6 must-have metro Atlanta memberships

CONTRIBUTED BY GEORGIA STATE PARKS

At last count there were over 40 museums in the city, and countless galleries.

Add to that a stellar number of parks, attractions and gardens. Choosing which to visit is a daunting task; choosing where to drop membership dollars arouses confusion in even the most decisive residents.

Read on for our thoughts on 5 must-have membership deals in and around town.

Ellen Gamnes (L) and Bernt Nilsen take photographs of orchids during the Atlanta Orchid Society Show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden In Atlanta GA March 10, 2018. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

icon to expand image

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Atlanta Botanical Garden. Thousands of colorful tulips bloom in spring, clever scarecrows haunt in fall and millions of lights twinkle in winter…all at the     Atlanta Botanical Garden . Members receive free unlimited admission to the garden, discounts on special events, education programs, gift shop and multi-visit parking passes.  See a large Chihuly sculpture glisten in the sun next to the rose beds, or smell the vegetables in the Edible Garden.  Meander through the trees at the Canopy Walk, or find your zen in the Japanese Garden. Surprises await you every season.

» RELATED: The top 7 rides you must try at Six Flags Over Georgia

Friends of Georgia State Parks.  Georgia is home to magnificent state parks like Cloudland Canyon and Unicoi. A Georgia State Parks Annual ParkPass exempts guests from the daily parking fee, but outdoor buffs benefit more with a membership to     Friends of Georgia State Parks .  In addition to the annual parking pass, members enjoy discounted admission to Georgia's historic sites, up to two nights of free camping or two rounds of golf and discounts at park retail shops and overnight stays. Friends of Georgia State Parks is a non-profit organization fully committed to the preservation and enhancement of the state parks.

Broadway in Atlanta. The lights, the music, the excitement…nothing quite compares to a Broadway show. As a Season Subscriber to     Broadway in Atlanta , you can experience all the magic of the stage for less. Benefit from ticket exchanges and reprints, discounts for additional tickets and discounts with participating restaurants.  Patron Club membership is a bit more, but affords prime seating locations and parking vouchers or discounts. If you desire theater in a more intimate setting, consider season tickets to the     Alliance Theatre. Impromptu Membership offers the most in flexibility; for one price, members see all the shows, when they want to see them, as many times as they want to see them.

Stone Mountain Park . If you're planning more than two annual visits to     Stone Mountain Park , consider the Mountain Membership PLUS. Benefits include free admission to Snow Mountain, the Ride the Ducks amphibious tour and other park attractions. Members receive 20% off Lasershow Snack Terrace Seating, all park merchandise, restaurant meals, campsites and The Spa at Evergreen. Flash your membership card for up to 40% off rooms at Atlanta Evergreen Marriott or Stone Mountain Inn. Parking is free with membership and discount tickets are available for guests.

» RELATED: 7 spots where your pooch can splash, wade and swim around Atlanta

Let her fingerpaint and let them clean up! A grandparent's dream: Toddler Thursdays at the High Museum of Art.

Credit: Contributed by the High Museum of Art

icon to expand image

Credit: Contributed by the High Museum of Art

High Museum AND Atlanta History Center, both in Atlanta.  The Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) offers the opportunity to enjoy multiple museums - affordably. ROAM is an association that offers reciprocity between membership programs for museum admission.  It's a two-for-one museum opportunity.  For example, Sustaining Members (and above) of Atlanta History Center receive free admission to the High Museum's permanent collection.  Already a member of the High? No problem. Atlanta History Center allows entrance for two to AHC and the Margaret Mitchell House with the Dual or Family level. Several other Georgia museums also offer reciprocity through     ROAM ,     Association of Zoos and Aquariums,     American Horticultural Society  or     Association of Children's Museums .

What additional memberships do you hold, and what would you add to the list? Share them with us below, and see upcoming events at these Atlanta museums at     events.accessatlanta.com .