How your Washington Pavilion membership pays for itself at museums worldwide

This piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

Whether you’re considering a short road trip, traveling across the country or even going global, chances are your destination will include free museum entry if you’re a member of the Washington Pavilion.

The Washington Pavilion is part of the ASTC Passport Program, organized by the Association of Science and Technology Centers, which connects members of partner organization with admission to more than 400 participating locations worldwide.

“Of all the benefits of membership, I look at this as one of the best,” said Timothy Sax, director of sales.

“Not only do you enjoy access to the Washington Pavilion, but you can take advantage of complimentary access to some of the biggest and best science and technology centers in the nation. If you’re in any major American city, you’ll have free access to a museum.”

It might seem a little too good to be true, but that’s how the program works. If you have a family membership to the Washington Pavilion, for instance, you’ll generally be offered at least two adult and two child tickets to each participating museum.

Simply show your Washington Pavilion membership through its digital app, and make sure you bring proof of identification.

“I went to Denver recently and was able to visit two museums there free with membership,” Sax explained. “It’s not hard to see the savings begin to add up. Science museums in major cities often can charge more than $100 for a family of four to visit, while a family membership at the Washington Pavilion is about $160 for a year, so it very clearly pays for itself.”

Want a sense of what’s waiting? Here’s a preview.

Road trip stops

A free museum visit is waiting for Washington Pavilion members within a short drive of Sioux Falls. The South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre is a partner organization, offering fun and education exhibits as you journey across the state.

There are five participating museums in Iowa, including the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines and the LaunchPAD Children’s Museum in Sioux City.

Minnesota offers 10 participating locations, including the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul and Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth.

There also are five museums in the program in Nebraska, including the Omaha Children’s Museum and the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History-Morrill Hall in Lincoln.

Destinations nationwide

Some of the country’s biggest and most well-known museums participate in the ASTC Passport Program.

For instance, the Field Museum in Chicago offers four tickets with your family Washington Pavilion membership, as does the city’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and Adler Planetarium.

Headed to Boston? The Museum of Science participates, as does Harvard Museums of Science & Culture.

You even can visit the Maui Ocean Center in Hawaii or the Anchorage Museum in Alaska.

Worldwide partnerships

The passport program is truly that — connecting you with destinations worldwide on essentially every continent.

Find participating museums across Canada and Mexico and even as far Australia and Malaysia.

“Keep in mind, the only restriction is that you live more than 90 miles from the museum, and there are some exclusivities on things like traveling exhibits or special attractions, but otherwise it’s an incredible way to experience other museums as a benefit of your commitment to the Washington Pavilion,” Sax said.

For a complete list of participating ASTC passport partners and more information on the program, click here.

And that’s just the start.

Closer to home, your Washington Pavilion membership brings a wide range of benefits. Individual memberships are $60 plus taxes and fees, and include discounted admission for guests.

All members receive:

• Unlimited free admission to the Kirby Science Discovery Center and Visual Arts Center.
• Digital membership card for convenience — download it to your phone using the free eMembership app!
• Reduced admission to the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium.
• ASTC Passport Program access: Enjoy free or discounted admission to over 400 museums worldwide through the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
• Members-only events: Exclusive free film screenings from January through August at the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium.
• Early ticket access: Be the first to grab tickets for select shows and events during pre-sales.
• Educational discounts: Save 10 percent on classes, camps and birthday parties.
• Dining perks: Receive 10 percent off at The WP Cafe and enjoy discounts on gourmet ice cream and snacks at Parlour.
• Shopping savings: Save 10 percent on unique finds at Alcove in The Steel District.

“I also remind people that the Visual Art Center is the largest art galley in South Dakota,” Sax added. “You get access to it with your membership, and there’s value in that for all ages.”

Pavilion memberships also allow you to save on destinations close to home, thanks to partnerships with area attractions, retailers and restaurants. Click here for the complete list and to see what additional savings await.

And don’t forget to ask your out-of-town guests if they’re members at museums closer to home.

“That’s the benefit that goes both ways — if your visitors are members at other ASTC Passport museums, you can bring them to the Washington Pavilion, and they’ll be able to visit for free,” Sax said. “It’s a fantastic program, and we’re grateful to be part of it.”