When kids love a place, they want to return again and again… and again. Annual memberships let families visit a place as often as kids want, without spending a bundle. But in 2021, when the year is starting with so many favorite museums and play places closed, are memberships worth it? Absolutely!

There are gardens that are currently open daily, zoos that plan to open soon, and spots with members-only offerings today and always— and all of these places need our continued support to open up again, post-pandemic. Here are a few of the most affordable, game-changing, and enjoyable places in LA, where we still recommend getting family memberships.

Looking for something to do with the kids that’s outside of the box—and without the usual upsell for overpriced novelties? Then maybe it’s time to give Culver City's Museum of Jurassic Technology a try. Equal parts whimsical and educational, there’s nothing else in Los Angeles quite like this modern day cabinet of curiosities. But be forewarned—the less you know about its secrets, the more fun it is to explore.

Note: Happy Place is currently closed due to city zoning issues; it is due to reopen later this month at LA Live. More information is available on its Instagram page.

Move over Disneyland; there’s a new happiest place on Earth. Following in the exceedingly Instagrammable footsteps of the Museum of Ice Cream, here comes Happy Place, a pop-up art installation with a serious commitment to putting a smile on your face—and a selfie on your phone.