Updated October 28, 2018
Are you loyal to a certain local family attraction? You may want to consider becoming a member. Along with scoring perks like access to special events, discounts and FREE parking, you’re helping a local family destination thrive. Often in the case of some of the larger attractions, after just a few visits, the membership has paid for itself — and you can avoid those long admission lines. Here is the scoop on seven memberships you and your peeps should consider joining in Des Moines.
1. Adventureland
The Membership: 2018 Season Pass is $125.00 per person (4 years+).
Compare That To: Adult (10 years+) daily admission is $35.00, children (4 to 9 years) are $35.00 and parking is $10.00.
The Biggest Perks: FREE parking for season pass holders, monthly ticket discounts, discounts on tattoos and games, $20.00 off Standard Cabana rental, 10% off retail merchandise, Lazy River Tube Rental, $10.00 off a room at The Adventureland Inn and 10% off any site rental at The Adventureland Campground. Visit the website for additional info. https://www.adventurelandpark.com/.
2. Blank Park Zoo
The Membership: The zoo has a few different membership options. The Family Plan is $89.00 for one year and includes admission for two adults and any children living in the household. The Family Plus package is $109.00 a year and includes two adults, all children living in the household and two FREE guests each visit.
Compare That To: Daily admission for adults is $14.00. For kids ages 3-12, it’s $8.00.
The Biggest Perk: Members score FREE or reduced admission reciprocity to nearly 200 zoos and aquariums; FREE attendance to Zoo Brew, Adventure Days, Santa at the Zoo and other Zoo events; Member Monday – FREE train ride and one FREE additional guest; discount at the WildThings Gift Shop and concessions; and discounts on education classes and day camps. Find all the deets at http://www.blankparkzoo.com/.
3. Des Moines Art Center
The Membership: A Household membership is for two adults and all dependents living in the same home or up to two grandparents and their grandchildren and starts at $75.00 a year. While this isn’t a typical admission-entry spot, membership offers discounts on classes and camps, plus more.
Compare That To: Member pricing for classes and camps is 20% less than non-member pricing. Kids’ classes range from clay sculpting to drawing to cartooning.
The Biggest Perks: Discounts on classes, workshops and camps; invitations to special events; 10% off Museum Shop purchases; opportunity to join member groups– Art Noir, Book Club, and Print Club; and opportunities to attend member-only programs, including member orientation. More info. at http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/.
4. Des Moines Playhouse
The Membership: Subscriber – a Mainstage Season Ticket is $175.00 for adults and $120.00 for students. Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre Season Tickets are $68.00 for adults and $54.00 for students.
Compare That To: Individual Mainstage tickets are $24.00 to $46.00 for kids and adults and individual Children’s Theatre tickets are $19.00 to $23.00 for kids and adults.
The Biggest Perks: Subscribers get first choice and discounted prices for shows. They also have early enrollment and receive Subscriber pricing for classes and camps, which is typically $10.00 less than non-subscriber pricing. All the details are at https://www.dmplayhouse.com/.
5. Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens
The Membership: A Household membership for two adults and dependents is $100 a year. A Household Plus membership for two adults, dependents, plus two FREE guests is $125.00 a year.
Compare That To: General daily adult admission is $10.00; kids (4-7 years) $7.00.
The Biggest Perks: FREE admission to more than 300 gardens and arboreta in the U.S; 10% discount at the Garden Shop; 10% discount on purchases at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center stores; reduced fees on classes and lectures and invitations to special events, sales and parties. More information can be found at http://www.dmbotanicalgarden.com/.
6. Living History Farms
The Membership: The Family Plan is $90.00 for one year and includes admission for two adults and any children living in the household. The Family Plus package is $130.00 a year and includes two adults, all children living in the household and two FREE guests each visit.
Compare That To: Daily general admission for adults is $15.75. For kids ages 2-12, it’s $9.00. Those under 2 are FREE.
The Biggest Perk: FREE or discounted admission to more than 200 other museums across the country; 10% discount at the MarketPlace Museum Store and Flynn Café; discount and early registration on Day Camp registration, Historic Dinners and selected special events. Find membership details at http://www.lhf.org/.
7. Science Center of Iowa
The Membership: A Family membership is $99.00 a year and includes two adults and all children living in the household. The Family Plus membership is for up to two adults, all children in the household plus two FREE guests and is $129.00 a year.
Compare That To: Daily adult admission is $12.00 and kids (ages 2-12) is $8.00.
The Biggest Perks: FREE registration for monthly Member Family Workshop; discounted admission and guest admission to special exhibitions; discounted SCI’s Blank IMAX Dome Theater tickets; discounts on camps, classes, workshops, birthday parties and guest admissions; discounts in the A-ha! Gift Store and Food Chain Café; invitations to members-only events, exhibit previews and film openings; and FREE or discounted admission to more than 300 other science centers. Additional info. at http://www.sciowa.org/.
For further savings, consider a joint membership with Living History Farms, the Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa, or all three.
Did we mention YOUR favorite family membership? Give it a shout out in the Comments below!
