The gift of memorable experiences awaits with these special offers at the Washington Pavilion

This piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

Let’s be honest this holiday season: Few people on your gift list likely need more stuff.

And while clothes go out of style and toys sit on the shelf or break, when you give a memorable experience, the fun can last all year and beyond.

“I think more and more, we see overall that we’re trying to create gifts that result in memories,” said Kerri DeGraff, chief operating officer at Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

“I know as a mom, I’m doing the same thing. I think parents and grandparents are looking to support those stories that families go on to tell forever.”

Maybe it’s a visit to the H2O Workshop when they played in water for hours – and left a little soaked.

Or the first time they dressed up for a Broadway show in the Mary. W. Sommervold Hall.

It could be spending time in the Kirby Science Discovery Center, being inspired by outer space or a prehistoric dig. Or tapping into their creative side in the Visual Art Center’s Children’s Studio.

“When you give a Washington Pavilion membership, it can create multiple memories for an entire year,” DeGraff said. “You can come anytime it works for you, whether you want to just stop in the Children’s Studio to make Christmas cards and save the mess at home, come for a 45-minute show at the Sweetman Planetarium or spend the day exploring our constantly changing mix of exhibits.”

It’s an ideal time to become a member as you can check out the biggest new addition to the Kirby Science Discovery Center since it opened in 1999 with “Space Explorers: Mission Infinity.”

“The new space floor is a huge draw,” DeGraff said. “It’s so forward-thinking and advanced, looking at everything from what it’s like to live on Mars to what characteristics an alien would need to have based on different climates.”

Plus, there’s plenty of hands-on fun, from a simulation of shooting a basketball on Mars to build-your-own rocket and create-your-own alien areas.

All Washington Pavilion members also enjoy:

• Members-only events: Exclusive free film screenings 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.
• Shop savings: Save 10 percent on unique finds at Alcove in The Steel District.

Gift of Broadway

It’s the perfect time of year to give the gift of a Broadway tour experience – if you move fast.

SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS will be playing at the Washington Pavilion Dec. 23-27, after breaking records in New York.

Offering incredible sets and costumes, it features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated series. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos.

“It’s going to be a fun show, and ticket sales are going great,” said Bob Wendland, director of performances. “Buy them quick because a lot of the hottest seats are almost gone.”

The winter months offer an ideal chance to escape to an amazing show, and there are plenty more coming.

The rest of the Broadway season includes:

Family-favorite MRS. DOUBTFIRE, which arrives Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

CLUE, based on the fan-favorite movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, coming March 27-29.

Meredith Wilson’s THE MUSIC MAN, which comes to town April 30-May 2.

“These are all fun shows that have a little less ticket inventory because they’re not here a full week,” Wendland said. “That means tickets go much faster, and they’re great holiday gifts, so consider those soon too.”

MOULIN ROUGE! has a new schedule, coming to the Washington Pavilion Feb. 11-15.

“That to me is a perfect girl’s night out, Galentine’s Day event, plus it’s over Presidents Day weekend, so it’s a great time for a night out,” Wendland said. “It’s easily the best date-night option we have, plus there are so many great restaurants and cocktail bars to visit before or after the show.”

The show itself “is so vibrant and high-energy and colorful,” he added. “There are few shows in New York that I want to go see again when I go, but this is one.”

Don’t forget adults

Struggling for what to buy an adult in your life? There are plenty of reasons to consider a Washington Pavilion membership for them too.

“Adults always enjoy a walk through the Visual Arts Center or a visit to a planetarium show,” DeGraff said. “I did a gift for my parents to choose their own four-show Broadway package, so that’s a great option too. If there are grandkids nearby, a membership for the grandparents to bring them along is always a hit.”

Pavilion Bucks also provide a customizable way to gift a Washington Pavilion experience, allowing those of all ages to choose when they visit or even do a little shopping or dining.

Save worldwide

With a Washington Pavilion membership, you won’t just create memories in Sioux Falls but across the country and even in some international destinations.

Washington Pavilion members enjoy Passport Program Access through the Association of Science-Technology Centers, offering free or discounted admission to more than 400 museums worldwide.

Popular examples include the South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre, the Minnesota Children’s Museum and Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul, the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines, the Omaha Children’s Museum and the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

“It’s a huge benefit,” DeGraff said. “As a family, we’ve used it in museums in other states, and if we’re traveling, I always look up what offers are available. You can visit amazing museums for free or at a greatly reduced rate, so it’s truly a gift multiplier.”

For a full list of participants, click here. 

Time to buy

Black Friday through Cyber Monday marks the best time to buy a Washington Pavilion membership. They’re 20 percent off.

“I tell my friends it’s literally the best time of year to buy,” DeGraff said. “The process is very easy, including online, where you can go in and gift a membership in a way that’s very streamlined.”

If you’re buying for an individual, the membership will be priced at $40 plus taxes. For couples, a parent/child or grandparent/child, your membership will be $80 plus taxes when it’s on special. Plus, kids 3 and younger are free. Want to gift a membership to the entire family? Cover the cost of two adults and all children for less than $140 plus taxes.

To learn more about all the benefits of membership and purchase one for yourself or as a gift, visit here.

Sneak peek: New ‘Space Explorers: Mission Infinity’ exhibit ready for launch at Washington Pavilion