To select a museum, click “Details/Reserve”, then select which Pass to reserve.
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire
6 Washington Street, Dover, NH 03820
603-742-2002
http://www.childrens-museum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire offers opportunities for children and families to explore art, science, and culture through dozens of activities and exhibits. Among these are the Thinkering and Steam Innovation Labs; Dino Detective; Music Matrix & Sound Watch; Naturalist's Study; Cave Explorers; and Post Office. The recently re-opened Dover Adventure Playground features a life-size flat-bottomed vintage gundalow boat; a net climber; swings and slides; a 3-story Garrison tower; a 1,200 pound, 3x8 foot climbable Alewife granite fish sculpture; a splash pad; musical instruments; and a life-sized “whale's tail” sculpture perched on the roof of the Dover Pool. Regularly scheduled special events take place throughout the year, including the Dover Mini Maker Faire; Teddy Bear Clinic + Picnic; Toddlerfest; 5K Road Race + Kid-Venture Course; and Earth Day Celebration; among others. A museum shop is on the premises.
Categories: Children, Family, History, Music, Science, Technology
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
This pass admits up to 4 people at 50% off. This pass must be picked up from the library.
You will then need to go to the museum's website to select a time slot when purchasing admission tickets: www.childrens-museum.org
Historic New England
141 Cambridge Street, Administrative Offices: Otis House, Boston, MA 02114
https://www.historicnewengland.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Historic New England is a historic preservation organization which owns and operates historic house museums and properties open to the public throughout most of New England. The majority of the 36 properties are in Massachusetts, but locations exist in all NE states but Vermont. These include Castle Tucker (Wiscasset, ME), the Jackson House (Portsmouth, NH), the Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, which (Newbury, MA), Roseland Cottage (Woodstock, CT), the Otis House (Boston, MA), the Lyman Estate (Waltham, MA), Gropius House (Lincoln, MA), and the Arnold House (Lincoln, RI). Styles represented include Federal, Colonial Revival, Victorian, Queen Anne, Arts & Crafts, and Modern, among many others. The website provides much detail, including directions, contact information, and history of each property.
Categories: Architecture, Family, History, Nature, Recreation
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
This pass admits 2 adults plus children under 18 for free. This pass must be picked up at the library.
Check https://www.historicnewengland.org/ for hours of individual historic sites.
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
This ePass allows up to 4 people to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for $5 each. Children under 18 are always free and should be reserved as child tickets.
To reserve your tickets online, visit the following website: https://tnew.gardnermuseum.org/events. Enter the provided promo code (sent to your email address once pass is reserved) in the box at the top of the screen. Then, select visit date and time to enter. Add the desired number of tickets to the basket (note: discount only works for up to 4 Adult-priced tickets and any additional ticket will be normally priced). Discount is applied only at checkout. Once you login and create an account with the Gardner Museum, you will be able to finish checking out. This library pass does not guarantee a reservation to the Museum.
Please present your reserved timed museum admission tickets, and the email sent to confirm your pass reservation (either on your mobile device or printed), while checking in to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Mass Audubon has over 55 wildlife sanctuaries and centers throughout Massachusetts where visitors can learn about and interact with nature. More than 38,000 acres of protected land deliver inspiring hilltop views to breathtaking coastal landscapes, serene woods, and working farms. Visit their website for a list of locations.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Recreation
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
This pass may be used for up to four people per visit (adults, seniors, or children age two or older; children under two are admitted free). Each will be charged a discounted rate of $2 for admission to any Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary. This pass must be picked up at the library.
You will need to check the Mass Audubon Website before planning a visit. Many sanctuaries are currently free admission. When you register online to reserve a spot, you should select the library pass option, and your admission will either be free or reduced, depending on location.
If you wish to visit sanctuaries that are using the online ticketing system, you should request the pass several days in advance for the date you wish to visit, to increase the likelihood that tickets will still be available for that date. Mass Audubon does not guarantee access on any specific date/time if tickets are not available.
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
This pass allows free parking for one (1) vehicle (excluding buses and vans) at any state park where daily parking fees are charged.
This pass must be picked up from the library and returned within 24-48 hours after use. You can return the pass into our book drop.
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
This ePass admits 2 adults for $10 each (General Admission + Special Exhibition entry) and up to 4 children for $10 each (General Admission + Special Exhibition entry). Children under age 6 are always admitted for free. You will receive a promo code upon reserving the pass. You do not need to pick anything up from the library.
You will be able to use the promo code in advance to reserve discounted tickets online, or use the code on site to reserve tickets in-person on the same day (note: you must present the confirmation email from the library, if you don't have an email address on file we will print out the pass for you).
To reserve tickets online, visit https://mfa.org/tickets, select a day and click "Tickets." The next page will have a box labeled "Promo Code" in the upper-right corner. Enter promo code into the box and click "Submit" to apply the discount. Then, the page will refresh. Select an entry time and the number of tickets you would like, then click "Add to cart."
Please note: you will be asked to create an account before checking out.
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
This ePass 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.
The email confirmation from the library upon reserving serves as the pass (you can display on your phone, or print out the email). Please contact the library to reserve this pass if you do not have an email address. Otherwise, you do not need to pick anything up from the library. Your Library pass can only be used on the date printed on the pass.
Please bring the library pass confirmation (printed or displayed on a mobile device) when you visit the Museum of Science. When you arrive at the Museum, stop at the Box Office to exchange your library pass and purchase your Exhibit Hall tickets at the discounted rate. If you have any questions, or wish to reserve your Exhibit Hall tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line the day of your visit, please call the Museum of Science at 617-723-2500, available daily, 9am – 5pm.
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
This eCoupon allows 50% off admission to the New England Aquarium (applies only to adult and child pricing). Passes will be emailed to reserving patrons, without the need to come to the library to pick up the pass! Please contact the library to reserve this pass if you do not have an email address. It is not a ticket; redeem this coupon in the General Admission line at the Aquarium's ticket booth for discount admission (up to four people). You can either print this pass out, or show it on your phone. This discount is only valid for Aquarium admission, and does not provide any other discounts and cannot be applied to combo tickets. Please visit the Aquarium website for additional details.
Library coupons or tickets obtained with library coupons may not be sold. Void if altered or copied. No cash value. Hours of operation are subject to change.
Please note: Library passes will not be available for the June 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025 timeframe.
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
This ePass allows for 50% off admission for a family of five (adults/children); it can either be presented on a mobile device or as a print-out to receive the discounted admission rate in-person. Passes will be emailed to reserving patrons, without the need to come to the library to pick up the pass! Please contact the library to reserve this pass if you do not have an email address.
Due to the high volume of visitors during this popular month and upcoming months, the North Shore Children's Museum strongly encourage patrons to secure their passes in advance to guarantee their spots. This will help us manage ticket availability and ensure that everyone can enjoy their museum experience without any inconvenience. To purchase tickets online, visit https://www.nschildrensmuseum.org/visit/buy-tickets/, click on "Buy Tickets" and select your preferred admission.
Online Reservations: Patrons can reserve their play sessions through North Shore Children's Museum online reservation system. This is the most efficient way to secure a spot.
Phone Reservations: Patrons can also call to hold their spots or check ticket availability for play sessions before visiting the North Shore Children's Museum.
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.
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970-3783
978-745-9500
http://www.pem.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The Peabody Essex Museum grew out of the collection of East India Marine Society, an organization of Salem captains whose charter called for acquisition of “natural and artificial curiosities.” Its permanent collection contains art and artifacts of Africa, Asia, India, China (with a Qing Dynasty house brought from the Huizhou region), Japan, Korea, Pacific Islands, and features objects of maritime art and history that include paintings, drawings, ship models, marine decorative arts, tools, weapons, navigational instruments, and ship and yacht plans. It also has a thriving changing exhibition schedule that sometimes includes important traveling shows.
Categories: Art, Family, History, Ocean
Pass Type: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
This ePass admits two visitors at the discounted rate of $12 per ticket. Upon reserving the pass, you will receive a promo code that may be used online to purchase tickets at a discounted price. You do not need to pick up anything from the library.
Timed museum entry via online reservation is required. Visit my.pem.org/events or call the reservation line at (978) 542-1511 to purchase your tickets. It is recommended to reserve your time as soon as you receive the promo code.
To purchase your tickets online via my.pem.org/events: Enter the promo code in the upper-right box labeled “Promo code” and click “Submit.” The page will refresh. Click on the box that says "General Admission" under the heading "Choose an option below." Then, select a date and time for your visit. You will see an option for “Library discount $12” which will allow you to purchase discounted tickets. Sign in or register for an account to complete your transaction.
Seacoast Science Center
570 Ocean Boulevard, Odiorne Point State Park, Rye, NH 03870
603-436-8043
http://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Located within Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH, the Seacoast Science Center has been providing educational experiences on behalf of New Hampshire State Parks since 1992. The center includes hands-on science exhibits (undersea exploration to marine debris), live animal exhibits which feature creatures that live in the rapidly changing Gulf of Maine ecosystem; and many special events, like “Music-by-the-Sea” concerts and “Sippin' for Seals” (dancing and drinks to support the Marine Mammal rescue Program).
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Science, Ocean
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
This pass allows two adults and up to 4 children at 50% off the cost of regular admission. Library pass holders are still required to pay the NH State Parks use fee for Odiorne Point State Park.
This pass must be picked up at the library.
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: Printable/Digital Coupon Pass (link delivered by email)
Pass Benefits
This ePass allows free admission to the museum for up to 9 people per day.
This is a printable pass. You must be able to print this pass at home or present it on a mobile device at the museum.