Contributing Writers: Veronica Torok and Ashley Welch
Cultural activities abound for New York families. And one of the great ways to enjoy them and save money is a family
membership. Whether the object of your family affection is our zoos or
botanical gardens, great museums, or live performance venues–or any
combination of them–there are some wonderful deals to be had. How big a deal? We did the calculation for you! Enjoy
our round-up, and if there are other institutions who we overlooked,
call them. They may offer a family membership plan that you may not be
aware of. —
Editor’s
Note: Admission calculated for a family of four—2 adults, 2 children under the
age of 12.
ANIMALS
Wildlife
Conservation Society (Includes: Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo,
Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo)
Bronx
Zoo Admission
(total experience): $100
New
York Aquarium Admission
(total experience): $68
Central
Park Zoo Admission
(total experience): $62
Prospect
Park Zoo Admission:
$26
Queens
Zoo Admission:
$26
Whether
your family frequents the same park several times a year, or you decide to make
a stop at each one just once, this family membership, which costs $159, and
includes full access to all five venues, more than pays for itself.
GARDENS
As
admission to the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is $20, a family would
benefit from a family membership if they visited the gardens five times. At
$85, the Gardens’ family membership is perfect for families that like to
surround themselves with gorgeous green space from time to time.
At
$120, membership to the NY Botanical Garden is just $8 more than the cost of
two family visits to the Garden ($56 per visit). If your family loves the
forest trails and landscape gardens of the NYBG, membership is a smart way to
spend some time with nature.
A
family would save by purchasing a $75 family membership and frequenting
Riverdale’s iconic Wave Hill just four times, as compared with paying $20
admission each visit. Membership is a great option to take advantage of Wave
Hill’s myriad programs and magnificent landscapes.
MUSEUMS
American
Museum of Natural History
The
$125 family membership at the American Museum of Natural History is an
excellent opportunity to take advantage of all of the Museum’s brain-bending
exhibits, which would cost nearly as much ($105) for a family of four in a
single visit.
Express
entry lets family membership holders skip lines to get into the Brooklyn
Children’s Museum, and considering the $30 normal admission price, three visits
make the family membership an oh-so smart purchase.
Family
membership at the Children’s Museum of the Arts (soon to be in its new space!)
is $250 and includes access to the museum, special member events and discounts.
As normal admission is $40, family membership is best for those who intend to
visit frequently or have a special interest in being patrons of the museum.
Children’s
Museum of Manhattan
Pop
over to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan five times in order to justify the
$210 membership, as one-time admission is otherwise $44. CMOM is known for its
fascinating exhibits and weekly programs for young children, so your family may
wish to return even after several visits.
At
$36 each, four trips to the Guggenheim are slightly more expensive than the
$135 membership, so for young aficionados of New York’s favorite spiral-shaped
museum, a family membership is an appropriate option.
A
family membership to the Intrepid is a great way to see the ship thoroughly.
Only two visits make the membership worthwhile, compared to the $72-$86 single
family admission cost. Anchors aweigh!
Family
membership to the Jewish Museum is just under the cost of six $24 visits, so
the $135 price tag will give arty folk that return to the museum often a
thorough understanding of Jewish heritage, as well as access to many
activities.
Three
visits to the Liberty Science Center make LSC’s $140 family membership a
prudent option instead of the $54.50 admission, so consider this for the
budding scientists in your home.
The
Met has an extremely vast collection, and as little ones’ attention spans are
limited, you may want to return to the museum several times to do it justice.
Four $50 visits justify the $200 family membership price, and still leaves you
with enough art for many more return trips! (But do keep in mind that the $50
is suggested, so the Met remains affordable to all.
The
MoMA’s $150 family membership is just over the cost of visiting the museum
three times at $45 per trip. The MoMA is large (and wonderful) enough to
contain something for everyone in your brood, so families can appreciate the
option of returning again and again.
Three
trips to the Morgan for a family of four equal the price of the $150 family
membership, so if you want to visit the pretty palazzo-style art museum several
times, this may just be the option best suited for you.
El
Museo del Barrio has $18 admission and a $75 family membership—roughly the cost
of four trips to the museum to explore Latino culture and participate in
hands-on workshops.
Museum
of the City of New York
Four
visits to the Museum of the City justify the $75 family membership fee, as
opposed to the $20 family admission price, and guarantee that you will know
your urbanscape inside and out.
The
NY Hall of Science has so many interactive exhibits that your kids may want to
visit again and again. Admission is $38, so four visits make the $125
membership worthwhile.
For
potential police officers that plan to make at least four trips to this law
enforcement hub, an $80 family membership is recommended, as admission normally
comes to $26.
If
you are likely to make more than two visits to the NY Transit Museum, you
should purchase a family membership to support the museum for $55, compared to
$24 standard family admission.
If
you want to teach your family about the art of the Himalayas, head to the
Rubin. $20 admission and an $85 family membership mean becoming a member would
warrant at least five trips to this creative establishment.
If
you plan to visit the Whitney four or more times, consider purchasing the $120
family membership rather than paying the $36 admission fee each time. Exploring the Whitney’s collection of
American art is a great way to teach wee ones about their heritage.
THEATER
AND PERFORMANCES
BMCC
Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Join
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center’s “10 Club” to get the most
theater and dance bang for your buck, and you will receive 10 tickets for $140.
The
Manhattan Children’s Theatre offers ticket packages that include three shows at
$54, four shows for $68 or all five of their shows for $80, making theater
accessible (and affordable!) to families.
If
your kids already the spotlight, save at the New Victory Theater by buying in
advance. Purchase a minimum of three show tickets at the same time to get the
discounted membership price for up to six tickets per show.
At
the New York Theatre Ballet, early bird special subscription prices for all
four ballets are $95 for children and $125 adults, or, for three ballets,
tickets are $72 for children and $96 for adults. This saves your dance-loving
family 23% and lets you choose the ballet that best fits your calendar.
For
$125, you can purchase a family membership to Symphony Space to receive up to a
20- percent discount on shows, enrollment in the “Just Kidding” member club and
numerous other advantages. This is a great option for theater, music and book
lovers.
The
Family Four Pack at the Vital Theatre Four costs $80 and can be used on
whatever show you wish. But just a heads up, this deal is not valid for Pinkalicious or the two Angelina shows.
