Boston Library Museum Passes — Free Admission with Your Card

🎨 Boston, Massachusetts

Museum Passes at Boston-Area Libraries

Your library card in the Boston area can get your family free or discounted museum admission. Boston Public Library and many surrounding town libraries lend museum passes to cardholders — here is how it works and which local libraries offer them.

Museum Passes at the Library › Massachusetts › Boston

How museum passes work in Boston

A library museum pass is a reusable ticket the library buys and lends to its cardholders. You reserve it with your library-card number — most Boston-area libraries use an online reservation calendar — then pick it up or print it and show it at the venue for free or reduced admission. Passes are limited and popular venues book up on weekends, so reserve ahead.

Boston-area passes typically cover a rotating mix of museums, science centers, an aquarium, historic sites and gardens in and around the city. The exact venues and how many passes each library holds change over time, so check your own library’s museum-pass page for its current list and reservation rules.

Boston-area libraries that lend museum passes

These 9 libraries in and around Boston lend museum passes to their cardholders (verified from each library). Tap one for its hours, address and details:

Central Library in Copley Square (Boston Public Library)Boston, MA →East Boston Branch — BPLBoston, MA →Jamaica Plain Branch — BPLBoston, MA →Shaw-Roxbury Branch — BPLBoston, MA →Cambridge Public LibraryCambridge, MA →Public Library of BrooklineBrookline, MA →Newton Free LibraryNewton, MA →Watertown Free Public LibraryWatertown, MA →Robbins LibraryArlington, MA →

Don’t see your town? See the full state-by-state list of libraries that lend museum passes.

Boston museum pass FAQ

Does Boston Public Library offer museum passes?

Yes. Boston Public Library (BPL) lends museum passes to cardholders, and you can reserve them with your BPL card — typically through BPL’s online museum-pass calendar — then use the pass for free or discounted admission at participating venues. Availability rotates, so check BPL’s current pass list.

How do I reserve a Boston-area library museum pass?

Reserve it with your library-card number, usually on your library’s online museum-pass calendar; some passes are printable at home and others are picked up at the branch. Weekend dates and popular venues go fast, so book as early as your library allows.

Which Boston-area libraries lend museum passes?

Beyond Boston Public Library, many surrounding town libraries offer passes — including Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Watertown and Arlington. The verified list above links each one; if your town isn’t shown, check its library website or our full state list.

Do I need a Boston library card to get a pass?

You need a card from the library whose pass you’re reserving. Massachusetts libraries issue cards to residents, and many honor cards from other Massachusetts libraries through the statewide network — but each library sets its own museum-pass eligibility, so confirm with the branch.

More: Museum passes at libraries nationwide · Boston public libraries · How to get a library card

Last reviewed September 2026 · 9 verified Boston-area libraries.