NYC Culture Pass — Free Museum Admission with Your Library Card

🎨 New York City, New York

Culture Passes at New York City-Area Libraries

Your library card in the New York City area can get your family free or discounted museum admission. Libraries here lend culture passes to cardholders — here is how it works and which local libraries offer them.

Museum Passes at the Library › New York › New York City

How culture passes work in New York City

In New York City the library museum pass is called Culture Pass. It is run jointly by the three NYC public library systems — the New York Public Library (Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island), Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library — and it gives cardholders free general admission to 100+ participating museums, gardens, historic homes and performance venues across all five boroughs.

To use it, go to culturepass.nyc, choose your library system and sign in with your library-card number and PIN, then reserve a pass for a specific date and venue and print or download it. New passes are released at midnight on the 1st of each month for the month ahead, and popular venues book up fast. You need a full-service library card from one of the three systems and must be 13 or older; the cardholder has to attend in person with photo ID that matches the reservation.

NYC library branches for Culture Pass

Culture Pass is reserved online with any NYPL, Brooklyn or Queens library card. These are NYC branches of those three systems where you can get a card and start using Culture Pass — tap one for hours, address and details:

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)Manhattan · NYPL →53rd Street LibraryManhattan · NYPL →Jefferson Market LibraryManhattan · NYPL →Mulberry Street LibraryManhattan · NYPL →Seward Park LibraryManhattan · NYPL →Tompkins Square LibraryManhattan · NYPL →Central Library (Grand Army Plaza)Brooklyn · BPL →Park Slope LibraryBrooklyn · BPL →Brooklyn Heights LibraryBrooklyn · BPL →Greenpoint LibraryBrooklyn · BPL →Bay Ridge LibraryBrooklyn · BPL →Central Library (Jamaica)Queens · QPL →Flushing LibraryQueens · QPL →Astoria LibraryQueens · QPL →Long Island City LibraryQueens · QPL →

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

New York City culture passes FAQ

What is NYC’s Culture Pass?

Culture Pass is a free program from New York City’s three public library systems — the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library. With your library card you reserve a pass for free general admission to 100+ participating museums, gardens, historic homes and performance venues across the five boroughs.

How do I reserve a Culture Pass?

Go to culturepass.nyc, pick your library system, sign in with your card number and PIN, then choose a venue and date and print or download the pass. New passes are released at midnight on the 1st of each month for the following month, so reserve early — popular venues go quickly.

Who is eligible for Culture Pass?

Any NYPL, Brooklyn or Queens cardholder age 13 or older with a full-service library card. E-cards, welcome cards and virtual/digital-only cards are not eligible. The person who reserves the pass must attend in person with photo ID that matches the reservation.

How many Culture Passes can I reserve?

You can hold up to four active (un-redeemed) reservations on a card at once, and you can visit each participating institution once per calendar year per card. Passes are date-specific and non-transferable, and can’t be cancelled once printed or downloaded.

Do I need to live in New York City?

You need a card from one of the three systems. NYPL, Brooklyn and Queens issue free cards to people who live, work, attend school or pay property tax in New York State — so many New Yorkers outside the city also qualify. Confirm eligibility when you sign up.

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

Last reviewed September 2026 · 15 verified New York City-area libraries.