The date is set for one of my favorite days to soak up culture, Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live! is Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. Marking its 10th anniversary, more than 1,000 museums across the U.S. will offer free admission with a pre-ordered ticket.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to participate in free Museum Day and it looks as though my schedule is free to take in some culture and art appreciation this year. Will I make a return visit to The Ringling in Sarasota or Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales? Or maybe I’ll visit someplace I haven’t, such as the Naples Depot Museum or the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs.
Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
Don’t Forget to Set the Date!
A little bit of planning is involved with Museum Day Live! Although admission is free, a ticket which is valid for up to two people, per household, per address, needs to be secured and brought to your selected museum of choice on Sept. 27. Not all museums are participating and some already offer free admission, but they may offer additional activities on Museum Day. Find participating museums now and secure tickets from the Museum Day Live! website beginning Aug. 1, 2014.
What’s the Deal with Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Live! and Free Museum Admission?
Smithsonian Museums offer free admission to the public daily. In the same spirit, museums participating in Museum Day Live! can raise their profile with visitors who may have been unaware of what they do.
Don’t Forget the Fine Print
Visit the Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day website for details, such as reserving your ticket in advance and to find which museums are participating. Once you receive your ticket, be sure to download, print and bring it with you for admission. Note: Some museums will allow you to show your ticket on your smartphone while others require a printed ticket.
Does free museum admission sound too good to be true? No, not really, but be prepared to arrive early and bring your patience because Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live! is popular. Remember, free is good for every traveler’s budget!
What museum will you be visiting on Sept. 27?
That is really cool. Have to pass this along to some friends. Too bad I’ll still be in Asia–looks like Japan again.
Someday you’ll be here in the US for it! Bank of America also has a monthly free museum admission program at select U.S. museums.