Free and low-cost family activities in Michigan

82 entries for Michigan (1 programs and places, 81 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Michigan

Michigan Recreation Passport (vehicle entry to state parks)

DiscountedOutdoorsMichigan

The Recreation Passport grants motorized vehicle entry to all 103 Michigan state parks and recreation areas, 140-plus state forest campgrounds and nearly 1,000 boating access sites for the year. For Michigan-registered vehicles the DNR page lists $15 when bought at license plate renewal through the Secretary of State (a two-year option is $29). A $5 convenience fee is added when it is not bought at plate renewal. It is a separate fee from camping, lodging, harbor reservation and shelter rental fees.

Who it's for: Michigan-registered vehicles (paid pass)

How: Michigan-registered vehicles can only buy annual or two-year passports (no daily option). A resident passport cannot be bought online outside plate renewal; it can be bought at state parks and DNR customer service centers (sticker for the windshield).

Free-entry rules for children and other exemptions were not verified.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Michigan (81)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Abrams Planetarium East Lansing, MI
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech Houghton, MI
Air Zoo Portage, MI
Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art Midland, MI
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Ann Arbor, MI
Arab American National Museum Dearborn, MI
The Armory – Holland Museum Holland, MI
Beaver Island Historical Society Beaver Island, MI
Belle Isle Aquarium Detroit, MI
Canton Historical Museum Canton, MI
Cappon House – Holland Museum Holland, MI
Children’s Museum of Branch County Coldwater, MI
Cognition Science & Discovery Center Beulah, MI
Cranbrook Art Museum Bloomfield Hills, MI
Cranbrook House & Gardens Bloomfield Hills, MI
Cranbrook Institute of Science Bloomfield Hills, MI
The Dennos Museum Center Traverse City, MI
Discovery City Children’s Museum Port Huron, MI
Ella Sharp Museum Jackson, MI
Fallasburg Historical Society Lowell, MI
Fire Barn Museum Muskegon, MI
Flint Children’s Museum Flint, MI
Flint Institute of Arts Flint, MI
Ford House Grosse Pointe Shores, MI
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Detroit, MI
Ford Rouge Factory Tour Dearborn, MI
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Art Museum Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Public Museum Grand Rapids, MI
Great Lakes Children’s Museum Traverse City, MI
Greenfield Village Dearborn, MI
Hackley & Hume Historic Site Muskegon, MI
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation Dearborn, MI
Holland Museum Holland, MI
Impression 5 Science Center Lansing, MI
Iron County Historical & Museum Society Caspian, MI
John Ball Zoo Grand Rapids, MI
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Kalamazoo, MI
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology Ann Arbor, MI
Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum Albion, MI
Lakeshore Museum Center Muskegon, MI
Marquette Maritime Museum Marquette, MI
Marquette Regional History Center Marquette, MI
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum University Center, MI
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum Ann Arbor, MI
Meadow Brook Hall Rochester, MI
Michigan Firehouse Museum Ypsilanti, MI
Michigan Flight Museum Belleville, MI
Michigan History Museum Lansing, MI
Michigan Legacy Art Park Thompsonville, MI
Michigan Maritime Museum South Haven, MI
Michigan Science Center Detroit, MI
Michigan State University Broad Art Museum East Lansing, MI
Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum Saginaw, MI
Midwest Miniatures Museum Grand Haven, MI
The Mitten Children’s Museum South Haven, MI
Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum Mt. Pleasant, MI
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) Detroit, MI
Muskegon Heritage Museum Muskegon, MI
Muskegon Museum of Art Muskegon, MI
Outdoor Adventure Center Detroit, MI
Port Huron Museums – Carnegie Center Port Huron, MI
Port Huron Museums – Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Port Huron, MI
Port Huron Museums – The HURON Lightship Port Huron, MI
Port Huron Museums – Thomas Edison Depot Museum Port Huron, MI
Potter Park Zoo Lansing, MI
Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm Rochester Hills, MI
Saginaw Art Museum Saginaw, MI
Scolnick House Muskegon, MI
Settlers House – Holland Museum Holland, MI
Sloan Museum of Discovery Flint, MI
Tri-Cities Historical Museum Grand Haven, MI
Troy Historic Village Troy, MI
University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History Ann Arbor, MI
Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum Marquette, MI
USS LST 393 Veterans Museum Muskegon, MI
Zeeland Historical Society Zeeland, MI
The Zekelman Holocaust Center Farmington Hills, MI
Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways Mt. Pleasant, MI

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

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. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

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. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

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. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

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. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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