How To Use Reciprocal Museum Memberships While Traveling

Reciprocal memberships make it easy to use membership benefits at museums and other participating institutions when you travel, usually with free admission and other perks. With numerous reciprocal benefit memberships, it’s easy to find museums to visit for free or at a discount while traveling.

My collection of museum membership cards is starting to rival credit cards because I purchase memberships for many of the museums I visit. Museum memberships often pay off for me, even if I don’t live near the museum, because they frequently offer reciprocal memberships and discounts in the gift shop or cafe.

A membership to the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California, saved me nearly $100 within the span of a few weeks. This membership grants access not just to the Schulz Museum but also the Disney Family Museum and the Andy Warhol Museum.

Let’s explore how reciprocal memberships work, how you can use them while traveling, and go over tips to maximize your reciprocal membership benefits. Whether you’re a seasoned museum traveler or just starting your collection of membership cards, you can get valuable insights to enhance your museum visits and save money while you travel.

How Reciprocal Memberships Work

Reciprocal memberships are agreements between institutions, such as museums, aquariums, and zoos, that allow members of an institution to enjoy member-like benefits (usually free or discounted admission) at other participating institutions. Sometimes, benefits extend to discounts at gift shops and cafes, but not always.

If you’re a member at a participating institution, you gain access to benefits with the institution’s reciprocal partners. At some institutions, you need to purchase a particular membership level to unlock reciprocal benefits, but others offer automatic benefits for all members.

Hot Tip:

With most reciprocal memberships, your admission benefits extend to the same number of people on your original membership. For example, if you have a family membership that admits 2 adults and up to 4 kids, you get admission for the same number of family members at a participating reciprocal institution. However, it’s a good idea to check policies before your visit because admission benefits vary depending on the reciprocal program and institution.

How To Use Reciprocal Membership Benefits

When you visit an institution within a reciprocal network where you have benefits, you can present your membership card at the admissions desk of the partner institution. They’ll check your membership and identification to confirm your benefits and apply them so you get free or discounted entry. At that point, you can also ask or confirm any additional benefits you have, such as a discount at the gift shop, on parking, or at the cafe. 

Policies vary between reciprocal programs and with institutions within those programs, so it’s always a good idea to check each institution’s policies before you visit. There may be restrictions, such as blackout dates. Usually, institutions place limits on local visitors, so you shouldn’t expect to use reciprocal membership benefits where you live, but you can use your benefits when you’re traveling. Additionally, member benefits usually do not extend to special exhibits and theater presentations.

Follow these steps to use your reciprocal memberships:

1. Purchase a Membership at a Participating Institution

Benefits start at your home institution. Purchase a membership, which typically comes with benefits such as free or discounted admission; discounts on merchandise, food, and parking; and access to special events. The institution could be an art or science museum, zoo, aquarium, or other cultural institution.

It’s best to choose an institution you visit often so you can get good value from your membership even when you aren’t traveling. You should also check to see which reciprocal programs the institution participates in. Some institutions are part of multiple programs, while others may not have reciprocity agreements at all. Consider the reciprocal programs and the institutions you can visit with your membership by checking the reciprocal program website for a list of institutions and their benefits.

2. Research Destination Institutions

As you plan travel, check the reciprocal program’s website to see which institutions you can visit at your destination using your reciprocal membership benefits. Reciprocal program websites typically have lists of participating institutions and may allow you to search by area or interest.

Usually, you can get the details of what benefits you can use at each institution. You can also see any restrictions, such as how far you must live from the institution for benefits to apply, whether the benefit offers free or discounted admission, and how many people you can bring in with your membership. If you’re not sure about your benefits, you can contact the institution you want to visit or check with the reciprocal program for clarification.

3. Pack Your Membership Card

Don’t forget to pack your membership card, as you often need to present your membership credentials. However, some institutions use digital membership cards, and participating reciprocal institutions often accept those, too.

4. Present Your Membership Card and Identification

When you arrive at a participating reciprocal institution, visit the admission desk. Tell them you’d like to use your reciprocal membership benefits and hand over your membership card and identification. They’ll confirm and apply your benefits.

Sometimes, institutions require or recommend reservations in advance. If that’s the case, call or email ahead of your visit so you can coordinate with the institution. Don’t wait until you arrive; if the reservations are booked up for the day you’d like to visit, you might not be able to get in.

5. Ask About Additional Benefits

While admission is the primary benefit of reciprocal memberships, you may be able to take advantage of other discounts and perks. You can research these on the institution’s website or by checking with the reciprocal program, but it’s a good idea to ask about and confirm these at the institution as you visit so you’re not missing out on any benefits available to you. 

Reciprocal Membership Benefits

Cost savings are the primary benefit of using reciprocal memberships. If you travel frequently, you can pay for a membership once and use it to gain access to multiple institutions. That can significantly reduce the costs of admission if you like to visit museums, zoos, and other cultural sites as you travel. 

You may also be able to take advantage of perks for merchandise, special events, and educational programs, which can enhance the value of your membership:

• Admission Savings: The cost of admission to museums, zoos, and other institutions can add up, especially if you’re traveling as a couple or a family. You can save on travel when you visit multiple institutions but only pay for a single membership that grants you access to potentially hundreds of other institutions.
• Discounts: Some reciprocal benefits extend beyond admission and offer discounts at gift shops, cafes, and on special events. That can offer additional savings as you visit institutions.
• Trip Planning: Knowing you have free or discounted admission to institutions and other attractions at your destination can simplify your travel plans. You can prioritize the attractions that you have access to and use your memberships as a guide to some of the best things to do at a particular destination.
• Educational Value: Gaining access to diverse institutions offers more educational opportunities for families and can provide a broad range of learning experiences without a hefty cost with each visit.

Major Reciprocal Programs

Let’s explore the major reciprocal membership programs and the institutions that you can visit with a reciprocal membership.

American Horticultural Society (AHS)

The American Horticultural Society offers a Reciprocal Garden Network that gives members special admission privileges and discounts at gardens in the U.S. There are more than 360 participating gardens across the country.

You can generally get free general admission at participating gardens in the network, along with parking, if the garden offers it. Most gardens offer free admission, though that doesn’t extend to special events, programs, or tours. Some gardens don’t allow local visitors within 90 miles to use reciprocal benefits.

AHS gardens include:

• Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta, Georgia
• Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee
• Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida
• United States Botanic Garden: Washington, D.C.

Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

The Association of Children’s Museums reciprocal network offers discounted admission at 200 participating children’s museums in the U.S. and Canada.

When you visit a participating museum, you can get 50% off general admission for up to 6 people. The program recommends bringing your card and ID and verifying a museum’s participation before your visit.

ACM institutions include:

• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago in Glenview, Illinois
• Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson, Mississippi
• Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas
• Seattle Children’s Museum in Seattle, Washington

Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)

The Association of Science and Technology Centers has more than 300 member institutions in the ASTC Travel Passport Program. These institutions include science centers and museums worldwide. Most participating institutions are within the U.S., but there are member institutions in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. 

ASTC institutions center on science and technology, so you can expect to visit natural science museums, flight museums, observatories, space centers, nature centers, and wildlife experiences.

Benefits for ASTC reciprocal members typically include free general admission for all members when you travel outside of your local area. Institutions within 90 miles of your home institution and your residence are excluded from reciprocal benefits. You can’t get free or discount admission to special exhibits, planetariums, large-screen theater presentations, or discounts at museum stores.

ASTC member institutions include:

• Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art & Human Perception in San Francisco, California
• Michigan Science Center in Detroit, Michigan
• Saint Louis Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri

Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums is the primary accrediting body of zoos and aquariums and measures institutions against established standards and practices in animal care. Member institutions follow rigorous, scientifically based standards for animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, and operations with inspections and hearings. 

Some AZA members participate in the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program, including zoos, sea life centers, aquariums, and botanical gardens — even alligator farms. Almost all institutions are within the contiguous 48 U.S. states, though there are members in Canada and Alaska.

Your reciprocal benefits primarily depend on your home institution and may include free admission, though most AZA member institutions offer a 50% discount on admission for reciprocal members. The AZA’s reciprocity chart offers detailed information on benefits, including contact information for each participating institution, so you can confirm admission policies before you visit.

AZA member institutions include:

• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Houston Zoo in Houston, Texas
• Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles, California
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska
• Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois

Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program (MARP)

Though more limited than other reciprocal programs, the Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program offers access to more than 70 museums in the U.S. Gaining access to the program may require upgraded membership levels. 

Members can use Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program privileges to get free general admission. Some museums offer discounts at shops and restaurants. 

Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program institutions include:

• Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
• Guggenheim New York in New York, New York
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in Boston, Massachusetts
• Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, California

North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM)

The largest reciprocal membership organization in the U.S., the North American Reciprocal Museum Association has nearly 1,400 member institutions. NARM institutions include museums and galleries, history museums, gardens, zoos, and children’s museums. 

You can access the NARM network if you join a member institution at the NARM level, which may be a higher level than individual or family memberships. You can use your NARM membership to visit museums and cultural institutions nationwide and in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Some NARM institutions have restrictions for institutions within a 15-mile radius of your home institution or for concerts, lectures, special exhibitions, and ticketed events.

NARM institutions include:

• Cayman Islands National Museum in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
• The Frick Collection in New York, New York
• Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California
• National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum in Cleveland, Ohio

Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)

The Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums is an international reciprocal network of more than 500 cultural institutions, particularly museums. It includes history, art, and science museums, public gardens, historical societies, and more. Its locations include all U.S. states, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama.

Members with ROAM reciprocal privileges can visit participating ROAM institutions to use benefits, including general admission for 2 people and member discounts in stores and restaurants. ROAM privileges may be restricted for concerts, lectures, special events, ticketed events, and specific galleries, exhibitions, or attractions. Some member institutions do not extend ROAM privileges to other institutions’ members within a 25-mile radius.

ROAM institutions include:

• Denver Art Museum in Denver, Colorado
• Honolulu Museum of Art in Honolulu, Hawaii
• National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.
• The Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York
• Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California

Smithsonian Affiliate

More than 50 Smithsonian Affiliate member institutions participate in reciprocal benefits. Smithsonian Affiliate reciprocal institutions include science and history museums, space centers, art museums, botanical gardens, and historical societies.

When you use reciprocal membership benefits, you can get free admission for 2 people, member discounts on concert and lecture tickets, and discounts in gift stores. Participating affiliates are available nationwide, including in Hawaii, and there’s even an affiliate institution in Puerto Rico.

Smithsonian Affiliate institutions include:

• Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• History Colorado in Denver, Colorado
• Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California
• Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas
• U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama

Time Travelers

The Time Travelers reciprocal membership network offers access to historical museums, sites, and societies. There are more than 400 participating institutions in at least 45 U.S. states. 

You can use your Time Travelers reciprocal benefits to get benefits and privileges such as free or discounted admission and gift shop discounts. Some member institutions offer gifts, publications, free parking, and more.

Time Travelers institutions include:

• Frank Lloyd Wright Trust in Chicago, Illinois
• Key West Art & Historical Society in Key West, Florida
• Model T Museum in Richmond, Indiana
• The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• San Diego History Center in San Diego, California

Tips for Maximizing Reciprocal Memberships

• Plan Ahead: Before you leave on a trip, find out about museums, zoos, and other cultural institutions at your destination. Find out if they participate in any reciprocal membership programs that you have or might be interested in joining. If your destination has institutions you’d like to visit that share reciprocity with another institution near your home, it might make sense to get that membership nearby, where you can use it frequently, then take your membership on the go to take advantage of reciprocity.
• Choose the Right Membership: Consider your travel destinations and select reciprocal memberships that offer the best coverage for where you plan to visit.
• Consider Location-Based Pricing: Membership institutions have varying fees, so you can save if you purchase a membership from an institution with lower membership pricing than others in the reciprocal program.
• Use Directories and Confirm: Reciprocal membership programs typically have a list of participating institutions that you can check before your visit. You can usually find out what your benefits are and any applicable restrictions, such as no local visitors. You should also check the institution’s website or reach out via email or phone to confirm you can use your benefits — especially if advance tickets are typically required.
• Maximize Benefits With Overlapping Memberships: Some institutions participate in multiple reciprocal programs, which can help you get more out of your benefits if you have multiple applicable memberships. For example, if an institution offers reciprocal admission, but not enough to get your whole party in for free, you could use 2 reciprocal memberships to do that. A family of 4 could use a Smithsonian Affiliate membership to get a parent and 1 child in, then another parent could use ROAM privileges for themselves and another child.
• Understand Exclusions: Many reciprocal memberships don’t extend discounts to parking or gift shops and specifically exclude local visitors from using reciprocal membership benefits. For example, if you purchase a membership while traveling, you might not be able to use your reciprocal benefits at an institution that’s within 90 miles of your home. If you want to visit nearby institutions frequently, it probably makes more sense to purchase a membership there and use reciprocal benefits while traveling. 
• Support Participating Institutions: Cultural institutions typically rely on admission revenue for support, but you can offer support even if you don’t have to pay to get in the door. Consider visiting the gift shop or making a donation to offset some or all of the cost of your admission.

Hot Tip:

You don’t need a membership, just your Bank of America card, to access more than 200 museums and cultural institutions nationwide that participate in the Museums on Us program.

How I’ve Saved With Reciprocal Memberships While Traveling

I enjoy visiting museums and other cultural institutions frequently at home and while traveling. For my family, it sometimes makes sense to purchase memberships to institutions even when we live hundreds of miles away. Reciprocal benefits only sweeten the deal, and it only took me a few weeks to save nearly $100 with 2 reciprocal memberships I purchased while traveling.

Using NARM 

On a recent trip to San Francisco and Redwood National and State Parks, my family visited the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California. I initially only purchased regular admission, not planning to visit more than once, but upgraded to a membership before we left so we could return without paying again a few days later. 

Regular admission for my family of 5 would have been $78 for 2 visits. I opted for a Fan level membership, which cost $125 and offered NARM and ROAM reciprocal privileges. The membership cost more than we would have paid in admission fees, but it also offered a lapel pin, shirt, and merchandise I wanted to buy anyway — plus a discount in the cafe and ice skating rink.

I used my NARM reciprocal benefits less than a week later when we returned to San Francisco and visited the Walt Disney Family Museum. That visit would have cost us $95 but was entirely free with my reciprocal benefits.

Spending $125 on my Charles Schulz Museum membership covered what would have been $78 and $95 ticket costs, coming out to a $48 savings in just 3 visits within a week.

Using ROAM

I also used my Charles Schulz Museum membership to access ROAM reciprocal benefits when I visited Pittsburgh about a month later. ROAM reciprocal benefits extend to 4 Carnegie museums in Pittsburgh: the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and Andy Warhol Museum.

I visited the Andy Warhol Museum with my husband and used my ROAM benefits to get in free, which would have cost us $50 without reciprocal benefits. That brought my savings to $98 within just weeks of getting my Charles Schulz Museum membership!

Using Smithsonian Affiliate

While in Pittsburgh, I visited the Heinz History Center with my husband and bought a dual membership for $85. That was more than double the $40 admission it would have cost us to get into the museum. However, the museum was offering a 2-year membership for the price of 1 year, and with a Smithsonian Affiliate benefit, I figured I’d get at least $45 in value in the next 2 years.

There are 7 Smithsonian Affiliate institutions in my home state of Texas, so I can use my reciprocal benefits even when I’m not traveling very far. There are 2 near me in the Houston area: Space Center Houston and the Health Museum. From what I can tell, there are no mileage restrictions on using Smithsonian Affiliate reciprocal benefits. I haven’t tried out my benefits at Space Center Houston yet, but the Health Museum surprisingly offered to let my family of 5 in for free, not just the 2 adults on my Heinz History Center membership. That saved us $44 in just 1 visit. 

As long as the Smithsonian Affiliate reciprocal benefits save me another $1 in the next 2 years, I’ll come out ahead! 

Using AZA

Not every reciprocal benefit offers the best savings. I’m a long-standing member of the Houston Zoo but purchased a membership to the Texas State Aquarium even though my zoo membership gets me a reciprocal benefit discount at the aquarium. 

I knew we wanted to visit the aquarium at least twice on a back-to-school field trip to Corpus Christi. After doing the math, I purchased a membership at the aquarium instead of using my AZA reciprocal benefit because the benefit didn’t cover full admission, just a discount. 

The AZA discount benefit available with my Houston Zoo membership only offered 50% off up to 2 tickets, which would have saved me $44.95 and brought my total to $344.55 for 2 days of aquarium admission for my family of 5.

An annual membership for 5 at the Texas State Aquarium is $342.95 if you pay in full, so it was slightly less to buy the aquarium membership — and I got discounts at the gift shop and on food. We went back to the aquarium for a third visit just before my membership expired, which saved us $194.75 on that visit. In that case, it was well worth it to get a separate membership instead of using reciprocal benefits.

Final Thoughts

Reciprocal memberships are an excellent investment for frequent travelers, offering substantial savings, convenience, and cultural value. You can enhance your travel experiences by taking advantage of access to reciprocal member institutions. Choose your memberships strategically and know your benefits when you travel so you can always make the most of your visit.