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, opens a new window. (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

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. There are no on-site ticket sales at the Museum.

A library pass will not be accepted for admission into the Museum.

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, patrons must 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.

Each promo code use provides up to two people with $10 admission per person (discounted from the regular general admission charge of $25 per person and the regular special exhibition charge of $30 per person).

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 through August 31, 2021. 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

We have discounted Aquarium passes available for library patrons. The program runs through August 31, 2021. You can reserve a pass in our system.

To purchase tickets over the phone:

Reserve your museum pass in our system
Once you have successfully reserved your pass, call the designated branch and ask for the PS code
Call (617) 973-5206 to speak with reservations at the aquarium
Make a reservation using the information on your pass (branch name and code). Provide payment (credit card only)
You will receive your tickets via email
Bring your tickets on the date of your visit (digital is okay)
Proceed to scan station

To purchase tickets in person:

Reserve your museum pass in our system
Pick up the museum pass at the designated branch the day before your planned visit. A cell phone is required to call the branch when you arrive for pick-up. Please check library hours before picking up
Go to the Box office with your pass to reserve and purchase a time slot

Each coupon is valid for Aquarium admission only on the date printed on the coupon. Each coupon admits up to four people for free. The discount applies to full-price adult and child admission rates. Children under the age of 3 are not included in the admission count and are always admitted free.

Available at Select Locations

Larz Anderson Auto Museum (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury branches)

Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries (West Roxbury branch)

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 Central Library, Connolly, Egleston, Honan-Allston, Jamaica Plain, South Boston, and Uphams Corner locations.

Not Available at This Time

Boston By Foot
Boston Children's Museum
Boston Harbor Island Cruise
Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Edward Kennedy Institute
Harvard Art Museum
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (ICA)
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Lyric Stage Company of Boston
Mary Baker Eddy Library & Mapparium
Old South Meeting House
Peabody Essex Museum
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology at Harvard University
USS Constitution Museum
What To Send Up

Frequently Asked Questions

During this time of social distancing, each institution may have their own procedures for obtaining tickets even with a library pass. Patrons should call the institution or visit their website to find out next steps after securing a pass from the library.
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.
Please note: Due to the pandemic, the BPL is not charging late fines through June 30, 2021.

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, the overdue fine per day is $10.00.

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.

Call a participating Boston Public Library location to receive a promo code.

Central Library in Copley Square	617-859-2321 (Borrower Services)
Connolly Branch Library	617-522-1960
Egleston Branch Library	617-445-4340
Honan-Allston Branch Library	617-787-6313
Jamaica Plain Branch Library	617-524-2053
South Boston Branch Library	617-268-0180
Uphams Corner Branch Library	617-265-0139

Visit zoonewengland.org, opens a new window to learn more about Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo, and to buy your tickets.
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.
Select Purchase Timed Tickets to open the online store.
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.
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.
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.
Enter the code that was supplied by your library and click Finish.
Enter your billing information. Please note that ticket fees will be added to your purchase total.
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.