Museums & Zoos: are they affordable?
When we first moved to California last year, lots of families were buzzing about the Academy of Sciences in SF, a museum that had undergone a 5-year, $500 million reconstruction project. When I saw the the $29.95 price tag (per adult), my jaw dropped. For my family, a day at the Academy $100. I realize that this is probably on the high end of any museum.
Many eons ago, when we had just moved to Portland, we wanted to frequent the Oregon Zoo. With a newborn and preschooler happy to gawk and animals any day, I was a mama on a 4-month maternity leave, lots of time to spend at the zoo! When I looked at the prices, I wasn't sure if we would take the leap. Then, we got to talking with another parent, and ended up sharing a family "plus" membership, which would allow me one free guest every visit (perhaps my spouse, or a friend) and my kids were still free at that time. The "plus" membership also came with passes to Zoo lights and other special events. Score!
Admittedly, we were working the system, but - gosh - at the time, it seemed like a reasonable thing to do. I have a single parent friend looking to partner with another single parent to "share" memberships to a couple of institutions that were perfect for her kids ages - the zoo and children's museum.
Now, there are museum passes at many libraries that are available to borrow: the Children's Museum pass at Multnomah County Libraries and - now, in the east bay area - we find passes for a multitude of museums via the libraries of Contra Costa County, Alameda County, Berkeley, Oakland and many more through the "Discover & Go" program. Without such a program, going to the zoo, zoo, zoo could amount to the sort of thing that is reserved for special occasions.
Do you frequent museums & zoos? Do you find them affordable? When has it made sense to join certain institutions?
We go to them---but I do find them all really $$$, particularly for what you get. Not to mention the captive food and beverage outlets that charge first tier theme park prices.
While admittedly museums are much more expensive in cities like NYC, Chicago and LA--but you do tend to get more for your money. For example, the Oregon Coast Aquarium can be done in about an hour----and our family of 3 has spent $50 ($19 per adult, $12 for our tween).
Interestingly, the Museum of Natural History in NYC is also $19 for basic adult admission. Their evolutionary halls alone can take 2 hours to explore. For $25 you can add the Hayden Planetarium (which is also mind blowing). For $33 you can do those two, any special exhibits and IMAX. Which honestly might take more than a single day to do!
In my case I really don't mind paying for these things---I know the $$$ goes to fund the exhibits. I just don't see why we pay world calss prices for less than world class attractions.
Posted by: zumpie | July 10, 2012 at 09:00 PM
Yea,I was stunned by the price of that museum on our first visit...but totally worth it (esp because my guys are still free). We're prepping for a trip to SF next week and found this great site for a list of different museum discounts at bay area museums: http://savvycities.com/bay-area/museum-free-days/
Posted by: SMx | July 10, 2012 at 11:11 PM
http://astc.org/members/passlist_about.htm
Join one, get into others around the country for free. Great for vacations and cities where the grandparents live. Another tip? Join a museum in the network that has the lowest member fees and then use the passport program.
Second, don't be shy about asking grandparents and aunts and uncles for a family membership instead of another plastic toy at holiday time. This gift benefits the whole family and lasts all year.
Posted by: hillsdale mum | July 11, 2012 at 08:33 AM
I do agree they can sometimes be pricey, but I would also mention that often our kids grandparents ask what to get them for birthday/Christmas gifts, and we've LOVED getting the Zoo/OMSI/Children's Museum annual passes that way. Between two kids and multiple holidays, one pass that we use all year (instead of another toy that is quickly forgotten), is such a treat and truly a 'gift that keeps on giving'!
Posted by: anon | July 11, 2012 at 12:02 PM
We have been zoo members for years because as soon as my oldest almost aged out of the zoo, my youngest aged into it. In addition, my parents try to watch my youngest fairly often and the zoo is an easy place for them to take her and she loves it. We decided on the membership when it became apparent that one or the other of our kids could really only stay for about 90 minutes at a time - too expensive for general admission. Now we can go whenever and not worry if we don't spend a lot of time.
Posted by: Maggie | July 11, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Just a note that the Oregon Historical Society is free for all Multnomah County residents ... go on Wednesday or Saturday, and you can combine a Farmer's Market visit.
Posted by: kt | July 11, 2012 at 12:47 PM
I think it becomes a value to join a membership when you frequent the museum more than twice a year or if you join a membership that allows you to visit partner museums in other states. I've actually found this to be the greatest value since museums in other states can be so much more costly than say OMSI. The Academy of Sciences is pretty cool but at that price tag, I won't be visiting it again anytime soon. I did go to the Japanese gardens in SF which was a mere $4 a few years ago versus the $9 it cost in Portland. I have reserved the CM pass through the library and it took 1.5 years to get it!
Posted by: Kittie | July 11, 2012 at 03:53 PM
OMSI and the zoo both have scholarships for low income families. I don't think OMSI ever even asked for proof of income. When we first had kids, our income dropped substantially. I found it pretty easy to be a low dough mama in Portland - So many free and reduced price options, especially in summer!
Posted by: lea | July 15, 2012 at 12:12 AM
I have ticket price sticker shock very often, incl. the obligatory snacks (even when I bring my own, they taunt us). We are able to get a family OMSI pass through our Boys and Girls club for a very small fee. We used to do a Children's Museum one, but I did it as a 1+1 so only I could go (vs. my husband being on the membership). The family passes are not as good of a deal with only one child and no grandparents in town and often only one parent going with said child. They probably pay off in one visit for a large group vs. 4-6 visits for me and m ine. The one we splurge on is Evergreen, and I find that one annoying that it is a 'family' pass yet only in my husband's name so that I cannot take the child on my own. So that is often what they do on 'school's out days' vs. I will do OMSI after school for just a few hours. I have noticed more places doing 1+1 memberships, which is nice to keep the cost down when one is not a family of 4.
Posted by: spottie | July 19, 2012 at 09:11 PM