Teachers from either Minnesota or Wisconsin get free admission to Great Lakes Aquarium. The amenities page says to bring a valid and current teacher ID, and that everyone else in your party pays regular admission. It only works in person on the day of your visit, not on online ticket orders.
It’s a real saving, since adult admission on the hours and prices page is $20.00. It’s also limited to those two states, so if you teach somewhere else, the school-trip and homeschool rates further down are the places to look.
How To Get The Great Lakes Aquarium Teacher Discount
Go to the front desk with your teacher ID and ask for the teacher admission. The amenities page says the discount isn’t valid for online ticket orders, so there’s nothing to book ahead. When we checked, the hours and prices page said online tickets weren’t available at all and to buy at the front desk, 353 Harbor Drive in Duluth, MN.
Who Counts As A Teacher
The offer is listed as “MN and WI Teachers.” The page doesn’t say whether Minnesota or Wisconsin means where you live or where you teach, and it doesn’t say whether it covers K-12 only or other levels. If you teach across the state line or at a private school, it’s worth asking at the front desk which ID they’ll accept before you pay for anyone.
What The Free Admission Covers
General admission only. The page says it doesn’t include parking, memberships or gift shop purchases. Parking in the aquarium’s lot is $10.00 for up to 5 hours, so a half-day visit has a cost even when you get in free.
Homeschool Educators
Homeschool families have their own rate. The homeschool page lists one designated homeschool educator per family at Free, and the designated student at $6. Younger siblings too young to be designated also get the student rate, and everyone else with the family pays regular admission prices. You have to show documentation at the door, and the page says the homeschool discount won’t be given without it. For a class or a reservation, it lists the Learning Team at fieldtrips@glaquarium.org or 218-740-2000.
Bringing A Class
School trips are priced separately, and the field-trip page says those rates apply to accredited schools only. Students are $6 each. School staff are free, and the page spells that out as teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and all other support staff. Non-staff chaperones get 1 free per five students, additional adults are $10 each, and every chaperone gets free parking. The page asks for 1 adult per 5 students in grades K-8 and 1 per 10 in grades 9-12.
You can add a one-hour class with aquarium staff for $75, with a maximum of 25 students per class. The page also mentions transportation grants of up to $200 for educators who meet its eligibility requirements. And the aquarium’s Teacher Resource Center lends props, curriculum and learning tools for free.
What Everyone Else Pays
Adults are $20.00 and children 3 to 17 are $16.00. The amenities page also takes $1.00 off general admission for a valid and current college ID, which could matter if you’re a student teacher.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
Beyond the wording above, we couldn’t find which teacher IDs count, whether a private-school, charter or college ID is accepted, or any limit on how often you can use the offer. The page says the discount isn’t valid for online orders, and we couldn’t tell whether that changes if online tickets come back.
Q&A
Do teachers get in free at Great Lakes Aquarium?
Yes, teachers from either Minnesota or Wisconsin with a valid and current teacher ID.
Can I use it when I buy tickets online?
No. The page says the discount is only available in person on the day of your visit.
Do the people with me get in free?
No. The page says all additional guests are charged regular admission fees.
Does it cover parking?
No. The discount is for general admission only, and the lot is $10.00 for up to 5 hours.
What do school staff pay on a field trip?
Nothing. Teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and other support staff are free on accredited-school trips.
Is there a homeschool rate?
Yes. One designated educator per family is listed as Free and the designated student is $6, with documentation shown at the door.
More Information:
The details above come from Great Lakes Aquarium’s own pages as they loaded when we checked, and programs change without notice. See more entertainment discounts for teachers.
