Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2023.
We know what it's like to be in college — eating budget-friendly meals before you start your shift at your unpaid internship. It can be rough.
By now, you probably know of the student discounts you get through places like Cinemark, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Hulu, among others. But there are also lots of local spots in Tucson that offer discounts to students, including museums, restaurants and gyms.
First, some quick tips:
- Though it's a chain, the Fry's grocery store at 555 E. Grant Road offers 10% discounts to students every Tuesday. Just show your Fry's card and student ID.
- Most places will ask to see your student ID, so don't forget that at home.
- Also don't forget about resources like the Sun Link Streetcar, which is free to ride through the end of the year, and the University of Arizona's Campus Pantry.
This is meant to be a living document, so if you know of any other local places that offer student discounts, let us know and we'll update our list!
Chuck Huus, from Maine, takes a closer look at a display at the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum, inside the old Pima County Courthouse.
Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum
Arizona college students get $5 tickets to this gem museum. Regular admission is $15.
For more information, visit the museum's website.
Amy's Donuts
Get your doughnut fix at Amy's Donuts, where students can get 10% off their order.
For more information, visit the Amy's Donuts website.
Arizona State Museum
Regular admission to the Arizona State Museum is $8, but UA and Pima Community College students can explore the museum for free.
Find more information, visit the museum's website.
Biosphere 2 in Oracle — a living, breathing laboratory for University of Arizona scientists.
Biosphere 2
32540 S. Biosphere Road, in Oracle
Step into scientific research at Biosphere 2, where there's a rainforest and other environmental biomes. UA students can show their Cat Card for $20 tickets! Regular admission is $25.
For more information, visit Biosphere 2's website.
Broadway in Tucson
Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.
Check out a show through Broadway in Tucson, which offers $10 discounts to full-time students as young as elementary school and as old as college. The discount isn't available for all shows and only applies to single-ticket purchases.
For more information, visit Broadway in Tucson's website.
Buffalo Exchange
Come Aug. 26, Buffalo Exchange is hosting Student Discount Day! Show your student ID to get 10% off your purchase.
For more information, visit Buffalo Exchange's website.
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
Located on the UA campus is this science hub — which also offers lots of fun laser shows. With a college ID, you can roam the science center for $8 and see a show for another $8. Regular admission to the center and its shows is $12.
For more information, visit the center's website.
Students can get discounts for select shows at Fox Tucson Theatre.
Fox Tucson Theatre
Students can get discounts at select shows at Fox Tucson Theatre. Ticket prices vary.
For more information, visit Fox's website.
Gaslight Theatre
Catch a play at the Gaslight Theatre! Ticket prices vary, but students get a discount.
For more information, visit the theater's website.
Goodness
At midtown restaurant Goodness, which is home to sandwiches, vegan burgers, protein bowls and juices, students get 10% off their order.
For more information, visit Goodness' website.
Goodwill on Fourth Avenue
Thrifting is often a good way to save money. At the Goodwill location on Fourth Avenue, UA and PCC students can save EVEN MORE. Show your student ID and get 20% off.
For more information, visit Goodwill's Instagram page.
Guilin Chinese Restaurant
Enjoy a meal at midtown's Guilin Chinese Restaurant, where students can get 10% off their meal. This deal is for dine-in dinner only!
For more information, visit Guilin's website.
Take a trip through Tucson history in the form of neon, hand-painted, gold leaf and tin signage at the Ignite Sign Art Museum, 331 S. Olsen Ave.
Ignite Sign Art Museum
Wander through retro neon signs at this museum. Regular admission is $12 but students get in for $10!
For more information, visit the museum's website.
Let's Sweat Tucson
Take a number of spin classes at Let's Sweat Tucson, which offers semester passes to full-time undergrad students. Their unlimited membership pass is typically $139 per month, but students can get it for $299 for the entire semester. Let's Sweat also gives discounts to its student ambassadors.
For more information, visit Let's Sweat's website.
The Loft Cinema
Tucson's independent movie theater offers student discounts on most movie screenings. Regular admission is $10.50, but students get in for $8.50.
For more information, visit The Loft's website.
Midtown Mercantile Merchants
UA students can pick up vintage and antique items from Midtown Mercantile Merchants for 10% off through September 2023.
For more information, visit the shop's website.
Every third Thursday night, MOCA opens its doors for free.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Students can explore MOCA for $4, compared to the regular admission price of $7.
For more information, visit the museum's website.
The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre
Check out a show at this theater company that's been around since 2016. General admission is $30, but students get in for $18 in advance (or $20 at the door).
For more information, visit the theater's website.
Sparkle Cleaners
Several locations
University of Arizona students can show their Cat Card to get 20% off their dry cleaning order at Sparkle Cleaners.
For more information, visit the Sparkle Cleaners website.
The Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
Some museums focus on the big. The Time Machine Museum of Miniatures focuses on the small, preserving the art of miniatures. Students get in for $12, general admission is $14.
For more information, visit the museum's website.
Tohono Chul
Spend the day in nature at Tohono Chul! Students get in for $13, which is $2 off the general admission price.
For more information, visit Tohono Chul's website.
A queen butterfly eats at Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
Enjoy a day outdoors, basking in the gardens. Regular admission is $15, college students get in for $13.
For more information, visit the Botanical Gardens website.
Tucson Desert Art Museum
Explore the exhibits at the Tucson Desert Art Museum when it reopens this fall. Students get in for $6, compared to the $10 general admission fee.
For more information, visit the museum's website.
Tucson Museum of Art
Spend an afternoon wandering through this art museum. Prices are subject to change, but students get in for $10. Regular admission is $15. Also keep an eye out for the museum's first Thursday and second Sunday events, which offer pay-what-you-can admission.
For more information, visit the museum's website.
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
The Tucson Symphony Orchestra performs hundreds of concerts each year, offering a discount to students on most concerts. Ticket prices vary, but students can often get 50% off the full-price ticket.
For more information, visit the orchestra's website.
Tucson Yoga Sol
Try out 10 days of yoga for only $20 at Tucson Yoga Sol! There's also a discount on Tucson Yoga Sol's unlimited monthly yoga package — it costs $85 for students.
For more information, visit the studio's website.
A conventional cyclist pedals past a Tugo bicycle station outside the Tucson Convention Center.
Tugo Bike Share
View the map of Tugo locations here
If you don't have a bike but want to cycle around the city, you can rent one from Tugo Bike Share! Annual passes are $80 but UA students get 50% off.
For more information, visit Tugo's website.
University of Arizona Museum of Art
Students can wander through this art museum for free! Regular admission is $8.
For more information, visit the museum's website.
Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson
While you're technically in Tucson, you'll feel like you're roaming through gardens of Japan when at Yume. Students get in for $12, general admission is $15. The gardens are closed for summer break but will reopen on Oct. 1!
For more information, visit Yume's website.
