There are many great museums and cultural spots in Phoenix, but for those trying to find the best value on a budget, these are my can’t miss events and activities in the museum and theater space.

Phoenix Zoo: Roars and Pours

This once a month event is a can’t miss for me because of the discounted ticket, taking the price of admission from $45 for a single adult down to $10. While not every exhibit is open, there’s plenty to see. The nighttime time slot is great to see crepuscular and nocturnal animals start to be more active. They also sell food and cheap drinks, and have a good amount of free drink samples.

Phoenix Theater Company

I’ve never seen a bad show here, and I’ve gone to a dozen different performances at this point. They have two discount ticket options: student rush tickets and $39 under 40 tickets.

For those who have a student ID: check to see how many seats are available the day of the show, and arrive one hour before curtain. The box office will sell you the best seat left for $15. I like to spend my hour before the show grabbing a drink at their bar or walking around the Theater/Art Museum complex.

For those under 40: you can get up to two tickets for $39 each for weekday performances (Tuesday through Friday) as part of the Young Ambassador Society.

Science Center’s “Science with a Twist” Events

I went to Science Prom as part of the Science with a Twist event series. For full disclosure, my tickets to this event were comped. However, I would pay to attend again. The museum is primarily geared towards children, but it’s a blast to see the exhibits with a cocktail in hand, and to participate in events like trivia and fun lectures geared towards the night’s theme.

Local Music Venues

I’m sure everyone is aware of the Van Buren and Crescent Ballroom, but if you’re looking for smaller, more intimate shows, there are several local DIY venues and house show series you can follow on Instagram to keep in touch with the local scene. I love Trunk Space, Ground Zero, and Femmes of Phoenix. Valley Bar also has a good selection of shows with local artists, amidst other events.

Honorable Mentions:

Pay-what-you-wish Wednesdays at the Phoenix Art Museum

Adults’ Night at the Children’s Museum. I haven’t been, but I’ve heard amazing things from people I trust, and am planning on going the next time it happens!

Zoni Girls — they organize roller skating events at various cool local spots

If you’re looking for annual events and festivals, I’ve posted about them here.