Visiting New Hampshire Museums and Science Centers for FREE

Here is your New Hampshire Guide to visiting our local Museums and Science Centers for FREE (or at least at a discount!).  Please also visit my Visit Local Zoos and Aquariums at a Discount Page for some more tips on how to save money.

One of the best ways to get into our local museums for free is by taking advantage of the museum passes offered by your local library.  Many public libraries offer museum passes to their cardholders for use at both New Hampshire and Boston-area museums.  Often times you can reserve these passes in advance either in person, via the phone or online.  Please check with your local library to see what passes they may offer.  I have detailed information on library passes for each museum listed below.

If you’re going to frequent a particular museum more than a few times per year then purchasing a Museum Family Membership is another way to cut down on some of the cost.  While there is the initial purchase cost of a Museum Membership, it will typically allow for you and your family to enter the museum for free for a full calendar year (along with other perks like gift shop discounts, invitations to special events and more).  Museums will often have reciprocal agreements with other museums and science centers.  These agreements allow members to be admitted into these other museums and science centers for free or at a significant discount.  For example, a Children’s Museum of New Hampshire Membership offers admission benefits to more than 300 organizations within the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) network and admission benefits to the more than 200 organizations in the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) network.  Some of the organizations within the ASTC and the ACM include the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, the SEE Science Center and the Boston Childrren’s Museum.  Please see below for more information about the Museum Memberships offered by each of our local Museum and Science Centers.

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Dover, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults and Children Over 1 Year of Age – $9; Seniors Age 65 and Older – $8; There is No Charge for Children Under One Year of Age
• Dollar Deal Nights: The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire hosts their Dollar Deal Nights where admission is reduced to $1 per person between the hours of 5:30-8:00pm.  Dollar Deal nights run from October – June.
• Autism Partnership Program – Exploring Our Way: On the Second Sunday of each month from 10:00am-12:00pm, the Children’s Museum offers free admission to families who have children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Families are welcome to stay in the Museum when it opens its doors to the public at noon.  (What a fantastic program!)
• Library Pass Program: Participating libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Children’s Museum.  This pass admits up to four people at half off of the regular admission price.
• Museum Membership: The Children’s Museum offers several types of Memberships beginning at $70.  The Basic Membership is $70 for two family members ($10 for each additional family member) and offers free admission for a year, discounts to special events and a 10% discount at the Museum’s Store.  The Clubhouse Membership is $125 for a family for the year and offers free admission for the year, discounts on special events, a 15% discount at the Museum’s store, invitations to Clubhouse member-only events and a few other fun perks!

 

Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults -$12; Senior – $10; Student – $9; Youth (13-17) – $5 Children Under 13 are Always Free
• Bank of America’s Museums On Us Program: You can use your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch Card to gain free admission on the first weekend of each month in 2014.  Please see Bank of America’s Site for full details.
• Blue Star Program: The Currier Museum of Art participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Saturday Morning Admission: The Currier Museum offers free admission for New Hampshire residents every Saturday from 10:00am-12:00pm.  Additionally, the second Saturday of every month is Creative Studio Saturday which includes art making and a family tour!
• Currier After Hours: Typically on the first Thursday of the month, the Museum stays open until 9:00pm.  This event is free with museum admission.
• School Vacation Weeks: The museum often offers free admission during school vacation weeks. These are announced via the museum’s website and social media pages.
• Library Pass Program: Participating libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Currier Museum.  This pass admits up to four adults for free.  Children under 13 are always free.
• Museum Membership: Family Memberships are $80 and benefits include free admission to the museum, free admission to the Zimmerman House, invitation to all exhibition openings, a discount to the Art Center and Museum Shop, discounts and priority registration to museum events and more.

 

Enfield Shaker Museum, Enfield, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adult – $12; Youth (10-17) – $8; Children Under 10 are Free
• Library Pass Program: Participating libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Enfield Shaker Museum.  This pass offers free family admission.
• Museum Membership: Family memberships to the Enfield Shaker Museum begin at $60.  Membership provides you with unlimited free admission to the museum, a 10% discount at the Museum Store, a 20% discount on overnight rooms and facility rentals, invitations to members-only special events and more.

 

Hood Museum of Art, Hanover, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Admission to the Hood Museum of Art is Always Free!

 

McAuliffe-Shepard Discover Center, Concord, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults – $10; Children (3-12) – $7; Students (Age 13 through College) – $9; Seniors (Age 62 and Older) – $9
• Blue Star Program: The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Library Pass Program: Participating libraries can check out passes for use at the Discovery Center to their patrons.   This pass provides up to 4 General Admissions at no charge for the Center’s Exhibit Galleries.  If you’d like to catch a planetarium show you would pay an extra $5 per person per show.
• Museum Membership: The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s Family Memberships begin at $100 and allow for the member and up to 4 guests to enjoy the Exhibit Galleries for a full year for free.  Members also receive a 10% discount in the Discovery Center’s Science Store, discounts on workshops and special pricing on special events.

 

Millyard Museum, Manchester, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults $8 ; Seniors $6; Children Ages 12-18 $4; Children Under 12 are Always Free
• Blue Star Program: The Millyard Museum participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Library Membership: Participating libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Millyard Museum.  This pass admits up to four adults for free.

 

Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum, Warner, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults – $8.50; Seniors and Students – $7.50; Family Passes are available for $26.  Family passes admit 2 Adults and Children Under 18.  There is No Charge for Native Americans and Children Under 6. The Museum boasts 12 acres that are always free to explore and include a tipi, a wigwam frame, nature trails and picnic tables.
• AAA and AARP Discounts: You will receive 10% off of admission if you present your AAA or AARP Card.
• Blue Star Program: The Mt. Kearsage Indian Museum participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Library Pass Program: Participating Libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Indian Museum.  This pass admits one Adult for free.
• Museum Membership: Family Memberships are $55 and included unlimited free admission to the museum, a 10% discount to the Dream Catcher Store, discounts on classes, lectures and special events, and complimentary guest passes.

 

New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: There is $7 fee for nonmembers to use the libraries research facilities.  Full time students and members are admitted for free.
• Museum Membership: Family memberships begin at $60 and benefits include free admission, a 15% discount on museum store purchases, free or discounted admission for lectures, workshops, and other special programs and more!

 

New England Ski Museum, Franconia, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Admission to the Ski Museum is Always Free!
• Museum Membership: While admission to the Ski Museum is Always Free, you could choose to support the Museum by purchasing a membership.  Memberships begin at $35 and include a subscription to the Journal of New England Ski Museum, a discount of 10% on purchases in the Museum shop, invitations to special events and more.

 

New Hampshire Boat Museum, Wolfeboro Falls:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults – $7, Seniors (65+) – $5, and Children 7-17 – $3.  Children ages 6 and under are free. Additionally, a Family Pass can be purchased for $17.  This Family Pass admits 2 adults and 2 children.
• Blue Star Program: The New Hampshire Boat Museum participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Museum Membership: Family Memberships to the Boat Museum begin at $75.  Membership benefits include free admission to the museum, special member pricing for select events, a 10% discount to the Museum Shop, and more.

 

SEE Science Center, Manchester, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Admission is $8 per person for ages 3 and up.  Children age 3 and under are free.
• Blue Star Program: The SEE Science Center participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Museum Membership: Family memberships begin at $80 and include free admission, priority admission and discounts to SEE mini-courses and summer camps, discounts on SEE birthday parties and more.

 

Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults – $7; Children 3-12  – $3; Children Under the Age of 3 are Free (Note: SSC Admission does not include required Odiorne Point State Park Fee, charged Memorial Day-Labor Day.)
• Blue Star Program: The Seacoast Science Center participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Library Pass Program: Participating Libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Seacoast Science Center.  This pass admits 2 adults plus the children accompanying them for free.
• Museum Membership: Family memberships begin at $70.  Family membership benefits include admission for two adults and their accompanying children under the age of 18 and discounts on programs and birthday parties.

 

Wright Museum of World War II History, Wolfeboro, NH:

• Regular Admission Prices: Adults – $10; Military and Seniors 60+ – $8; Children 5-17 – $6; Children 4 and Under are Free
• Blue Star Program: The Wright Museum participates in the Blue Star Program.  This program provides free admission for Active Duty Military (including Reservists) and up to five family members to participating museums and other venues throughout the country from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Library Pass Program: Participating Libraries can check out a pass to you for use at the Wright Museum.  This pass would be good for FREE admission for up to 2 adults and 4 children.
• Museum Membership: A Family Membership to the Wright Museum begins at $85 and includes all membership benefits plus free admission for two adults and all children under the age of 18.  Museum membership benefits include unlimited free admission to the museum for a year, subscription to the museum’s newsletter, a 10% discount to the Museum Store and more.

This article was inspired by a recent Mommy Poppins’ article that detailed how you can visit Museums in the Boston for free.  If you’ll be venturing into the Boston area, I suggest that you check out their article linked here.  It is a fantastic resource!