Free Museum Passes at Public Libraries (435 Verified, by State)
🎨 U.S. library guide
Free Museum Passes at the Public Library
Thousands of U.S. libraries lend museum passes (in some states called a Culture Pass) that get your family free or discounted admission to museums, zoos, science centers and botanical gardens — all with your library card. Here is how it works, plus a verified list of libraries that offer passes.
🏠 Museum passes by city
City guides with the local program name and participating branches: New York City (Culture Pass) · Boston · Chicago · Seattle · Bay Area (Discover & Go) · Phoenix (Culture Pass).
A library museum pass is a reusable ticket the library buys and lends to cardholders. You reserve it with your library card, pick it up or print it, and show it at the museum for free or reduced admission — a simple way to visit local attractions for the whole family without buying tickets.
📍 Browse by state
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth DakotaOhioOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinWyoming
How it works
- Find your library’s pass program. Check the library’s catalog or “museum pass / Culture Pass” page for the venues it covers.
- Reserve with your library card. Passes are limited and popular — reserve online or in person, sometimes days ahead.
- Print or pick up the pass. Some passes print at home; others are a physical pass you collect at the desk.
- Show it at the museum. Present the pass at admission for free or discounted entry for the listed number of people.
- Return it so others can use it. Physical passes come back to the library on a short loan so the next family can book them.
Libraries that lend museum passes, by state
Every library below has this service verified on its official page. We add more as we confirm them — browse the full U.S. library directory for everything else.
Alabama · 1 library
Alaska · 3 libraries
Kuskokwim Consortium LibraryBethel, Alaska · (907) 543-4516420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service — the highest U.S. honor for libraries, nominated by Senator Lisa Murkowski →Haines Borough Public LibraryHAINES, Alaska · +1-907-766-6420111 THIRD AVENUE SOUTH2015 finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service →Haines Borough Public LibraryHaines, Alaska · (907) 766-6420111 Third Avenue SouthWon the 2026 National Medal for Museum and Library Services from IMLS, nominated by Senator Lisa Murkowski and recognized for its partnership with the Chilkoot Indian Association →
Arizona · 32 libraries
Sam Garcia Western Avenue LibraryAVONDALE, Arizona · (623) 333-2665495 E Western AveCulture Pass (museum admission) →Apache Junction Public LibraryApache Junction, Arizona · (480) 474-85551177 N. Idaho RoadCulture Passes — free admission for two to 23 Arizona cultural institutions including the Superstition Mountain Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum, and Phoenix Art Museum →Copper Queen LibraryBISBEE, Arizona · +1520-432-89306 MAIN STAct One Culture Pass (free museum and cultural venue admission statewide) →
Arkansas · 1 library
California · 4 libraries
Berkeley Public Library — CentralBERKELEY, California · +1-510-981-61002090 KITTREDGE ST.Free museum & park passes (Discover & Go) →Serramonte Main Branch — Daly City Public LibraryDALY CITY, California · +1650-991-802340 WEMBLEY DRIVEMuseum pass lending — free passes to local museums with a library card →A.K. Smiley Public LibraryRedlands, California · (909) 798-7565125 W. Vine StreetLincoln Memorial Shrine on the grounds: the only museum and Civil War research archive west of the Mississippi dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, with a 1922 George Grey Barnard Lincoln bust and a 1945 Nor →
+1 more California library with this service — see the full California directory.
Colorado · 7 libraries
Gilpin County Public LibraryBLACK HAWK, Colorado · (303) 582-577715131 Highway 119Cultural Pass to Denver Botanic Gardens, Butterfly Pavilion, Colorado Railroad Museum and Fiske Planetarium →Main Library — Boulder Public Library DistrictBoulder, Colorado · (303) 441-31001001 Arapahoe AveCulture Pass — free passes to Boulder-area cultural institutions, reservable up to 30 days ahead →Blair-Caldwell African American Research LibraryDenver, Colorado · (720) 865-24012401 Welton St.7,000 sq ft Western Legacies Museum and rotating art gallery (3rd floor, opens one hour after building) →
+4 more Colorado libraries with this service — see the full Colorado directory.
Connecticut · 28 libraries
Ansonia LibraryANSONIA, Connecticut · (203) 734-627553 SOUTH CLIFF ST.Museum passes — 12 CT cultural institutions (Mystic Aquarium, Beardsley Zoo, Mark Twain House & more) →Babcock LibraryASHFORD, Connecticut · (860) 487-442025 Pompey Hollow RoadMuseum pass program for regional cultural venues →Avon Free Public LibraryAVON, Connecticut · (860) 673-9712281 Country Club RoadMuseum Pass Program (borrow passes to cultural attractions) →
Delaware · 7 libraries
Bridgeville Public LibraryBridgeville, Delaware · (302) 337-7401600 South Cannon StreetMuseum passes (Delaware Libraries statewide program) →Delaware City LibraryDelaware City, Delaware · (302) 834-4148250 5th StreetMuseum passes (Delaware Libraries statewide program) →Dover Public LibraryDover, Delaware · (302) 736-703035 Loockerman PlazaFree museum passes for checkout to Delaware cultural attractions →
+4 more Delaware libraries with this service — see the full Delaware directory.
Florida · 5 libraries
Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr. Memorial LibraryBROOKSVILLE, Florida · (352) 754-4043238 HOWELL AVE.Museum pass program — free borrowed admission passes to regional attractions →Hispanic Branch Library (MDPLS)Miami, Florida · (305) 643-85741398 Southwest 1st StreetMuseum Pass program — free family admission (up to 4) to 25 Miami-Dade cultural institutions, first-come first-served checkout →Miami Beach Regional Library (MDPLS)Miami, Florida · (305) 535-4219227 22nd StreetMuseum Pass program — free family admission (up to 4) to 25 Miami-Dade cultural institutions, first-come first-served checkout →
+2 more Florida libraries with this service — see the full Florida directory.
Georgia · 4 libraries
Chickamauga Public LibraryChickamauga, Georgia · (706) 996-2231306 Cove RoadParks & Museum Passes lending program →LaGrange Memorial LibraryLaGrange, Georgia · (706) 882-7784115 Alford StreetExperience Pass program for free museum & cultural-institution admission →Central Library — Coweta Public Library SystemNEWNAN, Georgia · +1770-683-205285 Literary LaneFree Park & Museum Passes for Coweta County residents →
+1 more Georgia library with this service — see the full Georgia directory.
Illinois · 17 libraries
Addison Public LibraryAddison, Illinois · (630) 543-36174 Friendship PlazaMuseum passes via Explore More Illinois and the Museum Adventure Pass →Berwyn Public LibraryBERWYN, Illinois · +1 708-795-80002701 SOUTH HARLEM AVENUEMuseum and attraction passes →Blackstone Branch — Chicago Public LibraryCHICAGO, Illinois · (312) 747-05114904 S. Lake Park AvenueGreat Kids Museum Passport program →
Indiana · 6 libraries
Akron Carnegie Public LibraryAkron, Indiana · (574) 893-4113205 E Rochester StreetIndiana State Museum passes — up to four general admissions per 7-day checkout →Jasper-Dubois County Public LibraryJASPER, Indiana · (812) 482-2712100 3RD AVE, SUITE BCultural passes →Marion Public LibraryMarion, Indiana · (765) 668-2900600 S. Washington StreetMuseum passes for area cultural institutions →
+3 more Indiana libraries with this service — see the full Indiana directory.
Iowa · 1 library
Kansas · 1 library
Louisiana · 14 libraries
Acadia Parish LibraryCROWLEY, Louisiana · +1-337-788-18801125 NORTH PARKERSON AVENUEFree museum passes (Check Out Louisiana's Museums program) →Jefferson Davis Parish Library — Elton BranchElton, Louisiana · (337) 584-2640813 Main StreetMuseum Pass Program — free passes to Louisiana museums →Jefferson Davis Parish LibraryJennings, Louisiana · (337) 824-9530118 West Plaquemine StreetMuseum passes: reserve free entry to Louisiana museums through the State Library of Louisiana program →
Maine · 17 libraries
Acton Public LibraryACTON, Maine · (207) 636-278135 H RoadFree museum passes (Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Strawbery Banke Museum) →Parsons Memorial LibraryALFRED, Maine · (207) 324-200127 SACO ROADMuseum & venue passes (regional attractions) →Auburn Public LibraryAuburn, Maine · (207) 333-664049 Spring StreetMuseum passes for Maine cultural institutions →
Maryland · 1 library
Massachusetts · 35 libraries
Abington Public LibraryABINGTON, Massachusetts · (781) 982-2139600 GLINIEWICZ WAYMuseum passes (free borrowing for local and regional museums) →Acushnet Public LibraryACUSHNET, Massachusetts · (508) 998-0270232 MIDDLE ROADMuseum passes for cultural institutions →Adams Free LibraryADAMS, Massachusetts · (413) 743-834592 PARK ST.Museum passes for area cultural institutions →
Michigan · 57 libraries
Armada Free Public LibraryARMADA, Michigan · (586) 784-592173930 Church StreetMichigan Activity Pass for free/discounted admission to cultural and recreational sites →Auburn Hills Public LibraryAuburn Hills, Michigan · (248) 370-94663400 East Seyburn DriveMichigan Activity Pass (museum & park admission) →Bellaire Public LibraryBELLAIRE, Michigan · +1231-533-8814111 SOUTH BRIDGE STREETMichigan Activity Pass for museum & park admissions →
Nebraska · 1 library
Nevada · 2 libraries
Elko MybraryELKO, Nevada · 775-738-3066720 COURT STREETProximity to Northeastern Nevada Regional Museum and the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering →Searchlight LibrarySearchlight, Nevada · (702) 297-1442200 Michael Wendell WayShares a building with the Searchlight Community Center, Museum and Colorado River Foodbank →
New Hampshire · 16 libraries
Amherst Town LibraryAmherst, New Hampshire · (603) 673-228814 Main StreetMuseum passes — free and discounted admission to local and Boston-area museums →Barrington Public LibraryBarrington, New Hampshire · (603) 664-9715426 Calef HighwayMuseum passes & reimbursement for local and regional venues →Hopkinton Town LibraryCONTOOCOOK, New Hampshire · +1603-746-366361 HOUSTON DRIVEMuseum passes (free or reduced admission to partner institutions) →
New Jersey · 77 libraries
Lee Memorial LibraryALLENDALE, New Jersey · (201) 327-4338500 W. CRESCENT AVENUEMuseum passes to 8 NYC institutions (MoMA, AMNH, Guggenheim, 9/11 Memorial, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Frick Collection, Intrepid, Storm King — first-come, first-served at circulation desk) →Asbury Park Public LibraryAsbury Park, New Jersey · (732) 774-4221500 First AvenueCultural passes — access to local institutions for cardholders →Bernards Township LibraryBasking Ridge, New Jersey · (908) 204-303132 South Maple AvenueMuseum passes for reduced or free admission to area cultural institutions →
New Mexico · 5 libraries
Embudo Valley Library and Community CenterDixon, New Mexico · (505) 579-9181217A Highway 752015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service (IMLS), presented at the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama — the highest national honor for libraries →Eunice Public LibraryEUNICE, New Mexico · +1575-394-23361003 AVENUE N.Museum and art room →Mesa Public LibraryLos Alamos, New Mexico · (505) 662-82502400 Central AvenueMuseum passes for regional attractions →
+2 more New Mexico libraries with this service — see the full New Mexico directory.
New York · 10 libraries
Clinton Hill LibraryBROOKLYN, New York · 718-398-8713380 WASHINGTON AVENUECulture Pass museum reservations →Coney Island LibraryBROOKLYN, New York · 718-265-32201901 MERMAID AVENUECulture Pass museum reservations →Cortelyou LibraryBROOKLYN, New York · 718-693-77631305 CORTELYOU ROADCulture Pass museum reservations →
North Dakota · 2 libraries
Bowman Regional Public LibraryBOWMAN, North Dakota · +1701-523-379718 DIVIDE STREET EASTLibrary of Things: kayaks, telescopes, board games, museum passes, state-parks passes →Edna Ralston Public LibraryLARIMORE, North Dakota · +1701-343-2181116 1/2 TOWNER AVENUEFunded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) →
Ohio · 1 library
Oregon · 21 libraries
Baker County Public LibraryBaker City, Oregon · (541) 523-64192400 Resort StreetCultural Passes: check out passes to local museums and arts & recreation organizations →Harney County LibraryBurns, Oregon · (541) 573-667080 West D StreetDiscover & Go museum and cultural passes →Canby Public LibraryCanby, Oregon · (503) 266-3394220 NE 2nd AvenueCultural Pass Express — free museum and cultural venue admission passes →
Pennsylvania · 8 libraries
B.F. Jones Memorial LibraryAliquippa, Pennsylvania · (724) 375-2900663 Franklin AvenueMuseum passes for local cultural institutions →Flenniken Public LibraryCARMICHAELS, Pennsylvania · +1724-966-5263102 East George StreetMuseum Passes program — free or discounted admission to regional cultural institutions (2026) →Easton Area Public LibraryEaston, Pennsylvania · (610) 258-2917515 Church StreetMuseum pass checkout →
+5 more Pennsylvania libraries with this service — see the full Pennsylvania directory.
Rhode Island · 14 libraries
Jesse M. Smith Memorial LibraryBURRILLVILLE, Rhode Island · +1401-710-7800100 TINKHAM LANEMuseum passes to Providence Children's Museum, Mystic Aquarium and Hamilton Family Aquarium →Barrington Public LibraryBarrington, Rhode Island · (401) 247-1920281 County RoadMuseum passes — 21 cultural institutions bookable at barringtonlibrary.libcal.com/passes →Rogers Free LibraryBristol, Rhode Island · (401) 253-6948525 Hope StreetMuseum passes (free admission to regional museums) →
South Carolina · 3 libraries
Anderson Main LibraryAnderson, South Carolina · (864) 260-4500300 N. McDuffie St.LEAP Station non-traditional lending: museum passes, state park admissions, fishing poles, seed packets →Richland Library — MainColumbia, South Carolina · (803) 799-90841431 Assembly Street2017 National Medal for Museum and Library Service (IMLS) — the nation's highest honor for libraries and museums →Oconee County Public LibraryWalhalla, South Carolina · (864) 638-4133501 W S Broad StLibrary of Things — museum passes, park passes, microscopes, and educational kits →
Tennessee · 2 libraries
Nashville Public Library — Main LibraryNashville, Tennessee · (615) 862-5800615 Church StreetNational Medal for Museum and Library Services (2010) and Library of the Year (Library Journal & Gale, 2017) →Giles County Public LibraryPULASKI, Tennessee · +1-931-363-2720122 SOUTH SECOND STREETGiles County Historical Society museum & genealogy archive housed on-site (temporarily closed 2026 for expansion) →
Texas · 4 libraries
Carver Branch — Austin Public LibraryAustin, Texas · (512) 974-10101161 Angelina StreetOpened in its current modern facility in 1979, next door to the landmark 1926 structure that became the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center (National Register of Historic Places) →Oak Lawn Branch LibraryDallas, Texas · (214) 670-13594100 Cedar Springs RoadHome to one of the largest circulating LGBTQ+ collections in the U.S., built since the 1980s and bolstered by donations from ilume GALLERIE and the Stonewall National Museum and Archives →Georgetown Public LibraryGeorgetown, Texas · (512) 930-3551402 W. Eighth Street2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Service — the nation's highest honor for libraries, awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services →
+1 more Texas library with this service — see the full Texas directory.
Utah · 1 library
Vermont · 13 libraries
Aldrich Public LibraryBarre, Vermont · (802) 476-75506 Washington StreetMuseum & Vermont State Park passes →Brooks Memorial LibraryBrattleboro, Vermont · (802) 254-5290224 Main StreetMuseum passes for borrowing →Fletcher Free LibraryBurlington, Vermont · (802) 863-3403235 College StreetMuseum & event passes to 20+ Vermont venues (Shelburne Museum, ECHO, Ethan Allen Homestead, Vermont State Parks and more) →
Virginia · 4 libraries
Arlington Central LibraryARLINGTON, Virginia · +1-703-228-59901015 N QUINCY STMuseum passes (discounted or free admission to regional museums) →Ruby B. Archie Public LibraryDanville, Virginia · (434) 799-5195511 Patton StreetFree museum passes for local Danville museums →Franklin County Public LibraryRocky Mount, Virginia · (540) 483-3098355 Franklin StreetMuseum passes (available at the main branch) →
+1 more Virginia library with this service — see the full Virginia directory.
Washington · 1 library
Wisconsin · 8 libraries
Cudahy Family LibraryCudahy, Wisconsin · (414) 769-22443500 Library DriveLocal attraction passes — free and discounted admission to area museums and parks →Delafield Public LibraryDelafield, Wisconsin · (262) 646-6230500 Genesee St.Local attraction passes →Lake Geneva Public LibraryLake Geneva, Wisconsin · (262) 249-5299918 W. Main St.Museum & experience passes: Geneva Lake Museum, Brookfield Zoo, Milwaukee Art Museum, Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Mitchell Park Domes, Wisconsin Historical Society →
Wyoming · 1 library
FAQ
Are library museum passes really free?
Yes. The library pays for the pass and lends it to cardholders at no charge; the pass then gives you free or discounted admission at the museum. You only pay if you want extras the venue charges for separately, such as special exhibits.
How do I reserve a museum pass?
Reserve it with your library card — most systems let you book online through the catalog, and some require you to pick the pass up in person. Because passes are limited and in demand, popular venues and weekend dates book up early, so reserve ahead.
How many people does one pass cover?
It depends on the venue. Many passes admit two adults or a whole family (often up to four people); the exact number is set by each museum and shown when you reserve. Some systems let you borrow only one pass at a time.
Which attractions can I visit with a library pass?
Programs vary by region but commonly include art and history museums, children’s museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens. Arizona’s statewide Culture Pass and New England’s museum-pass programs are among the best known.
What if all the passes are already booked?
Passes are first-come, first-served, so check back for cancellations or pick a weekday. Ask your librarian which venues have more passes — larger institutions often have several, while a single specialty museum may have only one.
New to libraries? Learn how to get a library card in any U.S. state, or find a branch near you in the public library directory.
By Megan Carter, Library Resources Editor · public-libraries.com