Your local library has passes granting you access to many local venues that can be checked out just like a book. Use them to visit museums, aquariums, farms, and more for free or at greatly reduced rates.
I know some parents who turn it into a game called Library Pass Roulette. They pack up their kids for a daytrip (with plenty of snacks, diapers, and a change of clothes) and visit their local library to see what passes are available. If there’s a pass for the Museum of Science (pictured above), that is where they go that day. If you are more of a planner, you can reserve the passes ahead of time just as you reserve books.
Here’s a list of libraries around Rhode Island and the passes they offer. I recommend you confirm discount and pass availability with your local library.
Ashaway Free Library in Ashaway, RI
– Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center: Mystic, CT
Barrington Public Library in Barrington, RI
– Coggeshall Farm Museum: Bristol, RI
– Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology: Bristol, RI
– Herreshoff Marine Museum: Bristol, RI
– Norman Bird Sanctuary: Middletown, RI
– Providence Children’s Museum: Providence, RI
– RISD Museum: Providence, RI
– Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center: Mashantucket, CT
– Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, MA
– Museum of Science: Boston, MA
Town of Bristol Rhode Island Library in Bristol, RI
– Coggeshall Farm Museum: Bristol, RI
– Linden Place: Bristol, RI
– Museum of Work and Culture: Woonsocket, RI
– Slater Mill Historic Site: Pawtucket, RI
Brownell Library in Little Compton, RI
– Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Environmental Education Center: Bristol, RI Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology: Bristol, RI
– RISD Museum: Providence, RI
– Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Boston, MA
– Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, MA (2 people in for $5)
– Plimouth Plantation Museum Pass: Plymouth, MA
Coventry Public Library in Coventry, RI
– The Astors’ Beechwood Mansion: Newport, RI
– Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Environmental Education Center: Bristol, RI
– Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum: Saunderstown, RI
– Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology: Bristol, RI
– Providence Children’s Museum: Providence, RI
– Slater Mill Historic Site: Pawtucket, RI
– RISD Museum: Providence, RI
– Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium: Providence, RI
– Mystic Aquarium: Mystic, CT
– Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center: Mashantucket, CT
– New Bedford Whaling Museum: New Bedford, MA
– John F. Kennedy Library and Museum: Boston, MA
Cranston Public Library in Cranston, RI
– RISD Museum: Providence, RI
Cumberland Public Library in Cumberland, RI
– Coggeshall Farm Museum: Bristol, RI
– Battleship Massachusetts: Fall River, MA
– Museum of Work and Culture: Woonsocket, RI
– Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, MA
– Museum of Science: Boston, MA
East Providence Weaver in East Providence, RI
– Museum of Science: Boston, MA
– New England Aquarium: Boston, MA
George Hail Library in Warren, RI
– Fuller Craft Museum: Brockton, MA
Greenville Public Library in Greenville, RI
– Boston Children’s Museum: Boston, MA
Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library in Harrisville, RI
Mystic Seaport Museum: Mystic, CT (Friday/ Monday/ Saturday)
Newport Public Library in Newport, RI
– Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum: Saunderstown, RI
– Newport Art Museum: Newport, RI
– Norman Bird Sanctuary: Middletown, RI
– Roger Williams Park Zoo: Providence, RI (Sunday/Monday/Tuesday)
– Slater Mill Historic Site: Pawtucket, RI
– Plimouth Plantation Museum Pass: Plymouth, MA (Tuesday/ Thursday/ Friday)
North Smithfield Public Library in Slatersville, RI
– Battleship Massachusetts: Fall River, MA
– EcoTarium, a center for environmental exploration: Worcester, MA
– Old Sturbridge Village: Sturbridge, MA
– Tower Hill Botanic Garden: Boylston, MA
Providence Public Library: Rochambeau Branch in Providence, RI
– Museum of Work and Culture: Woonsocket, RI
– Providence Children’s Museum: Providence, RI
– Roger Williams Park Zoo: Providence, RI
– Slater Mill Historic Site: Pawtucket, RI
– Boston Children’s Museum: Boston, MA
– Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, MA
– Museum of Science: Boston, MA
Woonsocket Public Library in Woonsocket, RI
– Museum of Work and Culture: Woonsocket, RI
– Providence Children’s Museum: Providence, RI
– Roger Williams Park Zoo: Providence, RI
– Mystic Aquarium: Mystic, CT
– Capron Park Zoo: Attleboro, MA (Monday and Thursday/ Saturday/ Sunday)
– Museum of Fine Arts: Boston, MA
Photo Credit: Rochambeau Public Library (left) by Douglas Itkin,
The Electricity Show at Boston Museum of Science (right) courtesy of MOS.
You can check out passes just like library books. I think you can order/request them from other libraries just like books.
Thank you! Are these passes available to all RI residents w/library card, or only at the library in your own town/city? Either case, great deal!!
Great article! Thanks for the time. Keep up the good work. This is so informative.
Hello, I was looking for something to read when I found yours, nice blog!
It’s really interesting. Keep up the good work dear writter. 🙂
The EP library web site has a day-by-day listing of what passes are available–amazing! Good for those unwilling to play roulette. Here is the link:
http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=eppls&curapp=passes
i have been meaning to write a thank you for posting this list of library passes. this is news i can use! thanks again and happy holidays to all.
Warwick Public Library offers the following passes:
Providence Children’s Museum, Providence RI
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum. Bristol, RI
Audobon Society of Rhode Island, Bristol, RI
RISD Museum, Providence, RI
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence RI
Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT
This list will be so helpful!
We use the passes often, I’m a fan of the “library pass roulette” method (a great cover up for my own lack of planning).
One interesting tidbit I learned recently- our Buttonwood Zoo membership card is valid at the Museum of Science in Boston. They are part of the AZA reciprocal membership program. Another great way to save!