When traveling to a new city, one of the great ways to entertain the family is to visit Science and Technology centers. The museums are typically filled with hundreds of hands on activities to help educate your children, and who knows, you may learn something too. That is why I really like this opportunity via Groupon, to purchase a family membership to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Logan Square (affiliate link) for only $42. Individual memberships can also be purchased for $25 via this promotion.

Yes your membership includes the following:

• Unlimited, free admission to the Academy, including special exhibits
• Exclusive previews of Academy exhibits
• Free, expedited entrance to our popular festivals, including Paleopalooza and Bug Fest
• Discounted guest passes for friends and family
• Special access to the Academy’s scientists and collections
• A behind-the-scenes look at the Academy at our annual Members’ Night
• Priority seating for select Center for Environmental Policy programs
• Special members-only discounts on Safari Overnights, Academy Explorers Camp, Tiny Tot Explorers, birthday parties, and other kids’ programs
• Discounts on Academy programming for adults, including workshops and field studies with scientists
• 10 percent discount in the Academy Shop and Academy Café
• Free subscription to Academy Frontiers, our quarterly member magazine
• Free admission to more than 300 Science and Technology centers through the Association of Science – Technology Centers’ Passport Program
• Research access to the Academy Library by appointment
• Member parking discounts
• Special member access to facilities and unique programs at the Drexel Recreation Center
• A Kids Club membership for our younger members, ages 12 and under
• Discounted guest passes
• 15 percent discount on a Philadelphia Film Society membership
• The chance to add an extra adult to your membership

However, the real beauty of your membership is your free admission to over 300 Science and Technology Museums acround the world.

Lets take a quick look at a handful of some of the museums this membership would get you and your family access to during your travels. See the above link for a list of all the Science and Technology centers that participate in the reciprocal program. All savings are calculated assuming two adults and two kids for a single day admission.

Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland, Ohio) – $52

Children’s Museum of Houston (Houston, Texas) – $36

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) – $50

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California) – $34

Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, Illinois) – $50

Miami Science Center (Miami, Florida) – $51.80

As you can see, visiting just one other museum within a year pays for the price of this deal.

Here are some things to keep in mind for this membership.

1) You need to activate your membership to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Logan Square in person before May 31, 2013. So if you have no plans to be around Philadelphia, this deal may not be for you.

2) Your membership gets you typically into only the permanent collections at reciprocal museums. In other words, special exhibits, theaters, or programs may incur additional costs.

3) Benefits you receive from membership to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Logan Square (i.e. discounts in stores and restaurants) do not transfer to other museums.

4) Family membership may be defined differently at each property. Your Family membership includes two adults and up to five children younger than 18 from the same household, or up to five grandchildren younger than 18. However, other properties may only define a family membership as two (2) children. Please call in advance of your visit to confirm.

5) There is a 90 mile stipulation on free membership surrounding the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Logan Square. In other words, other museums within a 90 mile radius are excluded unless noted otherwise. Updated lists can be viewed on the ASTC website.

Visit Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Logan Square (affiliate link) to purchase your membership.

Save Money, Travel More!