Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply my admission tickets to upgrade to a Membership?

Yes! During your same-day visit, you can apply museums admission, parking payment and, in some cases, featured exhibits admission. Stop by Member Services with your receipt and we'll help you calculate your savings.

How do I get my new Membership cards?

As soon as you purchase your Membership, you’ll receive your Membership cards, one card for each adult named. You'll get your cards immediately if you’re at Member Services. If you order by phone, mail or online, you’ll receive an email confirmation to bring with you to pick up your cards the first time you visit. You can also access extra content and a digital version of your membership card at http://e2.emotionsamsara.com/member-home/.

Who may visit on my Membership?

Each Member adult must present their ID and Membership card upon entry to each attraction. Family Membership is intended for two named adults and their children/grandchildren ages 17 and younger. Dual Membership is intended for two named adults or one named adult and one child. Family Premium Membership includes two named adults, their children/grandchildren ages 17 and younger and extra visitation benefits, including the ability to include a caregiver who can bring the Member children or the ability to bring an unnamed rotating guest. You may use either the caregiver or guest benefit during your visit. Names on the Membership cannot be changed during your current Membership cycle and Memberships cannot be transferred or refunded. Memberships will not be issued to anyone under the age of 18.

I want to bring a different guest each time I visit. How do I do that?

The Family Premium Membership allows you to bring an unnamed guest during each visit. If you are not a Member at this level, then you can bring unnamed guests by taking advantage of your two free tickets for museum admission. You can also stop at Member Services to receive a discounted admission ticket.

How do I use my Membership cards for my free museums admission and discounts?

Just present an ID upon entrance to the Museums or when purchasing your discounted featured exhibit tickets. The name on the Membership must match the name on the ID, unless a caregiver is bringing the Member children with a Family Premium Membership. Names on the Membership cannot be changed during your current Membership cycle and memberships cannot be transferred.

How do I redeem my free guest Museum Admission tickets benefit?

Your benefits are loaded directly onto your cards. Just bring your Membership card to Member Services and we will validate it so you can receive your free tickets for museum admission.

When do my free guest Museum Admission tickets expire?

When your membership expires, then any loaded benefits also expire. The tickets will not carry over when you renew the membership.

How do I get my discounts on shopping, food and other tickets, like featured exhibits?

Just show your Membership card at the point of purchase and we will validate it so you can receive your discounts.

Is there a discount for educators or other professions?

Yes! Educators receive $20 off their Membership. This offer also applies to first responders, military, and nurses. This offer is not valid in combination with any other discount, coupon or special offer. Proof of status must be presented at time of purchase. Discount cannot be applied to previously purchased Memberships. Educator refers to those who teach a licensed state curriculum, pre-K through university, or who home school. Membership and discount are valid only for the educator’s household and not valid for classroom, daycare, tutoring or supplemental educational programs, support staff or group use. Discount cannot be applied to Membership given as gifts to other households. Download the Educator Discount Membership form.

Can I combine special Membership offers?

Any special offers for Membership cannot be combined and are valid only during dates of promotion.

Can I use my Membership during a school field trip?

Memberships exclude school field trips and any other organized group visits. Memberships are not for companies, organizations or other groups. Please contact Group Sales at (513) 287-7021 for information about group visits.

How do I upgrade my Membership?

You may upgrade at any time, but your expiration date will remain the same and cannot be changed. Simply pay the difference between your current level of Membership and the level to which you want to upgrade and you’ll earn your new benefits immediately! Just stop by Member Services during your next visit, or call us at (513) 287-7041.

I just renewed my Membership, but I am going out of town. Can I still take advantage of reciprocity at other museums?

Yes! Just pick up your Membership cards before you leave. Or, you can still take advantage of the reciprocity by calling us when you arrive at the partner museum. We can confirm your status as a Member over the phone. We recommend you check with your destination museum to be sure they do not require that your cards be present.

I am giving somebody else a Membership as a gift. How will they get the gift I bought?

Just stop by Member Services and pick up the Membership cards to give as the gift. Or, they are welcome to pick up the cards during their first visit. If you buy by phone or online, you can share your email confirmation with them to notify them of their gift.

My card is missing. Can I get a replacement?

There is a $5 fee for your replacement cards. Just stop by Member Services and we can print them immediately for you. You can also access a digital version of your membership card at http://e2.emotionsamsara.com/member-home/.

How long is my Member Pass valid?

Your Membership is valid for one year. Memberships expire at the end of the month in which you purchased your Membership. If you renew before the month of your current expiration date, then your 12 months of Membership will be added to your current expiration date.

Do Members receive free admission to all featured exhibits?

As a Member, you receive either free or discounted admission to featured exhibits based on the specific exhibit. Pricing details for each featured exhibit are available on our featured exhibit web page.

What should I do about free parking if I do not have my Member Pass with me when I arrive?

If it’s your first visit, bring your email confirmation you received when you paid online, by mail or by phone. You can scan your barcode from the confirmation. If you lost your cards, then please take a parking ticket to the box office for validation. Then, stop at Member Services for replacement cards. The $5 replacement fee will apply.

Do Members get preferred parking?

All Membership levels include free parking. Upon arrival, scan your Membership card at the automated parking kiosk. You can also scan your barcode from the online, mobile or phone confirmation. If you don’t have your Membership card or confirmation barcode, please take a parking ticket to the box office for validation.

How does the guest/caregiver benefit work?

This individual (the guest/caregiver) may visit the museums with either an adult or child Member, but not alone. If accompanying a Member child 12 or younger, the caregiver must be 18 years of age or older. The caregiver must present the Membership card when entering the museums or purchasing discounted Member tickets.

How can my caregiver bring my children without me?

If you are a Family Premium Member, then your caregiver receives free admission as one of your benefits. If you do not have a Family Premium Membership, then another adult may bring your Member children on your Membership card. However, if the other adult is not a Member, then he or she will have to pay admission at Member Services. Children who are 12 years old or younger must be accompanied by a caregiver who is at least 18 years old.

Do I receive a discount on admission tickets purchased for guests?

Yes! There is a $1 discount on a Museum Admission ticket. Members must accompany their guest during the visit. Make sure to show your Membership card at Member Services when you make your purchase so your discount can be validated.

Is my Membership reciprocal with other museums?

Yes! All of our Membership levels are reciprocal with the institutions that participate in the ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) Travel Passport Program and Time Travelers network. Family and Family Premium Memberships are also entitled to reciprocal privileges with the ACM (Association of Children’s Museums) reciprocal program. We strongly advise our Members to call their destination to ask about specific benefits and necessary credentials before traveling. Each museum reserves the right to enforce their reciprocity policies and decline free visitation if policies are not followed.

**Please note that CMC Members receive a 50% discount at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery**

I have a Membership at a different museum. Can I get in free at Cincinnati Museum Center?

• Discounted Museum Admission is permitted for participating members of the Association of Children’s Museums reciprocal network.
• Free Museum Admission is permitted for participating members of the Time Travelers reciprocal network.
• Free Museum Admission is permitted for participating Members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. CMC checks IDs for reciprocal admission and enforces the ASTC “90-Mile” reciprocal policy.
  
  **ASTC reciprocal admission benefits do not apply to reciprocal members whose place of residence is less than 90 miles from CMC. Per ASTC policy, this distance is measured “as the crow flies”, meaning that it is based on the linear radius between your place of residency and CMC, not driving distance.
  
  **Boonshoft Museum of Discovery – 50% discount.
• Admission is for up to two named adults on the membership and up to four children or grandchildren ages 17 and younger. No other benefits apply for guest Members.

Check the map to see if you qualify for the ASTC “90-Mile” reciprocal policy.

How can I get more information about all the different activities going on at CMC?

Check out the calendar to learn more about daily activities Events – Cincinnati Museum Center (emotionsamsara.com). Another benefit of being a Member is a FREE subscription to our Mosaic magazine. Mosaic is sent quarterly and is a great resource to find out more about current and upcoming activities and special events.

Can my organization purchase a Membership?

Memberships are only for individuals or families. We do not offer a Membership for organizations. To visit Museum Center with your organization, please contact Group Sales at (513) 287-7021 for group rates and to make a reservation.

Do you share my information?

As part of our ongoing efforts to acquire new Members, we occasionally exchanges home addresses of Members with other similar nonprofit organizations. If you prefer that your information not be shared, please email us at membership@emotionsamsara.com. We never share or exchange email addresses or phone numbers.

How do I book tickets online?

Click here to purchase tickets online or call Member Services at (513) 287-7041. Our ticket office is open Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.