CLEVELAND, OH—October 9, 2026—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is expanding its membership program with new options designed to make connecting with science and nature more accessible, flexible, and affordable than ever. The Museum has introduced new Student, Individual, and Access memberships, along with a 20% membership discount on all membership levels for current educators, active-duty military members, and veterans.
The expanded offerings give visitors more ways to choose a membership that fits their needs—whether they are a college student looking for an affordable way to explore the Museum throughout the year, an individual who wants unlimited adventures throughout the year, or a family participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The new membership options include:
Student Membership — $35 annually
Designed for currently enrolled college and university students, the new Student membership provides unlimited Museum admission along with benefits including planetarium shows and 3D movies, reciprocal admission through the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), member pricing on programs and events, Museum discounts, and member parking. Student memberships are available for purchase in person with a valid student ID.
Access Membership — $25 annually
Building on the Museum’s commitment to accessibility, the new Access membership provides admission for up to four individuals and includes planetarium shows and 3D movies, ASTC reciprocal benefits, member pricing, standard Museum discounts, and member parking. Eligibility mirrors the Museum’s existing Museums for All admission program. The membership may be purchased in person with a valid SNAP/EBT card.
Individual Membership — $75 annually
The new Individual membership provides unlimited admission for one adult, along with core Museum member benefits including ASTC reciprocal benefits, member pricing on programs and events, discounts, parking benefits, and a digital membership card.
Educator, Military, and Veteran Membership Discounts
The Museum is also establishing a 20% discount on memberships for active-duty military members, veterans, and current educators, including educators working in public and private schools, homeschool settings, colleges, and universities. Verification is required, and discounted memberships may be purchased in person or by phone.
Join the Museum for Owls & Howls—and apply your event admission towards a year of discovery!
These expanded membership options arrived just in time for the fall season! Families who join now will gain access to member pricing on numerous upcoming fall events and programs, including the popular Museum Family Day: Owls & Howls, taking place Sunday, October 25, from 10am to 4pm.
The Halloween celebration invites families to “hoot like an owl” and “howl like a coyote” while discovering some of Ohio’s native animals. Guests can meet the Museum’s animal ambassadors, enjoy special wildlife shows, make Halloween crafts, and take part in trick-or-treating for children ages 12 and under. Children ages 12 and under who visit in costume receive free Museum admission when tickets are purchased in person!
And remember—for visitors who decide they’d like to keep exploring long after Owls & Howls ends, event admission can be applied toward the purchase of a Museum membership—turning one memorable day at the Museum into a full year of discovery.
For complete information about membership levels, eligibility requirements, benefits, and purchasing options, visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s membership page.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contact
Samantha Guenther
Assistant Director of Marketing & Media Relations
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
