To select a museum, click “Details/Reserve”, then select which Pass to reserve.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Discovery Museum
177 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
978-264-4200
http://www.discoveryacton.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Acton's Discovery Museum, located on a 4-acre campus, is aimed at providing an environment in which play becomes a conduit for learning about science, technology, and nature. The museum’s building contains a number of galleries dedicated to teaching scientific concepts in a fun, hands-on environment, as well as themed play spaces for younger visitors. Outdoors, Discovery Woods includes a nature playscape with a cargo net climb, nest swing and beaver lodges, as well as a treehouse with an observation deck and a bouncy bridge. There are opportunities to practice orienteering with provided maps and instructions on trails on the property. A museum shop is on the premises. The museum building is fully ADA compliant, with exhibits based on Universal Design principles.
Categories: Children, Family, Science
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
Pass admits 3 people at half price. ($8.50 instead of $17.00) No payment will be collected online, you will pay when you arrive.
The House of Seven Gables
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
978-744-0991
https://www.7gables.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The House of the Seven Gables, one of the oldest surviving timber-framed mansion houses in continental North America, was the setting of Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous 1851 novel of the same name. The historic site which includes the house (a National Historic Landmark District) includes a guided tour of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (the House of the Seven Gables) and visits to the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, the Colonial Revival seaside gardens, and the Counting House, with a maritime discovery zone called “Kids' Cove at The Gables.” (An audio tour of the gardens, grounds, and waterfront is available through the UniGuide App.) Lectures and seasonal living history labs are scheduled throughout the year, and a changing annual exhibition examines various aspects of the institution's 350 years of history. There is a gift shop on the premises. The website has virtual field trips and interactive exhibitions that can provide helpful background information before a visit.
Categories: Children, Family, Science
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
The pass admits up to four people at 50% off. Full price admissions are:
Mansion Tour $25
Mansion Tour - Senior $20
Mansion tour - Children $17
Grounds Pass (May 1 - Sept 30) $12
Grounds Pass (Nov 1 - April 30) $6
The house is open daily 10 am to 5 pm. But be sure to check their website for any changes before you reserve this pass.
Purchase the tickets on the house's website after reserving your pass here.
Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston
25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210
617-478-3100
https://www.icaboston.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The building that houses the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston on Fan Pier is the first in the US designed by the architectural firm of Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The museum was founded in 1936 as a sister institution to New York’s MoMA, though it had no permanent collection until starting one after moving into the new building on the waterfront in 2006. In addition to the collection, changing exhibitions, music, dance, film, talks, tours, family activities, and teen programming are offered throughout the year.
Categories: Art, Family, Music, Dance
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
This pass admits up to 2 people at $10 (a 50% discount). It is not valid toward performances or special events.
Open Tuesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday & Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Note: The ICA closes at 5 p.m. on the first Friday of every month for a ticketed, age 21+ event called First Friday.
- FREE admission for all is available on: MLK Jr Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. is also FREE.
- The ICA is closed on Patriot’s Day, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Exhibits include:
- Wordplay
- Igshaan Adams
- Wu Tsang: Of Whales
- Firelei Báez
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115
617-566-1401
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home/
[Details/Reserve]
The Gardner Museum houses the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a local patron of the arts who died in 1924, in a building she commissioned to look like a 15th century Venetian palazzo. The center of the original building showcases courtyard plantings that reflect the seasons as they evolve throughout the year. In addition to her collection, which remains displayed exactly she arranged it per her will, there are changing exhibitions, concerts, lectures, family events, and an artist-in-residence program. In 2012, the museum opened an addition designed by Renzo Piano that houses a space for their concert series.
Categories: Art, Family, Music
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
Pass admits up to 4 people for $5 per person .
Museum entry is timed and capacity highly restricted. All tickets are for a specific entry time. You will get two emails, one from the museum with the tickets and one from Assabet with the library pass. There’s nothing to pick up at the library but you will need both emails.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Wilmington Council for the Arts, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency
John F. Kennedy Library & Museum
Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125
617-514-1600
https://www.jfklibrary.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, dedicated to the memory of the nation’s thirty-fifth president, is located on a ten-acre park which overlooks the sea in an building designed by I.M. Pei. The Museum portrays the life, leadership, and legacy of President Kennedy, conveys his enthusiasm for politics and public service, and illustrates the nature of the office of the President, all through permanent and changing exhibits. The Library is available to students and scholars to conduct research using its collection of historical materials chronicling mid-20th century politics and the life and administration of the institution’s namesake.
Categories: Family, Governance, History
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
Passes are no longer required—the presentation of a valid library card grants the cardholder 50% off of one admission ticket—but please place a reservation for the desired date of your visit.
The Museum is open 7 days a week.
Regular admission will end at 3:30 p.m. to give visitors enough time to experience the Museum. Exhibits will close promptly at 5:00 pm
The Museum closes at 2:30 p.m. on the days below. On those days, regular admission will end at 1:00 p.m. to give visitors enough time to experience the Museum.:
Day before Thanksgiving (November 27, 2024)
Christmas Eve (December 24)
New Year's Eve (December 31)
We are closed on these holidays:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Mass Audubon (Drumlin Farm)
208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773
781-259-2200
http://www.massaudubon.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Mass Audubon maintains about 100 wildlife sanctuaries in Massachusetts, more than half of which may be visited for walks on trails and visits to nature centers and museums. Among these is Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, a working farm with animals and crops, plus exhibits that include native wildlife, such as owls, foxes and deer. A shop on the premises sells items related to nature, such as bird feeders and binoculars.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
Pass admits up to 4 people at $2 per person (children under two are admitted free) Hours of operation vary by sanctuary.
Visitors must reserve their parking spot at Drumlin Farm to ensure access on weekends when they reach capacity.
Check the their website for guidelines and updates before reserving this pass.
Funded by the Community Fund
Massachusetts State Parks (Department of Conservation and Recreation)
251 Causeway Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114-2104
617-626-1250
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/
[Details/Reserve]
The Massachusetts State Parks have locations in all regions of the Commonwealth, from Pittsfield to Boston, and from Gloucester to Provincetown. They include beaches, wooded parks, parkways, and reservoirs, each with its own unique activities and amenities like hiking, biking, swimming and boating, camping, and more.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Recreation
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
Pass allows free parking at state parks (except Nahant and Nantasket beaches).
Alphabetical listing of parks.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre
50 East Merrimack, Lowell, MA 01852
978-654-4678
http://www.mrt.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The Merrimack Repertory Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre company located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Begun in 1979, it has a seven-show season that runs from September through May, which is focused on contemporary plays. The theatre has 279 seats and free parking.
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
This pass is good for two half-price tickets for the following shows:
The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe
Mary Shelly's Frankenstein
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
The Comedy of Hamlet, a prequel
What You Are Now
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
617-267-9300
http://www.mfa.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, in existence since July 4, 1876, is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, with a collection of almost 500,000 works of art, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary painting, sculpture and video. In addition, there are always special exhibitions on view, opportunities to take advantage of educational programs—some right in the galleries—and a contemplative Japanese garden.
Categories: Art, Family, History
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
Pass admits 2 people at $10 per person (price is subject to change). Ticketed special exhibits are not included.
There is no physical pass to pick up at the library.
This
program is supported in part by a grant from the Wilmington Council for
the Arts, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Museum of Science in Boston is located on a piece of land that extends the width of the Charles River, connecting Boston and Cambridge. Dedicated to promoting and educating visitors about science and technology, the museum includes a planetarium, the world’s largest open-air Van de Graaff generator, an IMAX theatre, a butterfly garden, and permanent and changing exhibits on birds, insects and animals; space; dinosaurs; engineering; nanotechnology; math; biology; and more.
Categories: Children, Family, History, Nature, Science, Technology, Sky
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
Pass does not include Planetarium, Omni, or special exhibits.
• This pass will admit up to 4 people at a 50% discount on tickets to the Museum’s Exhibit Halls. Children under 3 are not included in the count of 4 and are always admitted for free.
• Your Library pass can only be used on the date printed on the pass.
• Please bring your library pass confirmation (printed or displayed on a phone) when you visit.
• When you arrive at the Museum, stop at the Box Office to exchange your library pass and purchase your Exhibit Halls tickets at the discounted rate. If you have any questions or would like to reserve your Exhibit Halls passes in advance to avoid waiting in line the day of your visit, please call 617-723-2500 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily).
• If you are unable to show your Library confirmation on a phone, you may print out a copy using the link in the confirmation email or request a paper copy from the library.
Funded by the Wilmington Community Fund
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105
877-446-6752
https://www.hoophall.com/
[Details/Reserve]
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, MA, was established in 1959. The 40,000 sq. ft. museum is dedicated to the history of basketball and maintains a hall of fame dedicated to the most talented players of the game. Interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, and shooting contests.
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
The pass admits up to six people for the discounted rates of $20 per adult, $17 per senior, and $15 per youth.
The hall is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. But be sure to check their list of early closings before you reserve this pass.
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
617-973-5200
http://www.neaq.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The New England Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals, from the giant Pacific octopus to Northern fur seals to little blue penguins. They offer a wide range of exhibits, including a shark and ray touch tank and the Giant Ocean Tank, a four-story coral reef featuring hundreds of Caribbean animals. In addition, they have an IMAX theatre and run whale watch boat excursions in partnership with Boston Harbor Cruises from April through November.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Science, Ocean
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
• Visiting the Aquarium: Advanced reservations are no longer required. Library patrons should present their coupons on-site at the Aquarium ticket booth. Once tickets are issued, library patrons will be admitted to the Aquarium. Please note that coupons to the Aquarium are valid only on the date printed on the coupon.
• Safety is a Top Priority: We continue to follow public health guidelines from the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the CDC. At this time, proof of COVID-19 vaccination and face coverings are no longer required to enter the Aquarium.
• Masks Encouraged: While masks are no longer required on Aquarium property, we do encourage guests to wear them.
For additional questions, please contact the Membership Department at members@neaq.org or 617-226-2184 (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
This pass admits up to 4 people at 50% off.
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505-0598
508-869-6111
https://www.nebg.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Located in Boylston, MA, and open year-round, the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill features carefully planned gardens and collections of ornamental, edible and native plants, with a number of trails that traverse the 132-acre property. In addition, there are many programs and events, including classes, lectures, art exhibits and concerts. The Garden is run by the Worcester County Horticultural Society, the third oldest active horticultural society in the United States.
Categories: Art, Crafts, Family, Nature
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
This pass admits up to two people at half off general admission. Full prices are weekday $20 and weekend $21.
North Shore Children's Museum
10 Main Street, Peabody, MA 01960
978-538-5765
https://www.nschildrensmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Located in downtown Peabody, MA, the North Shore Children's Museum offers 15 hands-on exhibits geared towards explorative and imaginative play for children ages 2 to 8. A child may become a superhero in the Comic Room, a builder in the Gross Motor Room, an artist in the Makerspace, and more. All exhibits are in ADA-accessible spaces.
Categories: Children, Family, Science
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
Library passes for North Shore Children's Museum admit up to 5 people (adults and children over 12 months) at 50% off admission price. This is an ePass that can either be presented on a mobile device or as a print-out to receive the discounted admission rate in-person. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended but not required. The discounted admission rate can be accessed on our website by selecting Library Museum Pass on the ticketing page. Your library pass will only be honored on the date you reserved. If the museum reaches capacity, visitors will be let in on a one in, one out basis.
Patriots Hall of Fame
One Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035
508-698-4800
https://www.patriotshalloffame.com/
[Details/Reserve]
The Patriots Hall of Fame is an interactive museum located next to Gillette Stadium and the home of the New England Patriots. The Hall’s ten galleries tell the story of the team through interactive exhibits, video, and historic artifacts. A feature is the film Patriots Way, which plays on a 45-foot wide panoramic screen in a 150-seat theatre. A shop selling exclusive Patriots merchandise is on the premises.
Categories: Family, History, Sports
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
The pass admits up to two people for free.
The hall is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. But be sure to check their site for early closings before you make the reservation here.
The pass also give you a 15% discount at in-store purchases at the Pro Shop as well as 20% discount on Hall special ticketed events.
Salem Witch Museum
19 1/2 Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970
978-744-1692
http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/
[Details/Reserve]
Based on actual trial documents and using life-size stage sets with figures, lighting, and narration, the museum's principle exhibit examines the 1692 Salem witch trials. In a second exhibit, “Witches: Evolving Perceptions,” guides take you through changing interpretations of witches, the truth behind the stereotypes, witchcraft practice today, and witch hunting. A gift shop is on the premises.
Categories: Children, Family, History
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
The pass admits up to 6 people for $4 off per ticket. Tickets must be purchased the day of your visit.
Full prices are: Adult $17.30 Senior $16 Child (3-14) $14.50
Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (July & August from 10 am to 7 pm)
Pass not valid in October
Reserve the pass here, then purchase tickets on the day of your reservation by doing the following.
1.) Pickup the pass at the library
2.) Go to https://tickets.salemwitchmuseum.com/
3.) Agree to terms and click Submit
4.) Choose a time
5,) Chose up to 6 tickets
6.) Click Add selected to cart
7.) Type the code on the pass you picked up in the Enter Coupon Code here
8.) Click Apply Pass
9.) Click Proceed to Checkout
10.) Type your billing details and credit card number
11.) Click Place order
Trustees of Reservations (with deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum)
The Trustees of Reservations preserve and protect more than 100 special properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value—nearly 25,000 acres—all around Massachusetts. From Crane's Beach in Ipswich and World's End in Hingham to The Old Manse in Concord and Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, visitors to Trustees sites enjoy local history and nature in its various forms: beaches, meadows, forests, swamps and more.
In the summer of 2019, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, the largest park of its kind in New England, became part of the Trustees. The museum, located in Lincoln, MA, encompasses nearly 30 conserved acres and presents contemporary art from New England—and beyond—with sculptures in the landscape and museum exhibitions. For a full list of locations, please visit their web site.
Categories: Art, Family, History, Nature, Recreation
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
Pass admits up to 2 adults and children under 18 (some sites are free, some are discounted).
Hours of operation vary by place. Check on your choice before reserving this pass. There are over 100 special places including Crane's Beach, Lyman Reserve, Naumkeag, and Halibut Point. Ask for the guide book at the information desk (in house only) or visit the Trustees of the Reservation website for more information.
Please note the following:
Passes are valid for admission only; not valid for discounts at parking kiosks, stores, cafes, inns, campgrounds, at special events or programs, on equipment rentals, or in place of any permits of passes.
To use the pass at Fruitlands, deCordova, or Castle Hill, please enter the promo code GOPASS when securing a timed ticket. Passes are available at https://thetrustees.org/places/.
USS Constitution Museum
Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA 02129
617-426-1812
https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The museum, a part of the Boston National Historical Park, is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard near the ship USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) at the end of Boston’s Freedom Trail. The museum provides a detailed look at the history of the ship, information about the war of 1812, and the battle between the ship and HMS Java. Stories are told through interactive exhibits, unique artifacts, archival records, and artwork. The museum also includes a research library which houses a strong collection of manuscripts, books, artifacts, and microfilm of primary source material. The ship itself is maintained by the US Navy, and may be visited free of charge on certain days.
Categories: Art, Family, History, Ocean
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
Pass holders will receive free admission to the museum. One pass allows free admission for up to 9 people per day. One pass per party, please.
Pass must be returned in the book drop by 8:30 am the morning following the reservation.
Zoo New England
1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121
617-541-5466
http://www.zoonewengland.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Zoo New England operates Franklin Park Zoo, a 72-acre site nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park, and the Stone Zoo, located on a 26-acre site near Spot Pond reservoir in Stoneham, MA. In addition to animals, both zoos are engaged in wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
Pass admits up to 6 people at $9 per adult and $6 per child. Payment is collected at the zoo. Please check the zoo website for special closings.
Please remember to come in and pick up the coupon pass from the library before you go. The confirmation email isn't the pass.
Funded by the Friends of the Library.