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These Memberships Can Save Your Family Money in the Southeast

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Have you ever thought to yourself, “Hmmm, I wonder what attractions offer memberships near me?” Look no further! Are you also looking to save money with a membership or pass to attractions in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida? You can save money when you visit your favorite attractions multiple times by purchasing a membership. Memberships can range from annual to monthly, per person, or per family.

Places like state parks, amusement parks, museums, and aquariums all offer memberships to help save yourself the trouble of paying each time you go. Some places we’ve included will also get you access to attractions when you travel as a perk through reciprocity programs.

* Prices are subject to change, please confirm with the organization at the time of purchase. 

This article includes:
South Carolina Attractions with Memberships
North Carolina Attractions with Memberships
Georgia Attractions with Memberships
Tennessee Attractions with Memberships
Florida Attractions with Memberships
National Reciprocity Programs

southeast attraction season passes near me resource

South Carolina Attractions with Memberships

The Children’s Museum of The Upstate

Greenville & Spartanburg Annual Family Pass $120-$460

  • *Bank Of America “Museums on Us”
  • *Museums 4 All program 
  • Unlimited visits at both museum locations for 2 – 12 members (membership pricing corresponds to the number of members included)
  • Invitations to exclusive members-only events
  • Discounted pricing on birthday parties and special events, camps and classes, and retail.
  • Pre-registration for enrollment programs & events
  • Regular family learning experiences
  • A dedicated entrance so you don’t have to wait in line 

Kidding Around Review of TCMU GVL
Kidding Around Review of TCMU Spartanburg
The Children’s Museum of The Upstate Website & Membership Info

Upcountry History Museum

Family Annual Membership $105 

  • *Bank Of America “Museums on Us”
  • *Museums 4 All program 
  • Obtain free admission to hundreds of other museums across the county through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program, the Southeaster Reciprocal Museum Program, and the Time Travelers Reciprocal Program.
  • Unlimited free Museum admission for one year
  • Discounts to special events & retail
  • Invitations to exclusive member events

Kidding Around Review of Upcountry History Museum 
Upcountry History Museum Website & Membership Info

The Greenville Zoo

Family Annual Membership $90

  • Member of the *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal program where you can get free or discounted admission to over 130 zoos around the country
  • Two named adults at the same address and up to six dependent household children 
  • Discounts on educational programs, birthday parties, Zoo camp, gift shop, and concessions
  • Free or discounted admission to special events, including Boo in the Zoo and Zoo Camp

Kidding Around Review of The Greenville Zoo
The Greenville Zoo Website & Membership Info

The Riverbanks Zoo

Family Membership packages are $159 – $259 

Kidding Around Review of The Riverbanks Zoo
The Riverbanks Zoo Website & Membership Info

The South Carolina Aquarium

Family membership packages $219 – $279 

  • Family Plus Membership includes (2) free guest passes per day $279 
  • Access to over 75 members-only events per year 
  • Discounts with Charleston area partners
  • Discounted general admission tickets (6 annually) 
  • Discounts for photos, dining, & retail
  • *Military membership discount 
  • *Free admission for teachers & discounted membership 
  • *Angelfish Membership for EBT cardholders $40 annually 

Kidding Around Review of The South Carolina Aquarium 
The South Carolina Aquarium Website & Membership Info

Brookgreen Gardens & The Low Country Zoo

Household Membership $125 

  • Unlimited admission during regular garden hours
  • Discount on additional excursions and other educational experiences
  • (2) one visit guest passes 
  • Discounts to special events, dining, & retail. 

Kidding Around Review of Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens & The Low County Zoo Website & Membership Info

Roper Mountain Science Center

*Family Membership $125-$175 / Teacher’s Family $120

Kidding Around Review of Roper Mountain Science Center 
Roper Mountain Science Center Website & Membership Info

dinosaurs at roper mountain science center
Dinosaurs at Roper Mountain Science Center

EdVenture

EdVenture family membership $149 – $259

  • Unlimited admission to three locations (Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Hartsville) 
  • Guest passes are available for plus members and above
  • Discounts on birthday parties, camps, and retail 
  • Invitation to members-only events
  • *Families who receive SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid benefits receive $2 admission per person. (Up to 6 people)
  • *Families with a combined household income of under $29,000 per year may qualify for a $19 family membership! 

Kidding Around Review of Edventure 
EdVenture Website & Membership Info

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Family Membership $13 per month or $144 per year

  • Access to 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities
  • Special member rates on summer camps, outdoor recreation programs, educational classes, special events, and apparel
  • Fishing access in Lakes Haigler, Crandall, Frances, Katherine and Stumpy Pond
  • Entry and trails will be open to Greenway Members on weekends exclusively 
  • *Financial Assistance for membership

Kidding Around Review of Anne Springs Close Greenway 
Anne Springs Close Greenway Website & Membership Info

South Carolina State Parks

The All Park Passport $99 

  • Unlimited admittance for the family to all of the 47 SC State Parks
  • A 7 day passport is available for purchase for $65 and includes all 47 parks statewide
  • The ALL Park passport is half-price for South Carolina senior citizens (65+), legally blind and 100 percent disabled citizens, and active members of the SC National Guard. Must show proof of eligibility
  • This pass also includes free admission and home tours for four at Redcliffe, Rose Hill, and Hampton plantations. 

Kidding Around Guide To South Carolina State Parks 
South Carolina State Parks Website & All Park Pass Info

Carowinds

Annual Pass $105 – $325 (per person) 

  • Free pre-K kids annual pass 
  • Free parking with the gold/platinum passed ($20 savings per visit) 
  • Discounts to special events, dining, & retail
  • Get free access to all other 16 Cedar Fair parks with the All Park Passport add-on starting at $110

Kidding Around Review of Carowinds 
Carowinds Website & Membership Info

Big Air – Greenville

Annual Membership $300 per person

  • Free drink and snack per visit
  • Valid any day during operating hours 
  • Unlimited toddler time and cosmic nights
  • Special discounts on parties and special events

Big Air Greenville Website & Membership Info

Big Air – Spartanburg

Annual Membership- $300 per person

  • Free drink and snack per visit
  • Valid any day during operating hours 
  • Unlimited toddler time and cosmic nights
  • Special discounts on parties and special events

Big Air Spartanburg Website & Membership Info

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Family Rate Membership $21.99-$24.99 (per person/per month)

Greenville County Parks & Rec Waterparks

Season Pass 7th Inning Splash $65 per person

Season Pass Discovery Island $99 per person

Season Pass Otter Creek $87 per person

Rec ‘N Crew Annual Pass $160 per person 

Shipwreck Cove

Season Pass $85 per person 

North Carolina Attractions with Memberships

Biltmore Estate

Annual pass $299 (per person)

  • Unlimited daytime visits to Biltmore
  • Discounts to special events, dining, retail, and lodging
  • Free access to estate biking and hiking trails

Kidding Around Review of Biltmore Estate 
Biltmore Estate Website & Membership Info

WNC Nature Center

Annual Family Membership $89/1 year or $168/2 years

Kidding Around Review of WNC Nature Center 
WNC Nature Center Website & Membership Info

Black bear at the WNC Nature Center
Black bear at the WNC Nature Center

Schiele Museum Of Natural History

Family Memberships from $85-$600 

Kidding Around Review of Schiele Museum of Natural History 
Schiele Museum of Natural History Website & Membership Info

North Carolina Zoo

Family Membership $109/1 year or $208/2 year membership  

North Carolina Zoo Website & Membership Info

North Carolina Aquarium

Family Membership $89/1 year or $169/2 years

North Carolina Aquarium Website & Membership Info

North Carolina State Parks

Annual Family Pass $90 per year

  • Includes entrance fees at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake
  • Pass also covers equipment rentals and swim passes for up to six people
  • Boat launches at Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach
  • Ferry tickets for six at Hammocks Beach 

North Carolina State Parks Website & Membership Info

Georgia Attractions with Memberships

Zoo Atlanta

Family Membership $159 

Kidding Around Review of Atlanta Zoo 
Zoo Atlanta Website & Membership Info

Panda cubs play in the outdoor exhibit at Zoo Atlanta
Pandas at Zoo Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium

Family Membership $320

  • (4) members unlimited admission 
  • Members-only events and discounts 
  • Georgia Aquarium Memberships are tax-deductible
  • *Atlanta City Pass 

Kidding Around Review of the Georgia Aquarium 
Georgia Aquarium Website & Membership Info

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Family Explorer Membership $150-$250 

Fernbank Museum of Natural History Website & Membership Info

Six Flags

Annual Membership $59 – $110 (per person – 1 year) 

  • Free Parking ($25 value per day) 
  • Unlimited admission to Six Flags White Water park 
  • Monthly payments in perpetuity, for a minimum of 12 months (until canceled by cardholder)  
  • Upgraded memberships include skipping the line privileges and up to 20% off food, drinks & retail merchandise 

Kidding Around Review of Six Flags 
Six Flags Website & Membership Info

Georgia State Park

Annual Family Park Passport $50 / Annual Historic Site Family Pass $50

  • Rewards program for participating reservations 
  • The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Areas, Stone Mountain Park, Jekyll Island, and Lake Lanier are not state parks and are not covered by the ParkPass.

Kidding Around Guide To Travel in Georgia 
Georgia State Parks Website & Membership Info

Tennessee Attractions 

Dollywood

Silver Season Pass – $174 (adult) / $164 (child) 

  • Free Pre-K pass
  • $5 discount on one-day tickets
  • Option for 3 payment plan 
  • Unlimited admission 
  • Several add-ons available including dining and two-park passes

Gold Season Pass – $249 (adult) / $239 (child) 

  • $10 discount on one-day tickets
  • Season pass benefits 
  • 15% Off Select Food And Merchandise

Two-Park Gold Season Pass – $269 (adult) / 3-month plan eligible with payments of $86.33 (child)

  • $10 discount on one-day tickets
  • Season pass benefits 
  • 15% Off Select Food And Merchandise
  • Access to Splash Country 

Kidding Around Guide to Dollywood  
Dollywood Website & Membership Info

Wildwood Grove at Dollywood

Zoo Knoxville

Single Parent Family Membership $140 / 2 Parent Family Membership $185

  • FREE admission and parking (362) days a year.
  • *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal
  • Special Invitations to exclusive events and private previews
  • 15% off on daily Zoo-it-All wristbands, general admission guest tickets, Zoo Shop and all retail locations, and restaurants and food stands.
  • Discounts on after-hours events such as BOO! at the Zoo, Zoo Lights, and more.

Kidding Around Review of Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Knoxville Website & Membership Info

Chattanooga Zoo

Family Memberships from $110-$180 

Kidding Around Review of the Chattanooga Zoo 
Chattanooga Zoo Website & Membership Info

Tennessee Aquarium

Family Membership $195 

  • A Family Membership includes unlimited Aquarium admission for two specified adults and any five kids each visit. 

Family Deluxe Membership $275 

  • Family Membership benefits 
  • Plus unlimited 45-minute IMAX films 

Kidding Around Review of the Tennessee Aquarium 
Tennessee Aquarium Website & Membership Info

Tennessee State Parks

Family Annual Pass – FREE 

  • There is no access fee charged for any Tennessee state park. All 56 state parks in Tennessee are free to enter. 
  • Some activities at parks may require permits or reservations. 
  • Donations are accepted

Tennessee State Parks Website

Florida Attractions

Mote Marine Aquarium

Family Membership $175+  

  • *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal
  • Party of 4 -$175 
  • Party of 6 – $250
  • Party of 8 – $500 
  • Party of 10 – $1000
  • Exclusive member-only events that include advance viewing of Mote’s new exhibits and special events 

Mote Marine Aquarium Website

Bishop Planetarium & Museum / Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat

Family Membership $150 (Pathfinder) 

Bishop Planetarium & Museum Website & Membership Info

The Florida Aquarium

Family Membership $250-$350 

The Florida Aquarium Website & Membership Info

Sealife Orlando

Annual Pass $139.99 Per Person 

Sealife Orlando Website & Membership Info

Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park

Annual Family Membership $269

  • *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal
  • Free guest ticket with every visit
  • Access to seasonal event series events 
  • Free preferred parking (general admission parking is free to all guests) 
  • Discounts on dining, photos, shopping, and Up-Close Signature Encounters
  • Invitations to Members-Only programming

Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park Website & Membership Info

Brevard Zoo

Annual Family Membership $169.95+

  • *Association of Zoos & Aquariums Reciprocal
  • Free admission with unlimited Zoo visits for an entire year (excluding special events)
  • Early admission (9am) 
  • Discount on most merchandise and concessions
  • BOGO kayak fees 
  • Access to a members-only Facebook group

Brevard Zoo Website & Membership Info

Florida State Parks

Annual Family Pass $120 

  • The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides day-use park entry for up to a total of eight people entering as a group at all but three Florida State Parks, for a total of 172 locations. 
  • The pass is good for admission of up to two people, (including the pass holder) at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
  • Pass holders receive 33% off admission to the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park over Tampa Bay 

Florida State Parks Website & Membership Info

Other States 

Smithsonian National Zoo – Washington DC 

Annual Membership is $92 – $122

Kidding Around Guide to Washington DC
Smithsonian National Zoo Website & Membership Info

I get the zoo pass from the Smithsonian National Zoo. A lot more reciprocal

Anita S.

National Reciprocity and Discount Programs 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is at the discretion of the participating zoos and aquariums as to whether they will be able to honor entrance benefits during this time. Call ahead to confirm before you go.

Association of Zoos & Aquariums Reciprocity Program

The zoos and aquariums on the Reciprocal Admissions List that are located in close geographic proximity to each other are not required to offer free or discounted admission to each other’s members, although they may offer an alternative discount. “Close geographic proximity” is determined by each institution.

Association of Science & Technology Centers Reciprocity Program

Science centers and museums located within 90 miles of the science center/museum where the visitor is a member offer free or discounted admission to each other’s members. This distance is measured “as the crow flies,” meaning that it is based on the linear radius, not driving distance. To help determine linear radius distance, use the “Measure Distance” feature on Google Maps. 

North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association

The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association is a network of over one thousand art museums, galleries, historical museums, societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos and more. 

  • When you sign up with your favorite participating NARM institution you can receive reciprocal membership benefits across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, El Salvador and Mexico.
  • Institution locator 

American Alliance of Museums 

Bank of America “Museums On Us” 

  • Museums on Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders during the first full weekend of every month 
  • Present your active credit or debit card with photo ID to gain free general admission to a participating institution 
  • Valid for the named cardholder only 

Museums 4 All Program

  • Participating Museums 4 All locations provide reduced admission, ranging from free to $3.00 for visitors presenting their EBT card. 
  • This reduced rate is available during all normal operating hours to up to four individuals per EBT card.

Memberships Our Readers Enjoy

We got the state park pass a few months ago. It’s around $100 for a full year, and we are trying to go to every state park this year! Pretty good value. Also- the Greenville zoo membership gets you into a lot of zoos, but for some, you only get half off (riverbanks in Columbia is the best zoo in the state!)

Sarah R.

We have riverbanks and western NC nature center – wncnc gets you in roper mountain science center free and used to get you in Greenville zoo free but they just updated and now the zoo is only half if you travel a lot though there’s an entire list of zoos/aquariums/science centers it gets you in to free or half-off

Avery M.

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Kidding Around Team

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