How to Get Free or Discounted Tickets to Museums

People are always looking for ways to save money on their travels, whether it’s a day trip, a weekend getaway, or an extended vacation—but they often overlook some of the most obvious discount strategies. Sometimes, the cards you already have in your wallet hold the key to additional savings, and saving money on museum tickets may be as easy as showing a debit or military card.

“Many cardholders take for granted that their cards come with special, money-saving perks,” says Sarah Brady, financial writer and former NFCC-certified credit counselor. “To get the most out of your debit, credit, library, or even EBT card, take time to familiarize yourself with all of the associated perks ASAP, including discounts and complimentary offers.” And yes, that includes free or heavily discounted entry to some of the world’s best museums.

Understanding Your Benefits

It’s not always obvious if the cards in your wallet have cool benefits. One way to find out if your debit or credit card has perks is to check the network logo and then do your research. “If your card has a network logo on it (e.g., Mastercard or Visa), go to the network’s website to see a full list of benefits offered,” says Brady. Searching online is also a great option to find discounts and free passes. “Do an online search for the name of your city, plus the name of your card type or card network, and ‘free’ or ‘museum days,'” she adds. 

Below, we rounded up a few card types that frequently include discounts or free passes to museums in the U.S. and beyond.

Bank or Credit Union Cards

Bank of America partners with numerous museums across the nation through its Museums on Us program. “If you have a Bank of America debit or credit card, you’ll find the card gets you free entry to more than 200 museums around the U.S. on the first weekend of each month,” says Brady. Just show your bank or credit card and ID at the entrance to places like the New York Botanical Garden, Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., and you’re in.

Many credit unions also have partnerships with cultural institutions and regional and local attractions. Check your credit union’s website, inquire the next time you visit your local branch, or do an online search.

Credit Cards

Credit card companies are always finding new ways to entice customers and cardholders—and that includes various museum perks. “You’re already participating in owning the credit card and want to get the most of it, so looking up and taking advantage of any additional perks available is the smartest thing to do,” says  Felicia Greenwald, a certified financial planner.

Capital One cardholders who have the Venture X card and sign up for The Cultivist get free access to select museums around the world. “The [Venture X] provides free admission for the member and one guest to museums both nationwide and around the world,” says Natalie Becerra, blogger and travel advisor for Where’s Natalie Now?. She used The Cultivist membership to visit museums in Paris and New York. “It saved me a bundle, and I found it simple to email for tickets that would otherwise require advanced purchase and scheduling,” she adds. 

Library Cards

A library card can offer more than just access to books or streaming services. Several libraries across the U.S. also provide discounts or free passes to cultural institutions with their memberships. For example, there’s a network of California libraries that participate in the Discover & Go program, which gives free and discounted tickets to an extensive list of participating museums and attractions.

“The Miami-Dade Public Library has the Museum Pass Program, which offers tickets to over 20 museums on a first-come, first-served basis in person,” says Becerra. Boston Public Library, Seattle Public Library, and New York Public Library cards also come with museum discounts and passes. The best way to know what’s available is to check your local library website for more information.

EBT Cards

SNAP benefit recipients have access to special discounts through different participating organizations throughout the country. The Museums 4 All program offers lower-income individuals and families access to all types of museums by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. “For EBT cardholders, you get free or discounted entry to over 1,500 museums,” says Brady.  The benefits are for “up to four people per EBT card, making arts and culture especially accessible to families,” adds Becerra.

Military IDs

Active-duty military personnel, as well as the National Guard and Reserve, and their families are eligible to take part in the Blue Star Museums program, a collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts that runs each summer, from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day. “Employees of the U.S. Armed Forces and the families of service members receive free admission to numerous U.S. museums through the Blue Star Museums initiative,” says Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance. You must show a military ID, and you can bring up to five family members to enjoy one of the 2,000 participating museums. 

Tips and Considerations 

When planning to take advantage of a discount or free pass perk, keep in mind some are only eligible for the cardholder. You’ll also want to check if there are any limitations on when you can use the discount, including blocked-out dates, holidays, or seasonal offerings. You don’t want to plan around a discount only to find out it’s not available for your preferred date or time. 

“Always look up if there are any day or time restrictions, like with the Bank of America museums only being able to be accessed that first weekend of the month,” says Greenwald. Cronin recommends reading the fine print to ensure the benefits are for general admission rather than special exhibitions, and to find out if there are specific dates or geographic regions they exclusively apply to.