museum memberships Archives

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for RVers

Everything you need for the RVer on your list

Big celebrations start with the little things

When you travel in an RV, receiving gifts can go from being fun to being stressful quite quickly. This is because RVs are such tiny living spaces that finding places to put new things can be nearly impossible.

Many traditional gifts are fun things that aren’t necessarily needed by RVers. RVers often end up getting rid of a number of the gifts they receive during the holiday season. This isn’t particularly fun for the gift receiver. The gift-giver would surely be upset to find this out. Therefore, it’s best to avoid the problem altogether.

Christmas in a motorhome *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

A list of the best holiday gift ideas for RVers

Fortunately, some gifts won’t end up in the donation bin. If you aren’t sure what kinds of things to get the RVer in your life, try the holiday gift ideas in my list below.

Consumable gifts

Consumables are great gift ideas because they get used up meaning they won’t take up space for long but are still used and appreciated. There are the typical consumables such as food gifts and bath and body products but the items below are even more useful to RVers who may have allergies or don’t have access to a bathtub anyway.

Christmas craft *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

1. Roll of quarters

This one might seem a bit odd but honestly it’s the perfect stocking stuffer for the person who uses laundromats on a regular basis. After all, quarters aren’t always easy to come by and having a roll put away for when you need them can be a lifesaver.

2. Gift cards

Gift cards are always one of the top gift ideas. Give the gift of a great meal by picking up a restaurant card or snag one for a favorite ice cream or coffee chain. Walmart, Camping World, and Amazon cards are also useful when an RVer needs to make a repair or upgrade.

3. Fuel gift cards

Consider getting your RVing friend a Flying J/Pilot or Love’s gift card they can use to buy diesel or gas fuel, propane, or pay for dump station fees.

Christmas display *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

4. Venture wipes

Those who spend a lot of time boondocking know what it’s like to go a few days without a shower. Help make the boondocker in your life more comfortable by providing them with Venture Wipes to clean up with between showers. These all-natural travel wipes use natural ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and tea tree oil. They easily wipe off dirt and grime giving you a clean feeling.

5. Rainbow sticks

These are tons of fun for camping families. Simply throw your rainbow stick in the campfire and watch the flames change colors before your eyes.

Practical gifts

Practical gifts are always appreciated. They may not seem super fun but they will get used and the fact that they make life a little easier is sure to get you bonus points. Besides, some of these things are fun to receive if you choose a special color or print.

6. Multi-tool

Tools always come in handy while on the road. What better way to save space than with a well-made multi-tool? The Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool is a perfect example of this.

Christmas on Jekyll Island, Georgia *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

7. Flashlight

You never can have too many flashlights that work. You never know when you’re going to need to peer into a dark cabinet, under the rig, or walk to the bathhouse late at night.

8. Instant Pot

Many RVers rave about the RV instant pot. The Instant Pot Dual Duo Plus 9-in-1 electric pressure cooker can do a wide variety of jobs. It can cook entire meals quickly using only one pot and is a breeze to clean up. It offers five customizable Smart Programs for pressure cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, and desserts.

9. Backpack

Exploring the world requires carrying some things around meaning a good backpack is necessary. An ideal backpack for RVers is lightweight, versatile, easy to clean, and packs things in quite nicely.

10. Ice maker

When freezer space is at a premium, ice trays aren’t necessarily going to fit very well. Besides, ice trays don’t hold a lot and refilling them can be a pain. An electric ice making machine sits on a counter and will ensure your RVing friend has ice anytime they need it and give them back their freezer space.

11. Over-the-sink cutting board

RVs rarely have enough counter space. Fortunately, over-the-sink cutting boards create a bit of extra space for the cooking enthusiast. Best of all, some cutting boards also includes a tiny built-in colander, so you can rinse as you chop.

12. Folding step stool

A step stool is a super practical gift for an RV owner making it easier to get in and out of the RV and to interior cupboards. A folding step stool is great because it collapses to easily store in the RV when it’s not being used.

Christmas cake *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

13. Folding wagon

From laundry to chairs, you never know what you might need to lug around the campground. You could of course carry it all, but a collapsible folding wagon makes things much easier by allowing you to pull items from one place to the next. Best of all, it folds down making it easy to store.

14. Hammock

There is nothing quite as relaxing as spending an afternoon in a hammock in the great outdoors. Give your RVing friend the gift of relaxation by placing a small, yet strong, hammock under the tree this year.

Christmas goodies *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

15. Journals and photo memory books

Most people who enjoy traveling also enjoy journaling about their adventures and showing off photos of the places they have explored. Give a gift of a high-end journal or photo book and a nice pen to record their memories.

Experiential gifts

Finally, there is the option of an experience gift. These gifts are great because they don’t take up any room at all besides a slot in a wallet. They are also tons of fun to receive and help the recipient make memories that’ll last a lifetime.

16. Event tickets

Tickets to a sports event, concert, festival, or other events might be just the thing to make your RVer happy without overwhelming them with physical things that take up space. Just make sure you know where they will be and when so you know they can make it to the event you have in mind.

17. Reciprocal museum membership

Another option is a membership of some sort. Since RVers aren’t typically in one place for long periods of time, many of them like having museum memberships that offer reciprocal benefits at other similar museums.

Below are some of the reciprocal programs available:

North American Reciprocal Museum Association
The Association of Science and Technology Centers
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Children’s Museums
American Horticultural Society
Time Travelers (reciprocal membership network for historical museums, sites, and societies throughout the US)

18. Theme park annual pass

Perfect for the thrill-seeking traveler, many theme parks have an annual pass option that includes benefits at multiple parks across the country. These annual passes are great gift ideas. Below is a list of some of the more popular multi-park passes out there:

Merlin Pass (LEGOLAND Parks and Discovery Centers, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museums, and Sea Life Aquariums)
Six Flags Gold Pass
Cedar Point Platinum Pass
Herschend Pass (Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, Stone Mountain Park, and more)

While they don’t offer reciprocal benefits, annual passes to parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are popular with RVers who spend the winter in Florida.

19. Camping club membership

Yet another card you could get for your RVing friend is a camping club membership. There are dozens of camping clubs out there and all of them offer a different collection of benefits. A few favorites are listed below:

Thousand Trails
Passport America
Escapees
Harvest Hosts
Boondockers Welcome

20. America the Beautiful pass

An America the Beautiful pass will offer your RVing friends free entrance access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. This includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Memorials, National Historic Sites, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and Bureau of Land Management.

Poinsettias for Christmas *Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

21. State recreation passes

The majority of RVers enjoy exploring and camping on public land. Consider buying them a pass that allows them to recreate in a specific state. A majority of states require a day pass to enter their state park system; some even provide a discount on overnight camping.

Between all of these ideas, you’re sure to find something for your RVing friends.

Worth Pondering…

Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.

—Dave Barry, Christmas Shopping: A Survivor’s Guide

Tips for Finding Free or Low-Cost Activities While RVing

Fun, free, and cheap

You can save a substantial amount of money by finding cheap or free things to do wherever you travel in your RV. And, it’s easier than you think. Several go-to activities and strategies will help you tighten your purse strings.

Every dollar you save is a dollar you can put toward your next road trip. Granted, you still want to enjoy your current trip to the fullest.

But, thankfully, most free activities are worth good money. Here are ways you can find inexpensive or free things to do on your next RV road trip.

Jekyll Island (Georgia) Visitor Center *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

1. Head to the local visitor center

Make the visitor center or chamber of commerce your first stop. They’ll be happy to tell you about their city and give you an event schedule and suggest things to do in the area. Concerts, craft shows, farmers’ markets, fairs, and other events are fun, interesting, and often free.

Arkansas Welcome Center *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

I’m a BIG FAN of visitor centers. They are packed with useful information including brochures and self-guided tour maps. Plus, there is always a helpful docent itching to tell you about their local knowledge and wisdom. If anyone is going to know about the best free and cheap things to do, it’s the visitor center staff.

Superstition Mountain Museum, Apache Junction, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

2. Visit museums

Both the United States and Canada take pride in making history and knowledge available to the public. The U. S. is packed with FREE museums that are operated at the city, county, or federal level.

Museum of Appalachia, Clinton, Tennessee *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

The Smithsonian Institute is the best example with incredible museums, galleries, and a zoo. While it is surely the grandest, it is by no means the only one.

Most cities and even small towns have a public museum you can enjoy, often for free. Many do ask for a donation but in most cases, you’ll be more than happy to give it.

Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi, Texas *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

3. Use reciprocal memberships

If you don’t know what reciprocal memberships are, you’re not alone. Reciprocity programs offer access to many places to visit including historical museums, zoos and aquariums, and science and technology centers.

So what is reciprocity? It’s an exchange of benefits between two locations such as two zoos or two art museums. Except that the program participants are more than just a couple of locations; they typically span hundreds to thousands of locations nationwide and in some international locations.

Corning Museum of Art, Corning, New York *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Five great examples of reciprocal memberships for travelers are:

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM)
American Horticultural Society
Time Travelers (reciprocal membership network for historical museums, sites, and societies throughout the US)

Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

4. National and state parks

National Parks and Monuments offer wonderful visitor centers, free ranger-led tours, and informative talks. You can purchase an annual America the Beautiful pass for $80 which offers entrance access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. This includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Memorials, National Historic Sites, National Wildlife Refuges, National Forests, and the Bureau of Land Management. You can learn about medicinal plants in the Arizona desert, birds in Florida, and the gold rush in Alaska—all free at National Parks.

Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

State parks are also fun to explore. If you’re going to visit several parks in one state, it might make sense to purchase a state parks pass for that state as that covers entrance fees for all parks in that state.

5. Google “free things to do in…”

Include your destination and the search engine will take care of the rest. You’ll get plenty of lists to explore.

Another great search resource is Tripadvisor. Users rank the best things to do in any place which you can easily skim through.

Cape Cod Potato Chips Factory Tour, Massachusetts *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

6. Check for local factory tours

Local business or factory tours provide not only a unique experience but also a great way to connect with a local community. It gives you a real insight into the area and often a glimpse into the local history. Many of these tours are free with the unspoken expectation that you make a purchase. For instance, many local breweries offer a free tour and end it with a sales pitch to buy their brews. Some wineries waive their tasting fee with a purchase.

If not free, most factory tours are reasonably priced. In many cases, you can take the tour for less than $10 each.

Walking tour of murals in historic Denham Springs, Louisiana *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

7. Free walking tours

Many cities across the U.S. have guided or self-guided walking tours for free or cheap. You can simply google “walking tours in…” and fill in the space with your destination.

There are also a few apps and websites dedicated to walking tours. A popular one for U.S. destinations is GPSMyCity. It has thousands of self-guided walking tours.

Hiking Catalina State Park, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

8. Hiking

Go for hikes on the nature trails of wildlife refuges and BLM land. National Wildlife Refuges are wonderful places to see migrating birds and learn about native animal species. There are often loop drives with stops along the way where you can photograph wildlife from a safe distance. Many state and county parks have great hiking trails too. Visiting alltrails.com can show you all the hiking trails in the area. Not only is hiking usually free but it’s great exercise and a great way to see the area from a different point of view.

Galt Farmers Market, Galt, California *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

9. Flea markets, farmer’s markets, and festivals

Local flea markets, farmer’s markets, and festivals are wonderful ways to check out local produce and crafts. Some farmer’s markets also have entertainment, places to picnic, and a variety of fresh foods to try. In the Northeast, you’ll find Maple Festivals, Apple Festivals, and Lilac Festivals. Or look for the Potato Festival, Rattlesnake Hunts, and Chili Cookoffs in the south and west.

Placerville Historical Society, Placerville, California *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

10. Visit the local historical society website

Most cities, big or small, have some kind of historical society. If you visit their website, you’ll often find visitor guides to historical sites in the area. In many cases, you can visit these historical sites for free, with a donation, or a small entry fee.

Simply google your destination with “historical society” and see what pops up in search results.

I hope these tips for finding cheap or free things to do while RVing has helped. I have one more recommendation for you.

The Ultimate Guide to Arches National Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Bonus tip

RVing with Rex has posted a series of Ultimate Guides to…

These resources were written for RVers who wish to explore a location in depth and often highlight cheap and free things to do while traveling in the area. Having a tried-and-true itinerary can save you from wasting time and throwing money at something, anything to do. Selected guides include:

The Ultimate Guide to Sedona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

More cheap travel tips

To save even more while RVing consider these final three tips:

Eat in: Have a meal plan and stick to it. Cook in your RV kitchen, pack lunches if you’ll be out, and avoid spending tons of money on fast food.
Stay close to home: RVs are fuel guzzlers. Save on the cost of gas or diesel by choosing a destination close to home.
Set a strict budget: Before you start planning, decide on a budget and stick to it. You may be surprised how far you can make your money stretch using the above tips.

Worth Pondering…

Because the greatest part of a road trip isn’t arriving at your destination. It’s all the wild stuff that happens along the way.

—Emma Chase

The Best Gifts for People who’d Rather Be Camping Right Now

Even when the temperatures dip below freezing, camping enthusiasts love any excuse to stock up on new gear

For those whose loved ones need a more minimalist, clutter-free holiday (RVers or not) finding thoughtful gifts that require minimal space can be problematic. When shopping for gifts for RVers, remember the number one criterion, be conscious of space. When you live in an RV you focus on traveling with functional items that don’t take up much room.

Christmas in an RV *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

The perfect gift for the RVers should pass the following test:

Makes good use of limited storage space
Light in weight
Easy to clean
Durable for an outdoor on-the-move lifestyle
BONUS points if it’s multi-functional

With those points in mind, below is a gift guide of 14 practical gifts for RVers that they didn’t know they needed.

Gifts for RVers that take up little or no space

Many gizmos and gadgets are useful to RVing, and gift cards are always a good stand-by, but I have compiled some ideas to help stoke your creative gifting fires.

1. Yummy food items

If you’re sure of any food restrictions, giving a gift of homemade goodies is always a lovely way to celebrate the holidays. Include a recipe in your gift so your friends can enjoy your gift again in the future.

Poinsettia *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

2. Events or experiences

Tickets to a concert/game/exhibit, a walking tour in a city they will be traveling to, a flight-seeing tour over a scenic area, a hot air balloon ride, cosmic bowling, and a horseback ride. The possibilities are limitless!

3. Service subscriptions

Many online streaming services like Hulu Plus, Rdio, and Netflixcan provide a year’s worth of enjoyment without clutter. Other ideas could be an RV detailing service or AAA membership.

4. Lessons or workshops

If your loved one is looking to expand their experiences, they may be interested in a series of lessons to learn to play a musical instrument, speak a new language, polish their photography skills, or learn to make pottery.

5. Reciprocal museum membership

Since RVers aren’t typically in one place for long periods, many of them like having museum memberships that offer reciprocal benefits at other similar museums.

Below are some of the reciprocal programs available:

North American Reciprocal Museum Association
The Association of Science and Technology Centers
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Children’s Museums
American Horticultural Society
Time Travelers (reciprocal membership network for historical museums, sites, and societies throughout the US)

6. Journals and photo memory books

7. Handcrafted nomadic gifts

Give your beloved RVer a gift made by another RVer and help support other nomads who are making a living while on the road.

8. Camp chairs

There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting around a campfire in the middle of nowhere but it’s a little hard to do that if you don’t have anything to sit on. Folding camp chairs make great gifts for RVers. They’re compact, comfortable, and can be taken anywhere.

Christmas at Blue Bell Creameries, Brenham, Texas *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

9. Hammock

Hammocks would make a fun gift idea for an RVer to bring some comfiness to their outdoor space when they stop to camp. They can just keep the hammock in the RV and when they get that epic campsite they can set up a cozy reading or napping nook in the trees.

10. National parks pass

A National Parks pass would be awesome for RVerss. The annual pass costs $80 and gives access to all sites managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation for an entire year.

Christmas crafts at Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea, Kentucky *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

11. First aid kit

No one should leave home without a first aid kit especially when they’re going on an extended adventure. This is why first aid kits are a necessity in every RV. First aid kits include the essentials such as bandaids, antiseptic wipes, gloves, swabs, scissors, iodine pads, and an emergency blanket. Some first aid kits come with a first aid guide.

12. Insulated wine glasses

Enjoy chilled beverages in insulated stainless steel wine tumblers. The double-wall vacuum-insulated thermal design is perfect for keeping drinks warm or cold longer so they aren’t just for wine. Use them for hot drinks in winter and cold drinks in summer.

Christmas display Boyds Bears, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

13. Reversible mat

Much of the RV experience is spent relaxing outside the rig, perhaps under an awning but certainly on the ground alongside the RV. A mat that can be used to provide some underfoot protection goes a long way toward making the experience that much more comfortable.

13. Folding step stool

Whether you’re 5 feet 2 inches or 6 feet 2 inches, a step stool is handy accessory to have on an RV. They help you reach higher storage areas and can provide an extra step up into your rig.

Christmas at Log House Craft Gallery, Berea, Kentucky *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

14. Multi-tool

Give a gift of fixing power with a multi-tool including pull-out knives, screwdrivers, scissors, bottle opener, and pliers from top brands like Leatherman, Victorinox, Gerber, and Outbound. Multi-tools come in handy in all situations so it’s never a bad idea for RVers to have one—even just to open a bottle of wine in a pinch.

Worth Pondering…

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!

―Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Plan an RV Trip to a Museum: How to Save with Reciprocal Memberships

Reciprocal museum memberships allow you to visit other participating museums which grant free or heavily discounted entry to members

Did you know that museum memberships at one museum could get you into hundreds of others for free? Museums, zoos, aquariums, science and technology centers, and more participate in reciprocity programs that let you do just that.

So what is reciprocity? Basically, it’s an exchange of benefits between two locations such as two zoos or two art museums. Except that the program participants are more than just a couple of locations but span hundreds to thousands of locations nationwide and in Canada.

Following is more information about these programs, where you can buy them, what benefits they provide, and how to use them.

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exploration Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Benefits of buying museum memberships

Paying for visits to museums, zoos, and science centers individually gets expensive fast so this is a great way to save money. Reciprocity programs give you access to many more places to visit as you travel in your RV. And also a great way to supplement the learning programs of homeschoolers and road schoolers.

Museum reciprocity organizations

Texas State Aquarium *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is an organization of zoos and aquariums and dedicated to conservation, education, science, and recreation.

In reciprocity programs including the AZA, you can get free or discounted admission to participating parks. The list of participating zoos and aquariums indicates which locations are participating and what their reciprocity is (50 percent discount in most cases). The list of zoos and aquariums participating in the network may change so please call the museum you plan to visit ahead of time to verify their participation in the AZA Reciprocal Network.

Current participating zoos and aquariums include:

Birmingham Zoo
Phoenix Zoo
The Living Desert (Palm Desert, California)
Mote Aquarium (Sarasota, Florida)
San Antonio Zoo
Gladys Porter Zoo (Brownsville, Texas)
Texas State Aquarium (Corpus Christi, Texas)
Memphis Zoo

The Corning Museum of Glass *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is an organization of science and technology centers and museums that fosters understanding and engagement in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In reciprocity programs including the ASTC, you can get free entry into ASTC locations that participate in the ASTC Travel Passport Program. The list of science and technology centers participating in the network may change so please call the museum you plan to visit ahead of time to verify their participation in the ASTC Reciprocal Network.

Current participants include:

U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville, Alabama)
Turtle Bay Exploration Park (Redding, California)
Saint Louis Science Center, Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman, Montana)
Fleishmann Planterium and Science Center (Reno, Nevada)
The Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, New York)
Space Center Houston
Witte Museum (San Antonio, Texas)

Association of Children’s Museums (ACM)

The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) is an organization of museums specifically geared towards children and their learning through play and exploration.

The ACM Reciprocal Network is a voluntary group of ACM member museums open across the U.S. and Canada that reciprocate discounted admission to each other’s members. Two hundred museums participate in the network and reciprocate 50 percent off general admission for up to six people. The list of museums participating in the network may change so please call the museum you plan to visit ahead of time to verify their participation in the ACM Reciprocal Network.

Armstrong Air & Space Museum *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Current participanting children’s museums include:

Miami Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum
I.D.E.A. Museum (Tempe, Arizona)
Creative Discovery Museum (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
Children’s Science Center Lab (Fairfax, Virginia)
Sacramento Science Center
Children’s Museum of Pittsburg

Sharlot Hall Museum *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM)

The North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM) is a mosaic of 1,244 art museums and galleries, historical museums and societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, and zoos.

In reciprocity programs including the NARM, you can get free entry into participating locations. It is always best to contact the institutions before your visit to confirm all the reciprocal benefits you will receive.

Current participants include:

Sharlot Hall Museum (Prescott, Arizona)
The Dali Museum (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Auburn Cord Dusenberg Automobile Museum (Auburn, Indiana)
National Corvette Museum (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Will Rogers Memorial Museum (Claremore, Oklahoma)
Bullock Texas State History Museum (Austin, Texas)
Glenbow Museum (Calgary, Alberta)

Time Travelers

Time Travelers is a free reciprocal membership network for historical museums, sites, and societies throughout the United States.

Currently, the Time Travelers program includes 472 organizations in more than 45 states. Members of these organizations can receive a variety of exclusive benefits and privileges such as free admission and gift shop discounts. It is always best to contact the institutions before your visit to confirm all the reciprocal benefits you will receive.

National Museum of the Pacific War *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Current participating locations include:

Edison & Ford Winter Estates (Fort Myers, Florida)
World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum (St. Augustine, Florida)
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, Illinois)
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (Oak Park, Illinois)
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Studebaker National Museum (South Bend, Indiana)
Living History Farms (Urbandale, Iowa)
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home (Abeline, Kansas)
Armstrong Air & Space Museum (Wapakoneta, Ohio)
National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg, Texas)

Bernheim Forest *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

American Horticultural Society (AHS)

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) is a national gardening organization providing gardening and horticultural information. A current membership card from the American Horticultural Society or a garden participating in their Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) entitles you to special admission privileges and discounts at 345+ gardens throughout North America.

Some gardens have exclusions for special events or exhibits. Each garden has its own distinct admissions policies and hours of operation which is also why it’s best to check ahead of time to get the most up-to-date information.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Current participants include:

Tohono Chul (Tucson, Arizona)
United States Botanical Garden (Washington, D.C.)
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Sarasota, Florida)
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (Clermont, Kentucky)
Frekerik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Hoyt Arboretum (Portland, Oregon)
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Charleston, South Carolina)
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin, Texas)

Kentucky Artisan Center *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC)

The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) is an association of museums focused on the Southeastern United States including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program (SERM) is a way for museums to offer their members an opportunity to visit participating museums in the Southeastern region. Reciprocity is for general admission only. A participating museum membership card with “Southeastern Reciprocal” or acronym, “SERM” must be shown to receive admission.

Current participants include:

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (Sarasota, Florida)
Andrew Lowe House (Savannah, Georgia)
Tubman Museum (Macon, Georgia)
Kentucky Artisan Center (Berea, Kentucky)
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (Nashville, Tennessee)
Burritt on the Mountain (Birmingham, Alabama)
Beauregard-Keys House (New Orleans, Louisiana

Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program (MARP)

The Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program (MARP) is similar to NARM, mentioned above but with fewer participants.

Participating institutions include:

Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Fort Worth, Texas)
Walker Art Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
The Bruce Museum (Greenwich, Connecticut)
The Norton Museum of Art (West Palm Beach, Florida)
National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario)
Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)

The Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) program includes art and history museums, gardens, and various other types of museums. Reciprocal membership with ROAM provides free admission to participating ROAM locations as well as other benefits determined by each location individually. ROAM was created in February 2013 and currently has 447 participating museums.

Participating institutions include:

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Charles Schultz Museum (Santa Rosa, California)
Rosemount Museum (Pueblo, Colorado)
Oldest House Museum and Garden (Key West, Florida)
Harvard Art Museum (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
Henry Ford Estate (Dearborn, Michigan)
Georgia O’Keefe Museum (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
McNay Art Museum (San Antonio, Texas)
Museum of Glass (Tacoma, Washington)
Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, Wyoming)
Tom Thompson Art Gallery (Owen Sound, Ontario)
Art Gallery of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta)

Museum memberships

Various museum memberships will get you reciprocity at locations in one or more of the above organizations. Once you know the type of reciprocal membership you’d like, look for museum memberships that offer those specific programs and provide the best price. There are lots of options.

Things to know about museum memberships

Reciprocity percentage

In addition to the benefits offered and the price, there are a few things of note as you’re picking out your museum memberships for reciprocity benefits. For AZA benefits, you want your membership to be from a place that offers 100 percent/50 percent reciprocity. You will then receive 100 percent discounted admission to other zoos and aquariums listed at 100 percent/50 percent in the reciprocity program list and 50 percent off of those listed as 50 percent. If your home museum is listed only as 50 percent you will only receive a 50 percent discount regardless.

Location

Also, consider the location of the place you are buying a membership from. This is not only for the ability to visit that location but because it affects which other locations you can get into for free or a discount. They may check your ID and your membership and may refuse admission if you are trying to use it somewhere that is either within 90 miles (as the crow flies) from your home address or your membership institution.

Number of people covered

Check the type of membership you desire based on the number of adults and children you want covered. The options can include single, dual, or family memberships up to a certain number of children/grandchildren for example, or family plus for additional guests among other potential options.

Keep up to date

Before you go, double-check the most current participant lists for the membership and museum you are hoping to get reciprocal admission to. These are updated and published periodically and there can be changes. Consider calling to double-check as well as not all locations participate in these reciprocal admission programs.

Things to bring

Bring your driver’s license or another form of ID to confirm you are the membership holder and if they ask to confirm your address. Bring your membership card as well. You can use an app in which to load your virtual membership card. Use the eMembership Card app to download your membership cards and reduce one more plastic/paper card you have to carry. Features of the app are that you can quickly look up your membership card to show, see your benefits, how many people are covered, and when the membership expires. Additionally, you can find nearby institutions you may want to visit and read some information about them.

Just a few visits will make up for the cost of the museum memberships outlined above. You’ll have access to all sorts of fun for yourself and your family. So if you’re looking for fun things to do, ways to save some money, and great learning opportunities for your kids, consider these memberships. And whether you choose one of the memberships listed above or are looking into another, make sure to see what reciprocal benefits are included and make sure you use them.

Worth Pondering…

A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can.

—Maira Kalman