- The card that qualifies you (bank card, EBT card or ID)
- A photo ID
- About 10 minutes to plan
Pick the program that fits you
Program Who qualifies What you get Museums on Us Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank debit or credit cardholders One free general admission per cardholder, first full weekend of each month (next: Nov 7–8, 2026) Museums for All People getting SNAP food benefits (EBT card) Free or reduced admission at 1,600+ museums, usually for up to 4 people per card Blue Star Museums Active-duty military, National Guard, Reserve and their families Free admission from Armed Forces Day in May to Labor Day (2026 has ended) Smithsonian museums Everyone Free admission to Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. (and the National Zoo) Your public library Library cardholders, where offered Many libraries lend free museum passes. Ask at the desk or check their website Use Museums on Us the right way
- Show your Bank of America card and a government photo ID at the door. It's one free admission per cardholder, and it isn't transferable.
- Special exhibits and events may cost extra.
- Check the participating museums list first; some need a timed ticket.
The official Museums on Us page. Screenshot of the official page, October 2026. It may look a little different now. Go to national parks on fee-free days
Most national park sites are already free. At the ones that charge, entry is free on fee-free days. The rest of 2026: Oct 27 and Nov 11 (Veterans Day). These days are for U.S. citizens and residents.
💡 Tip: Some busy parks also need a timed-entry reservation even on free days. Check the park's page on nps.gov.
Get a free or low-cost park pass
Pass Who Cost Annual Pass Anyone (U.S. resident) $80 a year Senior Pass U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62+ $20 a year or $80 for life Military Pass Current military and veterans, Gold Star families Free Access Pass U.S. citizens or residents with a permanent disability Free 4th Grade Pass U.S. 4th graders (and homeschoolers of 4th-grade age) Free from Every Kid Outdoors See all passes on the NPS passes page and the Senior Pass page. Buy only from nps.gov, Recreation.gov or at a park.
The official National Park Service passes page. Screenshot of the official page, October 2026. It may look a little different now. Skip fake ticket and pass sites
⚠️ Watch out: Search ads and look-alike sites resell "free" days or park passes at a markup, or steal card numbers. Free days need no ticket from a third party. Buy passes only on nps.gov, Recreation.gov or at the park, and book museum tickets on the museum's own website.
Related game: Safe or Risky?. Related explainer: What is phishing, and how do I spot it? .