Are you looking for some experiences to enjoy with your family in the next year? Whether your family enjoys entertainment or museums or history or science, this list offers favorite family membership ideas for the Lancaster County area—and then some more outside of the Lancaster County area too!
Before you start looking through the list, consider asking yourself some questions: what does my family love to do? Do my kids love dinosaurs right now? Are they into science and STEM related activities? What are they studying in history class in school? Is there a sport they really love to play or watch with Dad or Grandpa maybe? Where will we be traveling this year? Do some of these passes include memberships to places in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or Erie where you might already be vacationing?
These questions will help you decide which family memberships are best for you and your family, and help you to get the most value out of your dollar spent (or whoever is gifting the season pass to you!)
1. Dutch Wonderland Season Pass
Dutch Wonderland is filled with many different family attractions. Throughout the season, the park offers many family fun events. They offer a variety of seasonal passes for your family to make the most of your summer, fall and holiday season.
You can also choose between a basic season pass which would not include a happy hauntings or winter wonderland admission, or a premium season pass which includes everything, including a bring a friend discount.
The best price on a Dutch Wonderland Season Pass is on their Black Friday sale, but even in the month of December, you can still get a pretty good rate on a family season pass. Dining passes and 4-park admission passes are also available.
2. PA Heritage Pass
Have you heard of the PA Heritage Museum Pass? Folks, I think this is one of the best deals—especially if you love history, love to do educational things with your family, or are a homeschooling family! You get full access to Time Travelers and PA Trails of History sites across the state of Pennsylvania and several of them are in Lancaster County including Landis Valley Museum, Railroad Museum of PA, Ephrata Cloister and Cornwall Furnace.
For the month of December, they offer a special BOGO PA Hertiage Museum Pass discount, which makes the annual pass half-price, just around $40 per family!
3. Hands-On House
Become a member of Hands-on House and play, explore, create, and learn in our unique exhibits all year!
Explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) in our Clubhouse. Come back often to experience the Clubhouse’s ever-changing schedule of activities, and sign up for Story Stretchers Classes!
Members get great perks, including Member Mornings and monthly Member Specials!
4. Lancaster Science Factory
The Lancaster Science Factory is a hands-on, interactive science center for kids in Pre-K to 8th grade and their families. We are open to the public and available for group reservations and rentals. We host a wide variety of STEM educational programs and workshops and lead STEM educational outreach in our community!
The Lancaster Science Factory offers fun for the whole family with over 75 interactive exhibits and experiments. Members receive FREE unlimited visits! Five membership options are available.
We are open on most major holidays, with the exception of Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Factory offers you great activities for visiting friends and family and our camps and classes are a great option for working parents.
For many families, a membership will pay for itself in just three visits! We have numerous Member benefits available. PLUS Teachers can save $10 off a Family or Family Plus Membership.
The Science Factory is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)’s Passport Program, which allows you to visit over 350 museums worldwide with your membership.
Enjoy two great science destinations for one great price. The Double the Discovery package includes full member benefits to both the North Museum of Nature and Science and the Lancaster Science Factory.
5. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Located in the heart of PA Dutch Country, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is a unique place where fun, family, and farming come together. Not only do we operate an adventure farm during the spring, summer and fall months, but we are a family-owned and completely solar operated farm with over 300 acres of different crops!
Family Membership includes 4 season passes. Three of the passes are assigned, with the fourth being a flex pass. This is a great option for families where parents, grandparents, babysitters might take turns bringing the kids to the farm!
Cherry Crest Family Membership Passes are good from May 23 through November 7, 2020 (unlimited admission).
Includes:
- Unlimited Farm Fun admission (50+ Farm Fun Activities & the Amazing Maize Maze)
- 15% off purchases at CCAF’s food and retail stands every visit
- On your first visit receive Apple Blasters (7 apples), Battle Zone (one round) Paint Ball Range (75 shots), Twisted Tail Rope Maker or Gem Mining & Kettle Corn OR Souvenir Cup.
A regular season pass and mini-season pass are also available.
6. Strasburg Railroad
The Summer Fun Pass at Strasburg Rail Road™ offers value-packed seasonal access to all the rides and extras at America’s oldest short-line railroad for $40 per person (2 & up) from May – September.
This pass includes:
- Unlimited rides aboard regular train Coach cars
- Unlimited access to all Fun Extras, including the Pint-Sized Pufferbelly and Cranky Cars (when in operation)
- Option to upgrade (payment required for difference between accommodation desired and Coach fare)
- Unlimited rides on special offerings such as: The Pump Car, the Track Car, and/or the LO&S Motor Car No. 10 (activities may vary).
- Groff’s Grove (picnic and playground area along the line!)
- Leaman Place Grove (a great place to spot an Amtrak train speeding by!)
- Kids’ Playground in the Station mall.
Summer Fun Pass may not be used for:
- Wine & Cheese Train
- Day Out With Thomas™ trains
- Dinner trains
Another train membership idea is the Railroad Museum of PA. If you’re child loves to play with trains, climb on trains, meet real conductors and more—this is the membership pass for you and your family.
7. North Museum
The North Museum of Nature and Science will spark excitement and curiosity about science and nature when you meet the residents of the Live Animal Room, examine the amazing diversity found in birds, or explore our solar system in Central PA’s largest planetarium.
The Museum does have rotating exhibits and interactive programs that help provide a new experience for your family every time you visit.
Learn about all the museum membership options, including Double the Discover which combines membership with The Lancaster Science Factory.
8. Lancaster Barnstormers Season Passes
For the baseball lovers in your family, a Lancaster Barnstormers season pass is a great idea! They offer a variety of passes perfect to tailor any family needs and budget, including a full season ticket plan, 24 game season ticket plan, 12 game season plan and a 5 for $55 flex plan.
9. Universal Athletic Club Family Membership
While it is a little pricey, the Universal Athletic Club really does offer a vast array of premium facilities and programming. Combined with their Kidmazium play area and kids programs, this is a perfect fit for an active family who loves sports and exercise. We also love that they include unlimited Taekwondo classes for the entire family!
All club memberships include:
- Over 200 Group Fitness Classes a week, including all 12 Les Mills programs, Zumba, Pilates and more
- Heated Power Yoga and Les Mills SPRINT cycling classes now included!
- Indoor Track & Basketball Courts
- Indoor Aquatic Center and Aqua-Fitness Classes
- Kidmazium/Kidz Klub (with a Family Membership)
- Unlimited Taekwondo classes (for the entire family)
- Huge selection of the latest, top-quality cardio and strength training equipment
- Private Exercise Studios
- Virtual Group Fitness Classes for your convenience
- Motivational Incentive Program
- Fantastic Prizes through Perkville Rewards
- The SilverSneakers® Fitness Program and Silver & Fit Program
- Support throughout the life of your membership with a Fitness Coach!
You can start with a FREE 3-day Universal Family Membership trial , and then determine what is best for your family.
10. Barnyard Kingdom Season Pass
The Barnyard Kingdom is family fun on the farm for all ages! Enjoy our 30+ Barnyard activities including the 5 acre corn maze, pig races, Jump Pad, flashlight mazes and so much more! Then come back to end the season during the Pumpkin Demolition Day.
Season Pass is valid August 1st through November 7nd 2020 during regular hours of operation. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Get a glimpse of Barnyard Kingdom through our family’s experience in this blog post including photos of the homemade fries, combine slide, maze and jump pad.
Other great ideas for family memberships include:
- summer pool membership
- theater membership if you’re family enjoys shows and plays (like Dutch Apple or Fulton Theater)
- entertainment memberships (like GoNBananas, SkyZone, Turkey Hill Experience, Tiny Town and Laserdome)
- Spooky Nook Fitness
- Baltimore Aquarium
- Sesame Place
- In Philadelphia area: Please Touch Museum, Franklin Institute, Adventure Aquarium, Philadelphia Zoo, Longwood Gardens, Diggerland
