We are so lucky to live close to Pittsburgh that has a bunch of different activities and places for families to visit on the weekend.
The city hosts wonderful history, art, science and children’s museums, which provide families the opportunity to have places to explore over the weekend.
Since we try to go out and do something every Saturday as our “Adventure Saturday” the cost can really add up if you try to pay out of pocket each time you go.
Luckily, many of these places offer the opportunity to purchase memberships.
For example, the Carnegie Museum system (which encompasses the Natural History Museum, Art Museum, Andy Warhol Museum and the Carnegie Science Center) if our family of two adults and one child wanted to visit the Natural History and Art museums it is $19.95 per adult and $11.95 for our daughter. That would be a total (without tax) $51.85. This can really add up if you like to go frequently.
However, if you go with a family membership, which is two adults, four children and a caregiver it is $150 for unlimited visits for the entire year. This membership also covers the Andy Warhol and Carnegie Science Center.
The same is for the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum. One visit for the three of us is $46, but a year long membership is $135 for the same family.
As an added bonus, this membership (and the one at the Carnegie Museum system) can also be used at other participating ASTC centers across the country.
One of the best things is these memberships can be given as gifts.
When Christmas time rolls around, we like to ask for these memberships as family gifts. This way we have a whole year of experiences to look forward to.
It is great because if we just want to stop by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to see the dinosaurs, we can just pop in, say hi to T-Rex and then leave. We don’t have to worry about cramming in so much stuff so that we get the most bang for our buck.
This past weekend, we went to the Carnegie Science Center and just visited the Exploration Station Jr., an area that is geared toward Preschoolers with a water table, playground area, ball factory, big blue building blocks and more.
We just popped in and played there for about two hours and left. We didn’t feel the need to try and do too much, which is great with a preschooler who can become overwhelmed if you try to do too much in one day.
Here is just a brief video to give you a look of the Exploration Station Jr. area of the Carnegie Science Center.
What do you and your family like to do on the weekends? Leave your comment below.
Mousekatots 