If you’re a super-fan of a particular museum, play space or attraction, maybe it’s high time you became a card-carrying member. Along with scoring sweet perks like access to special events, discounts and free parking, you’re helping an awesome family destination thrive. Often in the case of some of the biggies, after just two visits, the museum membership has paid for itself — and you can avoid those long admission lines. Here is the scoop on memberships you should consider gifting to your gang (or grandkids!).
SCIENCES
Adler Planetarium
The Membership: A family membership is $165/year and includes 2 adults and 4 children. The Family & Friends membership is for up to 4 adults and 6 children up to age 17 and is $240/year.
Compare That To: Daily general admission is $19/adults, $8/ages 3-11. To upgrade to the Museum +1 to see a sky show, admission is $28/adults, $17/ages 3-11.
The Biggest Perks: Perks include free coat check, unlimited sky shows, free tickets to the Atwood Historic Sphere, a fast members-only line, free general admission at participating ASTC science centers and museums nationwide, a 15% discount at Space Shop and 10% discount in Cosmic Cafe, and discounts on Adler After Dark, summer camps and birthday parties.
Special Note: Adler is partially reopened and is expecting to fully reopen March 2022. If you purchase a membership as a gift, it will become active at that time.
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus; Online: adlerplanetarium.org
The Field Museum
The Membership: The family membership is $150 for one year and $285 for two years. It includes general admission for 2 adults and their children or grandchildren under the age of 17 living in the same household. The Family Plus membership is $180 for one year and $345 for two years and includes admission for 3 adults and their children or grandchildren under the age of 17 living in the same household. Discounts are currently available online.
Compare That To: Daily adult admission varies from $24-$38 for IL residents, depending on what you want to see. (Discounts for City of Chicago residents.)
The Biggest Perks: Free reciprocal admission to participating science and technology museums, a 10% discount at the Field's restaurant, museum stores and birthday party packages, free coat check, invitations to members-only events, plus discounts on all education programs and 3D movies.
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus; Online: fieldmuseum.org
Museum of Science and Industry
The Membership: A Family membership is $195/year for 2 adults, all household children and one guest.
Compare That To: Depending on what special exhibits or shows you want to hit, adult daily admission starts at $21.95 and children at $12.95. Discounts for admission are available online.
The Biggest Perks: Free parking for members, 10% off stores and restaurants, discounted tickets for special exhibitions, an invitation to members-only events and reciprocal admission benefits at select museums.
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Hyde Park; Online: msichicago.org
ART & HISTORY
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Membership: There are three levels of membership and each includes all children living in a household. The Member membership is $105/year and includes admission for two adults. The Member Plus membership is $150/year and includes admission for 4 adults. Member Ambassador is available for $200/year and grants access for up to 4 adults and invitations to premium exhibition events.
Compare That To: Adult daily admission is $25 and $19 for ages 14-17 and starts at $14 for City of Chicago residents. Children 13 and under are always free.
The Biggest Perks: Discounts at Millennium Park garages. Member-only classes, lectures, workshops, events and more. Free entry for kids under the age of 18. The museum also offers special programs and camps for kids. The Member Ambassador option includes reciprocal privileges to 15 art museums around the country and an invitation to private exhibition celebrations.
111 S. Michigan Ave., The Loop; Online: artic.edu
Chicago History Museum
The Membership: A family membership, called Household, for up to four people is $100/year.
Compare That To: General daily adult admission is $19; Free for Illinois residents 18 & under; City of Chicago residents receive $2 discount
The Biggest Perks: You'll like the 10% discount on all purchases made at the Museum Store, the North & Clark Café and the PhotoStore. You'll also get access to the Members'-only events and previews of new exhibitions.
1601 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park; Online: chicagohistory.org
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Membership: A Household membership is $85/year and is valid for two adults and as many children under the age of 18 as you have. (Always, member or not, kids under the age of 18 enter the museum for free.)
Compare That To: Daily general admission is $15/ages 19 & up. Students, teachers and seniors are $8.
The Biggest Perks: Enjoy invitations to all Members’ Previews of major exhibitions, savings of up to 20% off tickets to MCA performances and lectures, a 10% discount in the MCA Store and discounts at Marisol Restaurant and Bar and a $5 discount on parking.
220 E. Chicago Ave., Downtown; Online: mcachicago.org
Lillstreet
The Membership: A family membership is for 3 or more people and is $110 a year. While this isn't a typical admission-entry spot, membership offers discounts on classes and camps, plus more.
Compare That To: Prices vary by class, but members typically get a $5 discount.
The Biggest Perks: Discounts on classes, workshops and camps; discounts at participating museums and art supply stores; invitations to special events and lecture series; 10% off gallery purchases.
4401 N. Ravenswood Ave., Ravenswood; Online: lillstreet.com
NATURE
Chicago Botanic Garden
The Membership: Admission to this natural paradise is free, but there is a charge for parking, which is taken care of once you're a member. Garden 1 Year membership costs $99 for one year, and includes a pass for one vehicle.
Compare That To: Daily parking rates (covered in your membership) cost $25/car.
The Biggest Perks: In addition to the parking, members get a 10% discount at the Garden Shop and a discount coupon for The Garden View Café; discounts for the Model Railroad Garden, Butterflies & Blooms exhibition and tram tours (usually ticketed attractions); discounts on camps for kids; and free admission to 300 botanic gardens and arboreta nationwide.
1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; Online: chicagobotanic.org
The Morton Arboretum
The Membership: Membership is $160 for one year and $310 for two years for up to 4 people (any combination of adults and children). Memberships are very flexible and can include children and adults not living in the house.
Compare That To: Daily general admission for adults is $11-$16. For kids ages 2-17, it's $8-$11. Those under 2 are free. Wednesdays have discounted admission.
The Biggest Perk: You receive special admission privileges to more than 300 horticultural organizations across North America. You'll also receive a 10% discount at The Arboretum store, a 15% discount on educational programs and free admission into the Children's Garden.
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle; Online: mortonarb.org
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Membership: A family membership is $60 for one year or $110 for two years and includes admission for 2 adults and any children in the same household. A Premier membership is $130 for one year or $200 for two years and offers admission for 4 adults, any children in the same household.
Compare That To: Daily adult admission is $9. For children 3-12, it's $6; and those under 3 are free.
The Biggest Perks: Free coat check and stroller rental, discounts on summer camps and paid programming, free admission to more than 300 museums worldwide, 10% discount at the museum's online store.
2430 N. Cannon Dr., Lincoln Park; Online: naturemuseum.org
CHILDREN’S MUSEUMS
Chicago Children's Museum
The Membership: For a family of up to 4 people, membership is $190 a year or $340 for two years. For a family of up to 6 people, the rate starts at $240 a year depending on if you want extra perks like priority invitations to exhibit previews and special events.
Compare That To: Daily admission is $19/person.
The Biggest Perks: 20% discount on parking in the Navy Pier garage, 50% off general admission at almost 200 participating children's museums through the ACM Reciprocal Program, 10% discount at the gift shop and access to members-only hours and events.
600 E. Grand Ave., Navy Pier; Online: chicagochilddrensmuseum.org
DuPage Children's Museum
The Membership: Memberships start at $135/year for one adult and one child, $165/year for 4 admissions per visit (one adult cardholder must be present), $190/year for 3 adults and up to 6 admissions per visit.
Compare That To: Daily admission rate for adults and children older than one year is $15.
The Biggest Perks: Enjoy members-only events, a 10% discount at the museum’s store, discounts on birthday parties, classes, camps and events. Family memberships receive 50% off general admission at ACM reciprocal network participating institutions for up to 6 people.
301 N. Washington St., Naperville; Online: dupagechildrens.org
Kohl Children's Museum
The Membership: A PlayKCM membership is $165/year and includes admission for 4. There is also the PlayKCM Plus option, which is $190/year for 6 guests.
Compare That To: Daily admission is $15 for adults and children 1 year and older.
The Biggest Perks: Members-only hours and admission lines and discounts on birthday parties, rentals, purchases at the onsite cafe and 50% off 6 admissions at more than 200 children's museums nationwide.
2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview; Online: kohlchildrensmuseum.org
Wonder Works
The Membership: The Family membership is $140 for one year, and includes admission for up to 4 people, plus grandparents. The CLIMB membership is $175/year and includes the same as the basic membership plus free admission for six people + grandparents to the CLIMB Network Museums and half-price admission for six people to the complete ACM network of reciprocal museums. You can add extra children to each membership for $20/year per child.
Compare That To: Daily admission is $9/person, no matter if it's an adult or child.
The Biggest Perks: Free admission for grandparents under each family membership option, plus 10% discounts on classes and party room packages.
6445 North Ave., Oak Park; Online: wonder-works.org
ZOOS & ANIMALS
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Membership: A Household membership is valid for everyone under your roof and is $95 for a year. This membership is not about free admission (the zoo is always free), but about the extra perks and purpose.
Compare That To: This membership comes with two free parking passes, and discounted parking for each additional visit. Parking is $35 for four hours or more, so this is a sizable savings!
The Biggest Perk: Along with the two parking passes, Household members get invitations to special members-only mornings, ZooLights night and other activities; discounts at zoo shops, restaurants and on stroller rentals; access to the members-only lounge; free or discounted admission to more than 100 zoos nationwide and more.
2001 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park; Online: lpzoo.org
Brookfield Zoo
The Membership: The zoo’s membership plans are separated into three categories. The Family Basic is $130 for one year and includes admission for 2 adults and any children living in the household, plus 4 guest passes for the year. The Family Plus package is $158 for one year and includes 2 adults, all children living in the household and one free guest each visit, and 6 guest passes for the year. The Family Unlimited membership is $243 for one year and includes two adults, all children living in the household and one free guest each visit, and 8 guest passes for the year.
Compare That To: Daily admission for adults is $24.95. For kids ages 3-11, it's $17.95.
The Biggest Perk: Members score free parking for one vehicle at the main entrance and discount parking at the south entrance. The Family Plus and Family Unlimited memberships include free admission (limited amounts per year with the family plus package) to zoo attractions like the carousel, Hamill Family Play Zoo and special animal exhibits.
8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield; Online: brookfieldzoo.org
Shedd Aquarium
The Membership: The family/household membership is $195 for one year and includes two adults and any number of children living in the house. Shedd also offers an Advocate membership for $250 a year, which includes access for 2 adult cardholders, 2 adult guests and any number of children in the household.
Compare That To: Daily general admission is $39.95/adults and $29.95/children ages 3-11, discount available to Chicago residents.
The Biggest Perks: 40% discount on 4-D Experiences, 10% discount on Shedd shops and restaurants, special member pricing on animal encounters and learning programs and invites to members-only events.
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus; Online: sheddaquarium.org
PLAYSPACES
Purple Monkey Playroom
The Membership: A monthly unlimited member to this infant- and toddler-friendly play space costs $125. Adding a second sibling is $75 and a third sibling is $25.
Compare That To: Daily open play admission is $20/child and $25 for a sibling. There are also 10-visit passes available for $150 for one child, add $75 for a sibling.
The Biggest Perks: Breeze past the check-in desk and focus on what matters: good, old-fashioned fun.
2040 N. Western Ave., Bucktown; Online: purplemonkeyplayroom.com
x— Maria Chambers & Kelly Aiglon
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