Free Museums in Central AZ

African American Multicultural Museum
617 N. Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
480-314-4400
1-5 Thurs-Sat

A great place to visit to learn more about African American culture, and the contributions they have made to the world.

Phoenix Police Museum
101 S. Central Ave #100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-534-7278
Phoenix Police Museum
9-3 Mon, Wed, Fri, closed hoildays

Police artifacts from the 1800's to today.
See review under reviews.

Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and Desert Railroad
23280 N. 43rd Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85310
623-670-1904
12-4 Sundays only, September 14, 2008-May 27th 2009 (call for dates after this year)
Closed holidays

Here you can ride the train to the museum, see a small narrow-gauge 1884 locomotive, model train layouts and more.

A must see for every train buff!

African American Multicultural Museum
617 N. Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
480-314-4400
1-5 Thurs-Sat

A great place to visit to learn more about African American culture, and the contributions they have made to the world.

Arizona Capitol Museum
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-926-3629
Arizona Capitol Museum
8-5 Monday-Friday
11-4 Saturday

On the National Register of Historical Buildings. Restored to its 1912 appearance. You can see the House and Senate Chambers, as weill as the offices of the Govenor and Secretary of State. Hands on for sight impaired.

Arizona Military Museum
5636 E. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Entrance is at 52nd St & McDowell
602-267-2676
Arizona Military Museum
1-4 Sat & Sun
Call to arrange tours

Located at the papago Military Reservation in a historic 1936-37 adobe building. Display the military history of Arizona from the conquistadors to the soldiers of today.

Arizona State University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Luhrs Gallery
Hayden Library
ASU main Campus
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-954-4925
Luhrs Gallery
Open during all academic library hours

History of ASU, Arizona, and the southwest

Barbara Anderson Girl Scout Museum
3806 N. 3rd St Suite 200
Phoenix, Z 85012
602-452-7000
Girl Sout Museum
Open by appointment

History of Girl Scouts in Arizona, vintage uniforms.

Buckeye Valley Museum
115 E. MC85
Buckeye, AZ 85326
623-349-6315
Buckeye Valley Museum
Spetember-June 12-4 Wed & Thurs, 10-4 Fri-Sat

Local history of Buckeye and its surrounding communities.

Chandler Museum
178 E. Commenwealth Ave.
Chandler, AZ 85225
480-782-2717
Chandler Museum

Chandler comes alive through exhibits of a hotel, school, store, and a 1912 tent house

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
415 E. Grant St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-7516
GWC Museum
GWC Museum
Open by Appointment

Features Phoenix's African American History

Niels Petersen House Museum
1414 W. Southern Ave
Tempe, AZ
480-350-5100
Petersen House
10-2 Tues-Thurs, Sat

Built in 1892 by Niels Petersen for his wife Susanna. Open for guided tours.

Phoenix Airport Museum
Sky Harbor International Airport
3400 Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85304
602-271-2105
Airport Museum
24 hours

Over 500 pieces of art in six buildings, as well as the Phoenix Aviation Archives.

Phoenix Police Museum
101 S. Central Ave #100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-534-7278
Phoenix Police Museum
9-3 Mon, Wed, Fri, closed hoildays

Police artifacts from the 1800's to today.
See my review in the reviews section!

Phoenix Trolley Museum/Arizona Street Railway Museum
1218 N. Central Ave (Central and Culver)
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-0307
Trolley Museum
9-1Tues-Sat October to May

Two 1928 Phoenix trolleys (one restored), mining trolley, photos, arts, video.

Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area
9802 N. 59th aVe
Glendale, AZ 85302
623-939-4200
Sahuaro Ranch
10-2 Wed-Sat, 1-4 Sun September-May
10-2 Fri-Sat June-July
Closed August

Restored Historical House in Downtown Glendale. 17-acre ranch.

Scottsdale Historical Museum
7333 Scottsdale Mall
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-945-4499
Scottsdale Historical Museum
10-5 Wed-Sat
12-5 Sun Closed July-August
tours by appointment

Located in the Little Red Schoolhouse. Permanent exhibits of Winifield Scott, local history. Changing exhibits as well.

Sunnyslope History Museum and Cultural Center
737 E. Hatcher Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85020
602-331-3150
Sunnyslope History Museum
Wed-Fri, Sun 12-4 September-May

Photo displays of Sunnyslope history as well as traveling and special exhibits.

Telecom Pioneers Museum
3640 E. Indian School Rd
PHoenix, AZ 85012
602-630-2060
Telecom Pioneers Museum
Open for tours by appointment

Learn the history of the telephone in Phoenix, the AT&T and the Bell System.

African American Multicultural Museum
617 N. Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
480-314-4400
1-5 Thurs-Sat

A great place to visit to learn more about African American culture, and the contributions they have made to the world.

Arizona State University Art Museum
Mill Ave & 10th St
ASU Main Campus
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-965-2787
ASU Art Museum
11-8 (summer 11-5) Tues
11-5 Wed-Sat
1-5 Sun
Closed Mon and holidays

Contemporary art can be found throughout. Featured in Art in America magazine.

McCullough-Price House
300 S. Chandler Village Dr
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-782-2876
McCullough-Price House
Tues-Sat 9-5

1938 Pueblo Revival home features changing history and art.

Glendale Community College Art Collection
6000 W. Olive Ave
Glendale, AZ 85302
623-845-3755
7-10 Mon-Fri

Over 550 pieces representing civilization and cultures prehistoric to today.

Phoenix Airport Museum
Sky harbor International Airport
3400 Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85304
602-271-2105
Airport Museum
24 hours

Over 500 pieces of art in six buildings, as well as the Phoenix Aviation Archives.

Adobe Mountain Railroad Museum and Desert Railroad
23280 N. 43rd Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85310
623-670-1904
12-4 Sundays only, September 14, 2008-May 27th 2009 (call for dates after this year)
Closed holidays

Here you can ride the train to the museum, see a small narrow-gauge 1884 locomotive, model train layouts and more.

A must see for every train buff!

African American Multicultural Museum
617 N. Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
480-314-4400
1-5 Thurs-Sat

A great place to visit to learn more about African American culture, and the contributions they have made to the world.

Arizona Capitol Museum
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-926-3629
Arizona Capitol Museum
8-5 Monday-Friday
11-4 Saturday

On the National Register of Historical Buildings. Restored to its 1912 appearance. You can see the House and Senate Chambers, as weill as the offices of the Govenor and Secretary of State. Hands on for sight impaired.

Arizona Military Museum
5636 E. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Entrance is at 52nd St & McDowell
602-267-2676
Militay Museum
1-4 Sat & Sun, call to arrange tours

Located at the Papago Military Reservation in a historic 1936-37 adobe building. Display the military history of Arizona from the conquistadors to the soldiers of today.

Arizona State University Art Museum
Mill Ave & 10th St
ASU Main Campus
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-965-2787
ASU Art Museum
11-8 (summer 11-5) Tues
11-5 Wed-Sat
1-5 Sun
Closed Mon and holidays

Contemporary art can be found throughout. Featured in Art in America magazine.

Barbara Anderson Girl Scout Museum
3806 N. 3rd St, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-452-7000
Girl Scout Museum
Open by appointment

History of Girl Scouts in Arizona, vintage uniforms.

McCullough-Price House
300 S. Chandler Village Dr
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-782-2876
McCullough-Price House
Tues-Sat 9-5

1938 Pueblo Revival home features changing history and art.

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
415 E. Grant St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-254-7516
GWC Museum
GWC Museum
Open by appointment

Features Phoenix's African American History

Glendale Arizona Historical Society
Founded in 1973 to preserve Glendale's History.
Guest House at Sahauro Ranch
9802 N. 59th Ave
Glendale, AZ 85302
623-435-0072
10-4 Tues-Fri

Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area
9802 N. 59th aVe
Glendale, AZ 85302
623-939-4200
Sahuaro Ranch Park
10-2 Wed-Sat, 1-4 Sun September-May
10-2 Fri-Sat June-July
Closed August

Restored Historical House in Downtown Glendale. 17-acre ranch.

Scottsdale Historical Museum
7333 Scottsdale Mall
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-945-4499
Scottsdale Historical Museum
10-5 Wed-Sat
12-5 Sun Closed July-August
tours by appointment

Located in the Little Red Schoolhouse. Permanent exhibits of Winifield Scott, local history. Changing exhibits as well.

Telecom Pioneers Museum
3640 E. Indian School Rd
PHoenix, AZ 85012
602-630-2060
Telecom Pioneers Museum
Open for tours by appointment

Learn the history of the telephone in Phoenix, the AT&T and the Bell System.

Arizona State University Museum of Anthropology
ASU School of Evolution and Social Change Building
(NW corner of Cady and Tyler Malls)
ASU main Campus
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-965-6224
ASU Museum of Anthropology
11-3 Mon-Fri (see website for summer hours)

Changing exhibits on archaeology, human origins, society and culture.

Buckeye Valley Museum
115 E. MC85
Buckeye, AZ 85326
623-349-6315
Buckeye Valley Museum
September-June 12-4 Wed & Thurs 10-4 Fri & Sat

Local history of Buckeye and its surrounding communities.

Halle Heart Center Museum
American Heart Association
2929 S. 48th St
Tempe, AZ 85282
602-414-2800
Halle Heart Center Mueum

1-4 Mon-Fri by appointment only

An interactive museum of the cardiovascular system. Two hour tour by trained "heart guides".

Children's Museum of Phoenix
215 N. 7th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85304
602-253-0501
Children's Museum
Tues-Sun 9-4
FREE from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm on the FIRST Friday of every month through December of 2009

Hands on fun! Art, science, movement. Ever changing, never boring. Geared for children birth to 10 (but the big kids have fun too!) See my review in reviews.

Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-252-8848
Heard Museum
Daily 9:30-5
FREE on Saturdays throughout the summer

American Indian art and culture, international galleries and exhibits. Tours and sculpture courtyards. Hands on displays.

Mesa Contemporary Arts
1 E. Main St
Mesa, AZ 85211
480-644-6500
Mesa Contemporary Arts
Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat: 10am - 5pm, Thurs: 10am - 8pm, Sun: Noon - 5pm
Closed Mon and Holidays
FREE on Thursdays

Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-257-1880
Phoenix Art Museum
Tues 10-9, Wed-Sun 10-5; First Friday of the month evenings 6-10
Closed Mon and major holidays
FREE on all Tuesdays from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the FIRST Friday of the month

Ever changing exhibits and events. Check the website for more information on this premier art museum!

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7380 E. Second St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-874-4666
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5
Free on Thursday night starting at 6:30 pm throughout the summer for special presentations, and free all day on Thursdays for regular viewing.

The only museum in Arizona committed to modern and contemporary desings.

Well the answer is yes. At least one of them right now. As my children and I explore more FREE museums, I will write reviews of them here. Right here.

ETA 7/22/10: I haven't done any other reviews because I have been a very bad mommy and haven't taken my kids to any of these this year. I will try harder during this "school year," I promise!

Children's Museum of Phoenix

REVIEW This is a relatively new museum to Phoenix, but has been in the works for well over a decade. With over 3000 square feet of fun it is well worth the money spent to get in. My children and I were fortunate enough to receive free passes from one of the administrators shortly after they opened. This was completely by chance as we were talking in line at McDonald's!

The bottom floor is dedicated to the gift shop, an "under 5" play area with tubes to crawl through, and plasma cars and "bikes" that your control with your feet. Much time was spent rolling around on the plasma cars (by mommy too-they hold up to 220 pounds), and trying to master the "bikes".

The second and third floors lead you to more learning and playing. Wait! Did I say learning? Ye, but the kids sure didn't notice! The art room offers painting on large projects, smaller craft projects, and just plain messy fun. They do provide smocks, but be prepared to get dirty! There is a sand table to play with too. Lit up, and fun t draw designs in. Have thing for cars? Roll on to the hands on exhibit featuring racers, a xylephone made of wrenches, drums made out of car parts and more. Riding bikes through a "car wash" (helmets provided), shopping (and working at) a grocery store, baking a pizza and serving your friends...don't forget the ice cream for desert, are all just part of the learning through playing at this great museum.

Plan to spend all day and bring a lunch.There is a place to eat inside, and picnic tables available outside (as well as more playing and learning) for when the weather is nice. They do offer snacks for purchase, but we found these to be pricey and not worth the extra money. The Arizona Center is within walking distance, but their are not many "kid friendly" restaurants in there. You can reenter the museum on the same day with your receipt.

Phoenix Police Museum
101 S. Central Ave #100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-534-7278
Phoenix Police Museum
9-3 Mon, Wed, Fri, closed hoildays

Police artifacts from the 1800's to today.

REVIEW: My kids and I went to this musuem on 4/20/2009. This also happend to be the 10 year anniversary of the Columbine massacre, which was really just a coincidence.

We walked into this small, but neat museum not expecting the greeting we got. A place where kids are WELCOMED?!? Not only did we get a great big welcome, the boys (5 and 3) got to wear real police shirts. They got to sit on a real police motorcycle, and in a real police car. In the police car they took turns being the officer and the "bad guy", then they were partners.

We saw a 9/11 memorial, a 300 pound piece of steel that was salvaged from the towers, and a room dedicated to Phoenix's fallen heros. Handcuffs from the 1800's as well as guns, notebooks, and prisoner records were on hand to view.

At the end of our tour each of the boys were given a goody bag with a coloring book about police officers, a Jr. police officer badge, a couple pieces of candy, a bookmark and other goodies. Needless to say, the badge was the biggest hit. I was also given a sticker badge and bookmark for my 1 year old daughter because they didn't think (correctly) that she could have the pin badge, candy, or coloring book at this point.

For a quick trip into learning, hands-on history I give this museum a 4 out of 5 stars!