Need Advice from Other MA and/or Zoo/Aquarium/MOS members About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

Since we won't be taking any big trip this year , I've been looking into maybe doing day trips. Lenny actually has some personal and vacation days he can use this year and I, working for a school, will have all summer off. Since places like Six Flags and Canobie won't be overly fun after 3 years of Disney , I'm not even thinking of doing them. Well, I was but it's not very fun when most of the rides we either can't all fit on or they're ones we don't like to begin with so those places would be a lot of money for not a lot of fun. So anyway, I'm thinking of doing things like zoos, the aquarium, maybe the Museum of Science. I don't want it to cost a ton of money so I was looking into the memberships to maybe cut the cost down. At this point in time, either I'm getting tired or just confused - maybe both. One thing that I keep reading is that not all places will accept the membership levels. Since it would only be the 3 of us, is that something I'd even have to worry about? And then another site said something about reciprocity and that it may not happen if you live within 90 miles. That doesn't seem fair to me. If one place in MA says the membership offers a discount on a second place, chances are I'm going to live within 90 miles of both and why should't I receive the discount? So I guess my question is what is the advantage to the memberships and how do they really work? I obviously don't want to drop money on a membership fee if I don't get something back out of it. I do realize from everything I read that not every admission is free even with the memebership, that some places only offer discounts instead and I'm fine with that. But I just want to have a better idea and understanding of them from people who actually have used/currently using them or just have better knowledge of them than I do.

TIA

[unewillow]

I would look at the AZA.org website as I think it explains reciprocity a little bit better. Basically, from what I can tell, if two participating zoos are within a certain distance of one another they do not have to give you freee admission besaed on your membership but that normally they offer some sort of discounted admission price. Their suggestion is to always call ahead and see what the deal is. The website also has a list of participating sites.

[jbd]

I'm not really sure about the memberships to those places, but try out the library. I think that you can get pretty substantial discounts at the library. A friend of mine paid $8 for an adult admission to the aquarium. How often do you think you'll go to those places? With the membership , you might get admission free, but would have to pay for IMAX, special exhibits, etc.

[CinderAbby]

How often do you think you'll go to those places?

If we go with a membership, I would go enough to make it worth my while. And most are saying the memberships pay for themselves in 2 visits.

With the membership , you might get admission free, but would have to pay for IMAX, special exhibits, etc.

I know at the Boston Museum of Science, the Imax and Planetarium aren't discounted - even with the MOS membership - but a couple of other things are at least discounted. That doesn't bother me though because unless they've changed the layout of the museum, we could actually avoid that section all together and Abby wouldn't know to ask about them. And even if she did know about it, with it still costing money, I'd have her make a choice, one or the other, we wouldn't do both.

[FanOfMickey]

I get the year membership to Zoo New England and use it quite frequently. Though pretty much just Stone and Franklin Park. It did come with a list of other zoo's that recipricate either free or a percent off. Can't remember the list though. I believe the Roger Williams zoo is on it. I know Philadelphia zoo is no longer on it. I think Zoo New England does not let members from other zoos in free anymore. Unfortunetly zoos are hurting and can't afford to so so much anymore.

I wish I could have been more help. But for me, I love the zoo and animals. So the Zoo member ship is definitely worth it to me. But I am also single so no family plan to pay for. I do get the plan where I can bring a guest in with me free though.

[lkmom]

I have had memberships to the MOS, and Zoo New England in the past. Both are well worth the $$. We purchased the membership at the MOS that included passes to IMAX and the laser show. I actually used to work at the MOS, and would go to the Imax whenever I had the chance. I actually helped out in the Membership office at the MOS once. I would call them. They are really nice and will answer all questions you may have.

We used to go to the Franklin Park, Stone and Roger Williams zoo on the Zoo New England passes. Now that my kids are older, we just use the Library passes.

[B.M.]

I'm not familiar with your neck of the woods; but remember in general with memberships you have to go multiple times to get your $$ worth- it is essentially similar to an annual pass of sorts...... We live in GA and like to do an assortment of day trips also..... Here, with a little research you can find multi passes- like a combo pass for Stone Mountain, the Aquarium, and the Zoo..... Or several other combination options and this allows you to save some $$. (Now, I know those places are not for you- I was just laying out an example) Personally, I would look into seeing if they offer something like that........ Good luck!

[Huntermom]

We are long time MOS members and have often used the reciprocity when we travel. The level of membership we have offers 4 free planetarium and 4 free Omni passes. Because the planetarium is currently closed, we can use those passes at the Omni. You also get discounts on food and the gift shop as well as invited to special members events. We have had a membership pretty much continuously for 30+ years, so as you may guess, to us it is worth it. Although my kids have outgrown it a little, it used to offer reciprocity to the Acton Museums, which I am sure Abby would love. They are very hands on.

I think you are closer to the RI border, so you might want to look in to Roger Williams Park Membership, which I think is a better value than Zoo NE, although we just let our membership there expire.

Before you purchase any membership, check to see if your library loans memberships. You can go check out the museum and see how much you like it.

I would also look into the Ecotarium in Worcester. When my kids were young, we spent lots of time there-they also had reciprocity at that time.

I honestly don't remember ever having a problem using out MOS membership at other places in MA.

A couple of other options you may want to consider at Santa's Village and Storyland in Northern NH. If you aren't thrill riders, you may find more to do there.

I don't know about the Entertainment Book, but we also used to get coupon books that offered half price admissions.

[Huntermom]

Forgot to add-MOS membership gives you reduced parking! It may not seem like much, but it really adds up and makes a quick stop at the museum when we are in Boston, much easier. I think you get at least an hour free, but we often stop on the way out of Boston (we head of 93) which we wouldn't do if we were paying full parking.