Mom in the Museum

Well, I only just began this blog, and then I disappeared. I'm back now, and have so many thoughts and draft posts started in my head. But, finding time for writing is trickier. I begin with the best intentions and then get pulled in so many directions; I just can't find my way to the computer.

Last weekend we took a quick family trip to remember the life of the girls' great grandmother. She was a remarkable woman, and we were all so lucky to know her. Spending time with family and talking with those who knew her was comforting and fulfilling.

But to get to the memorial, we had to drive in the car. For a long time. And then the girls felt excited to see family (especially their cousins) and nervous to meet strangers. Schedules were disrupted. We were all a little out of sorts. And so we did what we often do when we travel - we found our way to a museum space. Together we explored a new museum, let off some steam, ran around, and found ourselves just a little more centered when we left.

Our destination was the Boothbay Railway Village on a chilly October morning in Maine.

In addition to the steam train ride, the model railroad, the goats (Coal and Tender), the antique automobiles, and the train cars for playing on, there was also a local craft show with fantastic wood-fired pizza. We lucked out - a museum AND food!

Whenever we travel, we look for museums. If we are visiting family in Maine or Virginia, we know where the local children's museums are, and we can fill in a rainy day with a few hours there. But when we drive, we also keep tabs on where the museums are in case we hit that point in our drive where we need to eat and stretch our legs and get a little energy out. On our many drives from Pittsburgh to Maine, we have often stopped for a few hours at a museum along our route.

It's good for the kids AND the grownups. We eat, we play (sometimes we wait out the traffic) and then we get back in the car ready to do the next leg of the drive. Now here's the real secret. (See how I hid it all the way at the bottom of this post?) We can get in most of these places for free. FREE.

You see, there's this amazing perk of becoming a member at many museums - RECIPROCITY. Museums tend to belong to one or more of the museum associations: ASTC, AZA, ACM.

So when you become a member at your local museum, chances are good that you are also gaining access to museums all over the country. So stopping for an hour or two at a museum can be virtually free.

Want to know how you can do this too? Check out the participant lists below:

Association of Science and Technology Centers Travel Passport Program (usually free general admission for your group as long as you are 90 miles away from the museum where you have your membership)

Association of Children's Museums Reciprocal Network Benefits (50% off admission for up to 6 people)

Association of Zoos and Aquariums Reciprocal Admissions Program (between 50% - 100% off general admission)