PHOENIX — Arizona has some unique museums and for the next four months members of the military and their families can visit them for free.
That includes some of the Valley's popular museums and attractions, including the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, and i.d.e.a. Museum.
It is part of the "Blue Star Museums" program, partnership between the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the U.S. Department of Defense, that lets active-duty military members and up to five members of their families visit museums across the country at no cost. It does not apply to retired members or veterans.
Some special exhibitions may not be included.
The annual promotion runs from May 18 to Labor Day, September 2.
Military members will need to show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID. You can find more info on the requirements, here.
There are 31 museums in Arizona participating this year, 15 of which are in the greater Phoenix area (we've listed them below). There are also museums in Flagstaff, Tucson and Wickenburg.
While most normally require admission fees, there are a handful that are free throughout the year. That includes the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, ASU Art Museum, ASU Meteorite Gallery, and the Phoenix Police Museum.
Valley "Blue Star Museums"
Superstition Mountain Museum, 4087 N. Apache Trail Highway 88 Apache Junction, Arizona 85119
Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Road, Chandler, AZ 85286
Commemorative Airbase Arizona Museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Rd. Mesa, AZ 85215
i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa, AZ 85201
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, One East Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201
Arizona Jewish Historical Society, 122 E. Culver Street Phoenix, AZ 85004
Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, 3711 W. Deer Valley Road Phoenix, AZ 85308
Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Heritage Square At Heritage And Science Park , 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685
Phoenix Police Museum, 180 W Jefferson St., Historic City Hall 1st Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003-2202
Pueblo Grande Museum & Archaeological Park, 4619 E Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
ASU Art Museum at Nelson Fine Arts Center, 51 E. 10th St. Tempe, Arizona 85281
ASU Meteorite Gallery (second floor of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4), 781 E Terrace Rd, Tempe, AZ 85287
The Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council has a museum that is technically part of the promotion, but it only available by appointment, which is why it is not included in the list above.
