Thursday, May 18 is known as International Museum Day.
It's a worldwide event to raise awareness and recognize the importance of museums. The Valley is home to several award-winning museums.
We found three that are offering some sort of a discount for International Museum Day. We also found a list of museums that offer free admission through the year or all the time.
Scroll down to check it out!
FREE ADMISSION - Pueblo Grand Museum & Archeological Park
You can visit the Pueblo Grand Museum for free on International Museum Day, Thursday May 18. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The museum will have gallery tours and artifact show-and-tell stations throughout the museum. Admission is normally $3 - $6. More information.
IF YOU GO:
4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix AZ 85034
602-495-0900
TWO-FOR-ONE ADMISSION – i.d.e.a. Museum
Mesa’s i.d.e.a museum is offering a buy-one, get-one on admission on Thursday, May 18. Regular admission is $8. The museum is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be special activities, as well as their featured exhibit Caped Crusaders & Everyday Heroes. More information.
IF YOU GO:
150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa AZ 85201
480-644-4332
STORE DISCOUNT - Phoenix Art Museum
For International Museum Day, the Phoenix Art Museum is offering guests a 10-percent discount at its on-site store and restaurant, Palette. They will also have docent-led tours throughout the day.
However, you may be better off visiting the museum on Wednesdays where general admission is free from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. You can see their featured exhibit, Samurai, for $5. More information.
FREE VALLEY MUSEUMS:
PHOENIX POLICE MUSEUM
The Phoenix Police Museum can be found in downtown Phoenix across from the court building. It’s actually the home of the original Phoenix Police Department headquarters. It is open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on weekdays and closed on all City of Phoenix holidays. Inside there is a real police cruiser, police helicopter and three-wheeled bike.More information.
IF YOU GO: 305 W. Washington Street, Phoenix
ARIZONA CAPITOL MUSEUM
The Arizona Capitol Museum covers four floors and has more than 20 exhibits showcasing Arizona’s history. It’s located at the Arizona Capitol. Admission is free. The museum is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. More information.
IF YOU GO: 1700 W. Washington Street, Phoenix
CHANDLER MUSEUM
The Chandler Museum’s McCullough-Price House is located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive. That house has exhibits and an archive center, along with the city’s administration officers. The hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. Tumbleweed Ranch is an outdoor museum that explores Chandler’s agricultural history. It is located at 2250 S. McQueen Road and is open daily from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. More information.
IF YOU GO: 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler AZ 85226
TEMPE HISTORY MUSEUM
Learn about Tempe’s history through some 50,000 artifacts and photographs. The museum also hosts various events. The hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and on Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. More information.
IF YOU GO: 809 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe AZ 85282
ARIZONA RAILWAY MUSEUM (closing for summer on May 28)
The grounds of the Arizona Railway Museum are free to walk around. If you’d like to go into the train cars, the cost is $2 per person or $5 for a family. More information.
IF YOU GO: 300 E. Ryan Road, Chandler AZ 85286
ASU ART MUSEUM
Arizona State University has three art museums. The main one, the ASU Art Museum at Nelson Fine Arts Center; the Ceramics Research Center at Brickyard off Mill Avenue and Project Space at Combine Studios in Phoenix. All three museums are free and showcase various art types. Hours vary by location. View website for more information.
SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (Thursdays only)
The Scottsdale museum is "devoted to contemporary art, architecture, and design," according to its website. It features 2-5 exhibitions a season. On Thursdays, the museum is free. Regular admission is $7 - $10. The hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, and noon to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. More information.
IF YOU GO: 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale
