Smithsonian Free Day Sept. 26, 2009 + Kids Deals

Low Cost Offers for Museums, Cultural Events, Art Exhibits 9-26-09

© Janienne Jennrich

Sep 17, 2007
Washington DC's Smithsonian Museum, Photo courtesy of Terry Williams, SXC
Get free or cheap admission to cultural events, science centers, aquariums, zoos & many U.S. places on Smithsonian Museum Free Day September 26, 2009. Great family deals!

A visit to a local attraction can be a fun and educational trip - and it doesn't always have to cost a lot of money.

There are free and inexpensive admissions and passes to museums, institutes of art, and other cultural happenings and centers in the United States that are available for the asking. Simply call local places to find out more or read further for some locations and museums that open up their doors for free or at a discount.

Today's economy calls for bargains wherever they can be found. Here's a look at some of the best discounts on tourist spots and events.

National Smithsonian Free Museum Day, Saturday, September 26, 2009

Every September Smithsonian Magazine sponsors a nationwide event where participating museums and cultural institutions across the USA offer free admission to readers of Smithsonian Magazine and those who visit the Smithsonian website. This is an event that repeats yearly - the 2009 date is Saturday, September 26, 2009.

According to the site: "Museum Day celebrates the country's cultural offerings, allows the dissemination of knowledge and brings Americans together." Search online for participating museums, fill out a short form and print your free day pass, which is good for you and a guest. Participants can also present a Museum Day Admission Card available in the yearly September issue of Smithsonian Magazine.

Some Venues That Have Accepted Free Admission Through the Smithsonian Offer:

  • The World Forestry Center in Portland, OR
  • Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA
  • Railway Museum of San Angelo in San Angelo, TX
  • Minneapolis Institute of Arts in Minneapolis, MN
  • Children's Museum of Manhattan in New York, NY
  • The Pier Aquarium in St. Petersburg, FL
  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, KY
  • Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Hastings, NE
  • National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, ND
  • Valdez Museum & Historical Archive in Valdez, AK

(Double Check for current information.)

Target Corporation Sponsors Opportunities for Free or Reduced Admission to Museums, Cultural Events, and Art Programs Year Round

Throughout the country, some of the world’s leading museums and cultural institutions have teamed with Target to sponsor over one thousand free days per year (on certain days at varying hours). Target supports the arts by offering access to music and dance festivals, theater events and special exhibitions and programs.

Target Store's Bargain Price or Free Offers Include:

  • Chicago Children’s Museum: Target Free First Mondays
  • The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Millennium Stage: free performances every day, Washington, D.C
  • The High Museum: Target Free Family Fun Days, Atlanta, GA
  • Asian Art Museum: Target Tuesdays. San Francisco, CA
  • The Magic House / St. Louis Children's Museum: Target Free Family Nights
  • Davie, Florida Children's Museum: Free First Fridays, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
  • The Children's Museum of Denver, CO: Target Free First Tuesday Nights, Tuesdays, 4–8 pm
  • Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, MI: Target free Saturdays

  • Target also sponsors touring art programs that travel around the country.
Check the Community: Arts: Sponsored Happenings section of the Target website for more, and current, information.

Find and Visit More Places for Free or at Reduced Prices

  • Search online or call specific cultural centers, zoos, etc. for discount days, passes, volunteer opportunities, etc.
  • In some areas, free museum admission is offered to library card holders.
  • In tourist cities, special deals may be offered to travelers and locals alike.
  • If traveling to Paris, visitors can buy a 'Paris Museum Pass'. The "Carte Musées et Monuments" (Museum and Monuments Map) provides admission to 60 to 70 museums and monuments, including the Louvre.
  • Entertainment Books offer half price deals for many fun and educational locales.
  • Members of certain groups can get discounts too (AARP, AAA, etc.).
  • Homeschooling (link to large website) and school groups can arrange for discounted events.

Other articles of interest may be Portland Art Museum Travel Guide, Senior Citizen Deals and Discounts, and Best Fun Teenage Birthday Party Themes and Ideas.


The copyright of the article Smithsonian Free Day Sept. 26, 2009 + Kids Deals in Museum Exhibits is owned by Janienne Jennrich. Permission to republish Smithsonian Free Day Sept. 26, 2009 + Kids Deals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Washington DC's Smithsonian, Photo courtesy of Terry Williams, SXC
Baseball Photo, Photo courtesy of Larissa Kanno & SXC
Fish Aquarium, Photo courtesy of Kilián Zsuzsanna & SXC
   


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo