Museum Passes

 To ensure a successful visit, read this page carefully prior to reserving a pass.

  • You must have a valid PPL library card to reserve a museum pass.
  • There are two types of passes:
    • Physical circulating passes to be picked up at the library. These passes can be picked up at the Information Desk on the second floor of the library no earlier than 3 p.m. the day prior to use and must be returned to the library no later than 11 a.m. the day after your date of use. EXCEPTION: The American Museum of Natural History. See FAQs for additional details.
    • Printable passes. All printable passes can be printed from home or at the Information Desk.

Timed-Ticketing Procedures and Museum Requirements:

  • Many museums and institutions now require a timed-ticket for entry, in addition to your museum pass. Once you reserve your pass on the library’s website, see the instructions in the museum details to reserve your timed-ticket.
    • If you have a museum pass but have not reserved a timed-ticket, you will NOT be allowed access to the museum.
    • If you have a museum pass and were unable to reserve a timed-ticket for the same day, cancel your museum pass reservation and try a different day.
  • Museum hours of operation have changed. Be sure to check with the museum regarding hours and restrictions prior to your visit.

For additional information and instructions, see the Frequently Asked Questions below.

The Museum Pass Program is made possible through the library’s Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Reserve a Pass

By Museum (lists all of the museums for which the library has a membership)

By Date (view by 30 day rolling window)

View/Cancel a Reservation

Museum List

Circulating Passes:

  • American Museum of Natural History (NOTE: This is a ticket that must be picked up at the Information Desk.)
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Storm King Art Center

Please note that Princeton University Library passes are no longer available. Community members are now able to make a reservation to research or visit Firestone Library through the University’s reservation webpage. There are 25 reservations each day that are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions or concerns about visiting Firestone Library, please contact Firestone’s Access Office at 609-258-5737 or access@princeton.libanswers.com.

Printable Passes:

  • Academy of Natural Sciences
  • Battleship New Jersey
  • Children’s Museum of Manhattan
  • Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Frick Collection (NOTE: Frick Collection is only open at its temporary home on Madison Ave.) 
  • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
  • Morven Museum & Garden
  • Museum of the American Revolution
  • Mütter Museum
  • Newark Museum
  • New-York Historical Society
  • Old Barracks Museum
  • Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the timed-entry tickets that museums now require?
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, most of the museums and institutions that are part of our Museum Pass Program now require visitors to reserve a timed-entry ticket. This ticket must be booked directly through the museum, and must be presented at the museum when you arrive, in addition to the museum pass reserved through the library. Each museum and institution has a different booking process. You will see directions for this process while booking a pass with the library. If you have any questions about booking a timed-ticket, please contact the museum or institution directly.

How do I reserve a pass?
Passes can be reserved online using your library card, by calling the Information Desk at 609-924-9529 x1220, or in person at the Information on the second floor of the library.

Is there a charge to reserve a pass?
There is no charge to borrow a museum pass.

Who can reserve a pass?
Princeton Public Library cardholders in good standing may make a reservation.

How many passes can I reserve per day/month?
A cardholder may reserve one pass per day, but have only one reservation per museum per month.

How far in advance can I reserve a pass?
Museum passes can be reserved 30 days in advance.

How many people are admitted to a museum per pass?
The membership conditions of each museum varies and is indicated in the description for each museum pass.

How do I retrieve my pass after reserving it?
If you reserved a Circulating Pass or a ticket to The American Museum of Natural History, you need to pick it up at the Information Desk on the second floor of the library no earlier than 3pm the day prior to use. If the library is closed the day before your reservation, you can pick it up the day before that. All printable passes can be printed from home or at the Information Desk.

How do reservations to the Museum of Natural History work?
Because the library offers a limited number of one-time use tickets to the American Museum of Natural History, only one reservation is allowed per card each year. If you do not see this museum on the list when you go to reserve, check back in a few weeks, as additional tickets are made available at the beginning of each month. Once you have a ticket reserved, you must stop by the library and present your library card to retrieve it prior to your museum visit. The ticket does not need to be returned to the library.

How do I cancel my reservation?
Reservations can be canceled up to two days before the “Day of Use.” You can cancel online or by calling 609-924-9529 x1220. If the reservation is canceled the day before or the day of the “Day of Use” it will be considered a “No Show.” Because demand for passes is extremely high, two “no shows” in a 60 day period may result in a two month block from making museum pass reservations.

Can I renew or extend my Museum Pass reservation?
Museum passes cannot be renewed or extended.
When does my pass need to be returned to the library?
Circulating Passes need to be returned to the library by 11am the day after use, either at the Information Desk or in the Museum Pass Drop Box which is mounted to the wall of the library along Sylvia Beach Way. If the pass is due back on Sunday, please use the Museum Pass Drop Box. Do not put museum passes in book drops.For passes not returned on time, the late fee is $25 per day. Printable passes and tickets for the American Museum of Natural History do not need to be returned to the library.

What happens if I lost my museum pass?
If your museum pass is printable, call the library at 609-924-9529 x1220 and we can email you the pass again. The library cannot replace lost tickets for the American Museum of Natural History.
If you lost a Circulating Pass that you checked out from the Information Desk, you may incur the $50 fee for lost or damaged passes.