Hundreds Of MA Attractions Offer Free, Discounted Admission With EBT

BOSTON, MA — Massachusetts residents who receive benefits through the Department of Transitional Assistance can use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to receive free or discounted admission at hundreds of museums, theaters, zoos and other cultural attractions across the state.

The discounts are available through the EBT Card to Culture program.

The department partnered with the Mass Cultural Council to create the program, which includes more than 500 participating organizations. Discounts listed on the state's website are valid through Dec. 31.

Each participating organization sets its own admission policy and discount. In most cases, visitors simply present their EBT card at the ticket counter. Some organizations require advance reservations or provide discount codes for online purchases. The card is used only to verify eligibility and cannot be used as payment.

Participating organizations include the Boston Children's Museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo, and the Museum of Science in Boston. In the Northeast part of the state, participating attractions include the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, the Academy of Creative Arts at Trinity in Haverhill, and the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum in Essex. MetroWest attractions include the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln and the Discovery Museum in Acton.

Admission offers vary by location, including free admission, reduced-price tickets or discounts for additional family members. Most organizations allow eligible visitors to use the benefit multiple times, though some performance venues and classes may limit how often the discount can be used.

A searchable list of participating organizations and their individual admission policies is available on the Massachusetts EBT Card to Culture website.

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