5 Annual Passes For Minnesota Adventures

Dec 18, 2024 | 0 comments

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for Minnesota Adventures? The cost of admission to parks and museums can add up quickly, especially if you have multiple kids or grandkids in tow. These annual passes are a great gift for friends and family, or to treat yourself!

Most of these memberships are affordable if you plan to use them multiple times in a year, there are often additional discounts for seniors, military families, teachers, people with disabilities, and more, check the specific websites for details. Many memberships offer additional perks – for example when we visited Chicago we were able to use our Science Museum membership to get free admission to the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium.

Here are 5 Annual Passes for your Minnesota Adventures that offer tons of fun all year long:

1. Minnesota State Parks

If you’re craving year-round outdoor adventures, the Minnesota State Parks annual permit gives you access to 75 state parks and recreation areas across Minnesota for only $35 per vehicle per year. Whether you’re into hiking, camping, fishing, or just enjoying nature, there’s a Minnesota State Park perfect for you. Minnesota State Park Finder

Why you’ll love it:

There are several MN State Parks close to the Twin Cities metro: Fort Snelling State Park, Afton State Park, Minnesota Valley State Trail, Lake Maria State Park, William O’Brien State Park and Interstate Park.
With so much to do at these parks, one pass gives you (and whoever is with you in the car) the freedom to explore year-round.

2. Minnesota Historical Society

I stumbled upon this one when I visited the Beatles Exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul a few years ago. From outdoor concerts to interesting exhibits, this museum is a gem. An added bonus, the Gale Family Library is an excellent resource if you’re into researching genealogy (I found pages from my great-grandfather’s diary here).

Why you’ll love it:

Annual membership starts at $50 for individuals, $99 for a household.
This membership gives you access to 26 historic sites across Minnesota, including Fort Snelling, The Mill City Museum, and the Split Rock Lighthouse and other discounts.
You receive Time Travelers reciprocal benefits at more than 400 historical societies nationwide and a subscription to Minnesota History magazine.

3. Science Museum of Minnesota

Located right on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum offers over 70,000 square feet of exhibit space and the famous Omni Theatre. There are so many hands-on and interesting displays, including life-size dinosaurs! In just a couple of visits a year, the membership quickly pays for itself! Membership starts at $115 for two members or one member plus guest.

Why you’ll love it:

Membership include admission to the museum, free Omni Theatre shows, discounts at the gift shop, and a reduced parking rate.
The ASTC Travel Passport program gives you free or discounted admission to museums all over the country.

4. Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo

Both the Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo are treasures of the Twin Cities and offer incredible year-round fun. Memberships at the Minnesota Zoo start at $75 for individuals and $180 for households, while Como Zoo offers memberships starting at $55.

Why you’ll love them:

Membership at the Minnesota Zoo includes free parking during your daytime Zoo visit, discounts on merchandise and events, and discounted admission to other Zoos and Aquariums around the country through the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program.
Membership at the Como Zoo includes invitations to special events, merchandise discounts and free or discounted admission to zoos and gardens throughout the country via the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program and AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program
While Como Zoo has a suggested entrance fee only, a membership is a great way to support the zoo.

Child watching animal swim at como zoo. — Como Zoo

5. National Park Service

There are six National Park Sites in Minnesota, including Voyageur National Park. The America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass gives you access to over 2,000 National Park sites across the country, including famous spots like Yellowstone, Glacier, and Zion. If you love road trips and exploring the outdoors, this pass is a must-have.

Why you’ll love it:

An annual pass is $80 per car load where per car fees are charged, and pass holder + up to 3 people where per person admission is charged.
If you are over 62, a lifetime Senior Pass is just $80 or $20 for an annual Senior Pass. There are military and other discounts available, check the site for more details.
There’s a National Park location in the lobby the Science Museum of Minnesota, so you can buy your pass while you are visting the museum.

Bonus Membership – REI Co op

REI is one of my favorite places to shop for outdoor gear because the people that work there are very knowledgeable and can answer all of my questions. A lifetime REI Co op membership is a one-time fee of $30 and gives you access to extra sales, discounts on gear, free shipping, discounts on classes and about a 10% rebate each year on your purchases.

Why You Should Consider buying Annual Passes

All of these memberships offer great value, especially when you plan to visit these spots multiple times a year. If you bought all five of these Minnesota Adventures passes, you’d get access to over 2,700 sites across the country for under $500 per year for a family of four! That’s less than $5 per site. If you’re looking for an affordable way to travel and make lasting memories, these passes are an awesome investment.