How Reciprocal Memberships Save My Family Money on Vacation
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How Reciprocal Memberships Save My Family Money on Vacation


Over the past year, my kids learned how to grow vegetables at a Montreal science center, explored a replica of a famous shipwreck at a Vermont science museum, hiked to a famous “ singing tower” in a picturesque garden on Lake Wales, Florida. , and dug for dinosaur bones at an Orlando science center.

And the best? Admission was free thanks to reciprocal membership. Our only cost was our annual family membership fees to our local science center and botanical garden in South Florida.

Science centers, zoos, aquariums and gardens are already places we seek out on vacation, and having access to free or discounted entry is a huge perk.

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Here’s how it works: Many science centers, zoos, aquariums and gardens are part of larger associations that offer a major benefit to their members: reciprocal membership programs, which offer free or reduced admission to members visiting attractions partners outside their region of origin.

The Bailey family at the Florida Aquarium
My family at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa (Photo: Linnea Bailey)

Since our family lives in West Palm Beach, we belong to three phenomenal local organizations: the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Mounts Botanical Garden, and the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society. All are within a few miles of us and we pay annual membership fees which grant us free entry throughout the year.

For frequent travelers, one of the most valuable benefits of membership is reciprocal admission. Through the participation of our home organizations in reciprocal admissions programs through ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers), AHS (American Horticultural Society), and AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), we enjoy free entry to more than 350 science museums and 345 public gardens, as well as free or reduced entry to more than 140 zoos, aquariums and museums.

Here are some of the reasons we love taking advantage of the reciprocal benefits of our membership when we travel.

You will have free activity options.

With our family of five, entry to sites and attractions can quickly become expensive. In Montreal, I researched the cost of visiting the La Ronde amusement park or the Voiles en Voiles family adventure park; both were expensive. But when I realized we had free admission to the Montreal Science Center (with a prime location in the Old Port of Montreal), it gave us an exciting attraction to visit and left us with more money to spend elsewhere. The science museum turned out to be so much fun that we spent the whole day there.

The day’s itinerary is taken care of.

Child in a model airplane at the Orlando Science CenterChild in a model airplane at the Orlando Science Center
At the Orlando Science Center (Photo: Linnea Bailey)

At a science museum, zoo or aquarium, lectures, educational activities and shows are usually scheduled throughout the day. In a garden, there are paths to walk and sites to see. The advantage of each of them is that they require no advance planning at home; you can simply show up and follow the day’s activity schedule or a map.

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At the five-story Orlando Science Center, my kids participated in a “Cool Science” show on liquid nitrogen, a presentation on the power of electricity, an interactive lecture on astronomy and at a 3D printing workshop. There were also two state-of-the-art movie theaters with daily showings. The day was packed with options and we didn’t have to plan anything.

You will meet other families and make new friends.

My children love making new friends on vacation and I have found that science centers, zoos, aquariums and gardens are the perfect places to meet and play with other children.

At the Montreal Science Center, we befriended a French-Canadian family as our children followed animal tracks in the forest of an exhibit. The children were the same age and were soon playing together. By the end of the afternoon, my children had learned a few French phrases and were delighted to have had the chance to socialize with children their age.

You will learn about the history and ecology of a destination.

Two children playing with a water exhibit at A t ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a science and nature museum in Burlington, VermontTwo children playing with a water exhibit at A t ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, a science and nature museum in Burlington, Vermont
At ECHO, Leahy Center of Lake Champlain (Photo: Linnea Bailey)

During each of our adventures, we gained a deeper understanding of a place’s history and ecosystems.

In a huge aquarium at the Lake ECHO science and nature museum, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, in Burlington, Vermont, my children came face to face with some of the lake’s largest species of fish, including the lake sturgeon, rainbow tuna and canal. catfish. We learned about the lake’s robust freshwater ecosystem and its benefits to countless species of animals and plants.

At Harry P. Leu Gardens near downtown Orlando, we explored a 50-acre botanical oasis and learned all about which plants grow best (and why) in the area. At Mead Botanical Gardens near Winter Park, we wandered through stunning butterfly gardens and learned about local pollinators.

Partner attractions are fun for all ages.

We sometimes have extended family with us on trips and I’ve always been impressed by the way science centers, zoos, aquariums and gardens cater to multi-generational groups.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins ​​were with us on a trip to the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida, and everyone had a great time. We hand-fed giraffes, spotted meerkats, participated in a rhino encounter, and even went kayaking.

We recently took our nephew (6) with us to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales and he and my three children (aged 5, 5 and 8) loved exploring the gardens designed by Olmsted and hiking to the top of Iron Mountain.

The employees are a great source of knowledge for curious children.

When children are interested in what they see, guides can make all the difference.

At the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, we took a trip through Madagascar’s habitat to see species only found in this island country: ring-tailed lemurs, tomato frogs, and a colorful coral reef.

My children were fascinated and asked many questions about the animals of Madagascar and their way of life. Two knowledgeable staff took their time to answer my children’s questions and taught them more than they would ever have learned from a textbook.

Tips for enjoying the reciprocal benefits of membership when you travel:

  1. Check the Reciprocal Membership Chart (usually linked to your home organization’s website) for lists of organizations offering reciprocal benefits.
  2. Call ahead to the attractions you plan to visit and confirm reciprocal membership benefits, hours and guidelines.
  3. Be aware of proximity limits (some attractions only offer reciprocal entry to visitors residing more than 90 miles away, for example).
  4. Carry a photo ID and any membership cards from the organizations whose benefits you will have access to.
  5. Wear comfortable shoes and bring hats, sunscreen and water if you are outdoors.
  6. Be prepared for kid-friendly gift shops. Your children will want to buy everything.

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