If I order a membership online, can I use it right away?

Yes, the membership becomes active as soon as your payment is processed. You will receive an email with instructions to download an Apple Wallet/Google Wallet digital card and a pdf barcode that you can use to scan in.

Can I purchase ropes course and butterfly garden tickets with the member discount online?

Yes, visit the Member Only Tickets Store. You will need your member ID number to access this store.

If I renew before the month my membership expires, will I lose any time on the renewed membership?

If you renew early, we will add one year to your existing membership. You will not lose any time. You will receive the full 12 months of membership you purchased. Your parking validations will be reset when you renew and any unused validations will be lost. If you do not want to lose your validations, please renew after you have used all of your validations.

Does the museum have a digital membership card?

Yes! Using your member ID number, you can download a digital card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet from museumofplay.org/membercard

Are there any discounts on membership?

Yes! Active-duty US military and US military veterans (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, and National Guard) who present valid identification receive a $20 discount on a Basic or higher level membership. SNAP EBT cardholders receive a $74 discount on a Basic or higher level membership.

Is membership to The Strong museum tax deductible?

The Strong is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization supported in part by membership contributions. Memberships at the Sustaining-level ($500) and higher are tax deductible to the extent that the law allows. Please consult your tax advisor.

Do members have to pay for parking?

Basic-level memberships include six (6) free parking validations. After all validations are used, members pay $5 to park. The Benefactor-level ($300) and above receive 12 parking validations. The parking validations are electronically attached to your membership account. You will not receive physical parking passes.

How do I use the parking kiosks?

Insert your parking ticket where indicated, then scan your membership card. One of your member validations will be used to open the gate or validate your parking ticket. If you are out of validations, you will be charged $5. If you forget your membership card, you will be charged $10. The scanners will scan your card from your phone but do not hold your phone directly on the glass.

Can members purchase additional parking validations?

Yes, members can purchase a 5-pack of parking validations for $20. Please visit the museum admissions desk or call the museum at 585-263-2700.

What is the +1 Guest feature?

This upgrade feature allows a member to bring a different guest each time they visit the museum. Limit one guest per membership and one use per day. Visit the admissions desk to upgrade or call 585-263-2700 x409.

Do the adult(s) named on the membership need to be present to use the +1 Guest?

No, we consider your children members, a guest (i.e., a babysitter, grandmother, etc.) can accompany them to the museum using the +1 Guest feature without the named adults present. The guest accompanying your children must present your membership card at the time of admission.

What is the ACM Reciprocal Network benefit?

With this benefit, Strong museum members will receive a 50% general admission discount for up to six people at participating ACM Reciprocal Network museums. The card holder must be present with their Strong Museum membership card showing the ACM Reciprocal Network logo. For more information and a list of participating museums, please visit www.findachildrensmuseum.org. Nearby participants are Explore & More in Buffalo, Sciencenter in Ithaca, The Most in Syracuse, and the Children's Museum of Oswego.

I hold a membership to another museum with the ACM Reciprocal Network benefit. What is The Strong's reciprocal admission policy?

The Strong provides a 50% general admission discount for up to six people who show a valid membership card with the red R ACM Reciprocal Network logo and a photo ID. This discount only applies to museum admission tickets. The museum will not refund admission for guests that do not have a valid membership card with ACM Reciprocal Network logo at the time of admission. This discount is not available online.

Membership

One visit is never enough!

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Membership

With over 37 interactive exhibits and 150,000 square feet of space—nearly three football fields of fun—one visit is never enough. A Strong Museum membership is your pass to year-round admission, exclusive member-only benefits, and valuable discounts. It’s truly the best way to experience everything The Strong has to offer!

Member Benefits

Museum admission for 1 year
6 parking validations and 4 train or carousel rides digitally attached to your membership card
Discounted guest tickets, ropes course tickets, and butterfly garden tickets
10% discount in the museum shop
ACM Reciprocal Network Discount of 50% off admission for up to 6 people at participating ACM museums
Member-only exhibit previews and discounts on select museum programs

Family Membership Levels

Basic ($209)
Benefits for two named adults and ANY four children age 18 and younger.

Basic +1 Guest ($259)
Benefits for two named adults and ANY four children age 18 and younger, plus one guest.

Benefactor ($350)
Includes all Basic-level benefits, plus four museum admission and butterfly garden tickets, and six additional parking validations (12 total).

Sustaining ($500)
Includes all Benefactor-level benefits, plus two additional museum admission and butterfly garden tickets (six total), and free museum admission for up to two guests per visit.

Leading ($1,000)
Includes all Sustaining-level benefits, plus free museum admission for two additional guests per visit (four total), and one Basic-level membership to gift to another family.

Presidential ($5,000)
Includes all Leading-level benefits, plus free museum admission for two additional guests per visit (six total), free year-round butterfly garden admission, train and carousel rides, and free parking in The Strong’s parking garage.

Limited-Time Member Discounts

May
Members enjoy free butterfly garden admission Monday through Thursday. Show your valid membership card at the admissions desk or butterfly garden ticket kiosk. Offer limited to the individuals covered by your membership during regular hours.

June
Members can bring up to two guests for free on Friday and Saturday evenings after 5 p.m. Bring your guests and membership card to the admissions desk when you arrive.

July
Members receive a free cotton candy when they spend $20 at Main Menu or Louie’s Sweet Shop! Limit one per membership per day. Valid membership card required.

August
Members receive a free kiddie cone with the purchase of a kids’ meal at Bill Gray’s. Limit one per child. A valid membership card must be presented. Offer valid only at the Bill Gray’s located inside the museum.

September
Members enjoy free ropes course admission Monday through Thursday. Show your valid membership card at the ropes course to receive your tickets. Offer limited to the individuals covered by your membership during regular hours.

New! Annual Gamer Pass $70

One year of museum admission for one person (age 18+), six parking validations, 20 game tokens (total for term of membership), discounts on guests, butterfly garden, and ropes course tickets, plus 10% off in the shop. Digital card only.

Buy Gamer Pass

Exhibits and Events Coming Soon!

May 30–September 7, 2026

Take Care with Peanuts

Fall 2026

Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking!

Fall 2026

Rebels, Empires, & Galaxies Weekend

Fall 2026

Toddler Trick or Treat

Select a Membership Option

Buy a New Membership

New members! Select a membership level that’s right for you.

Buy Now

Renew a Membership

Renew today and don’t miss a minute of the fun!

Renew Now

Buy a Gift Membership

Give the gift of PLAY—the gift that gives all year long!

Buy Now

Membership FAQs

Learn more about membership.

Learn More

Discounts, Value Packs, and Payment Plans

Discounts

$10 Early Renewal Discount
Renew before your membership expires and save $10! Look for the promo code in your email the month your membership expires or call the membership office at 585-263-2700 x409.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Discount
SNAP EBT cardholders receive a $74 discount on a Basic or higher level membership. This discount cannot be applied online. Present your SNAP card at the admissions desk to receive this discount. Not available on Gamer Pass.

Active-Duty Military and Veteran Discount
Active-duty and veterans with proper ID receive a $20 discount on a Basic or higher level membership. This discount cannot be applied online. Present valid active-duty or veteran ID at the admissions desk to receive this discount. Not available on Gamer Pass.

Value Packs

Each value pack has six uses—you pay for five and we give you a sixth free! Choose from these options:

– Carousel/Train Value Pack: $10—six rides for the price of five!

– Parking Value Pack: $25—six validations for the price of five!

– Butterfly Garden Value Pack: $25—six tickets for the price of five!

– Ropes Course Value Pack: $40—six tickets for the price of five!

To purchase, call 585-263-2700 x409 or visit the admissions desk. Value packs can’t be purchased online and expire when your membership expires.

Buy Now, Pay Later with a Sezzle Account

Split you membership fee into 4 interest-free payments with Sezzle. Download the Sezzle app or create a Sezzle account. Use the Sezzle virtual VISA card from your account to purchase a membership.

Terms and Conditions of Membership

Membership is non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be placed on hold. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Fees and benefits are subject to change without notice. Membership may not be shared by multiple households. Photo ID and membership cards are required at each museum visit. Name changes will incur a $5 processing fee (limit one per membership term).

This membership is a revocable license for the member and permitted guests. Members and permitted guests are subject to the rules and regulations of The Strong. Members and guests assume all risks and dangers of personal injury, property damage, and other hazards incidental or in any way related to the visit, whether occurring prior to, during, or subsequent to the visit and releases The Strong, its trustees, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from any and all liability for same arising from the visit. The Strong reserves the right to expel from the premises any person and/or revoke the membership, without refund, of any member where the presence or conduct of the member or guest is deemed objectionable by The Strong in its sole discretion, or who fails to comply with any and all security measures and applicable laws. The Strong reserves the right to limit articles brought onto the premises, and to limit large bags and similar items. Flash photography is prohibited; and still and video images may not be reproduced for commercial use without written consent from The Strong.

The Strong manages Members’ personal information in accordance with applicable law. The Strong may use Members’ personal information to provide goods and services, research, and send certain marketing and other materials of The Strong to Members.