#2 Museum Pass
When you buy an annual pass to your local children's museum you are actually purchasing access to over 250 science and technology centers, children's museums, planetariums, and nature centers across the country. These passes work much like the zoo pass (Tip #4 in this series), but with twice the possibilities. You can even use your museum pass in countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and Sweden.
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) sponsors a museum pass that grants you admission to powerhouses like Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry and the Boston Children's Museum. A current list of participating institutions can be found at: http://www.discoverygateway.org/images/pdfs/astc0511.pdf.
Make sure you are aware of the rules of the ASTC pass because they are strictly enforced. If you have a nearby museum you plan on visiting often, it is best to buy your pass there. The ASTC pass doesn't provide reciprocal benefits at museums within a 90 mile radius of your home. So, if you bought a pass to The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry you wouldn't be able to use it at your hometown children's museum in Terre Haute.
A few other rules to be aware of:
- Always present your pass and photo ID.
- Call ahead to verify operating hours and dates.
- Institutions within 90 miles of the museum where you bought your pass are not reciprocal.
- The number of adults and children admitted with each pass varies from museum to museum. The participation list gives you a general idea of each museum's policies, but it is best to call and verify before heading out.
- Passes are good for general admission only and do not apply to special exhibits or shows.
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