One of the things that I love most about having memberships to local museums is the reciprocity benefits that they offer. In my opinion, if you travel at all, it is worth it to get the next level up for these perks. A note I should include is that many of these programs do have restrictions, such as being able to use them only outside of a 90 mile radius, so it is smart to call ahead.
Become a member of any of these and join the ASTC program with over 360 participating science museums. For this one, you must be 90 miles outside of Nauticus AND 90 miles away from your home, as the crow flies. You will need your ID and your membership card. A note: All Nauticus memberships include this, but at other museums, like the Children's Museum, you'll need the higher level membership.
Some favorites that you can use this include the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Marbles Children's Museum in Raleigh, and the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. It's a little further away, but we have also used it at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. Although we haven't been yet, the Children's Science Center in Fairfax, the Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke, the Virginia Discovery Museum, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and Port Discovery in Elizabeth City are all included in this also.
The Children's Museum of Virginia:
If you're a member of the Children's Museum and you are level Stargazer or above, in addition to the ASTC program listed above, you'll have access to NARM, the North American Reciprocal Museum Association. Use this in Richmond at The American Civil War Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Maymont, and the Wilton House Museum or at several other museums across Virginia and more. These feature a lot of history and art museums. You'll also join the American Children's Museum Reciprocal Network. We have used this to get into Port Discovery in Baltimore and the Richmond Children's Museums for half price.
The Virginia Zoo/ Virginia Aquarium/ The Living Museum:
Both our zoo and aquarium are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. If you are a member of one, you can get in the other for half off. Also use this at the Baltimore zoo and several zoos and aquariums in North Carolina including the OBX Aquarium.
Our gardens are part of the American Horticultural Society, with over 300 other gardens. Use this at Maymont and Lewis Ginter in Richmond as well as several other gardens across the US for free admission.
We love these programs because they allow us to visit places while out of town. Check your memberships before you travel. You may find something new!
