I love deals that provide a tremendous opportunity to families. Long ago I learned one of the best advantages of a Cleveland Zoo membership was the reciprocal benefit to other zoos across the country. However, once the economy went bust, all of the zoos across the country stopped granting free admission via the reciprocal benefit and downgraded to 50% admission.

We have also written about other museums across the country that have offered discounted memberships, and as a result, granted free or discounted admission to other museums across the country.

$42 for Admission to 300+ Science & Technology Museums

Now, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles [affiliate link] is offering a discounted membership via Groupon.

Choose from four (4) options:

• $35 for a one-year Individual Plus+ membership (a $75 value)
• $45 for a one-year Dual Plus+ membership for two adults (a $95 value)
• $50 for a one-year Family Plus+ membership for two adults and up to four children age 17 or younger (a $110 value)
• $90 for a one-year Patron Family membership for two adults and up to four children age 17 or younger (a $210 value)

The best deal happens to be the Patron Family membership, because it is the only level that grants you access to 300+ other museums around the world. While the $42 for Admission to 300+ Science & Technology Museums offer a little while back was a better deal, this current promotion can still save a family a substantial amount of money on their travel budgets if you plan on visiting other locations outside of a 90 mile radius of where you live.

So for example, if we were to purchase this Groupon, we could not get into the Cleveland Natural History Museum, but could easily do so in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Columbus, or Cincinnati, all within a short road trip.

For a family of four, a single visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles will cost $34 ($12/adult + $5/child) + $8 for parking. After 3 visits, your membership is paid for, and any other reciprocal museums you visit throughout the year are free.

So what if I do not live in Los Angeles?

The one little hiccup with this offer is that you must redeem the Groupon in personal at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Therefore, if you plan on visiting the Los Angeles Natural History Museum [affiliate link] prior to October 23, 2013 (when the Groupon must be redeemed by), then you may want to consider getting this promotion. Membership would then be valid for a full year, and get you into other museums closer to home.

While this Groupon may not be for everyone, I think there are quite a few families that will be able to take advantage of the reciprocal benefit, making this a tremendous deal.

Save Money, Travel More!

Source: InACents