How To Save Money With Reciprocal Museum Memberships

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As frequent travelers and homeschoolers, we like to save money wherever we can and love visiting local museums and science centers, since they offer a hands-on educational experience. One of the best kept secrets in travel is to purchase a membership at your local science center that is part of the ASTC Travel Passport program, and you will get free or heavily discounted admission to museums, zoos and aquariums all over the US and even some international destinations. We have a membership to our local science center however one of the best deals is the Western North Carolina Nature Center, at just $89 for a family membership,. Word got out about this deal, so it’s taking them longer than normal to process memberships. Be sure to get one if you plan on visiting any of the participating museums, zoos and aquariums in the near future!

Curious where you can get free admission too with this membership? Here is an updated list of zoos and aquariums where you can get free or discounted admission. And here are museums and science centers, including many children museums.

You cannot get free admission to science centers & museums located within 90 miles* of the science center or museum where you are a member.

We have used our membership all over the US and even some international destinations! There aren’t many international museums yet, but they’re being added monthly it seems! One of the best values was during our trip to Seattle and Portland. Admission to all the museums and science centers we visited would have cost us over $200 but it was free with our membership. Admission to most museums is $15 or more, so your membership pays for itself after just one use in most cases, especially if you have a large family.

Are you taking advantage of this awesome deal? Tell us what your favorite museums, zoos or aquariums have been in the comments!