To select a museum, click “Details/Reserve”, then select which Pass to reserve.
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 Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
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.
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 Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
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.
The House of Seven Gables
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
978-744-0991
https://www.7gables.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The House of the Seven Gables, one of the oldest surviving timber-framed mansion houses in continental North America, was the setting of Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous 1851 novel of the same name. The historic site which includes the house (a National Historic Landmark District) includes a guided tour of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (the House of the Seven Gables) and visits to the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, the Colonial Revival seaside gardens, and the Counting House, with a maritime discovery zone called “Kids' Cove at The Gables.” (An audio tour of the gardens, grounds, and waterfront is available through the UniGuide App.) Lectures and seasonal living history labs are scheduled throughout the year, and a changing annual exhibition examines various aspects of the institution's 350 years of history. There is a gift shop on the premises. The website has virtual field trips and interactive exhibitions that can provide helpful background information before a visit.
Categories: Children, Family, Science
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
This pass give patrons 50% off admission for up to four people. You must purchase tickets in advance online using the code on the Library pass. Bring the pass to the museum for proof of discount.
This pass can be picked up 7 days before your trip. This pass does not need to be returned to the Library.
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 pass 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.
Your Library pass can only be used on the date printed on the pass.
Please bring your library pass confirmation (printed or displayed on a phone) when you visit.
When you arrive at the Museum, stop at the Box Office to exchange your library pass and purchase your Exhibit Halls tickets at the discounted rate. If you have any questions or would like to reserve your Exhibit Halls passes in advance to avoid waiting in line the day of your visit, please call 617-723-2500 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily).
If you are unable to show your Library confirmation on a phone, you may print out a copy using the link in the confirmation email or request a paper copy from the library.
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 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.
Please note: New England Aquarium Passes are not honored/available from June 1, 2025-August 31, 2025 by decree of the institution not the library.
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 pass allows 50% off admission for a family of up to 5 adults/children.
Patrons may reserve library level tickets online at https://www.nschildrensmuseum.org/visit/buy-tickets/ or purchase tickets in person. (Please note that when purchasing tickets online, patrons should add Library Pass tickets to their cart, not Adult/Child tickets.) Patrons should bring their pass with them either way, and the front desk will collect it when scanning pre-purchased tickets or when they are purchased in person.
If tickets are sold out online, we hold tickets available in person in order to honor library passes. If patrons have any questions or issues when reserving tickets, they can reach out to us at nscminfo@peabody-ma.gov or 978-538-5765.