The Good Life For Less: The Library Gives Free Adventure

(WCCO) -- Reading a good book is like sitting down to coffee with an old friend -- it's intimate, you never really know what to expect, and you're constantly taking in new information. One of my family friends, Ellyn, is a librarian so she's sees people "catching up with old friends" everyday. But she also pointed out the other adventure that happens at the library each day -- and it's a sign that people are really looking to save some money in this economy.

I'm talking about the Museum Adventure Pass given out at local libraries including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties and St. Paul Public Libraries.

The pass, available year round, allows library goers to get two free admissions for museums and other locations like the Minnesota Zoo, The Works, and the Foshay Tower Observation deck. Click here to see all museums and locations.

Basically, you pick a location you want to go to then check it out just like you would a book. The good news is you don't have to return it like a book. The pass is good for one week and the check-out receipt serves as your pass.

Click here for more information.

Ellyn notes that there is not a stack of free passes -- usually just one a day per location -- and they are put out at different times each day to give everyone an equal opportunity to get one.

She said it used to be quite a sight to see people lined up outside the library in the mornings and race to get the free passes once the doors opened. Now, it's a more fair distribution.

And with the option to save up to $32, which is price of admission for two adults to go to the MN Zoo, they are in high demand.

As if the library wasn't already a great way to escape and experience a new adventure when you're reading a book, this pass lets you get out and learn new things while saving you money.

Check your local library today!

Know of any other places to snag a deal? Email them to me or post them in our comment section to share them with other 'Good Lifers!'

-Alison Lorge is a web producer and consumer blogger at WCCO.