Your Michigan Bridge Card — the EBT card used for SNAP benefits in Michigan — opens up far more than the grocery aisle. In 2026, Michigan Food Assistance recipients can access free or deeply discounted admission at over 70 museums, zoos, science centers, and cultural venues across the Great Lakes State, unlimited produce matching at more than 240 farmers market locations through Double Up Food Bucks, free access to hundreds of attractions through the Michigan Activity Pass at your public library, reduced transit fares in Detroit and Grand Rapids, half-price Amazon Prime, phone and internet discounts, Summer EBT for children, and energy bill assistance.
This is the complete guide to every EBT discount available to Michigan residents in 2026, organized by city and program.
A Note on Michigan’s SNAP Program and Bridge Card
Michigan’s SNAP program is called the Food Assistance Program and is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Benefits are loaded monthly onto your Michigan Bridge Card. When venues ask to see your “SNAP card,” “EBT card,” or “food stamps card,” your Bridge Card is what you show.
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WIC cards are also accepted at most Michigan discount venues in place of the Bridge Card. Out-of-state SNAP EBT cards are accepted at many Michigan venues — particularly those participating in the Museums for All program — though some Michigan-specific programs such as Double Up Food Bucks require a Michigan Bridge Card specifically.
One important note: Summer EBT (P-EBT) cards are not accepted at most Michigan venues offering Bridge Card discounts. The discount applies to your regular Michigan Bridge Card only.
Amazon Prime — Half Price for Michigan Bridge Cardholders
Michigan Food Assistance recipients qualify for Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month — less than half the standard $14.99 price. The membership includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and the ability to use your Bridge Card to pay for SNAP-eligible groceries through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods pickup and delivery in eligible Michigan ZIP codes.
Sign up for discounted Amazon Prime here — verify your SNAP enrollment by uploading a photo of your Bridge Card or benefit letter. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. The $6.99 monthly fee cannot be charged to your EBT balance. A free 30-day trial is available if you have never had Prime before.
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Double Up Food Bucks Michigan — Unlimited Produce Matching
Double Up Food Bucks Michigan is the state’s produce incentive program — and Michigan’s version has one of the most generous structures in the country. At participating locations, every dollar you spend from your Bridge Card on fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables is matched dollar for dollar with free Double Up Food Bucks to spend on more Michigan-grown produce. And unlike many other states that cap the daily match, Double Up Food Bucks Michigan currently offers unlimited matching on Bridge Card purchases of fruits and vegetables at participating locations — there is no daily dollar cap.
At farmers markets (240+ locations statewide):
Before you start shopping, go to the market information booth and ask about Double Up Food Bucks. Tell market staff how much you want to spend from your Bridge Card. For every $2 you spend, you receive $2 in Double Up tokens — one Bridge Card token to spend on any SNAP-eligible food from any vendor, and one Double Up token to spend on Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables. Tokens can be saved and used at a future market visit — they do not expire.
At participating grocery and corner stores:
Double Up matches your Bridge Card purchases of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables (with no added salt, sugar, or fats) dollar for dollar. At some participating stores, Double Up operates through a digital Double Up Card that tracks your match automatically, rather than physical tokens. Ask at customer service whether your store uses the MyFresh Wallet app or physical tokens, and set up your Double Up Card before your first shopping trip.
MyFresh Wallet app: If your store uses the Double Up Card rather than tokens, you can manage your balance and track your matches through the Double Up Food Bucks MyFresh Wallet app, available for Android and iOS.
Find all 240+ participating Michigan farmers markets and stores at doubleupfoodbucks.org. Note: Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart do not currently participate in Double Up Food Bucks Michigan.
Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) — Free Access to 400+ Attractions
The Michigan Activity Pass is not a SNAP-specific benefit — it is available to anyone with a Michigan public library card — but it is one of the most valuable free activity programs available to Michigan families, and Bridge Card holders who have a library card can use it without any additional cost.
Through the MAP program, Michigan library cardholders can check out seven-day passes to more than 400 cultural attractions, state parks, and recreation areas across Michigan. Participating destinations include zoos, aquariums, science centers, botanical gardens, state parks, nature centers, and historic sites. Passes are checked out like a library book — available at your local library branch on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited time.
Getting a Michigan public library card is free for Michigan residents. If you already have a library card, you likely already have access to MAP passes. Visit michigan.gov/map or ask at your local library branch to see which passes are currently available and how to check them out.
Detroit and Southeast Michigan — Museums and Cultural Centers
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) — $3 per person for up to four individuals per Bridge Card. One of the largest and most significant art museums in the United States, with a collection spanning 5,000 years of art from around the world. Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents pay no admission at all regardless of EBT status — if you live in one of these three counties, admission is always free for you.
Michigan Science Center (Detroit) — $3 per person per Bridge Card. Hands-on interactive exhibits covering science, technology, engineering, and math, located in Detroit’s New Center area.
Belle Isle Aquarium (Detroit) — Free admission for Bridge Cardholders. The oldest aquarium in the United States still in continuous operation, located on Belle Isle State Park in the Detroit River.
Cranbrook Art Museum (Bloomfield Hills) — Free admission for anyone presenting an EBT or WIC card. A world-class art museum featuring architecture, sculpture, and gardens in the heart of the Cranbrook Educational Community. Also includes access to the 40-acre campus grounds with fountains, ponds, and statues.
Cranbrook House (Bloomfield Hills) — Free guided tours of the first floor and 40 acres of gardens for up to four people per SNAP card. Detroit’s oldest surviving historic manor.
Meadow Brook Hall (Rochester Hills) — $3 per person for up to four people per EBT card. A National Historic Landmark and one of the grandest estates in the United States, the 88,000-square-foot manor was built in the 1920s. Tours must be booked by phone at the EBT rate.
Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm — Participates in Museums for All. Contact the museum directly for the current EBT admission rate.
Canton Historical Museum — Participates in Museums for All. Contact the museum for current EBT admission details.
Ella Sharp Museum (Jackson) — Free admission for the entire immediate family (direct dependents only) per Bridge Card. Seven art and history galleries plus a Victorian historic home, one-room schoolhouse, log cabin, and other historic structures on a 530-acre park property.
Grand Rapids and West Michigan — Museums, Zoo, and More
John Ball Zoo (Grand Rapids) — $4 per person for up to four people per Bridge Card. Present your Michigan Bridge Card, out-of-state EBT card, or WIC card with a valid photo ID at the ticket window. Note: Summer EBT/P-EBT cards are not accepted. The discount is not available on certain special event or holiday dates — check the zoo’s website before your visit. In 2026, the zoo is debuting a new North American river otter habitat with underwater viewing tunnels, expanding on their top-25% national ranking.
Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) — Free admission for Bridge Cardholders during regular operating hours. An internationally recognized modern and contemporary art museum in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum — $1.75 per person for up to six people per Michigan Bridge Card. Interactive hands-on exhibits for children covering dinosaurs, marketplaces, bubbles, playgrounds, and more. Exhibits rotate regularly.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids) — $2 per person for EBT cardholders. One of Michigan’s premier cultural destinations, featuring 158 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens, a children’s garden, and one of the world’s finest sculpture collections.
Grand Rapids Public Museum — Participates in the Museums for All program and the Blue Star Museums program (free for active military families each summer). Explore three floors of exhibits and complimentary rides on the 1928 Spillman Carousel with EBT admission.
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA, Grand Rapids) — $1 per person for up to four guests per Bridge Card. Independent films, documentaries, international cinema, art galleries, artists’ markets, and cutting-edge contemporary art exhibits. Free admission for families of veterans and active military at all times.
Air Zoo (Kalamazoo) — Discounted admission through the Museums for All program for up to six people per Bridge Card. Children ages 0 to 4 are always free. Two flight centers with over 100 air and space artifacts. WIC cards also qualify. Confirm the current EBT rate before visiting.
Kalamazoo Valley Museum — Free admission for all visitors regardless of EBT status, making it a standout free resource in the Kalamazoo area.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts — Participates in Museums for All. The museum does not publish their discounted rate publicly — call (269) 349-7775 for the current EBT admission price before visiting.
Kalamazoo Nature Center — Discounted admission for Bridge Cardholders. A 1,100-acre nature preserve with trails, a 1858 homestead, and educational programming. Confirm current EBT rate before visiting.
Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange — If you live in the Kalamazoo area, ask about the Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange, a partnership program among multiple cultural institutions including the Air Zoo, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and others that provides reciprocal access benefits. EBT discounts at individual member venues may be combinable with exchange benefits — check with each venue directly.
Lansing Area — Science Centers and History Museums
Impression 5 Science Center (Lansing) — $2 per person for Bridge Cardholders. Hands-on science exhibits for children and families in downtown Lansing.
Michigan History Center (Lansing) — $3 per person for Bridge Cardholders. A world-class Michigan history museum spanning the state’s past from prehistoric times to the present, operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Abrams Planetarium (East Lansing, MSU campus) — Free admission to public shows for Bridge Card, Medicaid, or WIC cardholders. Public shows are typically scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Confirm the current schedule at the Abrams Planetarium website before visiting.
Michigan State University Extension — Offers free or low-cost nutrition education workshops and cooking demonstrations for Bridge Cardholders through MSU Extension programs statewide. Contact your local MSU Extension office for current offerings.
Flint Area
Flint Institute of Arts — Participates in Museums for All. Present your Bridge Card and photo ID for discounted admission.
Flint Children’s Museum — Discounted admission for Bridge Cardholders. Confirm current EBT rate before visiting.
Saginaw
Saginaw Art Museum — Participates in Museums for All. Present your Bridge Card and photo ID for discounted or free admission.
Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan
Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve (Alpena) — The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers free admission to all visitors. An exceptional free resource for Bridge Cardholders in northeast Michigan.
Additional northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula venues — Over 70 Museums for All participants are spread across Michigan, including institutions in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan. Search by ZIP code at museums4all.org for locations near you.
Ottawa Area Center for the Arts (Holland) — $1 per Person
The Ottawa Area Center for the Arts in Holland offers $1 per person for up to five guests to Bridge Cardholders and WIC cardholders. This discount applies to admission only and not to special classes or programs. Present your SNAP EBT or WIC card and a valid photo ID at the time of admission. Admission cost must be paid with cash or credit card.
Michigan Recreation Passport — $14 State Park Access
The Michigan Recreation Passport provides annual access to Michigan’s state parks, recreation areas, campgrounds, state boat launches, and state trail parking lots for one vehicle for the full calendar year. The standard Recreation Passport costs $14 per year when added to your vehicle registration renewal at the Secretary of State — this is the same price for all Michigan residents, with no additional EBT-specific discount. However, at just $14 for a full year of state park access, it is one of the best outdoor recreation values in the state and particularly relevant for Bridge Cardholders looking to access parks and nature areas at low cost.
Add the Recreation Passport to your vehicle registration online at sos.michigan.gov or in person at a Secretary of State branch.
Transit Discounts — Detroit and Grand Rapids
DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) — Reduced fare cards are available for Detroit-area Bridge Cardholders. Contact DDOT directly at (313) 933-1300 or visit a DDOT customer service center for information on how to apply for a reduced fare card and what documentation is required.
The Rapid (Grand Rapids) — Grand Rapids’s transit system offers a reduced fare Wave card program for eligible low-income riders, including Bridge Cardholders. Contact The Rapid directly or visit ridetherapid.org for enrollment details and current reduced fare amounts.
Phone Service — Lifeline
Michigan Bridge Cardholders automatically qualify for the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25 per month off a monthly phone or internet bill. Many participating Lifeline carriers in Michigan offer unlimited talk and text plans for free or at very low cost for qualifying households, and some include a free smartphone for new enrollees.
To find participating Michigan Lifeline providers and apply, visit lifelinesupport.org or contact a carrier directly.
Internet Service — Discounted Broadband Plans
SNAP enrollment qualifies Michigan households for discounted home internet from several major providers. Comcast Xfinity Internet Essentials, AT&T Access, and other carriers offer reduced-cost plans to qualifying low-income customers in Michigan. Contact your current or prospective internet provider and ask about income-based plans — your Bridge Card is typically the primary qualifying credential.
Summer EBT — SUN Bucks for Children
Michigan participates in the SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program, which provides $120 per eligible child, loaded directly onto an EBT card, to buy groceries during summer when school meals are unavailable. The benefit covers children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the school year. Most Michigan SNAP households with eligible children receive SUN Bucks automatically without a separate application.
Free School Meals for Children
Michigan SNAP households automatically qualify their school-age children for free school meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Most Michigan school districts use direct certification — you do not need to file a separate application if your household already receives Food Assistance.
Energy Bill Assistance — LIHEAP and MDHHS Emergency Services
Michigan SNAP households automatically qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps pay heating and cooling costs — important in Michigan’s cold winters. Michigan also operates additional state-level emergency energy assistance through MDHHS for households facing utility shutoffs or energy emergencies.
Contact your local MDHHS office or a Michigan community action agency to apply for energy assistance. Funding is seasonal and can run out — applying early in the heating season is strongly recommended.
WIC — Additional Food Benefits for Young Families
If your household includes a pregnant person, a new mother, or children under age 5, you may qualify for WIC in addition to the Food Assistance Program. Michigan WIC provides monthly benefits for specific nutritious foods. Apply through your local MDHHS WIC clinic or health department. Bridge Card enrollment does not automatically enroll you in WIC — a separate application is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discounts can I get with a Michigan Bridge Card?
Michigan Bridge Cardholders can access free or discounted admission at over 70 museums, zoos, science centers, and cultural venues statewide; unlimited produce matching at 240+ farmers market and grocery locations through Double Up Food Bucks; free access to 400+ attractions through the Michigan Activity Pass at your public library; reduced transit fares in Detroit (DDOT) and Grand Rapids (The Rapid); half-price Amazon Prime at $6.99 per month; phone discounts through Lifeline; discounted internet service; Summer EBT ($120 per child); and free school meals for children.
How does Double Up Food Bucks work in Michigan?
Double Up Food Bucks Michigan matches your Bridge Card spending on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables dollar for dollar — with no daily cap — at more than 240 participating farmers markets and grocery locations. At farmers markets, go to the information booth before shopping and exchange Bridge Card funds for SNAP tokens and matching Double Up tokens. At participating stores, use the Double Up Card or MyFresh Wallet app to track your match automatically. Find locations at doubleupfoodbucks.org. Note: Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart do not currently participate.
What is the Michigan Activity Pass?
The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) is a free program available to anyone with a Michigan public library card — including Bridge Cardholders. It lets you check out seven-day passes to more than 400 Michigan cultural attractions, state parks, and recreation areas. Passes are checked out at your local library branch. Visit michigan.gov/map for the current list of participating destinations and how to check out passes at your library.
Can I get into the Detroit Institute of Arts for free with a Bridge Card?
Almost — Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents pay no admission at the DIA regardless of EBT status. For residents of other Michigan counties, the DIA offers $3 per person for up to four people with a Bridge Card. Show your Bridge Card and photo ID at the ticket window.
Does John Ball Zoo accept Michigan Bridge Cards?
Yes. John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids offers $4 per person admission for up to four people to Michigan Bridge Card, out-of-state EBT, and WIC cardholders through the Museums for All program. Present your card and photo ID at the ticket window. Summer EBT/P-EBT cards are not accepted. The discount is not available on certain special event dates — check jbzoo.org before your visit.
Is the Grand Rapids Art Museum free for Bridge Cardholders?
Yes. The Grand Rapids Art Museum offers free admission to Bridge Cardholders during regular operating hours. Show your Bridge Card and a valid photo ID at the ticket window.
Can I use my Bridge Card at farmers markets?
Yes. At over 240 participating Michigan farmers markets, you can use your Bridge Card to pay for any SNAP-eligible food and receive matching Double Up Food Bucks tokens to spend on Michigan-grown produce with no daily dollar cap. Go to the information booth before you start shopping to set up your tokens for that visit. Find participating markets at doubleupfoodbucks.org.
How do I get Amazon Prime at half price with my Michigan Bridge Card?
Sign up at Amazon’s SNAP discount page and upload a photo of your Michigan Bridge Card or SNAP benefit letter to verify enrollment. The discounted rate is $6.99 per month versus the standard $14.99. A credit or debit card is required as a backup payment method. A free 30-day trial is available if you have never had Prime before.
Bottom Line
Michigan’s EBT discount landscape is extensive and particularly strong for families. The combination of unlimited Double Up Food Bucks matching at more than 240 locations, the Michigan Activity Pass covering 400+ attractions through any library card, and free or deeply discounted admission at over 70 museums and cultural venues statewide makes the Bridge Card one of the most valuable state EBT programs in the country.
If you have not yet used Double Up Food Bucks, that is the highest-value Michigan-specific benefit — your Bridge Card’s produce budget can go twice as far every time you shop at a participating farmers market or store. And if you have a public library card, the Michigan Activity Pass can cover visits to major attractions at no extra cost.
For the full list of stores that accept your Bridge Card for groceries, see our guide to grocery stores that take EBT. To see everything SNAP covers at the store, check our guide on surprising things you can buy with EBT. And to find out how much in Food Assistance benefits you may qualify for, use our SNAP Eligibility Calculator.
Last updated: 2026 | Discount programs, admission rates, and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Summer EBT/P-EBT cards are not accepted at most Michigan EBT discount venues — the discount applies to the regular Michigan Bridge Card only. Verify current details with each venue or program before visiting. The Michigan Bridge Card is issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).