Hidden Cultural Treasure (Probably Right in Your Backyard)
Have you ever discovered a hidden treasure and had a fleeting moment when you didn’t want to share it?
That’s how I feel today, torn between sharing and hoarding my discovery. (Yikes that sounds terrible!)
First, let me say that I am unashamedly a museum nerd. A geek to the core, I could wander the halls of every great library in America and feel like I had only just begun. My husband and I are currently planning a trip to Italy and Greece and I am afraid that our traveling companions will have to abandon me in the Vatican, because I will be unwilling to leave Michelangelo's Last Judgement.
You see: museums, libraries, the ballet, etc. are hidden treasurers to me. But these treasurers only seem to be of interest to teachers and exhausted parents forcing them on school kids on field-trips.
Why can’t everyone see what I see?
I asked several friends their opinions and received the following comments:
They’re expensive.
I don’t have the time.
The kids don’t want to go.
There is no parking.
They are just plain boring.
To refute that I would suggest you try the following Low Drag Solution: Become a member of the Grand Rapids Public Museum (or any other museum close to your residence).
Now here’s why:
Did you know that the Grand Rapids Public Museum has a family membership for the bargain price of $65. This will allow 2 adults and ALL of your children to enter.
Need parking? They include a free pass!
Want to visit the planetarium? Go ahead and see as many shows as your heart desires for no additional cost.
Afraid your children, or you for that matter, might get bored? Leave whenever you are done and come back another time...after all you have unlimited visits for the next year.
Talk about a Low Drag way to expose people to this treasure. No rush. No stress. No need to stay because you “paid so much to enter”. When you or someone in your group is “cultured out” you can leave and not feel guilty.
Added bonus: Did you know that many museum’s have reciprocal membership agreements?
For example, the Grand Rapids Public Museum membership allows you free entrance into the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago Natural History Museum and an additional 300 + museums nationwide.
Talk about a serious savings! Does it really work? We used it in Chicago this year, to the tune of an $80 savings per visit!
So what are you waiting for?
Now by encouraging you to join these institutions, I realize that these sacred places may become busier. But I don’t want to feel like I discovered these secret treasures and am unwilling to share.
So stay tuned. I will keep sharing some of the secrets to living we have found along the way and not hoard the discoveries. I promise to let you in and hope you will see the beauty in my treasurers as well.