How to Get Into Museums for FREE
Enjoy complimentary visits to museums, aquariums, and planetariums with the NARM program.
Traveling can get expensive very fast. The flight, the hotel, getting around, food, and finally - the reason you’re visiting your destination in the first place - things to do! We all have our reasons for traveling, some of us like sitting on a beach, but some of us really enjoy visiting museums - whether its a history museum, or a presidential library, or even a mansion tour! However, these experiences can get quite pricey. At between $15-$30 a museum, that expense can add up fast. But what if I told you that there’s this little known membership program that you can sign up for, through donating to your local museums or aquarium or zoo or planetarium that allows you FREE admission to museums and various cultural institutions all over the continent of North America. Let’s explore the North American Reciprocal Museum program, and how one small donation that does so much good for others can help you save so much on things to do when traveling.
It All Starts With a Donation
To sign up to become part of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) program, start with their website. Now, look for a local museum that interests you. In my case, I donate annually to my local state’s historical society museum, and I donate on a higher tier so I can secure this membership. However, there could be a local art museum you really enjoy, or even a local mansion. Your annual donation to that local museum is a great thing to do for your community, and opens you up to opportunities of being a member of that museum - including discounts at their gift shop, special hours, conferences, and special events. It creates a deeper connection between you and the museum, and it is incredibly beneficial for both sides. And if they’re a member of the NARM program, and depending on the membership level you purchase, your automatically admitted into the program. Think of it as an “annual fee” to your credit card of choice, that opens you up to exclusive benefits, but also helps the local museum at the same time.
What is the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Program?
According to NARM’s website, it is an extensive network of museums and cultural institutions across North America - including the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the network extends into Bermuda, Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands. It’s not just museums, you can also explore botanical gardens, zoos, nature centers, planetariums and aquariums among others. NARM’s website offers the various institutions that are available to visit for FREE. There are restrictions that are specific to some institutions, so definitely consult NARM’s website before visiting. Your donation to your local museum or cultural institution in the NARM program not only opens up deeper access to you and your local museum, but it also opens up access to the NARM program, which is free admission to not only museums in your area but while you’re visiting your favorite destination as well. NARM also allows you to search by location, and you can see for yourself what is available to visit.
Other Ways to Visit Museums for FREE
While participating in the NARM program is a great benefit, there are numerous other ways to save when visiting museums, though some of these methods might be more restrictive:
Blue Star Museums: The Blue Star Museums program offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families at participating museums across the United States during the summer months. This initiative aims to honor and support military service members by providing them with access to cultural and educational experiences. By collaborating with various museums, the program fosters a sense of community and appreciation for the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces, while also encouraging family bonding through shared visits to these institutions.
Museum Passes from your Local Library: Library museum passes are a great way to explore local cultural attractions without breaking the bank. These passes often provide free or discounted entry to various museums and galleries, making it easier for families and individuals to enjoy educational experiences. By checking out a pass from your local library, you can gain access to a range of exhibits and events, all while supporting community resources. It’s a win-win for anyone looking to enrich their knowledge and have fun at the same time. This method works best with the museums in your local area or region.
Free Admission Days and Times: The museum you want to visit may offer a special day and time to come in to visit the museum for FREE. It could be a Thursday evening, Saturday morning, etc. While this is a terrific way to explore the museum, understand that it could be very busy during this time so plan accordingly. On the flipside, this is a great opportunity to explore the museum for no charge to see if you want to return during regular hours when it’s possibly less busy.
Use your AAA Membership: Depending on the establishment, you could get discounted admission to the museum. While it’s not free, it could be a substantial savings off regular prices
Senior Discounts: Getting older isn’t always fun, but it does open you up to substantial discounts at museums! You will likely need to furnish an ID, but hey, you can say you were carded!
CityPass and GOCity: Did you buy a CityPass or GOCity Pass (hopefully through me!)? If so, your pass may include admission to museums within your selected city, either as selections or an All-Inclusive Pass.
Getting a Good Deal Doesn’t Just Mean Flights and Hotels
As part of the planning and budgeting process of every trip, you should be budgeting costs in for things to do, and looking for ways to save can be challenging. However, if you love museums, botanical gardens, planetariums and even some Hall of Fames like I do, the NARM program allows you to support your favorite museum, and potentially have a say in its growth and development depending on your membership level. It also opens you up to various events, discounts and most of all, it benefits your favorite museum and it’s a great way to give back to your community. A wonderful side benefit of the NARM program rewards your contribution by giving you, and even members of your family, FREE admission to thousands of museums across North America. Even if you don’t decide to pursue this opportunity, look into the other ways to save as mentioned.