Let’s be honest: summer with kids is fun for about…three days. Then everyone is hungry, bored, or melting down. If you’re trying to avoid spending money every time you leave the house, then a membership is a great option for guilt-free fun.
Here are some Knoxville-area memberships that keep the fun all summer long:
Knoxville Zoo Membership
The Knoxville Zoo is a great membership for parents of younger kids. You can treat the zoo like a park. After lunch, go for an hour and a half, see their favorite animals, visit the splash pad, and head home before dinnertime. There is no pressure to see it all as you can always come back the next day. There are various memberships from a two adult family, senior membership, and a single adult family. With the zoo membership, you receive discounts on food, birthday parties, other Ripley’s attractions in Tennessee, and my favorite: free or reduced admission to other zoos and aquariums in the US.
The Muse Knoxville
The Muse is an indoor science museum, great for rainy and super hot days. It is dedicated to toddlers through elementary school. They have hands-on exhibits with STEM based learning and exploring. They also have an outdoor playground and splash area. Their memberships vary, but if you’re a zoo member or teacher, you receive a discount on memberships.
Dollywood Season Pass
Dollywood is more than just roller coasters or cinnamon bread. It also has rides, shows, and a splash pad. Being only 45 minutes from Knoxville, it can function as a full-day or half-day summer escape. You can ride a few rides, grab cinnamon bread, and leave before nap time. There are different season passes you can purchase and the pre-k pass for kids ages 3–4 is free. Visits are unlimited throughout the season with access to all festivals and certain passes include free parking and discounts on food and merchandise.
Dollywood’s Splash Country
Do your kids love water more? Splash Country is the sister to Dollywood. There are areas for all ages, which makes it manageable for families with age gaps. With the Splash Country season pass, you have access to all slides, wave pool, lazy river, and kid zones, and it also includes discounts on cabana rentals and food. This can also be added onto your Dollywood Season pass for a discount.
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Imagine a 50-acre water based playground. There are thrill slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and two areas for smaller kids with their own version of thrill rides. A Soaky Mountain membership includes a food discount and the park is open May through September.
YMCA of East Tennessee
Many people think of the YMCA as a gym, but they have activities for kids too. You can swim or even get a workout in while your kids are supervised at the Y’s child watch services. While Knoxville locations’ amenities vary, they have indoor and outdoor pools, sport lessons, summer camps, parents night out, and classes. Membership prices vary, but you will receive unlimited access to all YMCA locations, unlimited classes, and free child-watch for up to two hours.
Ijams Nature Center
Ijams is great for families who want more outdoor time. With an Ijams membership you have access to hiking trails, discounts on all camps and summer programs, special members only events, rental discounts, and free parking based on your membership level. Bring snacks, wear tennis shoes, and let them go and explore. This is great on days where you just need to get out of the house. Spend a few hours or the whole day, there is no pressure.
Play Cafes
Do you have toddlers or preschool children? Play cafes are designed specifically for younger kids with contained areas and most offer coffee and snacks for the parents. The membership includes unlimited visits. This is a great place you can rest while the toddlers run off energy in a safe, clean, climate controlled location. A few close to Knoxville: The Wild Child Cafe (Halls), Little Valley Play Cafe (West Knoxville), and Playtime in the Plains (Strawberry Plains). Each membership will vary, check with each location for more information.
Smart Toys and Books
Imagine a 2,000-square-foot interactive playground where kids can climb, slide, and explore. This is another great rainy day alternative. They offer play passes for purchase, but do require reservations. Make sure to call in an advance to reserve your spot.
Urban Air & Sky Zone
If your kids need to burn energy, a trampoline park is a great way. Both Urban Air and Sky Zone offer monthly memberships that allow unlimited access which is great for summer months as they do not require a whole year’s dedication. They include trampolines, foam pits, climbing walls, obstacle courses, basketball, and more.
Topgolf Knoxville
Yes, that’s right. They offer monthly, six months, or yearly membership options. The membership includes an hour of monthly play, a free appetizer every visit, and no time restrictions. Topgolf is covered and perfect for rainy or hot days.
Regal Unlimited
When it’s 95 degrees and everyone is melting or it’s raining, a movie is a great option. Regal Cinemas offers a monthly subscription that allows you to see unlimited 2D movies and if you want to see a movie in 4D, IMAX, RPX or ScreenX, you just pay a surcharge to cover the difference in ticket price. You also receive 10% off food and drinks, and there are opportunities to bring a friend for free to select showings.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Does your family love hiking and the great outdoors? The Great Smokey Mountain National Park now requires parking tags for all cars parked longer than 15 minutes. They offer daily, weekly, and annual passes.
