Love to visit museums and other cultural institutions? There are a variety of ways to get free or discounted admission.
First, look in your wallet. If you have a Bank of America debit or credit card, you have free access to more than 200 museums in 40 states and Washington, D.C., during the first full weekend of every month.
Those who use Citibank’s premium Citigold checking account can show their debit card to get complimentary admission at any time to the Museum of Modern Art, New York Botanical Garden and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City (excluding special hours and events).
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Check whether any of your other memberships come with museum discounts. If you’re a AAA member, you could receive up to 25% off admission at participating museums across the country.
Likewise, if you’re a member of your local library, one perk may be free or discounted admission to nearby museums. Seniors and veterans may get a fee break on admission to certain institutions, too.
Some museums offer free or discounted admission during certain time frames, which may be advertised on the museum’s website under “discounted admission” or “special offers.”
Or give the museum a call to ask for information about its deals. The National Aquarium in Baltimore, for example, offers half-price tickets for Friday evenings.
Museum memberships
Purchasing an annual museum membership may provide great value. Not only could you save on admission to your favorite museum and get discounts at the gift shop, but if the pass includes a reciprocal benefit, you will also receive free or discounted admission to a variety of partner museums, science centers and cultural institutions.
Some museums, for example, participate in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, which provides free admission to 1,400 art museums and galleries, historical museums, botanical gardens and children’s museums.
The ACM Reciprocal Network provides half-price admission to 200 participating children’s museums. And the Association of Zoos and Aquariums provides free or half-price admission to more than 200 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related content
- Valuable (and Fun) Things You Can Get for Free
- Don't Miss Out on These Four Credit Card Benefits
- How to Find Deals on Travel in 2025
- Three Ways to Find Deals in Your Investments This Year
- Three Ways to Spend Less on Groceries This Year
- How to Find Deals on Electronics Amid Tariffs
- Surprising Ways to Find Deals on Cars Despite Tariffs
- Strategies to Spend Less on Clothing and Online Shopping in 2025
-
Dave Ramsey Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can MakeThe talk-show host, author and podcaster tells Kiplinger what people can do to ensure a happy retirement.
-
Pros and Cons of Alternative Assets in Workplace Retirement PlansWhile alternatives offer diversification and higher potential returns, including them in your workplace retirement plan would require careful consideration.
-
Dave Ramsey Tells Us the Biggest Retirement Mistake You Can Make
The talk-show host, author and podcaster tells Kiplinger what people can do to ensure a happy retirement.
-
No Passport? No Problem. Seven US Getaways That Feel Like an International VacationFrom Puerto Rico’s Caribbean flair to Santa Fe’s old world charm, these American destinations deliver a global travel experience — without the hassle of customs or currency exchange.
-
Planning a Major Home Renovation? 3 Smart Ways to Finance ItFrom HELOCs to personal loans, here’s how to pay for a major home renovation without draining your savings.
-
Six Warren Buffett Quotes Every Retiree Should Live ByThe 'Oracle of Omaha' knows a thing or two about life, investing and retirement.
-
The Surprising Trick to Stop Money Stress Before It StartsA dedicated 15-minute weekly slot to confront financialstress could help you make smarter money moves.
-
You Retired and Stopped Commuting. How Do You Lower Car Insurance Costs?Retiring usually means cutting out that daily commute which could make you less risky to insure. Does that mean your car insurance costs will drop? Here's what you need to know.
-
My First $1 Million: Real Estate Investor, 54, Rural MidwestEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Budget Hacks Won't Cut It: These Five Strategies From a Financial Planner Can Help Build Significant WealthCutting out your daily latte might make you feel virtuous, but tracking pennies won't pay off. Here are some strategies that can actually build wealth.
