Members Only, Part 1: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Our family is: me, Erik (daddy), Skyler (9yo), and Elle (almost 2). Also in the house, and really a part of the family, are Michelle (my friend who is also Elle's nanny), and her son Dom (almost 2).

So, if we go to the zoo, or the museum, or the water park, it is often worth it to buy a one-time family membership for the household that will allow any of us to go for an entire year as many times as we would like. We've had memberships to the Miami Metro Zoo, Fairchild Gardens, and the Miami Science Museum. I've also looked in the annual memberships at the Miami Children's Museum and Jungle Island. I'm going to report on the benefits of each from my firsthand experience.

Best All-Around Membership: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Miami is, well, LOUD. And Fairchild is not. As an adult, I love this membership because IF I can catch some alone time, there is no better place to wander. As a parent, I love Fairchild because there are truly amazing things for kids to discover there that aren't made of plastic, that aren't accompanied by some squeaky cartoon-character voice, that aren't desperately loud and in-your-face in order to catch a kid's attention. Giant lizards. Iguanas that gallop and climb trees. Big turtles that jump out of the water. Flowers that look like giant puffballs. Streams, lakes, tiny waterfalls. A tree that looks like it has been painted with watercolors. There are paths large and small, wide lawns for the kids to run free, and when a break is needed, an air-conditioned snack bar. Upon entry, you can ask for the "scavenger hunt" sheet for older kids, which will keep them occupied and is fun for all to help with.

They have really generous membership terms, too. A Family & Friends annual membership ($125) allows 2 adults from the same household, plus 2 guests per visit. Kids under 5 are free. The membership includes all their festivals and special events, of which there are many throughout the year. These events typically have a ticket price of $20+.

We live really close to Fairchild, so that's one more reason this wins Best All-Around Membership. Check out this page for a list of all the membership benefits, bells and whistles.