By Monique Roth

LAPLACE — If you’re looking for plans next weekend that include fun for all ages and a price tag that’s easy on the wallet, then you’re in luck — 10 museums from New Orleans to Baton Rouge will offer free admission for two people in each household.

The Smithsonian Institution, America’s national educational facility with 19 museums, nine research centers and more than 180 affiliates around the world, is partnering with museums all over the country to offer free admission Sept. 27 for two guests on its 10th annual Museum Day.

For one day only, participating museums across the state, with a wide range of diverse exhibitions, will emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s facilities, which offer free admission everyday, and open their doors for free to those who download a Museum Day ticket.

The Museum Day ticket, available at smithsonianmag.com/museumday, will provide free admission for two people to a number of museums.

To receive your free Museum Day ticket, visit the website to register for an account. Once registered, you can request a ticket to one participating venue. The ticket will be available to download immediately up to the date of the event. You must print your ticket and present it to receive your free admission or have it accessible on your mobile device, pending museum participation.

Paul Aucoin, board member of the River Region Arts and Humanities Council and executive director of the Port of South Louisiana, said he still remembers trips to New Orleans with his great aunt to visit all of the museums there.

“I can’t stress how important it is for children to be exposed to museums,” Aucoin said. “It opens up a whole new world.”

He said when he became old enough to drive he would often take his brothers and sisters to the same museums he frequented with his great aunt as a child. He said it’s important for parents to expose their children to the arts, including museums, because it’s something children can’t experience on their own.

Now, as an adult, Aucoin said when he visits certain parts of New Orleans he is filled with wonderful memories of the educational and fun trips he took there and all of the museums he was fortunate enough to explore.

Area museums participating in Museum Day include :

Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., New Orleans

Longue Vue House and Garden, 7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans

The National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans

Hermann-Grima Historic House Museum, 820/818 St. Louis St., New Orleans

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, 423 Canal St., New Orleans

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, 724 Dumaine St., New Orleans

Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., New Orleans

Gallier Historic House, 1132 Royal St., New Orleans

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans

LSU Museum of Art, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge