Giving a membership to a favorite museum or local organization is more than a thoughtful present—it is an invitation. It says, “This matters to me, and I’d love to share it with you.” A gift membership creates opportunities to spend time together, explore shared interests, and build experiences that last well beyond the moment the gift is opened.
Our family belongs to several museums and community organizations across the North Shore. Annual memberships are one of the best ways to support places we care about while enjoying meaningful benefits throughout the year. Most memberships include free or discounted admission to programs and events, and many of those member-only perks are reflected right here on our Events Calendar. You will often see listings with member and non-member pricing—or events marked “Free with admission,” which usually means free for members.
Gift memberships truly benefit everyone involved. They support the organization, delight the recipient, and often give the giver a reason to enjoy the gift as well. Some of the many advantages include:
- A meaningful gift that supports a cause or organization you value
- An experience, not just an item, encouraging shared time and new traditions
- Support for local community resources that rely on memberships to thrive
- Year-long value, with each visit feeling like the gift all over again
- Environmentally friendly giving, with minimal packaging and shopping time
- Tax-deductible options at certain sponsorship or supporter levels
- No batteries required—and very hard to break
Perhaps the only downside? If the recipient loves the membership enough, they may renew it themselves next year—making it harder to top!
Below you will find a curated list of museums and organizations across Massachusetts’ North Shore that offer gift memberships. Each includes a direct link to its membership page. Some organizations provide dedicated gift options, while others allow you to designate a membership as a gift during checkout. Either way, you are giving something that supports the local community and creates lasting memories.
- The Trustees of Reservations
- Mass Audubon
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Essex National Heritage Area
- Historic New England
- Essex County Greenbelt Association
- https://www.ecga.org/Membership
- make a note at checkout
- Essex County Trail Association
- Firehouse Center for the Arts
- Maritime Gloucester
- Wenham Museum
- Lynn Museum and Historical Society
- Cape Ann Museum
- Museum of Printing
- Custom House Maritime Museum
- Ipswich Museum
- The Marblehead Museum & Historical Society
- New England Aquarium
- Museum of Science
- Children's Museum of New Hampshire
- Boston Children's Museum
- Essex Shipbuilding Museum
- Amesbury Carriage Museum
Another great gift idea for the person in your life who likes to explore the outdoors would be an annual DCR Parkpass - which waives parking fees at many state resources including many gems right here on the North Shore like Maudslay State Park , Sandy Point State Reservation, Salisbury Beach State Reservation and Halibut Point State Park!
