Before I became a personal finance writer and editor, I spent over a decade as a museum collections specialist, curator, and executive director. The museums I worked for usually had a set admission fee or a suggested donation for visitors to pay. Museum admission costs vary, but I’ve visited (or opted not to visit, in some cases) museums that charged more than I was hoping to pay.
Luckily, there are ways to get around a hefty credit card charge for a museum visit. Here are a few of my favorite tips.
1. Look for relationship deals
It’s wonderful when separate museums develop friendly relationships — especially because it can save you money as a visitor. One of the museums I worked for several years ago had a ticket deal with another local museum that saved visitors $5 on tickets to both — it was a great buy for out-of-town visitors, many of whom were already expecting to check out both museums.
If you’re visiting a new city for a vacation and intend to see some museums, look at their websites ahead of time to see if such a deal exists. Or give them a call.
2. Lean on your affiliations
Got a AAA membership? Or a Bank of America credit card or bank account? You could be eligible for free or reduced-cost museum admission. If you’re receiving SNAP benefits, you could visit museums for free or for cheap via the IMLS Museums for All program. If you’re active-duty military, you and your family can visit Blue Star Museums for free every summer (this program runs from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day).
You might also be eligible for free or discounted admission based on where you live — some museums love to save locals money. It’s worth listening to the ticket clerk at the museum you’re visiting to see if they rattle off a list of potential discounts based on affiliation. You can also ask if you qualify for any kind of discount — now is not the time to shy away from a senior discount!
3. Check out small museums for cheap
This tip is near and dear to my heart, because most of the museums I worked for were of the small (and sometimes tiny) variety. Small museums do a lot with very little money, and the staff is truly dedicated — it actually matters when you visit these museums. And you’ll save money to boot!
You can often expect admission to cost under $10 per person, and in some cases, you’ll get free admission for kids. Plus, some small museums have nice outdoor spaces or even indoor play areas for kids to enjoy.
4. Go to your library
Libraries and museums share a lot of connective tissue, and often work together for the benefit of their local communities. This extends to free or discounted museum admission.
Head to your library to see if it offers passes you can borrow to visit nearby museums. You might even get to see museum exhibits right at the library, for free — on multiple occasions, I curated photography and artifact exhibits for libraries.
5. DC Smithsonian museums are FREE
OK, this one only applies to people visiting or living near our nation’s capital. If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., and haven’t added some of the local Smithsonian museums to your to-do list, rethink that.
The Smithsonian museums, galleries, and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., are all free to visit. In a few cases, you have to get timed entry tickets ahead of time, but that only costs you in planning time, not money. And the variety of museums means there’s something for just about everyone — as a lifelong history buff (and Washington, D.C.–area native), my favorite has always been the American History Museum.
While I highly recommend SI museums, I don’t suggest trying to drive (and park) in Washington, D.C. Instead, use the excellent public transportation available and don’t worry about having to find a spot for your car or absorb a hit to your checking account for parking charges.
6. If you go often, become a member
If you’re always taking your kids to that small local history museum with the amazing indoor play area and paying an admission fee on every visit, consider becoming a member and paying an annual fee instead. Most museums include free admission as a perk for members, and if you visit often enough, you can easily justify the higher upfront cost. If the admission fee is $5 per person, and you can buy a family membership for you, a partner, and your two kids for $100 a year, it’ll pay for itself in just five visits.
Plus, you’ll likely also be privy to other membership benefits. You might get 10% off on gift shop purchases, discounted rates on special event tickets, or even a lower price to rent a space for a birthday party, wedding, or family reunion. And you get the warm feeling that comes from supporting an institution you love. For extra credit (and more chances to visit museums for free or cheaper), consider becoming a member of a broader arts and culture organization.
I might not do museums as a career anymore, but I still love them and visit them whenever I can (in fact, I visited 18 new-to-me museums in four countries in 2023). Museums are worth your time — and if you use these tips, you can lessen the impact on your personal finances.
Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. This card features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
