Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Sept. 22, a visit to Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is FREE!  It’s never been easier for Valley locals to enjoy a fun and free way to learn where they live! Sat., Sept. 22 is the 14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day, and Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is inviting guests to explore its “Museum of Ideas” free of charge! As one of only eight Smithsonian Affiliate partners in Arizona, visitors can explore Native American and Western art, artifacts, community and culture including stories of the Old and New West by downloading free Museum Day admission tickets at Smithsonian’s official website Smithsonian.com/museumday. Come see – for FREE -- why we are dedicated to illuminating the past to enlighten our future. 

Museum Day offers locals and visitors alike the chance to explore  our eco-friendly LEED® certified building with its 43,000 square-feet of exhibition space, strike a pose in the museum’s 3D illusion mural (perfect for sharing on social media) and join in on docent-led gallery tours.  Also on this day, guests can enjoy a screening of the Smithsonian Channel film “Pocahontas: Behind the Myth” at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Theater/Auditorium.  This engaging and informative film reveals the real story of Pocahontas and is included with museum admission for Museum Day participants. As well visitors can take in the museum’s exclusive 10-minute must-see film, “Spirit Is,” which is shown every hour on the hour (except 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. that day). 

Free general museum admission will be provided to those with official Museum Day tickets, which are reserved free passes secured in advance (by September 19) at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Each Museum Day ticket provides free general admission for one ticket holder plus one guest.