Use the Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange’s Reciprocal Membership Benefits Throughout October
Every October, we look forward to one of our favorite events on the calendar: The SWMI Cultural Exchange.
The Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange offers an amazing chance to visit six local favorites in October for free, when you hold a membership at any one of them. This reciprocal membership happens just once per year!
Is admission really FREE?
Yes. If you have a membership at one of the six locations, you can visit the other five for free during the entire month of October.
Do I need to register for this program?
Nope! Just bring your photo ID and membership card.
2024 Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange Highlights
The SWMI Cultural Exchanges provides a fun and FREE way to visit six local favorites when you are a member at any of them.
With this reciprocal membership benefit, you can visit these museums, zoos and sanctuaries as many times as you would like, all month long in October.
Dates & Times Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange
October 1 – 31, 2024
Location
6 participating locations: Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Nature Center and W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary/Manor House
1 – Air Zoo
6151 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
The Air Zoo is a world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace & science museum with over 100 rare air and spacecraft, indoor rides, amazing interactive exhibits, and a nationally recognized restoration center.
Be sure to explore both buildings at the Air Zoo: the Flight Innovation Center and Flight Discovery Center.
~ Air Zoo Trip Planner
More Reciprocal Membership Discounts
Air Zoo members enjoy a variety of reciprocal membership benefits throughout the year- including over 1200 museums throughout the United States.
2 – Binder Park Zoo
7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, MI 49014
Spend the day in Battle Creek at AZA accredited Binder Park Zoo. Feed the giraffes at Twiga Overlook, see painted dog pups play, take the tram to Wild Africa and safari through Zuri National Park to observe lions, zebra, gazelle and ostriches.
For ropes course fans, be sure to visit SkyLark Ridge near the carousel.
Schedule note: Binder Park Zoo is open through October 27, 2024. They reopen in May of 2025.
~ Binder Park Trip Planner
More Reciprocal Membership Discounts
Binder Park Zoo members can find additional discounts with the AZA reciprocal admissions program for zoos and aquariums offering free or discounted entry.
📷: Binder Park Zoo
3 – Gilmore Car Museum
6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
The Gilmore Car Museum displays over 400 vehicles on a scenic 90-acre campus.
Take a step back in time in vintage car dealerships, an authentic 1940s diner, and see the iconic automobiles that put America on wheels.
~ Gilmore Car Museum Trip Planner
More Reciprocal Membership Discounts
Gilmore members receive reciprocal membership at LeMay – America’s Car Museum (Tacoma, WA) and America On Wheels Museum (Allentown, PA).
4 – Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is home to over 4700 pieces of art in their permanent collection. The KIA also teaches classes and camps for all ages in a variety of media.
📷: KIA
5 – Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Explore 14 miles of trails at the Kalamazoo Nature Center during the Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange. Trails are labeled for ease of use with both distances and difficulty levels.
The KNC is also a fantastic source for nature education with exhibits inside and children’s programs.
~ Kalamazoo Nature Center Trip Planner
More Reciprocal Membership Discounts
KNC members can visit 120 nature centers for free or at a discounted rate.
📷: KNC
6 – W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary & W.K. Kellogg Manor House
12685 East C Ave, Augusta, MI 49012
3700 E Gull Lake Dr, Hickory Corners, MI 49060
Three miles of trails surround Wintergreen Lake at the W.K. Kellogg Bird sanctuary, where families can feed the waterfowl (geese, ducks, swans) with buckets of corn from the visitor’s center for a small fee (on select days).
After your corn buckets are empty, tour their rescued raptors area featuring owls, hawks and eagles. Families will also enjoy the stroller-friendly paved walking path.
W.K. Kellogg Manor House is the former summer residence of breakfast cereal pioneer W.K. Kellogg and his wife, Dr. Carrie Staines Kellogg. Built in 1926, this property was fully restored in 2000.
Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided walking tour of the grounds.
Do you Participate in the Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange?
Leave us a comment with your experiences visiting these fantastic local organizations with your reciprocal membership!
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