Taking an entire family to a museum can run into the three figures. But military families can get a big break thanks to Blue Star Museums , a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense.
The program offers FREE admission to more than 2,000 museums across America for the nation’s service members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families.
The 2023 Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, and ends on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4 .
For the rest of the year, be sure to read our post on Military Appreciation discounts available all year .
Photo: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day
Who is eligible?
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. This includes reservists, National Guard members (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members .
Do I need to show an ID card?
Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC) , DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
Does the active-duty member need to be present?
The military ID holder can be either the active-duty service member or other dependent family member with the appropriate ID card; the active-duty member does not have to be present for family members to use the program. Just bring your DD Form 1173 ID Card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID Card.
What about retirees and veterans?
If you are a retiree or veteran, ask the museum you plan to visit if they offer reduced or special rates for military members who aren’t currently serving.
What museums participate?
Typically, more than 2,000 museums across America participate in Blue Star Museums each summer. And “museums” aren’t just about fine art, history or science. The list includes children’s museums, zoos and nature centers. Note: The list may change from year to year.
If you’re vacationing, run a quick search before creating an itinerary. To search for participating museums, click here .
Photo: Frost Science Museum
Miami-Dade County
Broward County
Photo: Cox Science Center and Aquarium
Palm Beach County
Florida Keys
Our sister site, LivingOnTheCheap.com contributed information to this post.
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More museum discounts
If you’re looking for other ways to visit museums free, check out our list of free museum days in South Florida.
Other museum deals, free days and special events:
Monday, May 29, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
Discounted | Various sites in Palm Beach Co.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Deering Estate
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
12:30 pm | $7.00-15.00 | Deering Estate
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
Discounted | Various sites in Palm Beach Co.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
12:30 pm | $7.00-15.00 | Deering Estate
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
Discounted | Various sites in Palm Beach Co.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
12:30 pm | $7.00-15.00 | Deering Estate
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
Thursday, June 1, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $12.00 | Xtreme Action Park
Friday, June 2, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Delray Beach
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | ICA Miami
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Coral Gables Museum
7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm | $5.00 | Fern Forest Nature Center
Saturday, June 3, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
All Day | FREE | Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU
All Day | FREE | Gold Coast Railroad Museum
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
9:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Merrick House Museum, Miami-Dade
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fox Observatory
Sunday, June 4, 2023
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums
9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach
10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Discounted | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk
11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park
12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Merrick House Museum, Miami-Dade
2:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $12.00 | Xtreme Action Park
Museums free for military families this summer
All Day, Daily (May 20, 2023 - September 4, 2023)
Museums free for military families this summer