Top 5 Minnesota Annual Passes for Family Fun! - Twin Cities NW Metro Life

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Myra Jensen @ BRIX Real Estate

Top 5 Minnesota Annual Passes for Family Fun!

If you have kids you know that admissions to museums or amusement parks can start adding up.  We got in to the habit of buying a household or family membership to the Science Museum of Minnesota, because the cost of 4 admissions to the museum and 4 Omni Theatre tickets added up to almost the price of the yearly pass. 

All of these are also available as a one time admission, so no need to buy the annual pass if you don’t think you will use it often enough. 

1. Science Museum of Minnesota

Located downtown St Paul on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Science Museum of Minnesota has over 70,000 feet of exhibition space and the Omni Theatre.  Many exhibits are tailored to younger kids, and there are a lot of hands-on interactive displays.  “The Mummy” has been there since I was a kid, and the dinosaur exhibit has always been a favorite of my boys.

Mississippi River near the Science Museaum

 

Mississippi River from the Science Musuem

Membership starts at $115 for 2 members.  There are other levels and discounts as well.  Benefits include admission to the museum, discounts on special exhibitions, free Omni theatre admission each visit, discounts at the store, and a discounted parking rate – usually $5.00, which is nice when there is an event at the Xcel Energy Center and parking prices go up.

The best part for us of the membership is the ASTC Travel Passport program, which gives you free or discounted admission to museums all over the country.  For example, on a trip to Chicago, we were able to visit the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Science and Industry all included on our Science Museum Membership, saving us a lot of money!

Just visiting the Science Museum a couple of times a year makes the price of the membership well worth it.

2. Minnesota Historical Society

Membership to the Minnesota Historical Society gives you admission the Minnesota History Center in downtown St Paul and to all 26 historic sites in Minnesota, which include the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, the Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore, the Mill City Museum downtown Minneapolis (great for kids!), Fort Snelling and more! 

Basic annual membership runs from $50.00 basic single -$99.00 Household Plus.

You also have membership to Time Travelers which gives you free or reduced admission to Historical sites around the country.  Check the website before you travel so you can make plans accordingly!

3. Minnesota State Parks

 

 

Father Hennepin State Park

The Minnesota State Parks annual permit gives you access to 75 state parks and recreation areas across Minnesota.

For an annual cost of only $35 per vehicle, this is one of the most inexpensive ways to enjoy the outdoors.  There is so much to do at these parks, camping, fishing, geocaching, that it would be impossible for me to go into all of it here.  One of our favorite parks is Interstate Park at Taylors Falls, near the Wisconsin border.  Father Hennepin State Parks on Lake Mille Lacs is also a favorite day trip or camping trip, with its huge sandy beach and deer that are unafraid of visitors!  

Minnesota State Park Finder

Some of the parks closer to the Twin Cities NW Metro would be Lake Maria State Park, Kathio State Park and Father Hennepin State Park

4. Zoo Memberships

The Minnesota Zoo offers annual memberships ranging from $75.00 individual and $180 Household.

como zoo conservatory st paul mn
Como Zoo Conservatory

 

 

Membership includes free admission and parking, store discounts, and half price admission to more than 100 zoos across the country

Como Zoo in St Paul is one of the treasures of the Twin Cities, and while admission is only suggested, buying a Como Zoo membership  helps to keep it affordable, and also gives you free or reduced admission to over 400 zoos and botanical gardens nationwide.

Basic membership costs range from $55.00 individual to $100.00 household. There are additional levels of membership options that increase in price.

Both zoo’s are open year round, and have a nice mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits which is perfect for a winter or summer visit.

5. Local Community Centers and Playgrounds

If your city has a local community center, recreation area or indoor playground, there is probably an annual membership or pass so that your family can use the Membership all year round! 

Here are some NW Metro Community Center and Playground Memberships:

Elm Creek Park Reserve Winter Recreation Area

K.U.B.E Indoor Playground Plymouth

Maple Grove Community Center

Monticello Community Center

Plymouth Community Center

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Myra Jensen

I'm Myra Jensen, lifestyle blogger and Realtor at BRIX Real Estate. I live and work in the Twin Cities NW Metro and love everything this beautiful area has to offer. If you live in the NW Metro or are thinking about moving here, you have come to the right place! Stay up to date with NW Metro, Events, Restaurants, Outdoors, Real Estate and more!

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