Membership

Becoming a member is easy! Either of these two simple ways will begin your year's worth of fun:

1. During your visit, purchase a membership at the Tickets & Information Desk. You can apply that day's Gate Admission toward the cost of your membership! (Admissions applied must correspond with level of membership purchased, for example: you can apply one Gate Admission for an Individual Membership; two adult and two child admissions for a Family Base membership.)
2. Call Guest Services at 508.929.2700 or the Membership Department at 508.929.2767 to speak with our staff and charge by phone using your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

Your membership is valid for one year from the time of purchase, so you receive a full 12 months of membership. For example, if you purchase your membership in the month of January 2019, then your membership will be active through the last day of January 2020. If you purchase a two year membership, then you will receive a full 24 months of membership. Gift memberships are not active until they have been redeemed. 

Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing and delivery of your membership cards. If you haven't received your card after this time period, please contact the Membership Department at 508.929.2767, or e-mail us at membership@ecotarium.org.

Yes! The staff at the Admission Gate and the Ticket & Information Desk can see that you've joined or renewed and will make sure you receive all your benefits! And when you visit we will give you a temporary membership card, which is valid until you receive your annual cards in the mail. Please note: you will need a valid membership card or a temporary card, along with matching identification, to visit museums in the Association of Science and Technology (ASTC) Passport reciprocal program (link is external) (for all EcoTarium members), the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) (link is external) (for Family Base level members and above), and the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (link is external).

EcoTarium memberships purchased online can be used at the EcoTarium immediately by bringing your photo ID and confirmation email to the admissions gate.

Members at the Family Base level and above will receive two membership cards. Each time you pay to upgrade, you will be sent two new cards. Additional cards can be purchased for $10 for a set of two. 

The EcoTarium, and the ACM, ASTC, and NARM museums may ask for a photo ID to protect our members, should their card be lost or stolen. As a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we try to prevent misuse of membership cards.

The person named on an Individual Membership is the only person allowed to use that membership for free admission, discounts, and reciprocal benefits. The individual purchasing and using this membership must be at least 14 years or older. This membership cannot be used on an individual under the age of 14 even when accompanied by an adult.

Memberships are non-transferable and are valid only for the persons whose names appear on the membership and their chosen guests. As long as one member is present during your visit, admission will be allowed up to the number the membership level allows.

You may purchase a gift membership using any of these options: On our website, in person, or by calling our Membership Department at 508.929.2767 or Guest Services at 508.929.2700.

If purchasing via our website, please check the Gift Membership box, and if you would like us to mail the gift directly to the recipient, please also use their mailing address for the delivery information. 

For a Gift Membership, we create a personalized Gift Certificate for the level of membership you are giving. Your gift recipients' year(s) of membership begins when they redeem the Gift Certificate by completing the reverse side and returning it to the EcoTarium, either in person or by mail.

No, memberships cannot be used for groups and are not transferable to other people who are not listed on your membership application. For affordable group rates, please contact Reservations at 508.929.2703 or reservations@ecotarium.org (link sends e-mail)

Upgrading your membership, $25 per person, allows you to bring more guests per visit, up to 8. This can be done in person, online, or over the phone.

No, members who bring guests that are not covered under their membership will need to pay the full admission price.

If your card is lost, stolen or destroyed, you can choose to purchase new membership cards

at the Ticket & Information Desk on your next visit or contact the Membership Department at 508.929.2767 or Guest Services at 508.929.2700,or e-mail us atmembership@ecotarium.org(link sends e-mail) . Replacement and/or additional cards cost $10 for two cards.

Simply fill out the online membership application. Include all of the individuals’ names and check the renewal membership box. It is helpful if you include your current membership ID number, shown on your membership card, but not necessary. Please make sure your address information is correct and up-to-date.

Yes! With your EcoTarium membership card you receive free or reduced admission to over 350 other science and technology centers in the country and the world. Participation by Association of Science and Technology Center (ASTC) members is completely voluntary and can change without notice. We recommend always calling the museum you wish to visit to confirm your benefits before traveling. The EcoTarium participates by giving free admission to members of other ASTC institutions at our Family Base level and above.

EcoTarium members at the Family Base level and above also receive half-priced admission to the 200 museums in the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) (link is external). Be sure to bring your EcoTarium membership card and your ID when visiting other museums!

EcoTarium members are also enrolled in the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (link is external), a network of 1300+ art museums and galleries, historical museums and societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, and more. Membership in a participating NARM institution receives reciprocal membership benefits across the United States, Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Mexico!

Yes. They are the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Connecticut Science Center, The Children’s Museum in West Hartford (CT) and Boston Children’s Museum (MA). However, Boston Children’s Museum (MA) and The Children’s Museum in West Hartford (CT) reciprocate with our ACM Reciprocal network, which gives members at the Family Base level ($125) or higher reduced admission.

Yes, parking is free for everyone at the EcoTarium with gate admission.

Don't see your question here?  Feel free to call Guest Services at 508.929.2700 (Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) or the Membership Department at 508.929.2767 (Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.).  You can also e-mail us at membership@ecotarium.org (link sends e-mail). If you call or email before or after office hours, we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

You need to pay for replacement cards if you have lost your cards, want to add or change a name, or would like to purchase additional cards. You do not need to pay if your cards got lost in the mail, spelling was incorrect, or if you change or add names to your membership within 5 days of your purchase. Old cards do not need to be returned.

If you are paying to add an individual to your membership, you do not need to pay the additional replacement card fee and can change as many names as you would like on your membership, at that time. When you add a new individual to your card by increasing your membership level, new cards will automatically be sent to you.

Replacement cards are 2 for $10.