Year-long joy: Give the gift of Pennsylvania parks, zoos, and museums this Christmas

Skip the usual gift from a brick and mortar store and give your loved one a Pennsylvania experience with a membership to a local attraction this holiday season.

This holiday season, skip the usual gifts and give your loved ones an experience they’ll cherish all year long—a membership to a Pennsylvania attraction.

Memberships to amusement parks, zoos, and museums are the perfect way to share joy and adventure and let your loved ones enjoy the many unique experiences our state has to offer. These gifts provide countless opportunities for family fun, education, and unforgettable memories. 

From thrilling roller coasters and wildlife encounters to thought-provoking exhibits, we’ve compiled a list of membership gift options to consider this holiday season. 

Amusement Parks

Bring joy and laughter with a season pass to an amusement park in Pennsylvania. Your loved one will be able to enjoy thrilling rides, fun attractions, and special events throughout the season.

• Dorney Park, Allentown
  • Individual season passes range in cost from $99 to $125 with additional extras that can be added on.
• Hershey Park, Hershey
  • Individual season passes range in cost from $158 to $400 with additional extras that can be added on.
• Waldameer Park & Water World, Erie
  • Individual season passes range in cost from $110 to $140.

Crayola Experience, Easton

At the Crayola Experience in Easton, the magic of Crayola crayons comes to life. With 65,000 square feet of attractions, Crayola Experience is a colorful family destination for interactive, creative play. An annual pass to this attraction will get you unlimited visits, 20% discount off retail, food, and premium activity purchases, 20% discount on birthday parties, and much more. Cost for an annual pass is $39.99.

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square

At Longwood Gardens something new is waiting to be discovered every day. Think fresh air, flowers, fountains, and togetherness. With different levels of membership, your gift will allow a loved one to enjoy year-round membership, two guest passes, free reservations for select events, discounts to various area attractions and businesses, discounts within the gardens themselves, and Membership Appreciation Days. Membership costs range from $115 to $725.

Museums

This year, consider giving a loved one the gift of discovery and inspiration with a museum membership. Pennsylvania is full of great museums in all corners of the state and with a membership your loved one can explore, learn, and create lasting memories.

• Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
  • A membership will get you free admission for a year, exclusive discounts, free admission to seasonal events, and more. Membership costs range from $89 to $219.
• Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia
  • A membership will get you free admission for a year, free parking, a 10% discount at the cafe and gift shop, discounted admission for friends and family, and much more. Membership costs range from $160 for a family of three to $310 for a family of eight.
• Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh
  • A membership will get you free admission for a year to not only the Andy Warhol Museum but also to the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Carnegie Science Center as well as invitations to members-only events, discounts on films and events at the Rangos Giant Cinema, and a discount to the museum cafe and gift shop. Membership costs range from $55 to $275.
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
  • A membership will get you free admission for a year to both the Children’s Museum and MuseumLab, discounted parking, discounts on programs, 20% discount in the museum store, 10% discount at Bean Sprouts, and much more. Membership costs range from $85 to $245.

Pennsylvania State Parks

Encourage outdoor adventures with a pass to one of Pennsylvania’s beautiful state parks. This gift allows them to explore hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and campgrounds throughout the year. Membership costs range from $25 to $500.

Tyler Aboretum, Media

Do you have a person in your life who enjoys and respects the combination of nature, education, and land preservation? Then give them the gift of a year-long-membership to Tyler Arboretum where they can escape to the peaceful 650-acres of natural lands that highlights all the beauty Mother Nature has to offer. Membership also entitles them to guest passes and discounts to the Tyler Gift Shop. Membership costs range from $65 for an individual to $300 for a circle of friends.

Venture Outdoors, Pittsburgh

Venture Outdoors is a nonprofit organization committed to connecting people to the benefits of getting outdoors. A membership to this active organization is great for any loved one that enjoys the outdoors. They offer organized hikes, kayaking, fishing excursions, biking trips and more. Membership costs for an individual range from $20 to $30 and will get you discounts on trips and rentals.

Whitaker Center, Harrisburg

The Whitaker Center has been providing access to science, arts, entertainment, and cultural enrichment initiatives for 25 years. What better gift to give a loved one than a theater membership subscription where they can enjoy exclusive access to a diverse lineup of performances, including concerts, plays, and special events? Membership costs range from $99 to $399.

Zoos

Delight the animal lover in your life with a zoo membership this Christmas. A membership to one of the many zoos in Pennsylvania offers year-round access to wildlife adventures, giving your loved one the chance to connect with their favorite animals and discover new species.

• Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown
  • With a yearly membership you’ll get free admission all year, plus special discounts on events and animal feedings, discounts on reciprocal zoos around the country, and discounts at local businesses. Membership costs range from $47.50 to $156.
• Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville
  • A yearly membership will get you free admission all year, a 10% discount on birthday parties, camps, animal encounters, and purchases in the nature store, and more. Membership costs range from $65 to $500.
• Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Pittsburgh
  • WIth a yearly membership you’ll get free admission all year, plus free parking, discounts to educational classes and lectures, and 10% discount at the gift shop. Membership costs range from $79 to $279.
• Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia
  • With a yearly membership you’ll get free admission all year, free parking, exclusive members-only events and content, discounts on dining and retail, and much more. Membership costs range from $35 to $400.
• Erie Zoo, Erie
  • When you join the Erie Zoo, you receive free daily admission to the zoo and discounted admission to over 50 zoos across the country. Membership costs range from $65 to $275.