Free things to do in metro Phoenix 2022: 100 best places to go that won't cost you a penny
Having fun in metro Phoenix doesn't require you to open your wallet wide.
From hikes to museums to open mic nights, there are plenty of ways to play, explore and learn that keep cash in your wallet.
Here are 100 (yes, 100) free things to do in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale and everywhere in the Valley of the Sun.
1. Hiking Camelback Mountain is a rite of passage for Phoenix residents and visitors. The Echo Canyon Trail, though rated extremely difficult, gives the best views.
2. Check out a Culture Pass at a Phoenix Public Library. It gives you free admission for two to museums and destinations including the Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum and Desert Botanical Garden.
3. Mountain Shadows resort in Paradise Valley offers a complimentary outdoor yoga class every Monday through July and August in the shadow of Camelback Mountain.
4. Check out the current exhibitions at the ASU Art Museum, where admission is always free.
5. The monthly First Friday self-guided art walk in downtown Phoenix features more than 70 galleries, venues, art spaces, bars, restaurants and food trucks that capture the essence of the local arts and culture community. Word to the wise: It's all about the people-watching.
6. If you really want to dedicate some time soaking up what the local art scene has to offer, try Third Friday instead.
7. Splash pads are the perfect place to bring your kids to cool off in the summer, there are 49 places open around the Valley. If the splash pad is at a city park or shopping center, it's probably free.
8. Catch the view of the city from the south. The Dobbins Lookout trail at South Mountain offers sweeping views of the Valley. If you're not up for a 4.8-mile round-trip hike, you can drive to the observation deck at the summit.
9. A Phoenix Public Library card will get you access to free movies, books, music and more.
10. Stroll through Old Town Scottsdale to window shop the art galleries that line the historic streets. You never know what you might find.
11. With more than 7,000 plants and 200 species, Scottsdale's Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park is a great nature walk. You won't run out of things to see.
12. Join a group run offered by Runners Den. The Wednesday night Easy Breezy Group run takes place on the Arizona Canal — and since it's an out and back, you can make it as long or as short as you want.
13. Stroll through a farmers market. There are dozens around metro Phoenix and many have live music, food trucks, cooking demos and other activities.
14. Brush up on your outdoor skills with virtual and in-person classes offered by REI stores in Chandler and Paradise Valley. Not all sessions are free, but the no-fee events include information sessions on popular nearby destinations and outdoor skills.
15. If you are looking for a place where your dog can roam free, try the Shawnee Dog Park in Chandler. There are balance beams, tunnels, doggy drinking fountains and even a fake fire hydrant.
16. There's lots of art on display at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and all the museum galleries are free to enjoy.
17. Take a self-guided walking tour of downtown Phoenix murals. Some are in plain sight while others are tucked away in alleys.
18. Relax to the sound of rushing water at Arizona Falls on Indian School Road between 56th and 58th streets in Phoenix. The falls are created by a natural 20-foot drop on the Arizona Canal and have been a gathering spot for more than 100 years.
19. Hike the trails at Papago Park. It's a Phoenix-area tradition to take a picture at one of its main attractions, Hole in the Rock.
20. Head down Central Avenue to South Mountain Park, one of the largest city parks in the U.S. There are miles of hiking trails, petroglyphs and more — and there's no admission charge.
21. Pretend you’re getting away to the beach. Tempe Town Lake and Kiwanis Park in Tempe, Encanto Park in Phoenix and Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler are some of the Valley parks that have man-made lakes.
22. The Desert Botanical Garden waives its admission charge on Community Day, the second Tuesday of every month.
23. Hike in the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. Trails run along the Salt River bed in central Phoenix and can be accessed from trailheads at Seventh Avenue, Central Avenue and 16th Street.
24. Check out the bands performing at Tempe Marketplace from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
25. Take a self-guided walking tour of historic Old Town Scottsdale and discover the self-proclaimed “West’s most Western town.”
26. You can get into the Phoenix Art Museum for free every Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m. and on the first Friday of every month from 3 to 9 p.m.
27. Venture out to Arizona’s national parks and monuments (Grand Canyon, Saguaro, Montezuma’s Castle, just to name a few) on fee-free days, which you can find on the National Park Service website.
28. English and writing majors: Flex your muscles at the First Draft Book Club, hosted monthly by USA Today’s books editor Barbara VanDenburgh. The event will take place at the beer and wine bar inside Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix.
29. Linger Longer Lounge in Phoenix is the place to go for a night of dancing, karaoke, or trivia. DJs play on Friday and Saturday. No cover, different music every week. Check their Instagram for more details.
30. If you’re into Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon, look for open-play gaming nights at geek hangouts such as the Phoenix Gaming Lounge or ManaWerx in Glendale.
31. Take a selfie at the LOVE sculpture, by the late artist Robert Indiana. It's currently located northwest of the Civic Center Library during renovations to the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall.
32. Check out Sozo Coffeehouse in Chandler. Every Friday and Saturday night means a live show, whether an open mic night or a local artist taking the stage. Check the online calendar for a show that matches your vibe.
33. Explore Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye. The trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians and you get expansive views from the mountaintops. Well-signed trail junctions let you put together loop hikes of whatever distance you want.
34. Watch people settle arguments the Old West way — with guns (all temporary deaths are for entertainment purposes only). The blanks and bodies fly during free weekend shows (hourly noon to 4 p.m. from November through mid-April) at Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction.
35. Wander the gallery inside the Tempe Center for the Arts. Exhibits rotate often, and more than 2,500 artists have been represented over the past 14 years.
36. It's an art tour you won't want to miss. Cosanti, in Paradise Valley, is the home and design studio of the late artist Paolo Soleri, known for his bronze and ceramic wind bells. Free tours are offered at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
37. Gracie's Tax Bar is the place for weekend music and community events. The bar hosts local DJs, musicians, and vendors almost weekly — and you don't have to pay to get in. Check their Instagram for weekly event details.
38. Complete with a courtyard, fire pits and hammock swings, the Social Hall in Tempe is the best place to settle down and play some games for free. Drinks and food will cost you, of course.
39. Would you like fries with your vintage cars? Head to the Scottsdale Pavilions for The Pavilions Rock ‘N’ Roll Car Show. From 4 to 8 p.m. Saturdays, classic-car owners park their rides for visitors to enjoy.
40. Burn a few calories with a brisk hike up “A” Mountain in Tempe. Not only will you have a lovely view near the top, but also see what you must protect from marauding University of Arizona students prior to the ASU-UA football showdown.
41. Head to Scottsdale to hike the Pinnacle Peak Park trail, which winds 1.75 miles through the Sonoran Desert. The one-way trail alternates between uphill switchbacks and downhill stretches with views of the surrounding neighborhoods.
42. Venture even farther into Scottsdale and you’ll find the Browns Ranch Trail, which offers sweeping views of the McDowell Mountain Preserve. The 3.1-mile round trip uphill starts off gradually, but the final ascent to the viewpoint is a scramble. You’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the desert and landmarks such as Tom’s Thumb. The trail’s relatively rock-free path makes it a popular mountain-biking destination.
43. Take your kids out for a night at the museum. The first Friday of every month is free at the Children's Museum of Phoenix from 5 to 9 p.m. Note that attendance is limited and first come, first served.
44. Grab a Frisbee and head to Fountain Hills to play some Frisbee golf. There are 20 holes to prove you have the skills to be a champion.
45. For a heart-pumping workout, trek up Piestewa Peak. Summit the 2,608-foot peak by taking Trail 302, a 1.2-mile path that rises 1,200 feet and offers views of the Dreamy Draw recreation area.
46. Take a mini road trip to the Superstition Wilderness in Gold Canyon and hike to the Wave Cave. The 3-mile trail doesn’t offer much shade and its uphill climb can be difficult, but the picture you'll get for Instagram will make it all worth it.
47. Enjoy an expansive recreational park and check out the peacocks and historic ranch buildings at Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale.
48. Grab your favorite pair of binoculars to spot wildlife roaming about the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert. There are a floating boardwalk, play area, multiple gardens and picnic tables and benches scattered throughout the park.
49. Take a walk through Fiesta Bowl history at the Ellie and Michael Ziegler Fiesta Bowl Museum in Scottsdale.
50. Stroll through Whitfill Nursery for inspiration to spruce up your yard patio or balcony. You might feel motivated to buy a plant.
51. Seek out the Secret Garden on the ASU Tempe campus. (OK, it's not really that much of a secret, but it's still a cool spot.)
52. Enjoy an alfresco dance performance when Ballet Arizona puts on its annual Ballet Under the Stars program every fall. Check the website for the 2022 season update.
53. Join a bike gang. Kidding. But you can join a group bike ride like those hosted by TIP Ride: Tempe Inclusive Pedaling.
54. Visit the bat cave. No, not that bat cave. The one where thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats take flight every night around dusk from May to October. You can find the tunnel near 40th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix.
55. Take a step back in time at the Arizona Room. Located on the second floor of Burton Barr Central Library in downtown Phoenix, this collection includes tons of historical records like vintage postcards, old maps and yearbooks from Phoenix-area high schools.
56. If you are interested in learning more about Arizona’s history or want to see the state flag made from Lego bricks, The Arizona Capitol Museum might be the perfect place for you.
57. Go to Grand Avenue, Phoenix's quirky arts district and look up. The stretch from about Van Buren Street to Roosevelt Street is home to indie galleries and businesses, crochet-wrapped palms and trees decorated with stuffed animals.
58. Contemplate light and space at ASU Skyspace: Air Apparent, a public art space on the Tempe ASU campus by internationally renowned artist James Turrell. Seriously, he's a big deal and even Kanye is a fan of his work.
59. The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace is always churning with colorful events, whether an art exhibit or the Bubble Bash summer series for the little kiddos. Look on the website for a full events list.
60. Check out Palabras, Arizona's only bilingual bookstore, which hosts events ranging from poetry readings to book clubs.
61. Visit the galleries at Grant Street Studios. Housed in a repurposed cotton factory in the Warehouse District, the space houses the Step Gallery and Northlight Gallery as well as more than 60 studio spaces for MFA students at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
62. Practice your meditation skills with Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Classes are always free and held several times a week. Currently, all classes are online.
63. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is free all day Thursdays and every second Saturday of the month. Exhibitions rotate so there's always something new to see. Don't forget to spend some time inside James Turrell's Skyspace, Knight Rise.
64. The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is always free to visit.
65. Snap a selfie on the Tempe Town Lake pedestrian bridge, known as the Elmore Pedestrian Bridge after James Elmore, ASU’s founding dean of architecture.
66. Stop and smell the roses at the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College. With nearly 9,000 roses of over 300 varieties, it's the largest rose garden in the Southwest.
67. The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area has a free visitor center with interactive exhibits, walking and hiking trails and programs such as wildlife encounters and bird walks.
68. The northern suburb of Cave Creek offers a 4-acre public botanical garden and one of the largest working sundials in the country.
69. Practice your shooting skills — the soccer kind — at Scottsdale Sports Complex. There are two drop-in areas with full-size goals and nets that anyone can use on a first come, first served basis.
70. Head to Encanto Park Sports Complex, where you'll find a football field, eight tennis courts, eight racquetball courts, four concrete volleyball courts, two sand volleyball courts and three full basketball courts. Reservations may be needed for athletic fields.
71. Go visit the tomb of Arizona's first governor, George W.P. Hunt. It's not creepy or anything. It's a white-tiled pyramid located at Papago Park.
72. The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is the perfect place for all things train related in Scottsdale. Visiting the park, the Scottsdale Railroad Museum and Model Railroad Building is free.
73. Drive part of the Apache Trail, also known as State Route 88. This highway through the Superstition Mountains is one of the most scenic drives around, rising and falling with the landscape. Note that the road is closed at the Fish Creek Hill Overlook because of damage from flooding after the 2019 Woodbury Fire. You'll have to turn around when you reach that point.
74. Stroll through the Scottsdale Arts District at the evening ArtWalk. You can browse galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way, and the people-watching isn't bad either. It's every Thursday except Thanksgiving.
75. Make friends while you cycle at the Crescent Community Bike Ride every Thursday evening. Bikers can meet at the Crescent Ballroom patio for two types of rides: The Caliente, for those who want an intense workout, meets at 7 p.m., and the Fresca, a more casual ride, meets at 8 p.m. The best part? Discounts on cold drinks and hot burritos await when you get back.
76. Maricopa County offers free classes every month, whether childbirth classes or literacy classes for really young kids.
77. Vision Gallery in Chandler features the work of more than 300 regional artists. The museum is open every day but Sunday.
78. If you want to get your sweat on, the courtyard at The Churchill hosts free fitness classes every Saturday morning.
79. Relax and clear your head at a virtual Mindfulness Session. The Phoenix Art Museum hosts free 30-minute sessions each Thursday at noon.
80. People-watch at a local college campus. Enough said.
81. Check out the "Her Secret Is Patience" sculpture designed by renowned artist Janet Echelman at the Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix.
82. Squeeze through Fat Man's Pass at South Mountain. The 3.8-mile hike runs through two large boulders and is a fun adventure.
83. If you love skateboarding — or want to learn — try out Desert West Skatepark. Offering more than 25,000 square feet of terrain, the Phoenix park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
84. Stroll ASU's scenic Palm Walk. The corridor is perhaps the most photographed site on the university's Tempe campus.
85. Climb Pinnacle Peak at Pinnacle Peak Park. Located in north Scottsdale near Cave Creek, the hike takes you up to an idyllic desert vista. We recommend the hike at sunset.
86. Learn how to line dance at Charlie's in Phoenix. The country-themed bar offers free lessons 7-9 p.m. Saturdays.
87. Sing your heart out at karaoke night at Monkey Pants Bar and Grill in Tempe. The fun starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
88. Play a round of trivia with Geeks Who Drink, a homegrown Pub Trivia Quiz. Check the schedule to find a game at a bar near you.
89. If you are looking for a picnic spot in Phoenix, look no further than Margaret T. Hance Park, which is named after the city’s first female mayor. Families can also take advantage of the dog park, bike paths and play areas.
90. Explore The Farm at Agritopia. Visitors are welcome to see what's sprouting at the farm on Ray Road near Higley Road in Gilbert. While you're there, check out everything from the community garden to on-site restaurants, though those will cost you.
91. Go to a comedy show or an open mic night at the Yucca Tap Room in Tempe. There's live almost music every night; some don't charge a cover. Check the website to find out which ones are free.
92. The Phoenix Public Library hosts a calendar of online activities — including story times for kids, a virtual escape room and volunteering opportunities for teenagers — as well opportunities for those seeking jobs across various library locations in the Valley of the Sun.
93. Stroll through the Fountain Hills Botanical Gardens. There are 29 desert plants marked along the trail, an old dam and rock formations you won't want to miss.
94. Tune in for Trivia every Monday evening at GenuWine Arizona in Phoenix.
95. Check out a drag show at Karamba Nightclub. The club hosts a Top 40 night every Sunday, with a drag show at 10:30 p.m. — and there's no cover charge.
96. Play free games — Skee-Ball and shuffleboard — at the Little Woody every Monday for Industry Night.
97. Check out — and take a selfie in front of — Mesa's historic neon "diving lady" sign.
98. Explore the best places for wildflowers in the Valley.
99. The Penske Racing Museum in Scottsdale showcases of some of the fastest cars in the country. It's open daily.
100. Desert Breeze Park in Chandler has a spray and splash pad, lake, sand volleyball courts, basketball and soccer fields and trails throughout the park. The train that runs through the park charges a fee and is closed in summer.
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