Membership, they say, has its privileges. When it comes to Philly’s major family-friendly attractions, that’s twice as true. Investing in a family membership at places like the Please Touch Museum or Longwood Gardens not only saves you money on multiple trips there. It also guarantees you’ll be kept in the loop about new events and exhibitions, scores you guest passes and early invites to openings, and, more often than not, includes perks like discounts for parking, dining, and the all-important gift shop. Here are eight Philadelphia attractions where joining as a family member can’t be beat—in order of places best for families with young children to the ones perfect for families with older kids.
Where: 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
The only kind of membership is family membership at the city’s preeminent, just-for-kids museum. This early adopter of learning through play occupies a sprawling West Fairmount Park landmark. The Please Touch’s permanent and temporary hands-on exhibits and parties throughout the year are perfect for ages six months through age seven. The cost of a single visit for a family of four is $68 meaning membership pays for itself in fewer than three visits.
Membership cost: $150-$220
Perks: At $150, basic family membership includes a year of free admission for four. The $180 level offers free admission for six. The $220 price includes admission for six and additional membership for a nanny, caregiver or grandparent. All members receive free parking based on availability, early access to temporary exhibitions, discounted admission to more than 200 children’s museums nationwide, discounts around town, and discounts for the gift shop, café, birthday parties, guest admission and the carousel.
Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University
Where: 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia , PA
This historic spot has become a go-to for Center City families with little ones who need parameters on their free play, and bigger ones who adore dinosaurs. The Academy’s upstairs Outside In room has a giant sandbox, friendly play spaces and plenty of touchable animal residents great for toddlers on up. Dinosaur Hall is a future paleontologist’s delight. Hallways of vintage taxidermy enthrall. The misty Butterfly space feels magical. And those are just the permanent exhibits. Admission for children under age three is always free. Full-price admission for a family of four (with kids over age three) is $64 (weekdays) to $76 (weekends). Membership pays for itself in fewer than two visits.
Membership cost: $119-$149
Perks: Free admission for a year for two adults and up to five children is included in basic family membership, $119. Att $149, Family Plus membership includes general admission for two guests per visit and free admission to more than 300 science museums nationwide. Other upsides: Discounts to special exhibits, exclusive previews, free entrance to festivals—including Paleopalooza and Bug Fest, parking discounts, special access to Academy scientists and collections, admission to Members’ Night, discounts on overnights, camp, birthday parties, gift shop, café, free subscription to Academy Frontiers and Kids Club fun.
Where: 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA
The region’s biggest, best-known kiddie amusement park is hallowed ground for fans of the PBS show and its spin offs. (Read our full guide to Sesame Place here.) The busiest time at chez Big Bird is summer, when the vast water park opens. But even come fall, when the park is open weekends only, you can bet on lines for the twice-daily Neighborhood Street Party Parade, Sunny Day Carousel, and meet-and-greets with Elmo, Abby and their pals—especially when there’s a holiday coming up. Full price daily admission for an individual starts at $45 off-season, so typical individual membership pays for itself in just over two visits.
Membership cost: $113-$233
Perks: The basic Cookie Monster ($113) season pass includes unlimited rides, in-park discounts, advance show seating and half off guest admission. One step up, the Big Bird pass ($155) offers all of the above, plus free general parking, character dining discounts, early ride times and VIP character meet and greets. Super Grover season passes ($233) gets you all that plus free preferred parking, unlimited visits to eleven other SeaWorld parks (like Busch Gardens and Adventure Island), and ride again privileges.
Where: 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Zoo, America’s oldest, is also one of its most innovative. Amid forty-two acres just off Fairmount Park, the home of western lowland gorillas and meerkats and big cats has devised a system of overhead trails that allows animals to explore—and allows guests to marvel at their presence. Families who join here enjoy the freedom to come for an hour or two without feeling like they have to see everything during one visit. Adult admission costs $23 per day, the cost for children ages two to 11 is $19. Tack on parking ($16), and a basic membership will more than pay for itself in two visits.
Membership cost: $135-$265
Perks: At $135, the most basic level of family membership includes admission for up to two adults and up to six children under age 18, free parking, free Treehouse admission, discounts to 100 zoos nationwide, zoo gift shops and dining, special hours and a generous tax deduction. The Family Plus Membership ($175) includes all of the above plus two guest passes per visit. The Family Deluxe Membership ($265) is all that plus one free carousel, swan boat, kiddie train, draft horses and a free lorikeet feeding per guest per visit.
Where: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
The horticultural marvel that Pierre S. du Pont rescued is the Louvre of gardens. Although you’d love to see Longwood Gardens all in one day, it’s impossible to do so. The ever-green venue keeps interest up year-round, indoors and out, thanks to both colorful and splash-able fountains, spring meadows and magnificent Christmas trees, a bamboo maze and hiking trails. Adult admission starts at $20; while admission for children ages five to 17 begins at $10.
Membership cost: $135-$185
Perks: At $135 Gardens2 is most basic level of membership for more than one person. It includes admission for two people, free reservations for special exhibitions, members-only hours, membership appreciation days, discounts for the gift shop and events, and two complimentary tickets to use throughout the year (blackout dates apply). The next step up is Gardens5 ($185), which includes admission for five, all of the above, and additional children’s memberships for just $10 apiece.
Where: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
The city’s largest repository of fine art offers both big-deal exhibitions and excellent family programming. Historically, kid visitors to the Philadelphia Museum of Art have been fond of the Japanese teahouse and arms and armor collection, both permanent exhibits that feel a bit like playthings. But children also demonstrate an aptitude for interpreting Marcel Duchamps’ readymades, along with other less expected works. Children 12 and under are always admitted for free. Students and children (ages 13 to 18) cost $14 per visit. Basic adult admission costs $20.
Membership cost: $75-$125
Perks: Every membership here offers access to all the children in your life. So, single parents—or families with only one parent into art—can bring all the kids for $75 and pay just $10 for adult guests when they come with. Membership for two adults and unlimited kids costs $125. All memberships include discounts on parking, guest admission, dining, shopping, programs, classes, plus free exhibition tickets, members-only tours and more.
Where: 3260 South St, Philadelphia, PA
Unless you’re a family of international and/or time travelers, the Penn Museum of archeology and anthropology is Philly’s best way to explore human history all over the globe. Mummies, a sphinx, endless works of ancient art and other unearthed finds aren’t just for future Indiana Joneses. They’re also for anyone with an interest in world—and even American—culture. General admission for adults is $15, children ages six to 17 is $10. Membership for a family of four, including two elementary school age children, pays for itself in two visits.
Membership cost: $95
Perks: Admission for two adults and all children under 18, free or discounted admission to special exhibitions, discounts on 40 Winks with the Sphinx, summer camp, gift shop and café purchases, family worksheets and kids’ birthday cards.
Where: 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA
The most visited museum in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware has earned its popularity through irresistible scientific permanent exhibits and offerings, from the climb-on Human Brain to IMAX movies and visiting blockbusters such as Legos, ancient wonders, Jurassic World. Basic admission—not including guest exhibitions, theater visits, SkyBike—is $19.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages three to eleven. Basic membership at the Franklin Institute for a family of four pays for itself in fewer than two visits.
Membership cost: $130-$199
Perks: Basic family membership, $130, includes annual admission for two adults and four children to the museum, the Fels Planetarium, and the SkyBike, discounts to Tuttleman IMAX, Franklin 3D Theater, gift shops, summer camp, birthday parties, camp-in and workshops; free or discounted admission to special exhibitions; reciprocal admission to more than 250 other science museums; free entry Night Skies in the Observatory and a sizeable tax deduction. FamilyMAX membership, $199, offers all of the above benefits also to two guests, plus eight theater passes.
Photo credits: Please Touch Museum (2), Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, Sesame Place, Philadelphia Zoo, flickr/Jim, the Photographer, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Penn Museum, Franklin Institute
