To select a museum, click “Details/Reserve”, then select which Pass to reserve.
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
212-769-5100
https://www.amnh.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the world. The museum complex, located in New York City, contains 45 permanent exhibition halls, a planetarium, and a library. Its collections contain over 100 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts, as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data. There is a museum shop on the premises, as well as many opportunities for food and drink.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Science
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
Free general admission to museum and one special exhibition film, or live animal show. 2 per family per year (while supplies last).
Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610
203-394-6565
https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Located in Bridgeport, the Beardsley Zoo in the only accredited zoo in the state. Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmstead over a hundred years ago, the zoo is home to over 500 animals representing primarily North and South American species—these include many endangered and threatened species, like the Amur Leopard, Andean Condor, Red Wolf, Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater and Golden Lion Tamarin. (For a more complete list of animals and a map, please visit their website.) There is also a carousel on the grounds. Plants from the wild habitat of some of the zoo's animals have been integrated into the site, and an arboretum is a recent initiative. There is free parking and a café on the premises. Strollers and mobility scooters are available to rent; wheelchairs are free of charge, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Zoo
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
This library pass is valid for discounted daily admission for six individuals (including adults, seniors, and children over 2 years of age. ) The discounted rate is $10 per person as of 2025. Any guests over the six discounted individuals will pay full price admission.
You do not need to order tickets to the zoo in advance. When you arrive at the zoo, bring the pass card to the front gate to pay for your discounted tickets.
Library passes may only be used for admission between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. (1 hour before zoo closes.) Passes cannot be used for after-hours events such as GLOW Wild.
After your visit, please return the pass card to the Junior Desk.
Connecticut State Parks and Forests
CT
860-424-3200
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Listing-of-State-Parks
[Details/Reserve]
Connecticut's 139 parks and forests offer a range of outdoor options year-round for rigorous outdoor activity, leisurely strolls, and interactions with history. Depending on the location and time of year, one may hike, camp, swim, boat, ski, skate, and bike, among other activities. Information about all locations, including park and forest maps, are available at their website.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Sports, Recreation
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
Entrance fees waived for 2 adults and 4 children (12 and younger) at Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill), Gillette Castle State Park (East Haddam), and Fort Trumbull State Park (New London).
Your Connecticut registered vehicle is your passport to Connecticut State Parks and Forests! Through the Passports to the Parks Program, anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle can park free of charge at all Connecticut State Parks and Forests and enjoy the parks’ attractions and beauty all year round.
Formerly known as the Mid-Farfield County Youth Museum, Earthplace has been providing Connecticuters with access to nature and science since 1960. This wildlife sanctuary boasts 62 acres, over 50 animals, and interactive exhibitions. Aside from the trails and recreation opportunities, the indoor sections have exhibits about the environment aimed at all ages. Also at Earthplace is a professional water quality research lab. Spend your time exploring the paths on campus or bring a picnic to the grove. Earthplace considers accessibility an important part of their mission, though much of the terrain on-site is uneven.
Categories: Family, Nature, Science, Recreation
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
One-day pass for two adults and up to three children for a visit to the nature center and animal sanctuary. The pass does not cover add-on paid programs that may be scheduled on the day of the visit.
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT 06903
203-977-6521
https://www.stamfordmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Begun in the 1930s as a small collection focusing on natural history and sciences, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center has evolved into an important cultural destination. The grounds cover over 80 acres of trails, farms, and galleries, anchored by a neo-Tudor style mansion built by department store owner Henri Bendel. The mansion houses the art galleries, which are home to rotating traveling exhibits and selections from the museum's permanent collection. In addition, visitors can visit Heckscher Farm, a working farm, with opportunities to interact with animals. The Overbrook Nature Center is your gateway to the trails, as well as education about the outside world. There is also an otter pond on the premises, with daily feedings that are open to the public. Visit the museum's website for more information about special events, hours, and available trails. Some of the buildings are ADA compliant, and there is the Wheels in the Woods Universally Accessible Trail. Concessions and gifts are available at the nature center's Overbrook Gift Shop.
Categories: Architecture, Children, Family, History, Nature, Science
Pass Type: Circulating Pass (must be picked up and returned to the branch)
Pass Benefits
Free admission for 1 family, 2 adults and children of the house. 50% discount on admission to all Family Festival Days. Planetarium show tickets are available at the Member discount rate of $8 on the day of the visit. They can be purchased at the Lunar Lobby inside the Astronomy Building by presenting the library pass/plastic card to the visitor services rep at the desk.
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511
203-432-8987
https://peabody.yale.edu/
[Details/Reserve]
The Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University, founded in 1866, is one of the most important university museums of its kind in the world. Occupying numerous buildings, the museum houses some important collections—the vertebrate paleontology collections; Incan artifacts from Machu Picchu; marine invertebrates; and the ornithology collection, to name a few. Permanent exhibits include the skeleton of a Brontosaurus, an exhibit dedicated to human evolution, an expansive mineral collection, the Hall of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts, 722 specimens of birds, Native American artifacts, dioramas on the plant and vertebrate ecology of Connecticut, and The Hall of Mammalian Evolution.
Categories: Family, Nature, Science
Pass Type: Coupon Pass (must be picked up from the branch, but does not require returning)
Pass Benefits
No pass needed — free and open to all. Pre-registration is highly encouraged through their website.