As spring ushers in warmer temperatures and more daylight, I find myself daydreaming about summer break and how my family will spend our time. It’s at this point in the year that I start planning what our summer days will look like, whether it’s camps, vacations, pool days, or something in between.
What I’ve discovered is that a few carefully considered family memberships can help guide our summers (and the rest of the year), and they’re an investment that pays off quickly. Family memberships can be cost-effective sanity-savers for families on the go throughout the summer and year-round. Plus, they make for GREAT holiday gift ideas!
My Top 10 Dallas Season Passes for Families
Dallas Aquatics Season Pass
If your family loves to visit the pool during the summer, I highly recommend a Dallas Aquatics Season Pass. It allows you to visit various neighborhood pools throughout Dallas County without paying a per-visit fee. Where you live, and how many pools your family is interested in visiting, will determine the type of pass that is right for you. Passes range from $24–$56 per person, depending on pass type.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The Perot Museum is a definite favorite in our house since there’s something for all ages and interests, whether it’s learning about dinosaur bones, space, robots, or gems. Because it’s such a large and highly interactive museum, I feel like it’s difficult to make it all the way through the museum in one day. With a membership, you have the flexibility of coming back whenever you want. The Basic Family membership is $130 per year.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The Arboretum is the first place my family purchased a membership to when we moved to Dallas seven years ago. If you haven’t been, it’s the perfect place to spend spring days, enjoying the tulips. But it’s also beautiful any time of year! And The Rory Meyers Children’s Garden is a super fun, engaging place for kids to explore and learn about life science. Family memberships begins at $148 annually.
Dallas Zoo
We love a zoo! There’s so much to see and do at the Dallas Zoo, and even if you’ve been before, each experience is slightly different. The carousel and T-Rex mini-train are also fan favorites. A Dallas Zoo membership will also earn you discounts at other zoos and aquariums across the country. Family memberships start at $149.
Texas Discovery Gardens
This is a 7.5-acre sprawling garden, teeming with native and adapted plants. There’s also an incredible butterfly house that will charm your children. With a membership to Texas Discovery Gardens, you get discounts on birthday parties, plant sales, gift shop and workshops. And get this: Another perk of membership is one day of free admission to the State Fair of Texas for up to six family members! Family memberships start at $75.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
If you have a LEGO lover in your house, this is a must-see. Build, play, ride rides, and see how LEGOs are made. Your kids will love their time at LEGOLAND and want to go back again and again. Annual passes start at $44.99 per person, can combine with SEA LIFE membership for $89.99 per person.
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
This 289-acre nature preserve and museum in McKinney is the perfect place to escape the hectic pace of the city and get in touch with nature. There are trails to explore, wildlife to spot, and ropes courses for older children (and adults) to test their courage. A basic family membership is $85 annually.
Six Flags Over Texas & Hurricane Harbor Arlington
A Six Flags membership is geared towards families with slightly older children. But there’s tons of fun to be had at Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor—roller coasters, rides, and a water park all in one pass! Membership passes start at $89.99 per person. The 2022 Extreme Pass is the mid-level pass and is more family-friendly in my opinion. It is $159.99 per pass and also gets you into all Six Flags Parks across the country.
Hawaiian Falls
Beat the heat this summer at Hawaiian Falls. There’s something for everyone: wave pool, lazy river, and a number of twisting and turning water slides. At the Garland and The Colony locations, season passes currently start at $64.99 per person. At the Mansfield location, season passes are on sale for $59.99 per person through March 23, 2022.
Dallas Museum of Art
After one visit to the DMA, my kids were begging for a membership. While children 11 and under always get into the museum for free, my kids were especially interested in the children’s programming and camps. A Kids Club membership option is available for purchase à la carte in addition to any membership level for $50 per person. It gives Kids Club members access to six events annually as well as pre-sale access to DMA summer camps. Regular membership pricing starts at $120.
Bonus! 3 More Cool Dallas Memberships:
Frontiers of Flight Museum
The Frontiers of Flight Museum is so very affordable and has all kinds of attractions that kids love. Of course, at the top of that list are the more than 30 aircraft and space vehicles. There are 13 galleries and exhibits, over 35,000 historical artifacts, and super fun special events that are free to members. Family memberships start at $75.
SEA LIFE
Just outside of Dallas is the SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium. Like the Dallas World Aquarium, it’s full of beautiful, amazing (and some very odd looking!) creatures that will wow your kids every time you go. As a member, you’ll enjoy special members-only activities and extended hours. Membership is $44.99 per person; can combine with LEGOLAND membership for $88.99 per person.
Dallas World Aquarium
The Dallas World Aquarium has unique exhibits that simply can’t be found anywhere else in Dallas. It’s a beautiful facility with sea creatures, birds, reptiles and more. It’s packed full of vibrant color and interest. A family membership for one adult and up to 3 kids is $275 per year.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Dallas Family Season Passes
- Cost per visit: If you’re considering a membership at a particular location, add up the total cost it will take your family to visit that location, including parking and food (if applicable). Often, the cost of a year-long membership will be less than the total cost of visiting the location two times. If it’s a destination your family plans to visit multiple times, a family membership will be well worth the investment.
- Benefits: Read the full benefits offered with each membership. Some offer discounts on parking, food, gifts, even reciprocity with other locations. A lot of membership passes include members-only events or access. The benefits could be even greater than you realize, so make sure you take full advantage of all that you’re paying for.
- Camp access: If your family does a lot of summer camps for your kids, consider memberships that give you discounts on camps or early access to camp signups.
- Caregiver options: If you have a nanny, babysitter, or grandparent who will frequently take your children to the place of membership, make sure they are allowed to use your season pass. Some places have caregiver pass options, but others are more stringent with their rules.
Have fun exploring the metroplex with your new family memberships. What places are we missing, Dallas?
