Museum Passes

We are able to offer a limited number of museum passes at this time. Please note availability and instructions below. As museums continue to open, we will update this page with pass availability.

Availability of the following passes varies and can be checked in our museum pass reservation system. (Link opens in a new window.)

Note: Check below for the most up-to-date admissions information for each pass.

Reserve a Museum Pass

Available at All Locations

Boston Children's Museum

Discounted pass for half-price, will admit up to 4 people

Instructions:

After receiving a library discount coupon from the library, patrons must then reserve their visit online with Boston Children’s Museum. Due to safety measures, walk-ins are not allowed. Museum capacity is limited at this time.

After getting a dated coupon from their library,
Visit https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ticketing
Review the directions for timed tickets
Click on the "Discount Programs" & drop down arrow
Click on "Half Price Library Timed Ticket " to book
NEW - PlaySpace Exhibit Reservations. Online reservations are required to visit PlaySpace.
The date on the Library Discount Coupon must match the date of the patron’s visit
Once arriving at the Museum, visitors will proceed to the Admissions Scanning Station with their online reservation and the date specific Library Discount Coupon. Visitors can present these digitally on a hand held device or as a paper print out
Patrons with questions about the online ordering system should contact Orders@BostonChildrensMuseum.org

Boston Harbor Island Cruise

Two-for-one passes available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some restrictions apply.

You do not need to reserve a pass in our system.
Visit https://www.bostonharborislands.org/ferry-tickets/.
Use the calendar to select the date you'd like to visit.
Select your Departure & Destination choices.
Select your departure time.
Select ticket quantity for up to 2 BOGO tickets per transaction.
Enter bhnbpl2021 in the Coupon/Voucher Code field on the ‘Enter your billing information’ page (scroll up to view it) and click apply.
Complete your transaction & bring your phone or a printed copy of your barcode to board the ferry.

Massachusetts DCR ParksPass hang tag

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts is open five days a week: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Visit the MFA website for information about health, safety, and what’s on view.

All visitors need to reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance, available online. *

A library pass will not be accepted for admission into the Museum without tickets.

Patrons must reserve a museum pass from the library for a particular date.
Once reserved, contact the Central Library or a neighborhood branch to receive a promo code.
To reserve discounted tickets online*, visit Tickets, select the date and type of ticket, and enter the promo code on the top right corner of the next page. This will activate the reduced admission rate.
Patrons receive an email with their admission ticket(s). They need to present their ticket(s) when they arrive at the Museum, preferably on a phone or device, but printed tickets are accepted.

*Online ticketing is strongly encouraged, but same-day tickets may be purchased at the museum, if necessary. To purchase tickets at the museum, you must show an email from the library that contains your promo code.

Each promo code allows 2 adults admission for $10 each (general admission and special exhibition) and up to 4 children (ages 7-17) for $10 each (special exhibition only). There is no discount for children ages 7-17 for general admission, as it’s already $10.

Promo codes and library passes are not applicable toward discounts on shopping, parking, dining, films, concerts, lectures, courses, or any other public programs.

All prices are subject to change. Discount admission may not be combined with other offers.

Museum of Science, Boston

Passes are available from August 31, 2021 to August 31, 2022. Reserve a pass in the Boston Public Library system for the date you plan to visit the Museum. Your email confirmation from the library serves as your pass but you must call the Museum to reserve a timed ticket once you have the confirmation from the Library.

Call the Museum of Science at 617-723-2500 (daily, 9am – 5pm) to reserve your timed tickets. Up to 4 people are admitted for free with each pass and Children under 3 are always free, but must have a timed ticket.
Please call at least 1-2 days ahead of time to reserve your time, otherwise the Museum might be fully booked. Your pass can only be used on the date printed on the pass. You will need to provide the name of the library plus the date of your pass.
After you make your reservation, the Museum will send you an email confirmation with your reservation time. Please bring both your library pass confirmation and your email confirmation from the Museum when you visit.
Show both confirmations at the gate to enter. You do not need to stop at the Box Office.

If you are not able to print your library confirmation at home or display it on a cell phone:

Please request a paper copy of your confirmation to pick up at the library.
Follow steps 1-3 above to reserve your timed ticket and request to pick up your tickets at the Box Office when you arrive. Please write down your ticket confirmation number and bring that and your library confirmation with you to the Museum.

Go to the Box Office and provide your name, name of the library and timed ticket confirmation number. The Box Office will give you tickets. Proceed to the gate with your tickets.

New England Aquarium

A coupon from our reservation system admits four people free of charge to the New England Aquarium. It is not a ticket. Redeem this coupon in the General Admission line at the Aquarium’s ticket booth. Please visit neaq.org/coupons for details. Review the Aquarium’s website at neaq.org/safety ahead of your visit to ensure a safe and accessible experience.

Valid only for Aquarium admission.
This coupon does not provide any other discounts and cannot be applied to combo tickets.
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.

The coupon is valid only for one day. You can either print it out and take it with you or display the pass on your phone or device. Either way, please be sure that the pass barcode is visible.

Available at Select Locations

Hale Reservation (multiple locations)

Coupon allows for free parking for one vehicle for the day at Hale during normal business hours and access to hiking Hale’s many trails. Pass is valid for one-time use at Hale. Pass is not valid for use for other programming (beach time, boating, camping, swimming, lessons, etc.) Those offerings must be purchased separately.

Available at Central Library, Adams, Brighton, Charlestown, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, and West End.

Hale Reservation website

Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (ICA) (Central Library, Jamaica Plain)

Up to two people may visit the ICA per pass. Each person pays an admission fee of $5 (discounted from the regular fee of $15).

Reserve an ICA museum pass in our booking system for a particular date.
Purchase timed entry tickets on the ICA website by selecting the Library Pass Coupon pricing option.
Tickets may also be purchased over the phone by calling 617-478-3100.
A $4 per ticket service charge will be added to online and phone orders.*
You must redeem your physical museum pass and e-ticket at check in. Tickets may be printed out or displayed on a mobile device.
Library museum pass discounts may not be redeemed for performances or special events.

For ticketing or general inquiries, please contact the Visitor Services team at visitorservices@icaboston.org.

* Tickets may be purchased in person from ICA Visitor Services on the day of a visit, but advance tickets are highly recommended. Day-of reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Central Library, Connolly, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury)

Place a reservation in the BPL’s online reservation system for the non-returnable coupon. Pick up the pass/coupon at the branch where the reservation was placed.

The Gardner Museum recommends that you create an online reservation at least two days before the date of your reservation. It is recommended that you pick your pass at least two days before your scheduled visit.

On the back of the physical pass, you will find a promo code.

Visit the IGM site at https://www.gardnermuseum.org/visit and create an account. Once the account is created, schedule a timed reservation for the same day that is printed is on your physical pass using the promo code on the back of your physical pass.

On the day of your scheduled visit, you must bring both the physical pass and the Gardner online ticket (printed or electronic) to enter the museum.

Please make sure to review the health and safety requirements at http://isgm.org/welcome before visiting the museum.

Old Sturbridge Village (Central Library)

Peabody Essex Museum (Central Library)

Trustees GO Pass (Central Library, Jamaica Plain)

The Trustees website

Reserve a pass in our system. Coupon allows two adults and children under 18 entry at Family membership rates. Pass is valid for one-time use at any of 116 properties that collect an admission fee. Pass holder will pay an admission fee equivalent to that of a Trustees Family level membership. Pass is not valid for use at Trustees parking kiosks, stores, cafes, Inns, campgrounds, at special events and programs or in place of any permits or passes.

Available at the Central Library and Jamaica Plain branch.

Zoo New England (multiple locations)

Promotional codes available for discounted tickets through the end of 2021. You can use a promotional code to purchase discounted tickets to Stone Zoo or Franklin Park Zoo. ($9 entry for adults, $6 entry for children. Maximum six tickets total.)

Zoo New England promotional codes are not reservable in our system. Please see our FAQ for instructions on receiving and using a promotional code.

Available at Connolly, East Boston, Honan-Allston, and West Roxbury locations.

Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries (West Roxbury) (Temporarily Unavailable)

Some locations are open. You can reserve a pass in our system (temporarily unavailable). Pick up physical pass the day before your planned reservation and return the following day. A cell phone is required to call the branch when you arrive for pick-up. Please check library hours before picking up. Some locations require a reservation on the Mass. Audubon website.

Available at the West Roxbury branch.

Not Available at This Time

Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Boston by Foot
Edward Kennedy Institute
Harvard Art Museum
Harvard Museum of Natural History
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
Lyric Stage Company of Boston

Mary Baker Eddy Library & Mapparium
Old South Meeting House
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology at Harvard University
USS Constitution Museum
What To Send Up

Frequently Asked Questions

We are able to offer a limited number of museum passes at this time. Please note availability and instructions for each on our Museum Passes page.
Reserve most museum passes online in Tixkeeper, opens a new window. We allow patrons to reserve passes over the phone (with a library card number) and in person. You are also welcome to use our computers to make a reservation.
Returnable passes have to be picked up the day they are reserved for (or on Friday for a weekend pass). Disposable passes should be picked up before that date needed, as most museums are now requiring you to also schedule a visiting time on the museum's website after you have picked up your pass. You will need to bring your library card to pick up both types of passes.
There are two types of passes: returnable (laminated) or disposable. Each pass indicates which type it is.

If you borrowed a disposable pass, you don’t need to return it.

Laminated “returnable” passes must be returned to avoid fines. Bring back your returnable pass to the same location where you picked it up before 12 p.m. on the next day that the location is open.

Please don’t leave museum passes in the overnight return box. Check the hours of the branch you’re returning to before returning your pass.
There are two types of passes: returnable (laminated) or disposable. Each pass indicates which type it is.

If you don’t return a laminated, returnable pass on time, your account will be blocked from further borrowing until it is returned.

If you lose a returnable pass, let us know at 617.536.5400, ask@bpl.org, or by calling or visiting the borrowing location. We’ll assess a replacement cost for you.

Disposable passes do not need to be returned and don’t generate fines.
You may reserve one pass per museum per thirty-day period.
Cancellations are not permitted on the day of your scheduled pick up. You may cancel your reservation online or by contacting us in advance of your museum pass pickup date.

If a pass has already been picked up, it must be returned to the owning library prior to cancelling the reservation.

By phone or in person, ONE or more days in advance: Call or visit the library location you planned to pick the pass up from and ask us to cancel it for you. Have your library card number available so we can look up your reservation.

Online, TWO or more days in advance: Visit our Tixkeeper site, opens a new window. Select MY PASSES on the museum selection page and log in to view your reservations. Locate the pass that needs to be cancelled from the list and select Cancel Reservation.
No. To reserve museum passes, upgrade your eCard at any BPL location by bringing a photo ID and proof of your Massachusetts residency. A state-issued ID or driver's license meets both requirements.
Zoo New England has provided promotional codes to several of our locations that you can use to purchase discounted tickets to Stone Zoo or Franklin Park Zoo. ($9 entry for adults, $6 entry for children. Maximum six tickets total.)

These codes are not reserved using Tixkeeper. Please use the instructions below instead.
1. Call a participating Boston Public Library location to receive a promo code.
  
  Connolly Branch Library 617.522.1960
  
  East Boston Branch Library 617.569.0271
  
  Honan-Allston Branch Library 617.787.6313
  
  West Roxbury Branch Library 617.325.3147
2. Visit zoonewengland.org, opens a new window to learn more about Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, and to buy your tickets.
3. From the Visit tab, select either Franklin Park Zoo Tickets or Stone Zoo Tickets.You must accept Zoo New England's updated COVID guidelines before purchasing tickets. These are subject to change.
4. Select Purchase Timed Tickets to open the online store.
5. If you are using a computer or other device with a large screen, select the Promo Code tab. Enter LIBRARYPASS in the pop-up box.
  If you are using a mobile device, select the Menu button and enter LIBRARYPASS in the first box.
6. After you've done this, a calendar will appear. Select your desired visit date on the calendar and the time you would like to visit under either the Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo heading.
7. Once you have selected a time for the appropriate zoo, select the number of discounted library tickets you would like to purchase. You may select a maximum of six tickets total. Click Next.
8. Enter the code that was supplied by your library and click Finish.
9. Enter your billing information. Please note that ticket fees will be added to your purchase total.
10. A confirmation email will be sent to you with a link to retrieve your tickets. You may print your tickets or display them on your mobile phone when you visit the Zoo.
Thank you for supporting Zoo New England!