Announcing the Experience Pass—Your Key to Free Philadelphia Museums, Attractions, and More!

By Jamie B. RSS Mon, December 2, 2019

by Jamie Bowers and Dennis Mawson


Starting today, Philadelphians ages 18 and above can use their Free Library card to check out FREE digital passes to cultural institutions and other attractions in the Philadelphia area. From science centers and botanical gardens to art museums and sporting events, the Experience Pass has something for everyone!

How It Works
Log in with your Free Library card and PIN at freelibrary.org/epass. Then browse for passes by date or attraction and make a reservation. Print or download your pass to a mobile device shortly before your visit, and bring it with you to the attraction.

Attractions Include:

  • The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
  • Bartram’s Garden
  • Eastern State Penitentiary Historical Site
  • Founder’s Hall at Girard College
  • Free Library Author Events Series
  • Free Library Culinary Literacy Center
  • Glen Foerd on the Delaware
  • Johnson House Historic Site
  • Mayor’s Box Tickets at the Wells Fargo Center
  • Museum of the American Revolution
  • Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
  • The Rosenbach
  • Woodmere Art Museum


It’s About Access
A Free Library card has always given users access to books, films, and other media. We have other more unconventional items in our circulating collection, like musical instruments and birding backpacks. Now the Free Library is inspiring curiosity by expanding our unique lending collection to give users free access to cultural treasures, electrifying events, and life-changing experiences with their library cards! This program, designed for Philadelphia residents, will give you access to the city’s events and programs that you’ve been wondering about but have never explored and will also expand the capacity of the Free Library to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity.

Get Your Pass Today!
For more information and to reserve a pass, visit freelibrary.org/epass. Need a library card? Apply for one today!


Have a question for Free Library staff? Please submit it to our Ask a Librarian page and receive a response within two business days.

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Can I get a Philadelphia library card if I am out of town. I am from philly and would love to visit places of my childhood
Pamela Kerns - Wilkes-barre, pa
Monday, December 2, 2019

Hi Pamela. As a PA resident you are eligible for a Free Library card. However, only Philadelphia residents may reserve passes. Many of the surrounding PA counties offer similar programs to their residents; please visit your local library to inquire about such opportunities.
Jamie B. - Philadelphia
Monday, December 2, 2019

Can I bring my children to these experiences with me? They're both under the age of 10. And would they also be free?
Melissa - Philly
Monday, December 2, 2019

My understanding is that all PA public library cards are useable Statewide. For in-town promotional offers perhaps a 20 or 40 mile rule ought to be enacted immediately in promoting said services to and for the served public. Please escalate for consideration & advise. TY! 😎
Paul Mick - Marcus Hook
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

it says that that new passes are available monthly, does that mean the first of the month? Thanks!
hannah
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Dear Melissa, people of any age are eligible to be guests on the Experience Pass. However, passes will admit either two or four people, depending on the attraction; be sure to read the details carefully when reserving your pass.
Dennis M. - Materials Management
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Dear Paul Mick, at this time, only Philadelphia residents may reserve passes. Many of the surrounding counties offer similar programs to their residents; please visit your local library to inquire about such opportunities.
Dennis M. - Materials Management
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Dear Hannah, passes will be released two months in advance on the first of every month. For example, on January 1, March passes will be made available, and Experience Pass users will be able to reserve any available passes for dates between December 1 and March 31.
Dennis M. - Materials Management
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

I want experience pass
Junious mayes - Philadelphia
Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Thank You.
Martina R. Harmon - Northeast Philadelphia
Wednesday, December 4, 2019

This is awesome!! I am so excited to check this out! :D
Lorelle
Wednesday, December 4, 2019

will the library card from a child (7 yrs) also apply for free events
SUSAN DAVIS - Phila
Friday, December 6, 2019

Hi Susan, Philadelphia residents who are 18+, can make reservations. A child's library card will not work, however people of any age are eligible to be guests on the Experience Pass.
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Sunday, December 8, 2019

I heard on KYW that there would be free tickets to events at Wells Fargo in The Mayors Box. How do you go about getting these tickets. Thanks
Phyllis - Phila PA
Sunday, December 8, 2019

Hi Phyllis, tickets for the Mayor's Box can be reserved like all other Experience Passes: login at freelibrary.org/epass and enter you library card and PIN numbers. December's passes for the Mayor's Box are sold out. Check back on January 1. Please note that passes are in high demand and supplies may be limited.
Jamie B. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Monday, December 9, 2019

Another awesome "level up" for the Library. Thank you so much!
Shani - Germantown
Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Hello, when I click on the "Reserve a pass" link, I get an error message saying "Not valid library" on the https://freelibrary.quipugroup.net/ site. Does this mean that there are no passes currently available?
Kate D. - Philadelphia
Monday, December 16, 2019

Hi Kate, We're sorry you're having trouble with the Experience Pass. Please contact us though the following link, and we'll work to resolve your problem as soon as possible. Thanks! https://www.questionpoint.org/crs/servlet/org.oclc.admin.BuildForm?&institution=12274&type=1&language=1
Dennis M - Free Library of Philadelphia
Monday, December 16, 2019

Please tell or send me more information
Sadreana Brown - Philadelphia
Monday, December 16, 2019

Hi Sadreana, A full explanation of the program, partnered institutions, and a list of our most frequently asked questions can be found here: freelibrary.org/epass
Dennis M. - Free Library of Philadelphia
Monday, December 16, 2019

Amazing
Lisa mullen - PHILADELPHIa
Thursday, December 19, 2019

Hello, Has the experience been completely discontinued? I was checking last year and saw it was on hold because of covid but now the link just takes you to the general program page. A lot of other states/cities have these, its a shame it hasn't been available for years. Is it completely done with? https://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/post/3973
Alexis M Higgins - Philadelphia
Sunday, May 7, 2023

Hi! Will the experience pass be continued again? I think it's a great opportunity, especially for students like myself.
Sierra - South Philly
Monday, May 22, 2023

May I ask whether program is still valid now? Thank you.
K - Philadelphia
Saturday, July 1, 2023

Hi Team - is this still valid? I tried to click on the above link to no avail. Thanks!
Denise - Philadelphia
Sunday, October 6, 2024