Family Memberships Pay Off

Those summer afternoons can get long. Why not purchase a membership to your favorite museum so you can visit any time? Most family memberships pay off after only one or two visits, and you’ll also get special member benefits such as discounts at the museum store, discounted tickets to events and more. And, if you’re planning to travel this summer, you can save even more because many memberships come with reciprocal discounts at museums across the United States.

For example, a basic family membership to the Tulsa Zoo is $159, which includes basic benefits for two adults and four children younger than 18. General admission tickets without a membership are $17.99 for adults and $14.99 for children. You can see how a family membership would pay off after a couple of visits.

Save When You Travel

Reciprocity programs allow families to save when they travel. Not every zoo or museum has a program, but many do. Here are a few that you can take advantage of when you buy a membership at some of our local attractions. Not only will you save money here and when you travel, you’ll be supporting these museums so that your family can continue to have experiences for years to come.

AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) Reciprocity

The Tulsa Zoo’s homepage, tulsazoo.org, has a click-through that takes you to a list of zoos and aquariums across the U.S. and Canada that reciprocate “in-kind” with the same discount that you get at your home zoo or aquarium. For example, the Tulsa Zoo is listed as a 50% discount, so other zoos and aquariums on the list will provide a 50% discount. Always call ahead to confirm that discounts will be honored at the attraction you are visiting.

North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association

Individuals and families can join their favorite NARM participating institution and receive membership cards from the home institution. You can find NARM members at narmassociation.org. Search the member map or download the NARM member list of museums that will provide reciprocal membership benefits.

You will receive free member admission during regular museum hours, member discounts at museum shops and discounts on concert/lecture tickets. Be sure to check with the institution to understand specific benefits or restrictions. Member institutions are grouped by type, such as “Aquarium,” “Architecture & Design,” “Family,” “Natural History,” “Science & Technology,” “Art,” “Arboretum/Gardens,” “Zoo,” etc.

Tulsa NARM Association members include 108 Contemporary, Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium, Gilcrease Museum, and Arts@302 in Broken Arrow.

Children’s Museums: ACM Reciprocal Network

The ACM (Association of Children’s Museums) Network is a voluntary group of ACM member museums across the U.S. and Canada that reciprocate discounted admission to each other’s members.

Over 200 museums participate in the network and reciprocate 50% off general admission for up to six people. The card holder must be present for discounted admission and must present a valid museum membership card with the red Reciprocal Network logo.

You can search for reciprocal museums on findachildrensmuseum.org. Tulsa’s Discovery Lab and Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole are listed. Other children’s museums include Chicago Children’s Museum, Children’s Museum Houston and Boston Children’s Museum. If you’re traveling this summer, take a look at the map to find a children’s museum on the way or near your destination.

Before you go, check the ACM Reciprocal Network website for more tips.