With a valid Toronto Public Library card, you can borrow a free Museum + Arts Pass that grants free admission for a family to the ROM, AGO, Toronto Zoo, Ripley's Aquarium, Aga Khan Museum, Bata Shoe Museum, Gardiner Museum, MOCA, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto Railway Museum, and more. Limited passes available at every branch — first come, first served.
Free: Any Toronto Public Library branch · Season: year-round
The Toronto Public Library's Museum + Arts Pass (branded as tpl:map) is one of the most generous cultural access programs in North America — and it is completely free for anyone with a Toronto Public Library card. This program allows you to borrow a pass that grants free admission for a family (up to two adults and up to four children) to over 20 of Toronto's top museums, galleries, zoos, and cultural attractions. For tourists and residents alike, this is an extraordinary way to experience Toronto's cultural institutions without spending on admission.
What to Expect
The Museum + Arts Pass program works like a library book — you borrow a physical pass from your local library branch, present it at the participating attraction, and receive free admission. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be borrowed for a limited period (typically three days).
The program's generosity is remarkable. A single pass to the Royal Ontario Museum or the Toronto Zoo can cost $25-35 per person. The MAP pass covers the entire family for free. For a family of four visiting two attractions, the savings can easily exceed $200.
Participating Attractions
The Museum + Arts Pass grants free admission to an extraordinary range of Toronto cultural institutions:
Major Museums:
- Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Ontario Science Centre
- Toronto Zoo
- Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
- Aga Khan Museum
- Gardiner Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Specialized Museums:
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Black Creek Pioneer Village
- Toronto Railway Museum
- Textile Museum of Canada
- Toronto History Museums (multiple historic sites)
Performing Arts:
- Select performing arts organizations (varies by season)
How the Program Works
1. Get a Library Card: Toronto Public Library cards are free for Toronto residents and property owners. Visitors staying in Toronto may be eligible for a temporary card — check with any branch.
2. Find a Pass: Visit any TPL branch and ask about MAP availability. Passes are displayed prominently and are first-come, first-served.
3. Borrow the Pass: Check out the pass as you would a book. The loan period is typically three days.
4. Visit the Attraction: Present the pass at the admission desk of the participating institution. The pass covers general admission for your family group.
5. Return the Pass: Return the pass to any TPL branch by the due date, just like a library book.
Getting a Pass
The key challenge is availability. Popular attractions (ROM, Zoo, Ripley's Aquarium) have limited passes that are in high demand. Strategies for success:
- **Saturday mornings:** New passes are often released on Saturdays. Arrive at your branch early.
- **Call ahead:** Phone your local branch on Friday evening to ask about availability for Saturday.
- **Less popular attractions:** The Aga Khan Museum, Gardiner Museum, and Bata Shoe Museum often have better availability than the ROM or Zoo.
- **Multiple branches:** If your local branch is out, try neighbouring branches.
- **Off-peak seasons:** Winter weekdays often have better availability than summer weekends.
Seasonal Considerations
Spring: Good availability as the city emerges from winter. The ROM and AGO are popular spring destinations.
Summer: Peak demand. Passes for the Zoo and Ripley's Aquarium are extremely competitive. Plan well in advance or target less popular attractions.
Fall: Excellent availability. The fall museum season brings new exhibitions, and the competition for passes decreases after summer.
Winter: The best availability of the year. Winter is an ideal time to use MAP passes for indoor attractions like the ROM, AGO, and Ontario Science Centre.
How to Get There
Any Toronto Public Library branch participates in the MAP program. The Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street) is the flagship branch and often has the widest selection. Use the TPL website's branch locator to find the nearest location.
Accessibility
All participating attractions are wheelchair accessible, and the MAP pass covers all visitors in your family group, including those with accessibility needs. The TPL branches are also fully accessible.
Nearby Attractions
Since the MAP program covers Toronto's major attractions, your nearby attractions depend on which pass you secure:
- **ROM + Gardiner:** These museums are across the street from each other — plan a combined visit
- **AGO + Kensington Market:** The AGO is a 10-minute walk from Kensington
- **Zoo:** Requires transit or driving — allow a full day
- **Ripley's Aquarium:** Located at the base of the CN Tower in the downtown core
Practical Tips for Tourists
- Library cards are free for Toronto residents and may be available to visitors staying in the city
- Passes are first-come, first-served — no reservations or holds
- Each pass covers a family group (typically two adults and up to four children)
- Passes have a short loan period (typically three days) — plan your visit before borrowing
- Late return of passes incurs library fines
- Some attractions require advance booking even with a MAP pass — check the attraction's website
- The program is funded by the Toronto Public Library Foundation and corporate sponsors
Visitor tip
Passes are released Saturday mornings and go fast. Call your local branch Friday evening to confirm availability. Participating attractions include ROM, AGO, Zoo, Ripley's Aquarium, Aga Khan, Bata Shoe Museum, Gardiner, MOCA, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto History Museums, Textile Museum, and select performing arts organizations.