Are you looking for something fun, unique and educational to do with the kids this summer? Or, are you just an art, science or history lover? Then, visit one of three awesome local museums for free with the Bank of America Museums on Us program!
Museums on Us is a cardholder benefit program that offers free admission to more than 120 museums and cultural institutions in the United States. Bank of America or Merrill Lynh cardholders are granted one free general admission during the first full weekend of each month with their valid bank card and photo ID.
The metro Atlanta area has three great museums that participate in the program: the Atlanta History Center, the High Museum of Art and the Tellus Science Museum.
The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead includes not only the main museum space, but also the Swan House and the Smith Family Farm. The center contains a permanent gallery with memorabilia from the Centennial Olympics Games, the Cherokee Garden Library, Kenan Research Center and historic gardens on the property. The Atlanta History Center now also includes the Margaret Mitchell House at the midtown campus. The Atlanta History Center, located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5:30 p.m. Tours of the Swan House and the Smith Family House are Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. All gardens and grounds close at 5:15 p.m. General admission tickets are all-inclusive and provide access to the Atlanta History Center, the Smith Family Farm, the Swan House and the Margaret Mitchell House. Tickets are $16.50 for adults, $13 for seniors and students and $11 for children aged 4 to 12.
The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the Southeastern United States. Open Tuesday through Sunday, permanent collections consist of more than 12,000 pieces of art on display. Currently on exhibit is the famous painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer, which is often referred to as “the Mona Lisa of the North.” Museum hours are from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday with half-price admission after 4:00 p.m. and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The High Museum is located at the Woodruff Arts Center at 1280 Peachtree Street NE. Adult tickets are $19.50, seniors 64 and over and students are $16.50, children ages 6 to 17 are $12 and children 5 and under are free.
Just northwest of Marietta is the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville. Open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily, exhibits open minds and ignite a passion for science. Permanent exhibits include interactive galleries for kids, as well as exhibits on minerals, fossils, science in motion and a solar house. There are currently special exhibits on display about astronomy and a photography gallery on significant aircraft in the history of aviation. Admission for adults is $14, children ages 3-17 and students are $10, seniors are $12 and active military members are free. Visits to the planetarium are $3.50 per person and must include paid admission to the museum. Tellus is located at 100 Tellus Drive in Cartersville just off of exit 293 on I-75.
For Atlanta homeowners, this program is a great way to keep the kids entertained close to home this summer while still being educational. For more information on other Atlanta events and attractions, be sure to like us on Facebook.