A trip to the museum is such a fun way to spend an afternoon with your kids — but admission for multiple adults and kids can really add up! And, with so many superb museums in the area, you’ll definitely want to, visit them all! So we consulted our favorite museums to get the scoop on their special deals in 2020.
Get out your calendar — here’s our directory of 2020 free museum days near Dayton:
American Sign Museum
Admission is $15/adult. Get FREE admission for up to three children 12 and under with each paying adult. Public Library of Greater Cincinnati/Hamilton County card holders can get two free tickets to the American Sign Museum through the Discovery Pass program.
Behringer-Crawford Museum
This Northern Kentucky gem generally offers several free admission days each year, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Smithsonian Museum Day and Veterans Day. Find more information for 2020 free admission dates on their website. Please note that BCM is closed Jan. 6 through Feb. 3.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Boonshoft’s sandbox is sure to be a big hit with smaller kids!
Each year, the Museum hosts four Super Science Saturdays that offer FREE admission from 10 am – 4 pm. These special learning days include access to Special Exhibitions, Space Theater Shows (limited seating available), and public programming. Check back here for 2020 Super Science Saturday dates!
COSI
If you have a Cincinnati Museum Center membership, enjoy 50% general admission for up to 6 people with your pass. And teachers always get FREE admission at COSI!
Cincinnati Museum Center
CMC is part of the Museums For All program: Eligible recipients receive $2 admission to Duke Energy Children’s Museum for up to 10 people when EBT card and photo ID is presented at the box office.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
This children’s museum is absolutely worth the drive — especially on one of the following free admission dates:
- Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 10 am-5 pm
- Monday, February 17: President’s Day, 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday, April 30: Dia de los Ninos, 10 am-5 pm (Check calendar to confirm this date in 2020)
Note that children under age 2 receive free admission every day. And on First Thursday Nights, you can pay $5 per person to visit either the museum or the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. For $7, you can buy a ticket to both! Please confirm dates and details here.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Free every day, 365 days a year — plus lots of free family offerings, like Baby Tours!
Cincinnati Zoo
$1 admission for Macy’s Kids, Cultures, Critters and Crafts Festival (Check website for 2020 date.) And definitely take advantage of the Zoo’s half-price admission dates: Jan. 5-March 13.
Contemporary Arts Center
Free admission every day. Check our their new Play Café, a FREE indoor play place, that’s open select dates this year!
Kentucky Science Center
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Free admission and parking every day!
Newport Aquarium’s penguins are big fans of first responders!
Newport Aquarium
Check Newport Aquarium’s website and Facebook page throughout the year; last year, they offered free admission for First Responders in September and free admission for Veterans in November.
Taft Museum of Art
Free admission and parking every Sunday. This deal applies to all of the exhibits at the Taft — even special ones! Third Sunday Fundays are especially popular with families — read more about these fun days here.
William Howard Taft National Historic Site
Free admission and tours every day.
Reciprocal Admission deals:
Have a Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) Membership? Enjoy discounted admission* to COSI, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, AHA! A Hands-On Adventure and Explorium of Lexington.
Inspired to visit all.the.museums in the area? Check out our Children’s Museums Worth the Drive! If you know of any free museum dates we missed, please let us know, and we’ll be sure to share!
