Free & Inexpensive Activities!

American Park N’ Swap Southwest corner of 40^th and Washington Streets, Phoenix. 602-273-1250. A festive outdoor marketplace with more than 1200 vendors, entertainment and food. Shop early to avoid the heat, or take advantage of night hours from 4-10PM on Wednesdays. Open 6AM – 2PM Fridays, 6AM to 4PM on Sat. -Sundays.

Climb a Mountain !   Piestewa Peak is one of the most popular hikes in the valley. It is not an easy one, sometimes called a “stair step,” but the rewarding views are the benefit. Phoenix mountain preserves are open, undeveloped desert areas. Hikers encounter rocky terrain, may find rattlesnakes and other potential hazards native to the Sonoran Desert. If encountering a rattlesnake, allow it space and time to escape.

Flora includes almost all varieties of Arizona cactus such as saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla and prickly pear. Trees include palo verde, mesquite, ironwood trees, creosote (dominate), ocotillo, brittle bush, desert lavender and giant sage shrubs.

Reptiles and wildlife that thrive in the preserve are gila monster, horned lizard and chuckwalla. Hikers also can encounter rattlesnakes. The mammal population includes coyote, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, ground squirrel and kit fox. There are more than 54 species of birds from the turkey vulture to mockingbirds, cactus wrens, gamble’s quail and several species of owls and hawks.

Chandler Skatepark Snedigar Sportsplex, 4500 S. Basha Road, Chandler, 480-782-2727 or 480-782-2640
One of the top rated skate parks in the country as part of its City Parks system. The 35,000 square foot park has been designed for all skaters, regardless of skill level. Park is a free, non-supervised facility and amenities include concrete bowls, decks, blocks, and metal rails. The Sportsplex also offers baseball, softball and soccer fields; playground equipment; a bark park for dogs and picnic pavilions. Open daily, hours vary seasonally.

Adventures of Indiana Bones Ages 10-12 become super sleuths as the embark on active adventures to find clues into animal mysteries. Preregister. Arizona Animal Welfare League. 602-273-6852 x115

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center 415 E. Grant St., Phoenix 602-254-7516. The museum highlights African-American history, including that of Carver High School, which in the early 1900s was Arizona’s only African-American high school. $2.00 adults, $1.00 children/seniors.

The Hall of Flame 6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix,  This museum boasts almost an acre of fire history exhibits, with more than 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus on display, circa 1725 to 1969. Plus, a hall honoring firefighters who have died in the line of duty or who have been decorated for heroism. 9AM-5PM, Mon-Sat., Noon – 4PM Sun. $5.00 adults $4.00 seniors, $3.50 children ages 6-17, $1.50 ages 3-5, free for children under 2 and under.

Kiwanis Park Recreation Center 6111 S. All-America Way, Tempe, 480-350-5201;  This park features a covered playground and a lake. The recreation center boasts an indoor wave pool, swim lessons and dive-in movies. 7AM-10PM Mon-Thu., 7AM -7PM, Fri., 8AM-6PM, Sat., 8AM-9PM, Sun. Fees vary.

Lowell Observatory 1400 W. Mars Hill Rd., Flagstaff. 928-774-3358; Explore the heavens through the Clark Telescope at this 108-year old museum. Pluto was discovered here by Percival Lowell – you can make your own discoveries through day and night programs. $4.00 ages 18 & older, $2.00 ages 5 to 17, $3.50 AAA/senior/student, free for ages 4 and under. A 2-for-1 coupon available online.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, 480-312-2312. A 5/12 scale train takes you through the park and compliments the historic exhibits, superb picnic and playground facilities. Plus, a 1929 carousel. Open daily. Train and carousel rides: $1.00.

Mesa Market Place Swap Meet 10550 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa,. 480-380-SHOP;  Enjoy more than 1600 booths under one roof. 7AM – 4PM., Fri-Sun. Enjoy shopping in the beautiful setting of the Superstition Mountains on 55 acres filled with a variety of gifts and products to choose from.  Miles of items at rock-bottom prices on new and used treasures!  Plenty of free parking and always free admission.  Start your day early with our $2.50 breakfast special while enjoying our free live entertainment. And don’t forget our Sunday Summer Sizzlin’ Breakfast Special for only $1.50.

Mesa Southwest Museum 53 N. MacDonald St., Mesa.480-644-5082. This museum features an outstanding dinosaur exhibit, Hall of Minerals and children’s activities. Weekends in July, drop-in children’s activities: 1- 3 PM. Most activities free with paid admission. 10AM-5PM, Tue-Sat., 1-5PM. Sun. Adults, $8 Children ages 3-12, $4 Seniors 65 & older, $7
Students 13 & older with ID, $6 Children ages 2 & younger, free .

Papago Park Bike Riding Galvin Parkway and Van Buren St., Phoenix. 602-256-3220. You will find more than 1,200 acres of beautiful desert trails and red rocks at Papago Park, also home to the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Phoenix Police Museum Police Headquarters, 620 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-534-7278. The museum includes a mock-up of a 1910 city street and an old jail cell. Plus, a police memorial and Phoenix police force history. 9AM-3PM Mon-Wed., and Fri.

Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-495-0900.  A national historic landmark built on a 1,000-year old Hohokam dwelling site. 9AM-4:45PM. Mon to Sat., 1-4:45Pm. Sun $2.00 adults, $1.50 seniors, $1.00 children. Free admission on Sundays.

Schnepf Farms 22601 E. Cloud Rd., Queen Creek. 480-987-3100 Starting April 1, 2005 Schnepf Farms will be open for Festivals, Company Picnics, Bus tours, private parties and School Field Trips. Weekends: Closed. May 1st open for PEACH SEASON Thursday – Sundays from 7:30am to 5:00pm for Peaches, Apricots, Plums and Apples and fresh vegetables.

Scottsdale’s Mighty Mud Mania Chaparall Park, 5401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. It’s free, it’s muddy, and it’s so much fun for ages 1-13. The event features an obstacle course, Mud Puddle Pools, a Mini Mud Course and other activities. Non-perishable food donations encouraged.

Sierra Vista Take I-10 South to State Route 90, then South to Sierra Vista, convention & Visitors Bureau 1-800-288-3861;  From water fun at the Cove Aquatic Center to banding hummingbirds along the San Pedro River, this area is a mixture of natural beauty and history. Enjoy the Cove and nearby Fort Huachuca Museums for a nominal fee; other events, such as stargazing, cultural/historical hikes with Friends of the San Pedro River, and Coronado National Memorial & Cave are free.

Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum Located in Goldfield Ghost Town, four miles northeast of Apache Junction on the Apache Trail – State Route 88. 480-983-4888. Get a feeling of what the Old West was really like back at the turn of the century. Open year-round.

Tempe Town Lake 620 N. Mill Avenue Tempe, Arizona 85281. 480-350-8625;  This lake is almost two miles long and offers boating, fishing and children’s water play area.

Cerreta Candy Company Tour 5345 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. 623-930-1000; Free tour tickets are available on the company’s website. Taste samples and see candy being made at this factory. Self-conducted video tours available from 8AM – 6PM, Mon-Sat.

Tortilla Flat, Arizona One Main St., 18 miles northeast of Apache Junction on Hwy.88. 480-984-1776. An historic Old Western town (Pop. 6) with a gift store, ice cream/candy store, restaurant, and saloon and famous chili.

The greatest Freebie: Public Libraries:

The City of Phoenix operates 13 libraries, most offering summer story times and performances. For a calendar of events, visit the Library website.