maryavan's comments

Family Entertainment Ideas that Will Not Break the Bank

24 Jul 2007 12:54 PM

If you do have a membership in a local museum or zoo, check to see if it has reciprocal free admissions w/ other facilities. This can be a GREAT money saver when on vacation. Indy museums and zoo do not participate in the reciprocal programs (where we live). But in the past, when we knew we'd be in Florida multiple times where there were 4 participating zoos, we bought a family membership at a zoo 3hrs from our house. For only $55, we got into 4 zoos! Very good value! There is a large group of museums that also have a similar program. There are a lot of kid based museums around the country that belong--just not my museum.

Also, just a thought for anyone who has family memberships plus one or two free guests to a zoo or museum. We have a family plus 2 guests children's museum membership. For only $20 more a year than the reg. family membership, we can bring anyone in w/ us. Since the adult admission is 12.50 (no kidding), just one trip w/ the grandparents justifies the extra money.

Soooo....since we can bring ANY two people, a right we've paid for...plus the fact I think our adult rates are simply ridiculous... I sometimes "pick up" 2 adults in the ticket line when we don't have guests. We did this last Sunday. I am very shy, but find some nerve at the museum. I just approach strangers, explain we have the bonus membership, and offer to bring 2 adults in for free w/ us. All they have to do is walk through the checkin person w/ us. they buy the tickets for the kids. Then they are off their merry way. $25 savings can do a lot for a young family even if they just spend it on something else frivolous that day. $25 is lunch for the whole family,4 movie matinees, or $25 can buy the largest Carnegie dino in the gift shop.