Museum Passes

The library has a versatile collection of museum passes that, depending on the museum, will provide visitors with either discounted or free admission for up to a specified number of people. So what's new about museum passes? To help you plan your visit, you may now reserve the library's museum passes up to 30 days in advance. In addition, most museum passes are printed on demand as part of the reservation process - from the comfort of your home or while at the library. Several passes must still be borrowed from and returned to the library, but these may also be reserved ahead of time.

The hours and open days of individual museum change frequently due to closings for special events etc. and while we try to maintain an updated calendar, it is HIGHLY recommended that patrons check the museum website for the most current information BEFORE reserving a pass.

To check the availability of museum passes and make a reservation, click here.

Guidelines:

• Available to anyone with a valid Connecticut library card
• Passes may be reserved up to 30 days in advance
• Limit of one (1) pass per day per family and four (4) passes in a 30-day period

Returnable passes

• 2-day checkout period using your library card
• Return to library's lending desk, not in book drop or at another library
• $10/day overdue fine, up to $100 maximum
• $100.00 for lost pass

 

Beardsley Zoo

1870 Noble Ave, Bridgeport | 203-394-6565
Admits up to six (6) guests at $9 admission each. Limited to 1 family per day: The zoo requests that pass holders not extend privileges to visitors other than their own family.

The Children’s Museum and Roaring Brook Nature Center

Children’s Museum

180 Mohegan Dr, West Hartford | 860-231-2824
Admits one (1) touring visitor with each paid admission, up to four (4) free admissions. Science Dome Planetarium show tickets are an additional fee for library museum pass holders.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The person who checked out the pass must be one of the adults visiting the museum or nature center, and must present a photo ID. Masks are not required, however the museum and nature center reserve the right to require masks are worn during animal demonstrations or similar public programs where we are brought close together.

Roaring Brook

70 Gracey Rd, Canton | 860-693-0263
Admits one (1) touring visitor with each paid admission, up to four (4) free admissions.

Connecticut River Museum

67 Main St, Essex | 860-767-8269
Admits two (2) adults and their children or grandchildren under age 18.

Connecticut State Parks

Waives entrance fees for building or museum for two (2) adults and four (4) children ages 6-12 at Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull, and Gillette Castle State Parks. Cannot be used for camping or special events. Pass courtesy of the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no charge for Library Pass holders to tour Gillette Castle however tour tickets should still be reserved in advance to ensure that space is available as we must adhere to our strict maximum tour capacity of 12 visitors at a time. Click here for more information and to make a reservation.

Connecticut's Old State House

800 Main St, Hartford | 860-522-6766
Admits 4 visitors, free of charge. Valid for Connecticut's Old State House general admission during regular operating hours only. Not valid for Group Admission (adult or school) or special events. To schedule a Group Tour please call 860-522-6766.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

125 West Bay Rd, Amherst, MA | 413-658-1100
Admits two (2) adults and four (4) children.

Florence Griswold Museum

96 Lyme St, Old Lyme | 860-434-5542
Admits two (2) adults and two (2) children under 12 years. Surcharge of $5 per person over age 12 during museum's special fall event (whether visiting Wee Faerie Village or not); children age 12 and under admitted to the event free, thanks to an anonymous grant.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In addition to the library's pass reservation, prepaid, timed tickets are required. Click here for more information and to make a reservation.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

77 Forest Street, Hartford | 860-522-9258
Admits two (2) guests for a tour of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center.

Hill-Stead Museum

35 Mountain Rd, Farmington | 860-677-4787
Admits two (2) adults and two (2) children (under 18) at 50% off general admission. Not valid for special programs and events.

Lutz Children's Museum

247 S Main St, Manchester | 860-677-4787
Admits up to six (6) visitors at half-price. Group using same pass must arrive together. Please check website for the most up to date information regarding masks and reservations. *It is recommended that visitors make a reservation on the museum's webpage before reserving a pass*

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center

110 Pequot Trail, Ledyard | 800-411-9671
50% off admission on four (4) regular admissions tickets (up to two (2) adult tickets and two (2) youth tickets OR one (1) adult and three (3) youth tickets). Unlimited free admission for children under 6.

Admission to the Pequot Museum includes: free audio guide to the Pequot Museum's recreation 16th Century Village, temporary gallery, outdoor farmstead, access to the Observation Tower.

Mystic Seaport ~ The Museum of America and the Sea ^TM

75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic | 888-9SEAPORT (888-973-2767)
Admits two (2) adults and three (3) children (ages 3-17) at 50% off regular admission pricing. Children ages 2 and under admitted free.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

1000 Hall of Fame Ave, Springfield, MA | 877-446-6752
Discounted admission ($17 for adults; $15 for seniors; $12 for children) for up to six (6) visitors.

New Britain Museum of American Art

56 Lexington St, New Britain | 860-229-0257
Admits four (4) general admission visitors. Additional fees may apply to special exhibitions, events and programs. Pass may not be used for docent-led tours. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Currently, visitors are encouraged to make online reservations but walk-ins are always welcome. Make reservations online in advance at nbmaa.org/visit. If using the library's museum pass, register as a member, using "Welles-Turner Memorial Library" as the member name. Upon arrival at the museum's front desk, present the printed pass.

New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport

Windsor Locks | 860-623-3305
Admits up to five (5) visitors at 50% off of regular admission rates. Children ages 3 and under admitted free. Not valid for pre-arranged group tours, homeschool programs, special events or open cockpit days.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Rte 183, Stockbridge, MA | 413-298-4100
Admits two (2) adults at discounted rate of $10 each. Children ages 18 and under admitted free. 10% discount in store and café (seasonal) on day of visit.

Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge MA | 508-347-3362
Admits one party of up to four (4) visitors for 50% off regular daytime admission. Does not include nighttime admission, special events, programs or performances that require a separate ticket. Please visit www.osv.org for current admission prices and hours of operation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In addition to the library pass reservation, visitors must also contact the museum in advance to make a reservation by calling 508-347-0213 or emailing visitorcenter@osv.org. Upon arrival at the Visitor Center, present the printed library pass for discounted admission.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

600 Main St, Hartford | 860-278-2670
Free general museum admission for two (2) adults age 18 and up. Ages 17 and younger admitted free. The passes may be used to register for daily public tours at no extra cost. Call 860-838-4100 or email info@theWadsworth.org to preregister. Additional fees apply during annual fundraisers, including Fine Art & Flowers and Festival of Trees & Traditions. Additional fees may be applied to some special exhibitions. This pass does not apply to films or special event ticketing. Pass courtesy of Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

Note: Admission free for families on second Saturday each month if arrive before 1pm.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While walk-up visitors may be accommodated based on space availability in the museum, it is recommended that advance reservations be made on the museum's website – in addition to reserving and printing the library pass. Click here to make a reservation. Select the "Member" option for discounted pricing.

 

Most library passes are courtesy of The Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library.