I think our big attractions in Asheville are underselling a major part of their membership programs – reciprocity. The WNC Nature Center, the North Carolina Arboretum, the Asheville Museum of Science, and the Asheville Art Museum all belong to different reciprocity programs, which means that if you’re a member of one, you can go to other gardens, museums, aquariums, etc. for half price or even free all through the country!
Let me break it down for you and share some of the cool places you can go, other membership benefits, and how many visits as a family of five = the cost of a membership.
Psst…if you don’t know about the ZOOM Buncombe Library passes, learn how to get into attractions in WNC for free here. If you utilize SNAP benefits, read about free admission to museums across the US in the Museums for All program here.
WNC Nature Center
The WNC Nature Center has seven membership tiers. Each of the tiers has a one-year or two-year membership fee (saves a little $). We are a family of five and are enrolled in the Family tier, but the Family Plus seems worth it if you have frequent out-of-town visitors because you can bring two guests.
Our membership costs $89/year for 2 adults and up to 4 children. One trip to the nature center for the five of us costs $57.75 pre-tax. Therefore, it only takes two visits a year to make this financially worthwhile, and we definitely go more than that.
Using the reciprocity program, I’ve saved over $40 taking our family to the Greensboro Science Center. A few years ago, I went on a work trip to Chicago and visited places like the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum at a discount. This year, we’re planning to take advantage of free admission to the NC Zoo!
Reciprocity Program
- *Read all of the rules of each program. Some reciprocity programs are not valid at locations within 90 miles of your home.
- AZA Zoos & Aquariums
- Ex. 100% off NC Zoo in Asheboro, 50% off Greensboro Science Center, 50% NC Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, and Manteo.
- ASTC Science Centers
- Ex. Discovery Place in Charlotte, Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, Museum of Life and Science in Durham.
- Other Programs
- Ex. 50% off Asheville Museum of Science, 100% Catawba Science Center, $2 off/person at Chimney Rock.
All Benefits
- Free admission for a year
- Early admission at 9:30 AM
- Nature Center discounts
- Discounted admission to 450+ centers (reciprocity!!!!)
- Cub & Kits Kids Club – conservation content and birthday fun for kids
- Biltmore Estate – $10/off daytime admission (limit of 4)
- June 2026 – membership swap with the NC Arboretum
North Carolina Arboretum
This year we rejoined the North Carolina Arboretum after a many year hiatus. The main reason I rejoined is that I learned about the ecoEXPLORE Program for kids and that you can borrow backpacks full of activities at the front desk.
There are nine membership tiers. We are part of the household membership, which includes 2 adults and their children. It’s $90/year, but because access is by car, you can always bring guests with you. My husband and I each have a pass (and carload of people).
Parking on a regular day is $25/car; this means we are saving after four carloads a year. The individual membership is $60 and could definitely work for a family as well. Just know that you only get one vehicle pass.
Reciprocity Program
- American Horticultural Society
- Free admission to gardens to over 400 gardens in North America!
- Discounts at nurseries and garden retailers
- Ex. Full Moon Tea Company, Willow Creek Nursery, and more
All Benefits – Household Tier
- Free Parking
- Discounts to the gift shop and programming
- Discounts to some Asheville area garden and nursery retailers
- Reciprocal admissions through the American Horticultural Society
- Reciprocal admission to the NC Zoo (that would be $88 +tax for my family)
Asheville Museum of Science
The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) has four membership tiers that are based on the number of people on the membership pass. My family would need the $200 tier which equals about four trips for us. I’m not a member simply because we have the WNC Nature Center membership and receive a discount. But, we LOVE AMOS!
Reciprocity Program
- 50% Off Daily Admission at Regional Reciprocal Partners:
- Catawba Science Center (Hickory, NC)
- Hands On! Discover Center & Gray Fossil Site (Johnson City, TN)
- Western North Carolina Nature Center (Asheville, NC)
- Free or discounted admission to 250+ museums and science centers through the ASTC Reciprocal Passport Program
- Free museum admission
- 50% off guest admission at AMOS (based on your membership level)
- 10% Off Museum Shop Purchases
- $25 Off our Science Themed Birthday Parties
- Discounts or early access for STEAM camps & workshops throughout the year
Asheville Art Museum
I’ll admit that I’ve only been to the Asheville Art Museum a handful of times. I really need to visit more often! They have eight membership tiers, including one that’s for college students. The cost for my family would be $100 or the equivalent of two trips.
Reciprocal Program (only applies if you’re in the Patron level or above = $300)
- If you’re at the Patron level or above ($300)
- Free admission to nearly 200 museums through participation in the Southeastern Reciprocal Membership (SERM) Program.
- If you’re at the Benefactor level or above ($600)
- Also receive free admission to more than 1000 museums nationwide and in Canada through participation in the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association.
All Benefits – Family/Dual Tier
- Subscription to the Museum’s Member publication, Profile
- Member discount on admission to select special exhibitions, ticketed events, programs, classes, and workshops
- Invitations to special events including Members-only exhibition previews
- 10% discount in the Museum Store and Perspective Café (excludes consignment items and alcoholic beverages)
Do you have a membership to any of these places (or others)? What do you like about it? How have you used reciprocity? Let me know in the comments!
Leave a Reply