How to do 42 things for free in metro Phoenix during spring break 2024

Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic
Updated ·2 min read

Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article contained incorrect information. A Phoenix Act One Culture Pass must be requested at the library; it can't be reserved online. The librarian will print your pass and it must be used within seven days.

With spring and summer break from school just around the corner, families in metro Phoenix are looking for ways to have fun without spending a ton of money.

The Act One Culture Pass could be your answer. It provides access to dozens of local museums and arts organizations.

The best part? It's completely free. You just need a library card.

"Families looking to explore Arizona are in luck," Anne Osborne, Act One Culture Pass manager, said in a press release. "Not only do we have exciting activities to explore in the Valley, but we also have excellent community partners across the state from as far north as Flagstaff to as far south as Tucson and everything in between."

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How does the Phoenix Culture Pass work?

Through a partnership with over 175 libraries statewide, the Act One Culture Pass gives library cardholders two free admissions for one day or one performance at any of the participating arts venues.

The 2024 Act One Culture Pass covers 26 art and cultural venues and 16 performing arts organizations across Arizona, including the Phoenix Art Museum, where you can see the new Barbie exhibit for free.

A pass can be requested at your library. Once you check it out of your library, you have seven days to redeem and use your free admission. Each library has a limited number of passes; visit the website to see what's available.

For museums, gardens and parks, you can check out a pass for any day that your preferred destination is open.

For performing arts organizations, you can check out a pass for specific performances and dates provided by the venue. To see what performances are available, check your local library's website.

Where can I use a Culture Pass?

Here are some of the places around Arizona that accept Act One Culture Passes:

  • Arizona Opera, Phoenix

  • Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson

  • ASU Gammage, Tempe

  • Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park, Globe

  • Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior

  • Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

  • Gilbert Historical Museum

  • Heard Museum, Phoenix

  • Mesa Historical Museum

  • Phoenix Art Museum

  • Phoenix Symphony

  • Reid Park Zoo, Tucson

  • S'edav Va'aki Museum, Phoenix

  • Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

  • Sedona Heritage Museum

  • Superstition Mountain Museum, Apache Junction

  • Tucson Botanical Gardens

  • Verde Valley Archaeology Center, Camp Verde

For a complete list of libraries and arts organizations, visit act1az.org.

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Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic |azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Get free admission to Arizona museums with Culture Pass