Museums & More

Portland Public Library offers free passes to the following local museums, parks, and cultural sites. Call or visit the Lending Desk at any of our locations with your library card to request a pass for a specific date. Maine State Parks passes can only be requested online.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Portland Public Library now offers passes to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens!  

  • The library pass program allows up to two adults and any number of accompanying children to reserve tickets to CMBG free of charge during the May-October garden season.
  • Individual patrons may use this pass up to one time per month.
  • The library can make a reservation for one individual/group for each calendar day the site is open to the public, so plan ahead and know your preferred dates!
  • Entry to CMBG is timed, so please alert staff to your preferred time slot in addition to your preferred dates. Having additional options or flexibility will help assure you are able to make a reservation.  
  • The pass may not be used for members-only events or Gardens Aglow.

Visit the Lending Desk at the Downtown library in person or call 207-871-1700 x730 to make a reservation. Tickets will be e-mailed to you in PDF format for printing, or can be printed for you if reserving in-person at the Downtown library.  

Maine State Parks Pass

New as of 2021: Reserve the Maine State Parks pass through the online catalog by placing a hold – as with other library materials – and pick up the pass from your branch of choice. Advance reservations for specific dates will not be possible until further notice. The passes can be returned by placing them in the book drop at any PPL location.

  • Park passes can be reserved directly through the library’s catalog.
  • Each pass admits occupants of up to a 17-passenger vehicle to day-use facilities of select Maine State Parks and Historic Sites.
  • Pass is valid for day-use only and does not include camping.
  • Each library location offers only one pass, which may be borrowed for up to one week, no renewals.
  • As a courtesy to other patrons, be sure to return the pass on time.
  • The replacement cost for a lost pass is $105.00.
  • Please note that park passes are not accepted at the following sites: Acadia National Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Baxter State Park, Maine Wildlife Park, Peacock Beach, Penobscot Narrows Observatory, Penobscot River Corridor, Scarborough Beach, Songo Lock or Swan Island. View all participating parks.
  • Please check with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands to ensure that the site you wish to visit is open
  • Please follow all COVID-19 rules and guidelines posted for Maine State Parks and Historic Sites

Maine State Museum (Augusta)

RENOVATION WORK UNDERWAY, PASS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE.

  • Call or visit the Lending Desk at any of our locations to request a pass for a specific date.
  • Pass admits four people.
  • For families or individuals, but not intended for organized groups such as camps or scouts.
  • No limits on how many passes a patron may use.

Portland Museum of Art

  • Call or visit the Lending Desk at any of our locations to request a pass for a specific date.
  • Pass admits up to two adults and six children for one visit.
  • Each library location offers only one pass per day.
  • One pass/patron/month.
  • Current operating hours:
    • Wednesday: 10am-6pm
    • Thursday: 10am-6pm
    • Friday: 10am-8pm (free from 4–8pm!)
    • Saturday: 10am-6pm
    • Sunday: 10am-6pm
  • In keeping with the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development Guidelines, the PMA asks that all visitors adhere to the following:
    • Based on the Maine CDC, masks are currently optional when visiting the PMA.
    • Always maintain at minimum a six-foot distance from others.
    • If you or a family member has or has had cold of flu-like symptoms, do not visit the museum until after everyone has completed a medically recommended quarantine period.

Portland Observatory

PASS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE.

  • Call or visit the Lending Desk at any of our locations to request a pass for a specific date.
  • Pass admits one person to the Observatory Tour.
  • Each library location offers two passes per day.
  • One pass/patron/month (a patron may request both passes for one day).
  • The Observatory’s season is usually Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

One Longfellow Square 

  • Patrons must visit the Lending Desk at the Downtown Library (in person only, no calls or emails will be accepted) and present their library card.
  • Passes must be picked up in person.
  • Pass admits two people to a scheduled One Longfellow Square event of their choosing.
  • Patrons can request ONE PASS PER QUARTER (Q1 July – Oct, Q2 Nov – Feb, Q3 Mar – June)
  • The pass provided by the Library, gives the patron a unique code and instructions on how to redeem tickets with that code, through the One Longfellow Square website.
  • Portland Public Library is not responsible for any postponed or cancelled events at One Longfellow Square. Should such an event occur, please contact One Longfellow Square directly at (207) 761-1757 or email tickets@onelongfellowsquare.com

Portland Stage

  • Visit the Lending Desk at any one of our branches to request a pass.
  • Passes must be picked up in person and cannot be reserved over the phone.
  • Pass admits up to two people for the current Mainstage show.
  • The library offers only one pass per show.
  • One pass/patron/month.
  • Pass must be presented to the Portland Stage box office on the day of the show between noon and showtime to claim tickets.
  • Please follow all COVID-19 rules and guidelines posted at Portland Stage.
  • Portland Public Library is not responsible for event cancellations. Please contact the ticket office at Portland Stage if the event you have passes for has been cancelled or postponed. Portland Stage Box Office phone number is 207-774-0465.

Southworth Planetarium (USM Portland Campus)

  • Call or visit the Lending Desk at any of our locations to request a pass for a specific date.
  • Pass admits up to six people.
  • For families or individuals, but not intended for organized groups such as camps or scouts.
  • Each library location offers only one pass per day.
  • One pass/patron/month.
  • You may use your pass on any day you choose.

 Tate House Museum  

Tate House museum

  • To register, please visit the Tate House Museum website and click on HOUSE TOUR TICKETS to find an available timeslot. Even with a complimentary ticket, a timeslot must still be reserved.
  • Once you have reserved your timeslot at the Tate House Museum, call or visit the Lending Desk at any of our locations to request a pass for a specific date.
  • Pass admits up to four people for one visit.
  • For families or individuals, but not intended for organized groups such as camps or scouts.
  • Each library location offers only one pass per day.
  • One pass/patron/month.
  • The Tate House is open June through October. Check website for current hours of operation.