If you haven’t already checked out a Culture Pass, you need to. They’re available for “check-out” from your local Phoenix-area library and will admit four adults for free to one of several museums:

  • Arizona Historical Society
  • Arizona Museum of Natural History
  • Arizona Museum for Youth
  • Arizona Science Center
  • The Bead Museum which is now closed
  • Cave Creek Museum
  • Children's Museum of Phoenix
  • Deer Valley Rock Art Center
  • Desert Botanical Garden
  • Desert Caballeros Western Museum
  • Heard Museum
  • Mesa Contemporary Arts
  • Phoenix Art Museum
  • Phoenix Zoo (only two admissions)
  • Pueblo Grande Museum
  • Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

It’s a great way to get in your culture fix without spending any extra cash. However, you’ll need to get a bit lucky, as the passes aren’t always easy to come by. In fact, the rack is nearly always bare at the popular libraries, less so if you’re willing to travel to some of the ghetto locations.

But you shouldn’t despair if you can’t snag one of those passes - many of the museums participating in the Culture Pass also have regular free admission days. Here’s the list, which is current as of May 20, 2009. I’ve included links and phone numbers so you can verify a museum is still participating before you show up.

Arizona Museum of Youth Noon - 5pm first Sunday of each month 35 N Robson St, Mesa - 480-644-2467

Arizona Museum of Natural History Noon - 5pm first Sunday of each month 53 N MacDonald St, Mesa - 480-644-2230

Children’s Museum of Phoenix 6 - 10pm first Friday of each month 215 N. 7th St, Phoenix - 602-253-0501

Desert Botanical Garden 1-8pm on the second Tuesday of each month 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix - 480-941-1225

Heard Museum 11am - 5pm second Sunday of each month 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix - 602-252-8848

Mesa Contemporary Arts Noon - 5pm first Sunday of each month & 10am - 8pm Thursdays 1 E Main St, Mesa - 480-644-6560

Phoenix Art Museum 3pm - 9pm Wednesdays & 6pm - 10pm first Friday of each month 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix - 602-257-1222

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 10am - 8pm Thursdays 7374 E 2nd St, Scottsdale - 480-874-4666

This is a great way to check out some great museums - leave a comment if you really enjoyed a particular place or if you find any other locations with free admission days. Thanks!

Update: As mentioned in the comments, Bank of America customers can now show their cards at the Phoenix Art Museum and The Phoenix Zoo the Musical Instrument Museum on the first full weekend of every month to receive free general admission. Check out more details here.

Photo credit: Rail Life