A growing, source-linked list of free days, discount programs, passes and free-entry places for families in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Every entry links to the organizer's own page and shows when we last checked it.
Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.
Who it's for: EBT cardholders
How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.
Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.
Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders
How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.
Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.
Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17
2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.
Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader
How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.
Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)
How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.
Example pages only; your library's list will differ.
Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free or steeply discounted admission at hundreds of participating Massachusetts arts, history and science organizations. Current discounts listed as valid through Dec 31, 2026.
Who it's for: Massachusetts EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare cardholders
How: Show your card at the front desk (it is only proof of eligibility, not payment). Each organization sets its own discount; the official directory is organized by region with CSV download.
Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
State parks are free to enter, but most charge daily parking during posted fee hours. Some parks have free parking, for example Houghton's Pond (Milton) and Callahan State Park (Framingham). Free parking was offered statewide July 3-5, 2026. Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend was June 6-7, 2026 (next date not yet announced).
Who it's for: Everyone
How: Check the individual park page and the DCR parking guide before you go.
Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
In 2026, vehicles with Connecticut plates get free parking and entry at all Connecticut state parks and forests year-round. Out-of-state vehicles pay the posted parking fee. Some exhibits (Dinosaur State Park, Fort Trumbull, Gillette Castle) have separate fees.
Who it's for: Connecticut-registered vehicles
How: Drive a Connecticut-registered vehicle; no pass needed per the DEEP page. Camping is extra.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Households receiving Reach Up, 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, General Assistance, Summer EBT or WIC get free unlimited day-use entry to Vermont state parks in the 2026 season (day use only; camping and rentals not included). State parks are open May-October.
Who it's for: Vermont households with active EBT or WIC
How: Show your EBT or WIC card at the park entrance. Regular day-use prices: adults 14+ $5, children 4-13 $2, ages 0-3 free.
2027 availability not yet announced.
Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
2026 day-use fees are per person per day: children under 5 free, ages 5-11 $1; Maine residents 65+ free. Colonial Pemaquid is free for children under 12. Fees for older visitors vary by park.
Who it's for: Everyone
How: Check the park's fee on the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands page.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free to Massachusetts residents every Sunday 9am-12pm and every Wednesday 3-5pm. Youth ages 3-18 otherwise $15; under 3 free. The same ticket covers the other Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (same day).
Who it's for: Massachusetts residents (proof of residency)
How: Bring proof of Massachusetts residency. Library passes (up to 4 people) are offered by some libraries, e.g., Cambridge.
Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free for youth 18 and under always. Free for everyone on Thursday nights 5-9pm (advance tickets required). Play Date family art days: up to 2 adults free with kids 12 and under (promo code PLAYDATE); listed Sundays Nov 1, Dec 6 and Feb 7, 2027, 10am-3pm.
Who it's for: Youth 18 and under; everyone on Thursday nights
How: Reserve tickets online; use the promo code listed on the ICA page for Play Dates.
Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
$1 admission for all visitors on Sundays 1-4pm. Online reservations required. Museum open Wed-Mon 9am-4pm, closed Tuesdays.
Who it's for: Everyone
How: Reserve a Sunday-afternoon timeslot online. Boston Public Library also lists a $12-per-person pass for up to 4.
Older third-party sites still list $1 Friday nights; the museum's own current page does not.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
$5 admission on the third Thursday of every month, 5-10pm. Regular youth ages 7-17 are $14 and ages 0-6 are free, so this is mainly a savings for ages 7+ and adults.
Who it's for: Everyone
How: Confirm the next date on the MFA series page (computed: Nov 19, 2026).
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Admission is always free (Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5, closed Mon). Free family programs: Story Time Sat and Sun 1pm (ages 8 and under), Toddler Time first Saturday 11am-noon (ages 1-3), Meet a Scientist Thursdays 1pm, monthly Spanish-language workshop. Spooktacular: Sat Oct 24, 2026, 10am-3pm, free.
Who it's for: Everyone
How: No ticket needed for individual visitors.
Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Yale's announcement states free public admission 'in perpetuity' at the Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art, alongside the Peabody.
Who it's for: Everyone
How: Confirm current hours on each museum's website.
Source is a 2024 news release; hours not verified.
Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17
Youth under 12 free year-round; Hartford residents free every open day; free admission all day on Second Saturdays for Families (10am-2pm activities; next Nov 14 and Dec 12, 2026). Youth 12-17 are $15 otherwise. Library ARTpass at 200+ Connecticut libraries.
Who it's for: Kids under 12, Hartford residents, Second Saturdays
How: Check the Wadsworth calendar for Second Saturday programs.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
$3 admission for up to four people presenting a valid EBT card (Museums for All).
Who it's for: EBT cardholders
How: Bring EBT card; confirm current price on the museum's page.
Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free on Sundays 10am-5pm and Thursday evenings 5-8pm; visitors 18 and under are always free. Closed Mondays.
Who it's for: Everyone on Sundays and Thursday evenings; youth 18 and under always
How: No ticket needed per the museum page (a free Thursday After Five ticket is mentioned); library coupon passes are offered by some libraries.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Standard admission is $20 per person over age 1. Free Day of Play: Sat Oct 31, 2026 (all day). Rhode Island Museums for All EBT rate is $5 for up to four people with ID.
Who it's for: Everyone on Free Days; EBT cardholders
How: Check the museum calendar for future free days.
An Oct 24 Free Day of Play appears in a social post but we could not confirm it on the museum's site, so it is not listed.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free for everyone age 21 and under, always. Free for all every Friday 4-8pm and on Third Thursdays (Access for All). No advance ticket needed for general admission.
Who it's for: Everyone on Fridays 4-8pm; everyone 21 and under always
How: Walk in; reservations are needed only for special exhibitions and programs.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Museums for All rate for EBT/SNAP/WIC and other public-assistance cardholders: $2 per person on the museum's page (a Feb 2026 news report said $1, so confirm). Walk-in purchase only for the discount.
Who it's for: EBT/SNAP/WIC cardholders
How: Show the card at the front desk; discounts cannot be used for online reservations.
Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
$3.50 per person for EBT or WIC cardholders, their co-parent and dependent children (any state's card, with photo ID). Military and veterans half off; library passes half off for up to 4. Science Fridays (10:30 and 2:30) are included with admission.
Who it's for: EBT/WIC cardholders and families
How: Reserve a play session online and choose the 'w/discount' option; advance reservations are recommended.
Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17
Free admission for New Hampshire residents on the second Saturday of every month (next: Nov 14, 2026), plus free art-making for all in the Creative Studio. Open Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free for active-duty military, veterans and families (Blue Star Museum).
Who it's for: New Hampshire residents
How: Check the Currier calendar for each month's activities.
Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17
$2 per person for individuals and families receiving EBT or WIC. Library Day Pass (600+ libraries): up to four people at $7 each. Social-service agency day pass: $2.
Who it's for: EBT/WIC cardholders; library cardholders
How: Show EBT/WIC card and photo ID, or ask your library for a day pass.
Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17
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