Traveling full-time as a family can be an exciting adventure but also a very expensive one! During our travels, we are always looking for ways to have fun while staying on a budget. Science museums are always on our family’s list of top places we eagerly want to visit and for good reason, they are so fun and educational! Before we knew about the ASTC Passport Program, there wasn’t always room for museum admission costs in our traveling budget, at least not for the frequency in which we’d like to go. Now, the majority of the science museums we go to don’t cost us a thing! Yep, you read that right, we get in as a whole family for free!
FAQ: Is the Program Free? How do you join?
Well, it’s not entirely free but almost! You and your family can unlock a world of scientific exploration and fun with the benefits of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program. It’s by far the best way to visit a lot of museums all over the country without spending a lot or any money at all! As a member of an affiliated science center or museum, you gain access to a network of over 360+ institutions offering reciprocal admission perks. By purchasing an annual membership at a science center or museum participating in the ASTC Passport Program, you and your family will enjoy benefits like free general admission at other participating institutions when you venture beyond your local area.
Through this program, our boys have encountered a multitude of incredible experiences. Some of our favorites include dissecting a real sheep brain at the Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, AL, touching lightning at Discovery World in Milwaukee, WI, flying a jet using a simulator at the Imagination Station in Toledo, OH, and even walking beneath an authentic Saturn V rocket at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. All these experiences have added so much value to our travels and cost us nothing!
ASTC Program Rules
So as with anything, there are some exclusions to this program. If you plan to utilize the ASTC Passport Program you must ensure that the museum or science center you are planning to visit is situated beyond a 90-mile radius from both your home of residence and the science center or museum to which you belong. Note that this distance is measured as a linear radius, not a driving distance. So be sure to check your distance if you are close to the membership location. To help determine linear radius distance, use the “Measure Distance” feature on Google Maps!
We are from the New England area and have our membership at the Boston Museum of Science. Since we are trying to explore the entire country, and New England is pretty far up in the east corner, we always seem to be far enough away. But even if you are not a full-time traveler like us, you can still benefit from this awesome program. Anytime you go on vacation you can check and see if a museum is near your visiting destination for an added day of fun and learning!
Keep in mind
Please note that these ASTC benefits do not cover parking (if it costs to park at the location), admission to special exhibits, planetarium presentations, or larger-screen theater events. Also, museum store discounts and other membership-related perks are not included. So, keep that in mind if you and your family normally enjoy these museum extras, and be sure to bring some money for those activities. More often than not for us, the boys are so wrapped up in all the different museum exhibits, that we usually don’t have time for the extra stuff anyway!
Don’t forget your Membership Card
Ensure you have your membership card with you, bearing in mind that Passport Program venues may not extend benefits to those without their cards. This has never been an issue for us, as our Boston Museum of Science membership card is digitally stored on my phone and conveniently always with me. It’s worth mentioning that in today’s day and age, several museums are transitioning to digital cards, accessible from your cell phone and replacing the traditional physical cards. However, if your museum only offers physical cards, it will be needed, as admission staff do not have access to a universal database for Passport visitors’ member data. While some venues might permit you to verify your membership by contacting your home institution, they are not obliged to do so.
Bring your ID
Along with your digital or physical membership card, it’s important to remember to bring your ID or alternative proof of residence, as admissions staff may request it to apply for the benefits and offer admission. Throughout our use of the ASTC Passport Program, we have never been asked for this but it’s a good idea to have it on hand just in case. Venues in the Passport Program that require proof of residence are normally indicated in red “Proof of Residence Required” on the ASTC passport participant list on their website.
Call Before You Visit
The list of ASTC passport participants is updated twice a year, so it’s a good idea to call ahead before you visit a museum and ask questions. I always call the day before our planned visit to ensure that this institution still participates in the ASTC program, that this museum will take my Boston Museum of Science membership, and what their admittance policy is. While we’ve found most free admissions are for two adults and up to four children in the same household, some are for only one adult and two children.
Final Thoughts
For families traveling in the US and even Canada, I can’t emphasize enough how valuable this program is and how much money this program has saved our family. ASTC museums have become a cherished highlight during our full-time travels with our boys. When mapping out our travel plans, I’m always on the lookout for ASTC museums along or near our route to incorporate into our itinerary. So whether you’re a science enthusiast, a student, or a family seeking educational experiences, the ASTC program provides an affordable and enriching way into the scientific world. Check the ASTC website for details on participating centers and start your journey of discovery today!
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