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A nonprofit established a library program known as “Culture Pass” that offers free entry into 30 Arizona attractions that celebrate art in one way or another.
Home to art, history, culture, nature, and so much more, Arizona is a state full of opportunities to learn and grow.
That’s why nonprofit Act One seeks to provide meaningful arts experiences that enhance the academic and creative potential of children and families in Arizona. Originally on a mission to send Title 1 school children on meaningful field trips, Act One has created an amazing program that can be found at over 175 libraries statewide.
Maybe you’ve seen a brochure-like display at your local library showing off all the different options that the Culture Pass offers.
What is the Culture Pass and how does it work?
A Culture Pass includes two free entries to 30 amazing Arizona locations. To get one, all you have to do is go to your local library, choose the location, check out a culture pass like a library book, and then attend the destination with a guest within seven days for free.
The only catch is that passes are limited and popular locations get checked out fast.
With that said, you don’t want to pass on the Culture Pass; it is an inspiring reason to go down to your local library and spend less to see more.
The Culture Pass offers entry into these Arizona attractions:
Culture Pass locations
Each listing contains a link to the attraction’s main website, a brief description of the attraction, where it is located, and the region. The region, split into northern, central, and southern, indicates the libraries that carry the attraction’s Culture Pass. The list is in alphabetical order.
Amerind Museum
Description: A museum, art gallery, and research center dedicated to archaeology, Native cultures, and Western art.
Address: 2100 N. Amerind Road, Dragoon
Region availability: Southern
Arcosanti
Description: An experimental town with the idea of lessening the carbon footprint. See arcology in action!
Address: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer
Region availability: Central & Northern
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Description: Zoo, botanical garden, art gallery & classes, natural history museum, and aquarium all in one!
Address: 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson
Region availability: All
Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park
Description: View “remains of a large pueblo village constructed by the Salado culture who occupied the region between 1225 CE and 1450 CE.” There is a gift shop, a small museum, and a few interactive experiences for the kiddos.
Address: 1324 S Jesse Hayes Road, Globe
Region availability: Central
Cave Creek Museum
Description: This museum features exhibits that seek to preserve the history of the Cave Creek Mining District. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, this is a museum rich with artifacts and education.
Address: 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek
Region availability: All
Children’s Museum Tucson
Description: Through its several interactive rooms, this museum successfully meets its mission of “Inspiring children and their families to reach their full potential through discovery, creativity, and learning.”
Address: 200 S. Sixth Ave., Tucson
Region availability: Southern
Children’s Museum of Yuma County
Description: The museum’s mission is “creating playful experiences where all children learn through exploration, imagination, and creativity.”
Address: 200 S. Main Street, Yuma
Region availability: Southern
Desert Botanical Garden
Description: See over 55 species of cacti, trees, and flowers while exploring one of this garden’s trails.
Address: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
Region availability: All
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Description: An affiliate of the Smithsonian, there are exhibits of over 60 artists’ work to celebrate the beauty of the West.
Address: 21 N. Frontier St. Suite A, Wickenburg
Region availability: Northern & Central
Gilbert Historical Museum
Description: In this museum, you can explore the rich history of the town of Gilbert through exhibits and artifacts.
Address: 10 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert
Region availability: Central
The Heard Museum
Description: With exhibits of both traditional and contemporary creations, this museum celebrates American Indian art.
Address: 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Region availability: All
Lowell Observatory
Description: Get a look at six state-of-the-art telescopes, plus tours and exhibits, at the place where Pluto was discovered.
Address: 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff
Region availability: Northern & Central
MOCA Tucson
Description: “Tucson’s only museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art from around the globe.”
Address: 265 S. Church Ave., Tucson
Region availability: Southern
Museum of Northern Arizona
Description: This museum celebrates the history of Arizona through exhibits that display revolving art, artifacts, and important histories.
Address: 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff
Region availability: Northern
Phoenix Art Museum
Description: “Located in the Central Corridor of a bustling, desert metropolis, Phoenix Art Museum has opened doors to world-class exhibitions, its comprehensive collections, and meaningful moments of learning and connection for 60 years.”
Address: 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Region availability: Central
Reid Park Zoo
Description: With a plethora of adorable animals, this zoo is bound to provide a day of wholesome fun for the family.
Address: 3400 E. Zoo Court, Tucson
Region availability: All
River of Time Museum & Exploration Center
Description: This interactive museum and interactive exploration center sheds light on the importance of water in relation to the history of the Lower Verde Valley Region.
Address: 12901 N. La Montana Drive, Fountain Hills
Region availability: Central
S’edav Va’aki Museum
Description: This archaeological park was once known as the Pueblo Grande Museum and is recognized as the gateway to the cultural history of Phoenix.
Address: 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix
Region availability: All
Note: The museum is closed for the summer for renovations.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Description: This museum is all about contemporary art, architecture, and design. How very Scottsdale!
Address: 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale
Region availability: All
Sedona Heritage Museum
Description: Discover the unique history of what many consider to be the most beautiful city in the world.
Address: 735 Jordan Road, Sedona
Region availability: All
Sharlot Hall Museum
Description: Here, you can view gardens, historic buildings, and exhibits that showcase Arizona’s heritage.
Address: 415 W. Gurley St., Prescott
Region availability: Northern
Superstition Mountain Museum
Description: After hiking one of the many nearby trails, stop in here to discover the legend, mystery, and intrigue of the Superstition Mountains.
Address: 4087 E. Apache Trail, Apache Junction
Region availability: Central & Southern
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
Description: Discover different ways to appreciate and protect the different Arizona flora through witnessing over 750 plants via trails, gardens, and greenhouses.
Address: 4001 S. Woody Mountain Road, Flagstaff
Region availability: All
Tohono Chul Park
Description: These gardens, galleries, and bistros connect people with the nature, art, and culture of the Sonoran Desert.
Address: 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, Tucson
Region availability: Southern
Tubac Presidio
Description: “The Tubac Presidio Park contains historic buildings, a museum with exhibits covering 2,000 years of extraordinary Southwest history, an art gallery, and ruins of the Spanish fort from the mid-1700’s.”
Address: 1 Burruel St., Tubac
Region availability: Southern
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Description: With 20 themed garden spaces, seasonal art exhibits, and a butterfly greenhouse, this garden space provides beauty and serenity.
Address: 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson
Region availability: Southern
Tucson Desert Art Museum
Description: This museum features rotating exhibitions about the history, culture, and art of the region.
Address: 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson
Region availability: Southern
Tucson Museum of Art
Description: This museum seeks to provide engaging experiences to spark creativity.
Address: 140 N. Main Ave., Tucson
Region availability: Southern
University of Arizona Museum of Art
Description: The mission statement here is to “Experience the power of art to spark ideas, start conversations, and create joy.”
Address: 1031 N. Olive Road, Tucson
Region availability: All
Verde Valley Archaeological Center
Description: This center features exhibits and trails and is partnered with the National Park Service for the Montezuma historical monument.
Address: 460 W. Finnie Flat Road, Camp Verde
Region availability: Northern & Central
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. It was first published in 2024 and updated for 2025.
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