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Museums throughout ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, including three in Tucson, will take part in on Sept. 18, 2021.Ìý

Visitors can that will give two people free general admission to one of more than 1,000 participating museums, zoos and cultural institutions across the country.Ìý

Whether you want to stay in Tucson or take a day trip, here are 10 places to go to celebrate Museum Day for free this year:

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ History Museum

's newest exhibit is "Ready to Launch: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s Place in Space," which is open until Nov. 30, 2021.Ìý

Visitors can also check out several other exhibits, including ones focused on the life and accomplishments of Barry Goldwater, the resilience of the Tucson community in the wake of tragedy and the evolution of transportation in ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥.

Where: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ History Museum,

Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find more info .Ìý

Tucson Desert Art Museum 

The is a non-profit museum that opened in 2013 known for its "The Weavings of the Diné" collection that features pre-1940s Navajo textiles.Ìý

Some of the Desert Art Museum's other exhibits include "Desert Hollywood," which highlights iconic places in ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ used for filming movies and television shows, and one that combines the stories of pioneer women with the history of undergarments worn during ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s early days, called "ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Women Uncovered."

Where: Tucson Desert Art Museum, 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (currently closed, reopens Sept. 18)

Find more info .Ìý

DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum

The was established in the early 1950s by Tucson artist Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia, who is best known for his art depicting the southwestern United States and the Indigenous cultures of the region.Ìý

DeGrazia's works are displayed in six permanent collections at the museum, along with smaller rotating collections such as "DeGrazia’s Superstition Mountain Collection," which is open now through January 2022.

Where: DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum,

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Find more info .Ìý

Outside of Tucson 🌵

Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum

A roughly two-hour drive southeast of Tucson will get you to this that tells the story of the eccentric old mining town.

One exhibit, "Bisbee: Urban Outpost on the Frontier," highlights how miners and settlers came to build the once-booming town from the ground up and the "Digging In: Bisbee’s Mineral Heritage" exhibit takes visitors into an actual mine to get a closer look at what miners did for a living.Ìý

Where: Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Find more info .Ìý

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum

, about 45 miles south of Tucson, highlights 2,000 years of Southwest history and culture.

Dedicated in 1958, Tubac Presidio is ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s first state park and houses ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s first printing press, along with centuries-old Southwest artifacts.

Where: Tubac Presidio State Historic Park,

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The Museum of Casa Grande

The 's participation in Museum Day on Sept. 18 will also begin its regular session for this year.

This small museum, roughly 65 miles northwest of Tucson, offers indoor and outdoor exhibits that explore Native American cultures, early settlers of the Southwest and the evolution of mining and railroads in the area.

The Museum of Casa Grande will also feature Philip "Wildman Phil" Rakoci on Museum Day as he puts on an educational reptile show.

Where: The Museum of Casa Grande, 

Hours: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Find more info .Ìý

Tempe History Museum

The 's main exhibition area showcases the city's history and covers four themes: "College Town," "Building Our Community," "Living Together" and "Surviving in the Desert."

There are also two rotating exhibit areas at the museum, where "Video Invaders" and "Two Players, Two Quarters" are currently featured. The two exhibits focus on the influence video and arcade games have had on popular culture.

Where: Tempe History Museum, 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find more info .

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Heritage Center at Papago Park (Tempe)

's exhibits include "Still Marching: From Suffrage to #MeToo" and "Unframed: A Photo Journey through Navajo and Hopi Nations 1977-1978."

Visitors can also learn about how Phoenix grew to be one of the largest cities in the U.S. and how ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥'s "5 Cs" (copper, citrus, cattle, cotton and climate) impacted that growth and the state's economy.Ìý

This museum is roughly an hour and a half drive northwest of Tucson.

Where: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Heritage Center at Papago Park, 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Find more info .

Mesa Historical Museum

This museum, just under two hours north of Tucson, highlights the history of the city of Mesa, which was settled in the 1870s.Ìý

houses six year-round exhibits, including "Founding Families" and "Play Ball: The ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Spring Training Experience," in addition to special rotating exhibits, such as "Diversity of Mesa" that opened Aug. 28, just in time for Museum Day.

Visitors can also learn about pottery making, basket weaving and quilting as part of the live demonstrations the museum hosts.Ìý

Where: Mesa Historical Museum, 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Find more info .

Cave Creek Museum

offers a look at the long history of Indigenous cultures in the area and Cave Creek's past as a mining, military and ranching community.Ìý

In addition to archeological artifacts and art, the museum features outdoor exhibits and gardens filled with classic desert plant life.Ìý

Cave Creek is just over two hours northwest of Tucson.Ìý

Where: Cave Creek Museum, 

Hours: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Find more info .Ìý