Want to explore your favorite museum or zoo without spending a dime? Then circle Sept. 17 on your calendar — that’s Smithsonian Magazine’s Free Museum Day.
On that date, you can claim complimentary admission tickets to participating museums, zoos and cultural venues. If you have a specific place in mind, it’s wise to reserve your spot in advance.
Below is what you need to know to secure your tickets, plus extra ways to enjoy free entry to cultural attractions year-round.
How to Reserve Tickets for Free Museum Day
The first thing to do is sign up on Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day registration page.
After registering you’ll get a confirmation link to log in. Each email address can claim one ticket (which covers admission for two people). Once logged in, you can search participating venues by city, name, category or ZIP code.
The event tends to showcase smaller and specialty museums and cultural centers, though several well-known institutions also participate. Typical entry fees for these places are often between $10 and $15, with some institutions charging even more.
Things to Know Before Booking
Each participating museum and zoo sets its own guidelines for Free Museum Day. Keep the following in mind as you make plans:
- Only one Museum Day ticket can be reserved per email address.
- Tickets frequently exclude access to special exhibitions, IMAX films or parking fees.
- Some venues offer complimentary admission for children, but age cutoffs differ by location.
- You may be able to load the ticket on your phone, yet some museums still require a printed ticket. Smithsonian Magazine provides a FAQ to help with printing or download issues.
- Museums could restrict entry once they reach capacity. If you’ve reserved for a highly attended site, try to arrive earlier in the day.
Which Museums Participate?
This marks the 18th edition of Free Museum Day, with museums and cultural sites in 44 states taking part (unfortunately not including Alaska, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota or South Dakota). Florida leads with the greatest number of participating spots — an impressive 41 museums, gardens, history centers, science centers and more are available for free on Museum Day.
The full list of participating museums is posted on the Smithsonian site.
Other Ways to Visit Museums for Free
If you can’t attend on Free Museum Day, there are several alternative methods to gain free or reduced-cost admission:
- Some museums offer free admission year-round — the Museum Day listing highlights those institutions.
- Your public library might let you check out free or discounted passes to nearby museums, zoos and aquariums.
- Many venues maintain free or reduced-price time slots during certain days or hours. For instance, New York City’s Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum Complex participates in Museum Day and also provides free admission on Friday evenings from April through September.
- Active duty military members and their families can access free entry at numerous museums through the Blue Star Program.
- If you prefer outdoor adventures, learn how to visit all national parks without an entrance fee — and for tips on budget-friendly cultural outings, see resources to save on museum trips.
Contributor Dana Morgan covers culture and lifestyle topics. She previously ran a neighborhood café in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hosted an arts program on community radio for many years.
