When a purchase pays you back...

Sometimes I buy something and I am happy I bought the item.

Sometimes I regret buying something because I paid too much.

Sometimes I regret buying something because I just didn't need it.

Sometimes  I buy something on the spur of the moment and it turns out to be golden.

That golden something is a boring museum membership.  

WAIT!  Don't run away...this is countrywide!  

We've had museum memberships in the past and they were great because we went a fair amount and certainly used our pass many times over the amount we paid.  THIS membership though has a spectacular reciprocal agreement with 250 - TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY museums around the country.  Most of the museums have a complete reciprocal agreement and you get in free.  Just show your pass.  A few (we haven't found any yet) might charge a reduced rate.  The trick is to buy your membership at an inexpensive museum.  We live in Harrisburg, so we purchased our membership here.  It cost $100 for our family of five, grandparents and some free IMAX tickets.  With one visit and the IMAX tickets, it is almost already paid for. 

The bonus is the reciprocal museums though.  On our trip to the shore last weekend, we stopped at two museums and were able to run around free for a few hours to break up our driving.  We didn't feel like we had to spend all day because we didn't pay a dime.  (...and isn't that freedom to leave when you need to the best part about any membership??)  The second museum we went to was the famed Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.  Admission to the Franklin Institute alone would have cost $125 - MORE than the cost of our membership.  

HERE is the link to the Whitaker Center's Membership information.  (Harrisburg)

HERE is the incredible list of all of the other museums you can visit with your membership.

I dare say we will be stopping at at least one museum on every vacation from here on out.  

SO much better than a rest stop and free education and deliciously cold air conditioning.  You can't ask for more!

Coming up next...DC on a dime and the Eastern shore for kids!!!