Free admission program · Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children's Museums (ACM)
Museums for All: free or reduced entry with EBT
People receiving SNAP food assistance get in free or for a reduced price, $5 at most, at more than 1,600 US museums. They show a SNAP EBT card and photo ID, and up to four people are covered per card, year-round.
Independent guide, not the official Museums for All website. Official links are under Sources.
In short
How Museums for All works
- Who: People receiving SNAP benefits who show a SNAP EBT card (from any state) and a photo ID. WIC or other IDs are accepted only at some museums' discretion.
- When: Year-round, during all normal opening hours of each participating museum.
- What's free: Admission from free to $5.00 per person, depending on the museum, for up to four people per EBT card. Not always free: label it 'free or up to $5'.
- How: No registration. Show your SNAP EBT card and a photo ID at the ticket desk. The EBT card only proves eligibility: you pay any admission charge in cash or by card. Check the museum's own policy before visiting.
- Participants: 1600 — search them on the official list
On Free Tickets
Museums for All places on Free Tickets
New York
- IntrepidMuseums for All: up to four people free with an EBT card
9/11 Memorial & MuseumMuseums for All: free for SNAP recipients (up to four tickets per card)
GuggenheimSNAP/EBT recipients: up to four complimentary tickets
The MetMuseums for All: free with an EBT/SNAP card
MoMAMuseums for All: free for SNAP or WIC recipients plus up to four guests
WhitneySNAP/EBT cardholders: one free admission per visit
Chicago
FAQ
Museums for All: common questions
How many people can use one EBT card?
Up to four people per card. Some museums allow more.
Is it free?
Free or reduced: the program allows anything from free up to $5.00 per person, set by each museum.
Do I pay with my EBT card?
No. The card is only proof of eligibility. Pay any charge another way.
Do I need to register?
No registration is needed.
How often can I go?
As often as you like.
Can I use my EBT card in another state?
Yes. Participating museums accept SNAP EBT cards from any state.
Does WIC count?
Not guaranteed. Many museums accept WIC, but the program doesn't require them to.
Where are participating museums?
All 50 states, DC and the US Virgin Islands.
What kinds of museums take part?
Any type, including art, history and children's museums, science centres, planetariums, zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens.
Who runs Museums for All?
IMLS, a federal agency. The Association of Children's Museums administers it.
How many people has it served?
More than 16.5 million visitors since its 2015 launch (as of 31 Dec 2025).
Which places on Free Tickets take part in Museums for All?
11 places we list have a matching free rule, including Art Institute (Chicago), Brookfield Zoo (Chicago), Griffin MSI (Chicago), Academy Museum (Los Angeles), NHM (Los Angeles). Participation can change, so check each venue before you go.
Sources
Where this comes from
- museums4all.org — “Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission”
- museums4all.org/for-museums/ — “Offer individual admission fees ranging from free to $5.00 (USD) to individuals and families presenting a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card”
- museums4all.org/for-visitors/ — “Many of the participating museums will accept WIC or some other form of identification, but they are not required to do so”
- museums4all.org/about/ — “receive reduced admission, ranging from free to $5.00, to more than 1,600 participating museums of all kinds.”