike a stereotypical sandy desert, the Sonoran Desert that surrounds Phoenix is lush with saguaro cactus, mesquite trees and other vegetation. On the second Tuesday of every month, you can learn about these plants and more for free at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Any other time, head to Veterans Oasis Park, a major urban birding destination. The park also is home to the Chandler Nature Center, which offers free nature walks and animal encounters.
Visit a Race Car Museum
The Penske Racing Museum showcases the race cars, trophies and memorabilia from more than 600 major race wins, including 20 Indianapolis 500 victories. The attached showroom features Ferraris and Maseratis you can gawk at, too.
Stay close to the action at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Phoenix Scottsdale, which is a quick car ride away.
See a Frank Lloyd Wright Building
While architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, Taliesin West, is splurgeworthy, you don’t have to spend on a costly tour to see his work in the Phoenix area. Wright designed Arizona State University’s Gammage Auditorium (not far from Moxy Phoenix Tempe/ASU Area) in Tempe and the First Christian Church on 7th Avenue in Phoenix.
Take a Scenic Stroll
For a relaxing walk at the end of the day, make your way to Tempe Town Lake, a human-made lake looped by a paved trail. As you go, watch boaters, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders on the water.
Papago Park offers an unpaved alternative. Its easy Hole-in-the-Rock Trail leads to a butte with an eye-shaped hole with views of the sun setting over the city.
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