Must-have family memberships in Indianapolis
We are blessed with a multitude of places to enjoy as a family in Indy, amiright? But how do you know what memberships are right for your crew? Lucky you: We put that q to the test with our CityMoms and asked for their favorite memberships.
Must-have Indy family memberships:
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS
Details: Family memberships starting at $225 annually
Membership benefits: Free unlimited carousel rides, discounts on special events, save 10% at the Museum Store, members-only events, new exhibit previews, and early entrance the first full weekend of each month.
Other perks: The Museum is a participating organization in the Indiana Access Pass program. They also offer special free memberships for foster families and foster parents (more details here). Indiana resident? You're also eligible for a small discount on additional tickets.
CONNER PRAIRIE
The details: Annual membership costs for families start at $135; individual membership also available
Membership benefits: Discounts on Café on the Common and the Conner Prairie Store. Free admission to special events and 100 museums through the Time Travelers network, as well as other Smithsonian affiliate museums. Discounted and early event access such as Headless Horseman, as well as exclusives for members-only.
Other perks: Option to add a designated caregiver is also available for qualified families, various membership levels available including some that support their Mission Impact Fund.
EAGLE CREEK PARK
Details: Annual park pass is $85
Perks: Discounts on pontoon rentals, Go Ape Treetop Adventure, and the Earth Discovery Center gift shop. Invitations to four annual members-only events and a portion of the membership is tax deductible for supporting Indy Parks and Recreation.
EITELJORG MUSEUM
Details: Family memberships start at $70 annually
Membership benefits: Free parking in the White River State Park garage and save 15% in the museum store and 10% in the café. Discounted or free admission to special programs, member-only events, subscription to Storyteller, enrollment in the Time Travelers Reciprocal Program for free or reduced admission at 300+ museums nationwide.
Honorable mention: The EITELJORG KIDS Membership! $15 annually for the first child and $5 off for every additional. The Eiteljorg Museum program allows kids to become members, offering free admission for a parent or caregiver, complimentary parking at the White River State Park garage, swag, special events, and additional program opportunities.
INDIANAPOLIS ZOO
Details: Family memberships start at $235 annually
Perks: Members-only early access to events like Christmas at the Zoo and ZooBoo, early registration and discounts on Zoo Camps. Discounts on admission for guests, programs, the Indianapolis Zoo Gift Shop, and free parking.
INDIANA STATE MUSEUM
Details: Family memberships start at $129 annually
Perks: Members-only events, discount at museum gift shop and Indianapolis Farmers Market Café, can add designated caregiver to pass, free parking in the White River State Parking garage, complimentary IMAX vouchers and discounts on additional tickets, free admission to 800+ North America Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association sites and 300+ ASTC Travel Passport Program participants, early registration and discounts on camps.
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE ACCESS PASS PROGRAM?
INDIANA STATE PARKS
Details: A single vehicle pass is $50 annually for residents/ $70 for non-residents
Perks: Entrance for the permit holder and all guests in a single vehicle to all 25 state parks, recreation areas, lakes, and historic sites in Indiana .
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Details: $102 monthly for family membership
Perks: Access to all facilities, four pools, family and adult events and outings, adult classes, free group exercise classes, and more.
MONON COMMUNITY CENTER
Details: Household passes start at $107 monthly; individual membership also available
Perks: Access to The Waterpark and all indoor facilities including basketball courts, aquatics, indoor track, and fitness center. Enjoy a full schedule of classes and programming, on-site childcare, as well as parkways and greenspaces. Swim lessons available for added cost.
NEWFIELDS
Details: Basic family membership starts at $125/annually; Individual membership at $55/annually
Membership privileges: Free general admission to various Indianapolis Museum of Art museum attractions, discounted and early access event tickets, exclusive members-only tours and workshops, early program registration, and 10% discount at the Museum & Garden Shop, the Café, and the Beer Garden at the botanical Garden Terrace.
Other benefits: New members receive a digital membership card for immediate access. Newfields is also one of the participating locations in the Access Pass Program.
