Free and low-cost family activities in Maryland

41 entries for Maryland (2 programs and places, 39 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Maryland

Maryland State Parks: day-use fees, children in car seats free, and no-fee parks

Low costOutdoorsMaryland

Maryland State Parks day-use charges vary by park and season. Examples from the DNR park pages: at Greenbrier, weekdays/weekends from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day are $3 or $5 per person and other times are $3 per vehicle (out-of-state visitors add $2); children in car seats are admitted free there and at Patapsco Valley's Hilton area. Several parks list no day-use fee, including Big Run, Dans Mountain, Merkle Natural Resources Management Area and New Germany. DNR waives day-use entrance charges for all U.S. armed forces veterans (veteran only, or the per-vehicle fee where one applies).

Who it's for: Everyone; children in safety seats; veterans

How: Check the specific park's page on dnr.maryland.gov for its current charge. Camping, pools and shelters have separate fees.

Fees differ by park; examples only. Greenbrier and Patapsco figures come from the park's own page.

Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Maryland State Parks: Every Kid Outdoors pass honored, plus annual and Golden Age passes

FreeOutdoorsMaryland

The Maryland Park Service honors the National Park Service's Every Kid Outdoors day-use pass, which gives U.S. fourth graders and family members free access to Maryland State Parks. The paid Maryland Passport (State Park Pass) gives unlimited day-use entry for everyone in a vehicle (up to 10 people) to all Maryland State Parks for a year. The Golden Age Pass (age 62+) gives free day-use entry at parks that charge fees.

Who it's for: U.S. fourth graders and family members (Every Kid Outdoors); everyone for the paid Maryland Passport

How: For Every Kid Outdoors, get the pass at everykidoutdoors.gov and show it at the park. Passes are not valid until the physical pass is received by mail.

Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Maryland (39)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

American Visionary Art Museum Baltimore, MD
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park Annapolis, MD
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center Solomons, MD
Baltimore Museum of Industry Baltimore, MD
Calvert Marine Museum Solomons, MD
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum St. Michaels, MD
Chesapeake Children’s Museum Annapolis, MD
Computer Museum @ System Source Hunt Valley, MD
Discovery Station Hagerstown, MD
The Fire Museum of Maryland Lutherville, MD
Furnace Town Historic Site Snow Hill, MD
Greenbelt Museum Greenbelt, MD
Hammond-Harwood House Museum Annapolis, MD
Historic London Town & Gardens Edgewater, MD
Historic Rich Hill Bel Alton, MD
Historic St. Mary’s City St. Mary’s City, MD
Historic Sotterley Hollywood, MD
Irvine Nature Center Owings Mills, MD
Jewish Museum of Maryland Baltimore, MD
Josiah Henson Museum and Park North Bethesda, MD
KID Museum Bethesda, MD
Ladew Topiary Gardens Monkton, MD
The Laurel Museum Laurel, MD
Maryland Center for History and Culture Baltimore, MD
Miller House Museum Hagerstown, MD
Museum of Historic Annapolis Annapolis, MD
NASA Goddard Visitor Center Greenbelt, MD
National Electronics Museum Hunt Valley, MD
National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation Baltimore, MD
Natural History Society of Maryland Baltimore, MD
The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Visitors Center Lexington Park, MD
Piney Point Lighthouse Museum & Historic Park Piney Point, MD
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture Baltimore, MD
Robinson Nature Center Columbia, MD
The Star Spangled Banner Flag House Baltimore, MD
St. Clement’s Island Museum Coltons Point, MD
Stop Drop and Play Children’s Museum Damascus, MD
William Paca House and Garden Annapolis, MD
Woodlawn Museum Sandy Spring, MD

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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