These Memberships Can Save Your Family Money This Year in the Southeast

Posted on by Kidding Around Team |

Looking to save money with a membership or pass to attractions in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida? You can save money when you visit your favorite attractions multiple times by purchasing a membership. Memberships can range from annual to monthly, per person or per family.

Places like state parks, amusement parks, museums, and aquariums all offer memberships to help save yourself the trouble of paying each time you go. Some places we’ve included will also get you access to attractions when you travel as a perk through reciprocity programs.

* Prices are subject to change, please confirm with the organization at time of purchase. 

Kaboom awards

Best Family Memberships: Who Has KABOOM?

The KABOOM Awards are Kidding Around’s annual best of contest. Readers say these are the TOP 5 Family Memberships in Greenville, SC

This article includes:
South Carolina Attractions with Memberships
North Carolina Attractions with Memberships
Georgia Attractions with Memberships
Tennessee Attractions with Memberships
Florida Attractions with Memberships
National Reciprocity Programs

Outdoor play space at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate

South Carolina Attractions with Memberships

The Children’s Museum of The Upstate 

Greenville & Spartanburg Annual Family Pass $120-$460

  • *Bank Of America “Museums on Us”
  • *Museums 4 All program 
  • Unlimited visits at both museum locations for 2 – 12 members (membership pricing corresponds to number of members included)
  • Invitations to exclusive members-only events
  • Discounted pricing on birthday parties and special events, camps and classes, and retail.
  • Pre-registration for enrollment programs & events
  • Regular family learning experiences
  • A dedicated entrance so you don’t have to wait in line 

Kidding Around Review of TCMU GVL
Kidding Around Review of TCMU Spartanburg

Upcountry History Museum 

Family Annual Membership $95 

  • *Bank Of America “Museums on Us”
  • *Museums 4 All program 
  • Unlimited free Museum admission for one year
  • Discounts to special events & retail
  • Invitations to exclusive member events

Kidding Around Review of Upcountry History Museum 

The Greenville Zoo

Family Annual Membership $90

  • *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal program
  • Two named adults at the same address and up to six dependent household children 
  • Discounts on educational programs, birthday parties, Zoo camp, gift shop and concessions
  • Free or discounted admission to special events, including Boo in the Zoo and Zoo Camp

Kidding Around Review of The Greenville Zoo

The Riverbanks Zoo

Family Membership packages are $129 – $229 

Kidding Around Review of The Riverbanks Zoo

The South Carolina Aquarium

Family membership packages $219 – $279 

  • Family Plus Membership includes (2) free guest passes per day $279 
  • Access to over 75 members-only events per year 
  • Discounts with Charleston area partners
  • Discounted general admission tickets (6 annually) 
  • Discounts for photos, dining, & retail
  • *Military membership discount 
  • *Free admission for teachers & discounted membership 
  • *Angelfish Membership for EBT cardholders $40 annually 

Kidding Around Review of The South Carolina Aquarium 

Brookgreen Gardens & The Low Country Zoo

Household Membership $110 

  • (2) one visit guest passes 
  • Discounts to special events, dining, & retail. 

Roper Mountain Science Center

*Family Membership $95 / Teacher’s Family $90
(updated 6/7/22)

Kidding Around Review of Roper Mountain Science Center 

dinosaurs at roper mountain science center
Dinosaurs at Roper Mountain Science Center

EdVenture

EdVenture family membership $129 – $169

  • Unlimited admission to three locations (Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Hartsville) 
  • 4 one-time-use guest passes ($47.80 value)
  • Discounts on birthday parties, camps, and retail 
  • Invitation to members-only events
  • *Families who receive SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid benefits receive $2 admission per person. (Up to 6 people)
  • *Families with a combined household income of under $29,000 per year may qualify for a $19 family membership! 

Kidding Around Review of Edventure 

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Family Membership $12 per month or $132 per year

  • Access to 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities
  • Special member rates on summer camps, outdoor recreation programs, educational classes, special events, and apparel
  • Fishing access in Lakes Haigler, Crandall, Frances, Katherine and Stumpy Pond
  • Entry and trails will be open to Greenway Members on weekends exclusively 
  • *Financial Assistance for membership

Kidding Around Review of Anne Springs Close Greenway 

South Carolina State Parks

The Select Park Passport $75 

  • Unlimited admittance for the family to 35 of the 47 SC State Parks. 
  • The passport does not include admission to the following parks: Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Devils Fork State Park, Edisto Beach State Park, Givhans Ferry State Park, Hunting Island State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Jones Gap State Park, Landsford Canal State Park, Myrtle Beach State Park, Paris Mountain State Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Table Rock State Park.  


The All Park Passport $99 

  • Unlimited admittance for the family to all of the SC State Parks. 
  • This pass also includes free admission and home tours for four at Redcliffe, Rose Hill, and Hampton plantations. 

Kidding Around Guide To South Carolina State Parks 

Carowinds

Annual Pass $135 – $240 (per person) 

  • Free pre-K kids annual pass 
  • Free parking with the gold/platinum passed ($20 savings per visit) 
  • Discounts to special events, dining, & retail
  • Free access to all other 16 Cedar Fair parks with Platinum pass

Kidding Around Review of Carowinds 

Urban Air – Greenville 

Memberships from $10.99 – $17.99 monthly 

  • Parent membership an additional $3.99 a month 
  • Varying rates include increases in access and included snacks 

Kidding Around Review of Urban Air 

Big Air – Greenville

Family Membership $139 per month

  • Up to 6 family members
  • Valid any day during operating hours 

Big Air – Spartanburg 

Family Membership $119 per month

  • Up to 6 family members
  • Valid any day during operating hours 

Defy

Family Rate Membership $17.49 (per person/per month)

  • Includes 4-6 immediate family members
  • Three-month commitment required 
  • Unlimited jump time Mon-Fri / Jump 2 hrs per day on Sat-Sun 
  • 20% off Party Packages
  • 20% off Cafe
  • Free Defy Nights and Kid’s Jump access 
  • Membership Only Events, and access to New Attractions

Greenville County Parks & Rec Waterparks 

Season Pass 7th Inning Splash $59

Season Pass Discovery Island $89

Season Pass Otter Creek $79

Rec ‘N Crew Annual Pass $149 

  • Passes are only good for (1) pass-holder 

Shipwreck Cove

Season Pass $90 -$385 

  • Additional family members $60
  • loyalty rewards
  • skip the admissions line 
  • A free mug which you can refill with soft drinks free of charge 

North Carolina Attractions with Memberships

Biltmore Estate 

Annual pass $249 (per person)

  • Discounts to special events, dining, retail, and lodging
  • Free access to estate biking and hiking trails

Kidding Around Review of Biltmore Estate 

WNC Nature Center 

Annual Family Membership $89

Kidding Around Review of WNC Nature Center 

Black bear at the WNC Nature Center
Black bear at the WNC Nature Center

Schiele Museum Of Natural History 

Family Membership $85 

Kidding Around Review of Schiele Museum of Natural History 

North Carolina Zoo

Family Membership $84  

North Carolina Aquarium

Family Membership $89

North Carolina State Parks 

Annual Family Pass $90

  • Includes entrance fees at Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, and Kerr Lake
  • Pass also covers equipment rentals and swim passes for up to six people
  • Boat launches at Carolina Beach and Hammocks Beach
  • Ferry tickets for six at Hammocks Beach 

Georgia Attractions with Memberships

Atlanta Zoo

Family Membership $149 

Kidding Around Review of Atlanta Zoo 

Panda cubs play in the outdoor exhibit at Zoo Atlanta
Pandas at Zoo Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium

Family Membership $295

  • (4) members unlimited admission 
  • Members-only events and discounts 
  • Georgia Aquarium Memberships are tax-deductible
  • *Atlanta City Pass 

Kidding Around Review of the Georgia Aquarium 

Fernbank Museum of Natural History 

Family Explorer Membership $140 

Six Flags

Annual Membership $9.62 – $29.24 (per person – monthly) 

  • Free Parking ($25 value per day) 
  • Unlimited admission to Six Flags White Water park 
  • Monthly payments in perpetuity, for a minimum of 12 months (until canceled by cardholder)  
  • Upgraded memberships include skipping the line privileges and up to 20% off food, drinks & retail merchandise 

Kidding Around Review of Six Flags 

Georgia State Parks

Annual Family Park Passport $50 / Annual Historic Site Family Pass $50

  • Rewards program for participating reservations 
  • The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Areas, Stone Mountain Park, Jekyll Island, and Lake Lanier are not state parks and are not covered by the ParkPass.

Kidding Around Guide To Travel in Georgia 

Tennessee Attractions 

Dollywood

Silver Season Pass – $159 (adult) / $149 (child) 

  • Free Pre-K pass
  • $5 discount on one-day tickets
  • Option for 3 payment plan 
  • Unlimited admission 
  • *Gold upgrade $229

Gold Season Pass – $214 (adult) / $204 (child) 

  • $10 discount on one-day tickets
  • Season pass benefits 
  • 15% Off Select Food And Merchandise

Two-Park Gold Season Pass – $269 (adult) / 3-month plan eligible with payments of $86.33 (child)

  • $10 discount on one-day tickets
  • Season pass benefits 
  • 15% Off Select Food And Merchandise
  • Access to Splash Country 

Kidding Around Guide to Dollywood  

Wildwood Grove at Dollywood

Zoo Knoxville

Single Parent Family Membership $125 / 2 Parent Family Membership $170

  • FREE admission and parking (362) days a year.
  • *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal
  • Special Invitations to exclusive events and private previews
  • 15% off on daily Zoo-it-All wristbands, general admission guest tickets, Zoo Shop and all retail locations, and restaurants and food stands.
  • Discounts on after-hours events such as BOO! at the Zoo, Zoo Lights, and more.

Chattanooga Zoo

Family Membership $94.95 

Kidding Around Review of the Chattanooga Zoo 

Tennessee Aquarium 

Family Membership $175 

  • A Family Membership includes unlimited Aquarium admission for two specified adults and any five kids each visit. 

Family Deluxe Membership $255 

  • Family Membership benefits 
  • Plus unlimited 45-minute IMAX films 

Kidding Around Review of the Tennessee Aquarium 

Tennessee State Parks 

Family Annual Pass – FREE 

  • There is no access fee charged for any Tennessee state park. All 56 state parks in Tennessee are free to enter. 
  • Some activities at parks may require permits or reservations. 
  • Donations are accepted

Florida Attractions

Mote Marine Aquarium

Family Membership $125  

Bishop Planetarium & Museum / Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat 

Family Membership $150 (Pathfinder) 

The Florida Aquarium 

Family Membership $175 

Sealife Orlando

Annual Pass $60 Per Person 

Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park 

Annual Family Membership $224

  • *Association of Zoos &  Aquariums reciprocal
  • Free guest ticket with every visit
  • Access to seasonal event series events 
  • Free preferred parking (general admission parking is free to all guests) 
  • Discounts on dining, photos, shopping, and Up-Close Signature Encounters
  • Invitations to Members-Only programming

Brevard Zoo 

Annual Family Membership $159.95+

  • *Association of Zoos & Aquariums Reciprocal
  • Free admission with unlimited Zoo visits for an entire year (excluding special events)
  • Early admission (9am) 
  • Discount on most merchandise and concessions
  • BOGO kayak fees 
  • Access to a members-only Facebook group

Florida State Parks 

Annual Family Pass $120 

  • The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides day-use park entry for up to a total of eight people entering as a group at all but three Florida State Parks, for a total of 172 locations. 
  • The pass is good for admission of up to two people, (including the pass holder) at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
  • Pass holders receive 33% off admission to the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park over Tampa Bay 

Other States 

Smithsonian National Zoo – Washington DC 

Annual Membership is $92 – $122

Kidding Around Guide to Washington DC

I get the zoo pass from the Smithsonian National Zoo. A lot more reciprocal

Anita S.

National Reciprocity and Discount Programs 

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is at the discretion of the participating zoos and aquariums as to whether they will be able to honor entrance benefits during this time. Call ahead to confirm before you go.

Association of Zoos & Aquariums Reciprocity Program

The zoos and aquariums on the Reciprocal Admissions List that are located in close geographic proximity to each other are not required to offer free or discounted admission to each other’s members, although they may offer an alternative discount. “Close geographic proximity” is determined by each institution.

Association of Science & Technology Centers Reciprocity Program

Science centers and museums located within 90 miles of the science center/museum where the visitor is a member offer free or discounted admission to each other’s members. This distance is measured “as the crow flies,” meaning that it is based on the linear radius, not driving distance. To help determine linear radius distance, use the “Measure Distance” feature on Google Maps. 

North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association

The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association is a network of over one thousand art museums, galleries, historical museums, societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos and more. 

  • When you sign up with your favorite participating NARM institution you can receive reciprocal membership benefits across the United States, Canada, Bermuda, El Salvador and Mexico.
  • Institution locator 

American Alliance of Museums 

  • No reciprocity program 

Bank of America “Museums On Us” 

  • Museums on Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders during the first full weekend of every month 
  • Present your active credit or debit card with photo ID to gain free general admission to a participating institution 
  • Valid for the named cardholder only 

Museums 4 All Program

  • Participating Museums 4 All locations provide reduced admission, ranging from free to $3.00 for visitors presenting their EBT card. 
  • This reduced rate is available during all normal operating hours to up to four individuals per EBT card.

Memberships Our Readers Enjoy

We got the state park pass a few months ago. It’s around $100 for a full year, and we are trying to go to every state park this year! Pretty good value. Also- the Greenville zoo membership gets you into a lot of zoos, but for some, you only get half off (riverbanks in Columbia is the best zoo in the state!)

Sarah R.

We have riverbanks and western NC nature center – wncnc gets you in roper mountain science center free and used to get you in Greenville zoo free but they just updated and now the zoo is only half if you travel a lot though there’s an entire list of zoos/aquariums/science centers it gets you in to free or half-off

Avery M.

This article was originally written by Melanie Coblentz and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

parks with swings
About the Author
How does Kidding Around® bring readers high-quality and up-to-date content month after month and season after season? We have a dedicated team of writers and editors who regularly update our fabulous content to keep it current and relevant for our readers. This team combs lists of events, heads out into the community to experience new Upstate offerings, and communicates with local businesses. Many of our updated articles and event lists, like this one, reflect the contributions and hard work of multiple Kidding Around® team members.

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