Updated by Kate Hagan Gallup

Image courtesy Portland Art Museum

Local parents love the library for so many reasons. It’s dry in the winter and cool in the summer, and a comfortable spot for finding and reading books, playing with toys and hanging out. Of course, there are also the free events like storytimes, Lego clubs, cultural events and summer reading programs. But wait — there’s another reason to love our Portland-area library systems! They also offer free and discounted passes to popular museums and attractions. Find your library system below and start saving.

A Few Tips

  • Each program has different guidelines for how often you can reserve a pass.
  • If the passes are reserved, there are different times you can try again. For the Multnomah County Library system, they advise checking the next month.
  • Read the fine print for how many people you can bring. Also, some places have discounted or free admission for children, even without the pass.

Multnomah County Library’s My Discovery Pass

Courtesy of the Portland Japanese Garden
  • Artists Repertory Theatre: Pass admits two adults.
  • Boom Arts: Pass admits two people.
  • Five Oaks Museum: Pass admits two adults. Youth 17 and under are always free.
  • Japanese American Museum of Oregon: Pass admits two people. Children 11 and under are free.
  • Literary Arts: Pass admits two adults.
  • Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education: Pass admits four people. Children 12 and under are always free.
  • Oregon Koto-Kai: Pass admits two people.
  • Portland Art Museum: Pass admits two adults for general admission. Children 17 and under are always free.
  • Portland Center Stage at The Armory: Pass admits two people.
  • Portland Columbia Symphony: Pass admits two people. 
  • Portland Japanese Garden: Pass admits two adults and eight children age 17 and under. Children 5 and under are always free. This pass is eligible for Garden admission only and does not include access to any ticketed events.
  • Portland Opera: Pass admits two adults. 
  • Rose City Rollers: Pass for one “3 Day Badge.”

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Experience Pass

Courtesy of Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
  • Bickleton Carousel Museum
  • Cascade Locks Historical Museum
  • Clark County Historical Museum
  • Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
  • Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum
  • Genealogical Forum of Oregon
  • Lan Su Chinese Garden
  • Maryhill Museum of Art
  • Pittock Mansion 
  • Presby Museum
  • Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals

Clackamas County Library Cultural Passes

Courtesy of Gilbert House Children’s Museum
  • Clackamas County Parks: Admits 1 Vehicle to participating county parks.
  • Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden: Pass admits two adults and any children.
  • End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center: Admits two adults and two children.
  • Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum: Pass for two people to the museum regardless of age. Water park and special attractions not included.
  • Gilbert House Children’s Museum: Pass admits 5 people. Adults must be with accompanying child.
  • Hallie Ford Museum of Art: Admits two adults as well as children under age of 18.
  • Lan Su Chinese Garden: Pass for two people, ages 16+ (children under five free).
  • The Oregon Garden: Pass for two adults & four children (17 and under).
  • Oregon Historical Society. Pass for two individuals.
  • Oregon State Parks. Allows one vehicle to park in a state park.
  • Pittock Mansion: Pass for two adults & any children.
  • Portland Japanese Garden: Pass two adults & up to eight children (17 and under).

Washington County Cooperative Library Services Adventure Pass

Courtesy of The Oregon Garden
  • Five Oaks Museum: Pass admits up to 4 adults. Children 18 and under are free.
  • Japanese American Museum of Oregon: Pass admits up to two adults and four children. Children 11 and under are free.
  • Lan Su Chinese Garden: Pass admits 2 individuals. Children 5 or younger are free. EBT cardholders can purchase additional admissions for $3 via the Museums For All Program.
  • The Oregon Garden: Pass admits up to 2 adults and 4 children (ages 6 to 18). Children 4 and younger are free.
  • Oregon State Parks: Pass provides entry of one car at any of the 25 Oregon State Parks that charge a parking fee.
  • Outdoors In: Pass admits up to four children (ages 1-17). Adults must accompany children and are admitted free. Children age 12 months and under are admitted free.
  • Pittock Mansion: This pass admits 4 adults and children (ages 6-18). Children age 5 or younger are admitted free.
  • Portland Art Museum: Pass admits up to two adults.  Children ages 17 or younger are admitted for free.
  • Portland Japanese Garden: Pass admits up to two adults and eight children. Children 5 and under are free.
  • Portland Opera: Pass is for two tickets, subject to availability
  • Rice NW Museum or Rocks & Minerals: Pass admits 2 individuals. Children 5 or younger are free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Shute Park Aquatic & Recreation Center: This pass admits 2 adults and 2 children. Children 7 years and under must be accompanied in the pool by an adult in the water at all times. Pass is limited to general admission activities.

Hood River Cultural Passes

Courtesy of Fruit Loops Art Center
  • Fruit Loops Art Center
  • Maryhill Museum of Art
  • WonderWorks Children’s Museum of the Gorge (temporarily closed)