Why you should have a local museum membership and what it can do for you.
Numerous museums and science centers around the globe offer a very nice perk to those members who may be traveling outside of their immediate radius. In addition to the benefits of having a museum membership for your cultural health and awareness, there may be some other perks you're not aware of.
I'm talking about the concept of reciprocity. In effect, if you are a member of a museum, or science center, that participate in this concept then you may be able to visit museums and science centers while traveling, for free! There are several programs available and these reciprocity benefits truly are global. This post will take a quick glance at some of these programs and provide links to their websites to see if you have one in your area. Then you can take advantage of the free access in your next adventure and expose the family to different cultural and scientific experiences elsewhere. There are often geographic limitations on the reciprocity so that if one facility is too close to your home museum (e.g. within 90 miles), then it won't be applicable. You'll want to check each program to see what their guidelines are.
North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM)
NARM launched in Florida during the 1980's by a few museums looking to provide extra member benefits and to expand their member's horizons. Fast forward to today and there are now over 1300 participating museums in 6 countries. these facilities range from arts and cultural venues, to children's museum and science centers. If you have a membership to any of those participating locations you will automatically gain this benefit. There is no need to sign up separately for it. To see a list of locations that offer this reciprocity check out the NARM website.
Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Similar to the above this one tends to lean more towards the science centers rather than the arts. Absolutely one of my favorite programs I have saved hundred of dollars using it around North America to obtain free access to one of the insane number of venues that recognize this globally. Most recently I visited the Telus Spark Science Center in Calgary, Alberta, and gained free admission for our family plus one grandmum. Read about the Telus Spark and other Calgary kid-friendly activities in our post here.
While predominantly North American, there are facilities in 13 different countries around the world that you can visit. The perks typically depend on your level of membership at your home facility in such that if you have an individual membership, the same would be applicable at the one you are visiting so you'd have free access for an individual. Family memberships would bestow family access and so forth. Each center determines their own benefit so it might not be free entry but rather a reduced one although every one I've visited has been free. Check this list on the ASTC website to see what locations are available and what their policy is.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
Animals more your thing? Then if you have a membership at one of these participating North American locations you can visit a range of different zoos and aquariums for free, or at worst at 50% off the admission.
Association of Children's Museums (ACM)
If you travel with kids then this is one you want to look into. In this case the participating museums will offer a 50% off of the admission price for up to 6 people. There are currently 200 museums in Canada and the United States that offer this reciprocity. See if yours is one of them, and if there is one in your destination on this list.
Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)
This last one works very similarly to the ASTC list and has 447 members. This benefit is bestowed on those members who have spent $100+ on their local museum membership. The participating facilities tend to lean more towards art and history so if that piques your interest then you'll want to see if you have a venue on this list that you can visit. ROAM is also predominantly North America with a couple of extra locations in the mix.
Summary
The above list is by no means complete so I suggest that if you currently have a membership to a museum, science centre, zoo, history centre, that you dig into the details and see what program, or programs, you may actually have access to. Depending on your membership you may even qualify for more than one of these benefits. In my case, I have a Carnegie Museum family pass that grants me both the ROAM and the ASTC perks so I am never giving up that museum membership! I love visiting museums and science centers with my family and the ability to do so abroad for free, or on the cheap, vastly improves my travel experience and broadens my horizons.
Not only do these venues provide us with entertainment and knowledge but they give a new perspective on locations that you might otherwise miss while traveling. I highly recommend looking into getting a membership at your local museum/zoo/science center and giving yourself the chance to explore the world in a different capacity.
Thanks for the read and Happy Travels!
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