Libraries have expanded way beyond books. From classes to e-catalogues to free Wi-Fi, libraries have become a resource hub for communities across the Portland area. Best of all, you can access all of these services for free. There are many perks of having a library card, including free cultural passes.
Free cultural passes allow you to visit some of the best attractions throughout the Portland area. This program is great for individuals, couples, friends and families with admission to several attractions available free of charge.
How it works
Once you are a library card holder, you can reserve a pass to a local attraction via the library’s website. You simply enter your login information and make your reservation. Once you’ve chosen an attraction and day to visit, your tickets are reserved.
Directions for using the passes are a little different at each library. Some passes have you pick up at the library or at the ticket booth of the attraction. Others offer mobile or printable passes. Don’t have a printer? One of the perks of your library card is free printing.
Some of these passes have specific steps you need to take after your reservation is confirmed. Make sure you read the fine print when you make your reservation at any of the libraries below.
You can reserve one or more free cultural passes at a time, depending on the library.
Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange
As a Multnomah County resident, you can receive a free library card in other counties, including Washington, Clackamas, Hood River and Clark. Here is a list of other counties that are eligible for a free library card. You must register for a library card at each library system.
This means that you have access to all of these cultural passes below. Pretty cool, huh?
Cultural Passes at Local libraries
Multnomah County Library’s My Discovery Pass
Free cultural passes:
- Artists Repertory Theatre
- Boom Arts
- Five Oaks Museum
- Friends of Chamber Music
- Japanese American Museum of Oregon
- Literary Arts
- Northwest Children’s Theater and School
- Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
- Oregon Koto-Kai
- Portland Art Museum
- Portland Center Stage at The Armory
- Portland Columbia Symphony
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Portland Opera
- Rose City Comic Con
Clackamas County Library Cultural Passes
Free cultural passes:
- Clackamas County Parks
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
- End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
- Evergreen Aviation Museum
- Gilbert House Children’s Museum
- Hallie Ford Museum of Art
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Oregon Historical Society
- Oregon State Parks
- Pittock Mansion
- Portland Art Museum
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Portland Opera
- The Oregon Garden
Washington County Library’s Adventure Pass
Free adventure passes:
- Five Oaks Museum
- Hidden Creek Community Center
- Japanese American Museum of Oregon
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Next Level Pinball Museum
- The Oregon Garden
- Oregon State Parks
- Outdoors In
- Pittock Mansion
- Portland Art Museum
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Portland Opera
- Rice NW Museum of Rocks & Minerals
- Shute Park Aquatic Recreation Center
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Experience Pass
Free cultural passes:
- Bickleton Carousel Museum
- Cascade Locks Historical Museum
- Clark County Historical Museum
- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
- Columbia Gorge Museum
- Genealogical Forum of Oregon
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Maryhill Museum of Art
- Pittock Mansion
- Presby Museum
- Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals
- Wonderworks Children’s Museum
Hood River County Library Cultural Passes
Free cultural passes:
- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
- Columbia Gorge Museum
- High Desert Museum
- Maryhill Museum of Art
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Oregon State Parks
- Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
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Thanks for sharing this information for all Metro area library users! Libraries are so much more than books these days. With the eclipse coming, several libraries are planning free events as well. Again, thank you!
Thank you for your comment, Diana! Libraries are amazing community resources. If you have any fun library events or services you’d like to share, email me at info@portlandlivingonthecheap.com.