It always seems that among parents, a hot topic of conversation is saving money. Or not spending money. Or how to spend less money. The fact is that more families are opting to do things at home instead of going on vacation so that they can decrease spending. We’ve put together some great options that will help you save and have plenty of things to do on the weekends and school breaks or at any time.
The Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) surveyed visitors and found that the average visitor comes to the museum 6 times over the course of a year, so they designed a family membership that is designed to pay for itself in three visits, resulting in an incredible bargain. Members receive unlimited free visits for one year, including school vacations and holidays as well as discounted admission to workshops, presentations and special events and other discounts on birthday parties and in the museum store. Members are also entitled to use the “members only” line at the museum box office and receive exclusive invitations to sneak previews of new events and programs. If you’re not sure if you want to buy a membership, visit LICM and pay the general admission. At the end of your visit, you may apply a portion of your general admission ticket price toward the purchase of an annual membership plan on a “one for one” basis. For more information on membership, visit LICM’s website >>>
If you’re out east and can’t see taking the trip to Garden City that often to make LICM’s membership financially worth it, Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE) in Riverhead has a very similar program. CMEE’s annual family membership includes free admission for the entire immediate family, including 2 adults, four one-time guest passes to the museum, discounts on classes and workshops, invitations to member-only receptions and special events and a subscription to CMEE’s newsletter and special events calendar. Special memberships are also available for grandparents!
Becoming a member of the Long Island Aquarium by purchasing an Annual Aqua Pass lets you play an active role in promoting marine education and conservation – and lets you enjoy a host of great benefits! Annual Aqua Pass holders receive valuable benefits, including free unlimited admission for one year, personalized Aqua Pass membership card, member e-newsletter to keep you abreast of all the latest events and developments at the aquarium, member discounts at the Long Island Aquarium Cafe, City Treasures Gift Shop and on various programs and adventures, and participate in Members-only events, including lectures and talks by guest speakers, and behind-the-scenes tours at Long Island Aquarium.
Long Island attractions aren’t the only memberships that it pays to have. The Wildlife Conservation Society offers a membership that gives free admission for a full year at the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park, Prospect Park, and Queens Zoos. Memberships are offered for individuals and families at various price points and can be purchased online, by phone or on site. If you go for the day and then decide you want to purchase a membership, you can have the price you paid for the admission tickets applied to the membership level you choose, but you must purchase your membership on the same day that you purchased your tickets.
Where are your favorite family days spent?
Amy Platt
Amy Platt is a Long Island native, currently raising two kids here. After the birth of her second child, she realized that parents need a place to find information about parenting on Long Island and LIParentSource was born. Shes loves to be involved with all things happening locally and getting that information out to parents.
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