WNC -- April 21, 2026: CHECK IT OUT! DAY PASSES TO THE YMCA OF WNC ARE NOW BEING OFFERED AS PART OF THE ZOOM PASS PROGRAM!
Get a ZOOM day pass for any of the five locations of the YMCA of Western North Carolina in Buncombe County through the Buncombe County Library ZOOM Pass Program. This one day pass admits up to four people (of any age) to any YMCA in Buncombe County, which includes: Asheville YMCA, Black Mountain YMCA, Ferguson Family YMCA, Reuter Family YMCA, and the Woodfin YMCA.
WHAT IS THE ZOOM PASS PROGRAM?
The Buncombe County Libraries ZOOM (a combination of the words Zoo and Museum) Pass program allows library cardholders to visit participating partners at NO COST by reserving a day pass online with their library card, and they offer several options! You can learn more about the program on our post
FREE ADMISSION TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS!
AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN!
Buncombe County Public Libraries have teamed up with several local attractions and museums to offer FREE ADMISSION for library card holders through their ZOOM pass program! All you need is a Buncombe County library card in good standing to reserve one. You can make 1 reservation at a time per library card, up to 30 days in advance, and you may visit each attraction once every 30 days. The process is simple! Reserve your pass on the Buncombe County Libraries website, pick up the pass at the library of your choosing, and go have fun! They'll even send you an email confirmation of your reservation and a reminder email the day before your visit, so you don't forget!
All reservations are made online, so you won't be able to call or email to make a reservation. See the comments below for the link.
WHAT'S CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED:
ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ... Pass admits 2 adults and 4 children under age 18. For general admission only and doesn't include special exhibits or events that have an additional charge.
ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ... Pass admits four people (Children under 2 are admitted free and don't need a pass). For admission only and doesn't include additional programming fees.
CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK … Each pass admits 2 adults (16+) and three youth
(5-15). Children under 5 are admitted for free.
CRADLE OF FORESTRY … Pass admits four people. Passes are for general admission only and don’t include events that have an additional charge.
HANDS ON! CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ... Family Pass admits 4 people.
NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM ... One pass per car for personal vehicles. Doesn't include special exhibits or events that have an additional charge (like Winter Lights).
PADDLEBOATS AT LAKE JULIAN ... One ZOOM pass = one 30 minute Paddleboat ride. Minimum passenger age is 2 years old. Minimum age to rent a paddleboat is 16 years old and the paddleboat must have at least one person 16 years of age or older on board.
WATERCRAFT LAUNCH PASS AT LAKE JULIAN ... One ZOOM Pass = one personal watercraft daily launch pass (no gas powered engines on the lake).
WNC NATURE CENTER ... Family Pass admits 2 adults and 4 children under age 18 (Children under 2 are admitted free and don't need a pass).
WELL PLAYED BOARD GAME CAFE ... Each pass admits two adults ages 14 and above and up to four children ages 6-13.
Buncombe County Libraries also often partners with Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Asheville Community Theatre, NC Stage Company, and Wortham Center for passes to performances Seasonally, you may even see passes to Festival of Lights at Lake Julian in the Winter, and Buncombe County & Asheville City Outdoor Pools in the Summer!
Live in neighboring counties? Several other counties have their own version of ZOOM! We know Henderson County, Transylvania County, Haywood County, Madison County, and Polk County all do! You can also apply for an out of county library card with Buncombe County for a small $20 yearly fee, in which case you'll qualify to participate in their ZOOM Pass program! Apply in person at any Buncombe County Library branch to become an out of county cardholder.
All ZOOM Pass reservations are made online, so you won't be able to call or email to make a reservation. Reserve a pass HERE (be sure to have you library card PIN number handy!!): https://www.buncombenc.gov/315/ZOOM-Pass
*The above information was announced on social media by th Y and we are happy to share it here!