The Best Deal

Question: Which one local museum membership will get us into 11 other museums for the least amount of money?

Answer: Deepwood Museum and Gardens in Salem at $30 for an annual membership.

Background Info:  Ever since we've moved to Portland I have been aware of the reciprocal program shared by some of the local museums and attractions. With membership to one location, members can get into the other attractions one particular month per year.

The first year we were here Lake was on WIC and because of that we qualified for an annual membership to the Children's Museum for only $10...it usually costs close to $11 per person per visit, so it was a fantastic deal. And that year, the Children's Museum was part of the reciprocal program. We went and saw a few other places in town which was great. The next year, we were gifted a membership to the Oregon Zoo from Lake's grandparents and we again enjoyed a few of the reciprocal benefits. Last two years we had no memberships and I didn't really look into getting one. This year I knew I wanted to see who was participating in the program and figure out our best membership deal.

Current Participants: In 2018, members of the reciprocal program are the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Coast Aquarium, World Forestry Center, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Oregon Historical Society, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Architectural Heritage Center, Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, Washington County Museum, & Deepwood Museum & Garden.

Analyst: With this list in hand, I started looking up membership costs and figuring out the right choice. Turns out that two of the locations, Oregon Historical Society and Washington County Museum are actually free to visit, no memberships needed. We had just visited the zoo in January, the free month for the reciprocal program, and I figured that by going on the $5 Day we could go to the zoo at least 7 more times this year for less than a membership, so that one was out too. Looking at the list I didn't see a location that we would likely visit more than once per year...so that in mind I was looking at the one with the lest expensive membership. So come March, Lake and I will be heading to Salem to visit the Deepwood Museum and Gardens and be getting our annual membership.

• Oregon Zoo - $69
• Oregon Historical Society - $60
• Deepwood Museum and Gardens - $30
• Lan Su Chinese Garden - $60
• Architectural Heritage Center - $40
• Columbia River Maritime Museum - $65
•  World Forestry Center Discovery Museum - $60
•  Clark County Historical Museum - $40
•  Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals - $50
•  Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum - $75
•  Oregon Coast Aquarium - $80
•  Washington County Museum - $40

 The list of attractions has also prompted some future plans. A trip to Salem in March, to Astoria in June, Hillsboro in September, McMinnville in October (maybe more than once!), and Newport in November.

Perhaps you will join us on one of our museum adventures!

Schedule:

• January 2018: Oregon Zoo 
• February 2018: Oregon Historical Society
• March 2018: Deepwood Museum and Gardens
• April 2018: Lan Su Chinese Garden
• May 2018: Architectural Heritage Center
• June 2018: Columbia River Maritime Museum
• July: World Forestry Center Discovery Museum
• August: Clark County Historical Museum
• September: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals 
• October 2018: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
• November 2018: Oregon Coast Aquarium
• December 2018: Washington County Museum

The benefit is valid for the whole month, just as it would be for members of that attraction. You may use it as many times as you like at the featured attraction each month.
Visitors must show their proof of membership along with photo ID to the gate attendants at the designated attraction to receive 4 admission tickets.
This benefit is solely for attraction admission during regular business hours. The membership benefit does not extend to discounts on classes, camps, store merchandise, or special events.