Oh the Places You'll Go!

Natural history museum with blue whale skeleton (Pixabay)

When my daughter was little, we visited aquariums, big and small museums, science centers, historical places, zoos and farms, art galleries, children's museums, attractions, and more. We used museum passes from our local library to try new experiences, and purchased memberships of favorite places, especially ones that included special perks (like discounted parking at New England Aquarium) or reciprocal and affiliate programs. We still do.

It pays to shop around when buying an annual membership. As a mid-level member, you pay a higher annual price, but get so much more in return.* For example, in Massachusetts:

EcoTarium's You & Me dual membership ($150) includes free or reduced admission to 350+ ASTC locations; 50% off general admission at 200 ACM children’s museums; and free admission to 1,000+ NARM museums, botanical gardens, and zoos.

Historic New England's Contributor membership ($148) includes unlimited free tour admission to all 38 HNE sites for three adults plus the primary members' children or grandchildren under age 18, and reciprocal admission to 1,400+ NARM museums and cultural sites.

Old Colony History Museum's Supporter membership ($100) includes free admission for up to four adults to the museum and library and two member cards with NARM benefits.

Peabody Essex Museum's Sponsor membership ($300) includes unlimited free admission for two and reciprocal admission to 1,500+ NARM and CAMM sites.

Worcester Art Museum's Level 3 membership for two members ($125) includes free admission to the museum and all exhibits, free tickets to programs and events, and reciprocal membership at 1,400+ museums through NARM, MARP, and ROAM programs.

Zoo New England's Dual membership ($100) includes free or reduced admission to 140+ other zoos nationwide.

* Benefits also may include discounts for food, shops, events and special programs, guest tickets, parking, priority entry, and more. 

So what do those acronyms mean? 

ACM: Association of Children’s Museums (look for a red R button for ACM Reciprocal Network): https://findachildrensmuseum.org/

AHS: American Horticultural Society: https://ahsgardening.org/ahs-garden-network/

America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

ANCA: Association of Nature Center: https://natctr.org/membership/reciprocal-program

ASTC: Association of Science and Technology Centers: Passport Program: https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/

AZA: Association of Zoos and Aquariums: https://www.aza.org/reciprocity/

CAMM: Council of American Maritime Museums: https://councilofamericanmaritimemuseums.org/membership/reciprocal-admissions/ 

MARP: Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program: https://sites.google.com/view/marplist/list-by-state 

Museums for All: an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services for free or reduced admission to more than 1,600 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting your EBT card and a photo ID https://museums4all.org/

NARM: North American Reciprocal Museum Association: 1,400+ art museums and galleries, historical museums and societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, and more https://narmassociation.org/ 

ROAM: Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums: 500+ institutions: https://sites.google.com/site/roammuseums/home/reciprocal-benefits-and-guidelines?authuser=0 

Smithsonian Affiliations: https://affiliations.si.edu/affiliate-directory/ 

Smithsonian Institution: https://www.si.edu/ 17 free museums and the National Zoo in Washington, DC

Other tips

Check with your town or city to learn about free admissions or special pricing for locals. For example, people who live or work in Salem, Massachusetts, receive free admission to the Peabody Essex Museum. Boston has free residents' days at local institutions. And whenever you travel, check for free and discounted pricing at the welcome center or city website.

Your local library may offer free or discounted passes for library cardholders.

AAA and AARP memberships offer discounts to museums, zoos, attractions, events, and travel.