The Travel Hack Hiding in Your Junk Drawer

Let’s talk about something you probably have in the back of your wallet or buried in your junk drawer.

No, not the dried-out pen from the hotel you stayed at in 2004, not the duct tape, not the random key you have no idea what it opens (please let me know when you find out).

Ah, there it is… your library card.

Most of us think of libraries when we need a book for book club or class or a printer when ours runs out of ink, or maybe a quiet corner to work, but the library also has something surprisingly useful for travelers: free or discounted passes to museums, zoos, gardens, cultural centers, and more.

A quick story from here in Pittsburgh

I’ve been trying to explore more of the city, especially when friends or family come to visit. And it’s fun to play tour guide… until you start adding up ticket prices.

While playing around on the Pittsburgh library website, I found the RAD Pass, the Allegheny County library program that offers library card holders free or discounted tickets to local museums, zoos, and theaters.

We’ve already used it twice in the past few weeks:

• Andy Warhol Museum — normally $25 per adult
• Pittsburgh Zoo — normally $30 per adult

Both activities were free for 4 people at the Warhol Museum and for 2 people at the zoo.

How to find passes in your city (or the city you’re visiting)

The easiest method: Search “[your city] public library free or discounted attraction passes” and see what pops up.

Most programs aren’t heavily advertised.

Here are a few great examples from around the country:

• Round Rock Discovery Pass (Outside of Austin) — Covers up to 6 guests at places like the Thinkery, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, LBJ Presidential Library, and the Blanton Museum of Art.
• Culture Pass Dallas — Free access to nearly 30 arts organizations. Reserve online with your library card and show your pass at the door.
• Discover & Go — A California-wide program offering free and discounted museum and cultural tickets.
• NYC Culture Pass — Free passes to 100+ cultural institutions across New York City.
• Explore More Illinois — For cardholders at participating RAILS, IHLS, and CPL libraries. Offers free or discounted admission, parking, and even gift shop purchases at museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies, and more across Illinois.

Money-saving travel tip

These passes aren’t just for your hometown. If you’re visiting friends or family, ask if they have a library card and look up their local program.

You might unlock free entry to places you’d never think to explore and save money along the way.

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes the best travel hack is already sitting in your wallet… or hiding under a stack of takeout menus.

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