How to Get Free Admission to Portland, Oregon, Museums and Gardens

How to Get Free Admission to Portland Museums and Gardens

Posted on July 31, 2023 | Updated on September 30, 2025

Rachel Monahan

flat rectangular pool of water and wooden and glass entrance to the Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon

Pay a visit to the Japanese Garden at no cost. (Rachel Monahan/City Cast Portland)

Want a deal on local cultural institutions? It can be as simple as using (or getting) a library card.

What’s available?

The Portland Art Museum and the Portland Japanese Garden both offer free admission through the Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties’ libraries. The library programs offer a limited number of free passes for a slew of local cultural institutions. See below for where you can go and for details on reservations.

🚨 Tip: The first of the month is a good time to check for available spots at popular destinations!

How many tickets are available?

Check your county’s program for details on how many tickets you can reserve for each venue (and details such as which admit children for free): Clackamas County’s Cultural Pass Express, Multnomah County’s My Discovery Pass, and Washington County’s Adventure Pass.

How do you reserve?

Log into the system with your library card number and pin (for Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington counties), and check what’s available.

Note: Don’t forget to check back for cancellations.

What are the rules? And other questions?

You can only visit each attraction once per calendar year. You can only have passes to two attractions reserved at any given time. Locations can be reserved up to three months in advance. For busy venues, check back on the first of the month, Multnomah County Library advises. Other questions: consult the frequently asked questions (for Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties).