Summer is almost here and its the perfect time to get a membership at your favorite museum. We’ve put together a list of five good reasons why a museum membership is a good idea. The benefits of museum membership often extend well beyond a financial savings and include exclusive experiences only available to members. Plus, there’s something for everyone — fine art, science, history and culture — as the local museum community offers memberships at virtually every museum and/or destination. You can explore the membership programs at more than 5o museums in one guide by clicking here.
1. You save money!
With an annual Museum membership, one person, a couple, or the entire family can visit as often as they’d like for a full year. That’s right – a membership can includes the whole family in a household, not just one person. Memberships don’t just come in one size. Doing some quick math, most memberships more than pay for themselves in just a couple visits. Membership also comes with other benefits, like discounted guest admission tickets, exhibit sneak peeks, discounts at gift shops and restaurants, exclusive members-only events, and more. That’s a great deal!
2. First in the Know!
Museums bring in new exhibits throughout the year, there’s always something new for kids and families to discover. Members are the first to hear about new exhibits and you’ll be invited to previews and member only events. Plus many museums offer free subscription to e-newsletters or magazines — so you won’t miss out on anything happening at your favorite museum.
2. Discounts on Food & Gifts!
Who doesn’t love special discounts? Memberships benefits usually include discounts in museum shops and restaurants. You may also receive discounts on parking, museum camps and even birthday parties. Some museums are part of nationwide reciprocity programs and provide FREE ACCESS to similar museums in other cities around the country.
3. Amazing Gift Idea!
Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, birthdays, or holidays – most people would agree that FUN experiences are at the top of their list. Museum memberships are quick, easy, and providing hours of FUN. Set yourself up as the perfect gift-giver with something thoughtful. Whether someone likes space, history, nature, art, or science, there will always be a museum or attraction that can fit the bill! Find the perfect gift membership in our Museum Membership Guide here.
4. The “Big Exchange”
San Diego provides and EXTRA SPECIAL benefit to purchasing a museum membership! Get ready for BIG FUN during The Big Exchange coming May 1 – 18. If you hold a participating museum membership, or purchase a new one, you can visit for FREE more than 40 San Diego museums during The Big Exchange from May 1 to 18. It’s our THANK YOU to you for supporting San Diego’s museums. Find all the details and download a digital guide here.
Click here to see participating museums from throughout the County including the USS Midway Museum, The New Children’s Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, California Surf Museum and 40 more!
5. People
Our final reason is a big one: people. By purchasing a membership and supporting a museum, you are in turn supporting the people who work there. These are your neighbors, friends; people who work every day to make our city a place that people want to experience for themselves. By supporting our museums, aquariums, zoos, historic sites and parks, you are helping support the more than 10,000 employees and volunteers that make our institutions great. Plus investing in our museums is an investment in the future of San Diego.
