To select a museum, click “Details/Reserve”, then select which Pass to reserve.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Boston Children’s Museum
308 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
617-426-6500 http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Founded in 1913 by the Science Teachers’ Bureau, the Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest children’s museum in the world and one of the few that maintain a collection. Designed for both children and families, the Museum exhibits focus on science, culture, environmental awareness, health & fitness, and the arts, emphasizing hands-on engagement and learning through experience, and employing play as a tool to spark the inherent creativity, curiosity, and imagination of children.
Categories: Children, Crafts, Family, Technology
Pass Benefits
Admits 4 people at half price per person. Infants under 1 are free.
The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday with two separate admission timeslots, 9am–12pm and 1:30–4:30pm. Online reservations are required. The museum is open select Mondays or Tuesdays through the year - including some holidays and during the summer.
Library coupons are not valid for Sunday afternoons (admission is $1 per person on Sundays from 1:30-4:30).
Cape Ann Museum
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
978-283-0455 http://www.capeannmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Founded in 1873, the Cape Ann Museum is a cultural center that includes galleries (displaying both permanent and temporary exhibitions), an auditorium, library/archives, a children's activity center, two sculpture gardens and two historic homes. The largest collection of works by Fitz Henry Lane, renowned marine artist and native son, may be found there, as well as paintings and sculptures by artists with a connection to Cape Ann. Two historic properties maintained by the museum, The White-Ellery House (1710) and the Captain Elias Davis House (1804) may be visited. The Library & Archives is a major resource for the study of the industrial, social, maritime and art history of Cape Ann. Special events include lectures, walking tours, and youth and family programs. (See website for schedule). A museum shop is on the premises.
Categories: Architecture, Family, History
Pass Benefits
Admits 2 people for FREE. Children under 18 are free.
This pass can be picked up the day before your trip. This pass does need to be returned to the Library by the day following use. There is a $10 a day fee for passes that returned late.
The Children's Piazza
83 Pine Street, Unit F, Peabody, MA 01960
978-817-2809 https://www.thechildrenspiazza.com/
[Details/Reserve]
Located in Peabody, MA, The Children's Piazza is a space is designed for young children—aged 0 to 6—to learn through unstructured play. Organized to optimize social, cognitive and motor development, areas include a large room with a climbing structure, slides, and swings; an arts and crafts room; a room with a train table; a lunch area with appropriately sized furniture; a glow-in-the-dark planet room; among others. There is a coffee shop and free Wi-Fi on the premises. Please check the website for the requirements of entry.
Pass Benefits
This pass admits one adult and one child free of charge Monday-Friday.
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 Benefits
The pass allows for 1/2 price admission for up to three people. Additional people in your party pay the regular admission price.
All visitors must reserve an entry ticket for a specific day and time prior to coming to the museum and must check in within one hour of their reservation window. Visitors may stay as long as they like. Patrons can reserve tickets on the museum's website and tickets are only valid for the date and time selected. On-site ticket purchases will only be available if the museum is not at capacity.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-3045 https://hmnh.harvard.edu/
[Details/Reserve]
The Harvard Museum of Natural History was established in 1998 as the public face of three separate research museums at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA: the Harvard University Herbaria, the Mineralogical & Geological Museum, and the Museum of Comparative Zoology. The museum is home to the famous “Glass Flowers” collection and a collection of “Sea Creatures in Glass,” made by the same artists (a father and son); a collection of meteorite, mineral and gemstone specimens; and various exhibits on life both big and small: from microbes to dinosaurs—and everything in between. There is a gift shop on the premises.
Categories: Children, Family, History, Science
Pass Benefits
Admits four for free to both the Harvard Museum of Natural History OR the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. For our pass, at least one person must be a resident of Mass.: the museum will ask for proof of residence or library/network membership.
This pass can be checked out up to 3 days prior to your trip. This single-use pass is not returned to the Library.
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 Benefits
Admits 2 at $10 per person.
The ICA no longer requires timed entry for admission, however advance reservations are strongly recommended. Go to www.icaboston.org to make your reservation.
This a digital pass that does not need to be picked up at the library.
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 Benefits
Pass is valid for up to 4 people at one time.
Visitors will be charged a discounted admission fee of $2.00 per person over age of 2.
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 Benefits
Pass entitles one vehicle to free parking at over 50 day-use facilities in the state parks system.
This pass can be picked up the day before, or day of, your trip. This pass needs to be returned to the Library, there is a $10 late charge for passes not returned by 10:00 AM the day after use, $25 is charged for a lost 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 Benefits
This coupon provides a 50% discount for up to four people. Children 3 and under are free. This coupon is redeemed at the General Admission line at the Aquarium ticket booth; you cannot do advance ticket sales or reserved timed ticketing with the coupon.
Print out the coupon - look for the "Print this pass" button in the reservation confirmation email. You will not need to visit the library if you choose to print the coupon, but you will need to follow the instructions provided, there is no timed ticketing or advance purchase sales, present the coupon upon at the General Admission line.
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 Benefits
Pass allows half-off admission for two patrons.
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 Benefits
Admits 9 free to the museum. The ship itself is owned by the Navy; tours are free. (Ship visitors ages 18+ are required to show photo ID & bags will be inspected.)
This coupon can be picked up 7 days before your visit, or you can print out the coupon - look for the "Print this pass" button in the reservation confirmation email. There is no timed ticketing or advance purchase sales, present the coupon upon entry to the Museum.
Wenham Museum
132 Main Street, Wenham, MA 01984
978-468-2377 http://www.wenhammuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Wenham Museum is a history museum celebrating the treasures of childhood and New England family life across four centuries, with an emphasis on the North Shore. The museum's collections feature a world-renowned doll collection and dollhouses, costumes and textiles, model trains, antique toys, historic photographs, and the interactive Family Discovery Gallery. Admission includes a tour of the historic Claflin-Gerrish-Richards House, built at the end of the 17th century. In addition, there are rotating special programs and exhibitions. A gift shop is on the premises.
Categories: Children, Family, History
Pass Benefits
Admits 4 at half price. Infants under 1 free.
Print out the coupon from home - look for the "Print this pass" button in the reservation confirmation email.
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 Benefits
Admits 6 at the Franklin Park Zoo, Boston or the Stone Zoo, Stoneham, at $9 per adult, $6 per child, during regular daytime hours. Children under 2 free. Not applicable to reduced admission rates, or to ZooLights.
This pass can be checked out up to 3 days prior to your trip. This single-use pass is not returned to the Library.