Looking for an original gift idea while holiday shopping? We have the perfect “gifting” suggestion that is loaded with culture, adventure, and plain old fun! Give the gift of a membership to a local museum, zoo, or arboretum, and the gift will naturally keep on giving all year long.
Select the favorite place your family likes to visit each year. Now multiply the number of times you can visit your favorite place annually by presenting a membership gift under the tree. A year-long membership allows you to enjoy the museum, zoo, or arboretum while saving money on multiple visits.
Meaningful Museum Memberships
Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia
This might be the coolest museum ever – a place where you are invited and encouraged to touch everything! The Please Touch Museum brings loads of fun year round with exciting traveling exhibits, so you will definitely want to give a membership for the entire year. In addition to your own free admission, members can bring guests for a discounted entrance fee, park for free, and have discounted admission to over 200 children’s museums nationwide. Did we mention invitations to exhibit previews, member only events and early openings, and, oh by the way, free carousel rides? Yippee!
Penn Museum, Philadelphia
Take time to visit this wonderful museum which truly offers a global experience for the entire family. The Penn Museum can transport everyone in your group into an Egyptian experience on one visit while moving you to ancient Greece the next time you head there for a cultural and educational encounter. The Friends and Family membership level provides the most bang for your buck including admission for 4 adults and any children under the age of 18 plus free admission to 1000+ museums across the US. Check out which membership package is best suited for your family.
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
Avoid the lines and the stress by giving the gift of The Franklin Institute for the entire year! There are a plethora of advantages to becoming a member including unlimited free admission to both the Science Museum and Fels Planetarium as well as the refurbished Science Park, special pricing on ticketed exhibits and reciprocal free admission to more than 250 ASTC Science Museums. So skip those lines by securing your tickets in advance without a service charge and take advantage of more time inside the doors of this hallowed institution.
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia
Step back in time and bring American history to life for the whole family at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia! From exploring the events that led to the American Revolution to discovering fascinating artifacts, immersive exhibits, and stories of the people who helped shape our nation, this museum offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. A family membership is a great way to enjoy repeat visits, explore the museum’s interactive exhibits at your own pace, and make history fun for kids while creating lasting family memories. Explore the membership options to find the best fit for your family and enjoy one of Philadelphia’s must-visit history museums!
The Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia
There is always something to engage in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and with changing exhibits and programs throughout the year, there will be something new to experience each time you visit. There are varying levels of memberships to purchase but all levels include unlimited admission with no advance registration required. Plus members get discounts on dining, shopping and parking; there is also the advantage of access to members-only programs, tours and previews. Your kids can take this opportunity to enjoy the Art Kids programs which include studio time and tours and Little Kid Art Kids and Family Festivals as well.
Edelman Fossil Park and Museum, Mantua
Get ready for a prehistoric adventure the whole family will love at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in Mantua, New Jersey! Discover the fascinating world of dinosaurs, ancient marine life, and prehistoric creatures through interactive exhibits, incredible fossils, and hands-on educational experiences that bring millions of years of history to life. Families can explore the museum together and learn about the creatures that once roamed the Earth, making it a fun and memorable destination for curious kids and budding paleontologists. Check their website for membership options and plan your next family adventure!
Membership Gifts for Animal Lovers
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Looking for a family adventure for the entire year? Look no further than the Adventure Aquarium where your membership can gain you an up close and personal view of some rather spectacular hippopotamus not to mention a daring walk over Shark Bridge. You will have unlimited access for an entire year to 15,000 aquatic animals and fascinating educational experiences, and your membership will pay for itself in just 2 visits! Additionally, membership at the aquarium provides you with discounts on parking, shopping, and dining in the Marketplace. Sign on for this adventure so you can start saving on all of your visits year-round.
The Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia
Lions and tigers and bears for an entire year? Oh my! It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the zoo during all four seasons as the animal habits will change with the weather so you can come back again and again…and again to watch them grow and evolve throughout the year. The Philadelphia Zoo offers five different plans for members to choose from but all plans will give you access to the zoo with some special discounts available once you are inside the gates. Additionally, membership entitles you to exclusive members only hours and events, free parking and discounted admission to over 100 zoos and aquariums throughout the country.
Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown
This endearing zoo is taking the experience of annual membership to a new level – a multi-generational level – by offering a Grandparent Membership level! The various membership packages at the Elmwood Park Zoo includes this inspiring idea to include two grandparents and six grandchildren under the age of 18 to participate in membership benefits for the entire year! Some of the perks include discounts to animal feedings, special events, and reciprocal admission to other zoos around the country. There is even a special opening for members only on the first Wednesday of the month where members can stroll leisurely without the crowds and have their own Giraffe feeding experience.
Membership Gifts for Nature Enthusiasts
Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia
Make it your mission to provide this worthwhile gift to the plant lover or budding botanist in your family. The palettes and displays at Morris Arboretum change throughout the year, so the recipient of this annual gift will witness the development of plant life in winter, spring, summer, and fall. The levels of membership start at General Membership and build to Premier Membership levels where the perks become grander. No matter what membership level you choose to “gift,” all benefits include admission to the gardens for a year, discounts at local garden centers, educational classes and field trips, and reciprocal admission to more than 300 gardens and arboreta.
Tyler Aboretum, Media
‘Tis the season to make this seasonal treasure nestled in Delaware County a gift for someone who enjoys and respects the combination of nature, education, and land preservation. So give the gift of a year-long membership to Tyler Arboretum where the recipient can escape to the 650-acres of natural lands dating back to the era of William Penn. It is a peaceful place where members will not only enjoy admission to this arboretum but over 300 additional gardens as well. Additionally, guest passes and discounts to the Tyler Gift Shop are included with membership.
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square
The benefits of being a member at Longwood Gardens are limitless, or so it seems, so do not give it another thought but go ahead and gift this perennial favorite! Who knows? Maybe the recipient will include you on a visit with their complimentary guest passes! There are five levels of membership, all of which include year-round membership, 2 guest passes, free reservations for select events, discounts to various area attractions and businesses, discounts within the gardens themselves, and Membership Appreciation Days, to name a few. The list of benefits continues as does the splendor of the many seasons enjoyed from a Longwood Gardens membership.
Keep in mind, membership has its perks. Purchasing a membership gift to a museum, zoo, or arboretum often comes with the bonus feature of providing behind the scenes education and advancement as well as conservation efforts worldwide.
So, be generous this holiday season. Stuff a stocking or tuck a membership gift to your favorite zoo, museum or arboretum under the tree. It is truly a gift anyone on your list will enjoy for the entire year. See our article on the best subscription box gifts for kids, too!
Photo used with permission courtesy of the Penn Museum
Updated October 2026