Memership FAQs
Please read this important information before making your membership purchase:
General Membership FAQs
A. All memberships enjoy unlimited daytime general admission, which includes access to rotating special exhibits and one giant screen movie during each visit, year-round access to 75 acres of outdoor adventures in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, and discounts on purchases in the Museum Store and Fernbank Café. Memberships are nonrefundable, nontransferable and valid only for the adult(s) listed on the membership.
A. Purchasers will receive an email with instructions on how to download a digital membership card within a week of their membership purchase. If you would like a paper membership card, please contact Member Services at Membership@FernbankMuseum.org or by calling 404.929.6340. Paper membership cards may take up to an additional 2 weeks to receive by mail.
A. Members must register their account before reserving free tickets — follow these step-by-step instructions to participate.
A. Yes. Please bring your photo ID and e-tickets for admission, as well as discounts on purchases in the Museum Store and Fernbank Café.
A. Fernbank Museum requires all members to present their membership card and a photo ID if e-tickets were not reserved in advance. In order to prevent the misuse of membership privileges, this process enables a member who loses their membership card to know that no one else can use their membership. Please note that IDs for all listed members will be checked.
A. Guest passes are stored on your membership account and can only be redeemed in person at the Box Office. Member(s) must be present to redeem all guest passes.Please note: Guest passes expire when the current year’s membership ends. Passes are only valid during regular, daytime hours and are not redeemable for after-hours events unless otherwise noted.
A: No. Your membership benefits are exclusively for the individuals listed on your membership. Memberships are nontransferable and nonrefundable.
A. Only if there is a caregiver listed on your membership. You can purchase a caregiver add-on for $40 per caregiver, with a maximum of two caregivers per membership. Family Adventurer level members and above receive a free add-on, which can be used for a caregiver. For security purposes, we require that you provide us with the name of your caregiver. The caregiver add-on is available to one named adult. Additional caregivers can be purchased for $40 each. A change in listed caregiver(s) is permitted once per membership period. Please note: Add-ons expire once the membership expires and do not roll over toward renewals if purchased late into the membership.
A. There is no penalty or lost months if you renew early. We will automatically add the additional 12 months (or 24 months for 2-year memberships) to the end of your current membership period.
A. Yes. You will need your receipt or order number to complete the transaction. Please visit the Box Office before the end of the day or contact Member Services at Membership@FernbankMuseum.org or 404.929.6340 within seven days of your visit.
A. Yes. You can upgrade your membership to a higher level at any time during the course of your membership. Those who choose to participate will only have to pay the difference in membership levels. Please note: Membership upgrades will not change your expiration date.
A. Yes. We encourage matching gift donations from your employer as we are a nonprofit that relies on the generosity and support of others. Many corporations offer employee giving programs where they match donations or the tax-deductible component of your membership. Check with your company’s Human Resources Department to see if your gift to Fernbank is eligible for a matching gift. Please note: Matching gifts cannot be used to upgrade your membership.
Gift Membership FAQs
A. Gift memberships can be purchased online, by phone at 404.929.6340 or in person at Fernbank’s Box Office. At the time of purchase, you will need to provide the gift recipient’s name(s) and address.
A. A gift membership begins on the purchase date. Depending on the membership term purchased, all memberships run through the last day of the month, one year or two years after the purchase date. For example, a one-year membership purchased on June 15, 2023 will expire on June 31, 2024.
A. You can choose to have the membership welcome letter and membership cards delivered to either you or to the gift recipient. If purchasing a membership online, you will be asked if you would like the membership to be delivered to the “gift recipient” or “myself.” If you choose "gift recipient," we will send the letter and cards to the recipient; if you choose “myself,” the letter and cards will be sent to the gift giver. Please note: Memberships purchased online generate an order confirmation email. This email will only be sent to the purchaser’s email address.
A. No. Memberships start on the purchase date. Please do not make your purchase until you are ready for the membership to begin. The welcome pack will arrive within seven business days of your purchase to the specified recipient.
A. If you buy a gift membership and then find out your recipient has an active membership, you can merge the gift membership with the recipient’s current membership, adding time to their current membership. Gift memberships are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Automatic Renewal FAQs
A. You can sign up for Automatic Renewal online. While checking out, select the box labeled “Sign me up for Automatic Renewal and renew this membership automatically when it expires.” Be sure to use the discount code AUTOMATIC when checking out to receive 15% off.*
A. You will be charged at the then-current rate for your current level of membership. Any discounts or offers are limited to your first year of auto renewal and will not be included after the initial term/year of your auto renewal. You will be notified of the transaction the month prior to the charge so that you can make changes if needed.
A. You can upgrade your membership at any time by contacting the membership department at Membership@FernbankMuseum.org or 404.929.6340. The prorated price difference between your current and upgraded membership will be charged at the time of your upgrade and renew at the upgraded level moving forward.
A. You will need to provide a credit card that will be securely kept on filed. If your credit card expires or changes, please contact us at Membership@FernbankMuseum.org or 404.929.6340.
A. Your auto-renewal payment will be processed on the day of expiration which is the last day of the month that your current membership expires at the then current price on an annual basis.
A. If membership rates increase, you will be sent an email the month prior to the charge so that you can review the new information and make changes as needed, i.e. select a different membership level or cancel your upcoming automatic renewal transaction.
A. Please contact the membership office via email at least 30 days before your renewal date at Membership@FernbankMuseum.org or 404.929.6340
A. You will receive your digital membership cards within a week of the transaction date.
A. No, memberships are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
A. Automatic Renewal is a great option because it is:
Eco-friendly: You will not receive renewal letters in the mail. This means no hassle and no more reminders filling up your mailbox (or your recycle bin!).
Sustainable: Show the museum that it can count on your support for developing exhibitions, taking care of objects and facilitating programs by not allowing your membership to lapse.
Convenient: Your membership and benefits will be ready when you need them. Fernbank will automatically renew your membership at the then-current price on the day of expiration using the credit card of your choice until you tell us to stop.
Eco-friendly: You will not receive renewal letters in the mail. This means no hassle and no more reminders filling up your mailbox (or your recycle bin!).
Sustainable: Show the museum that it can count on your support for developing exhibitions, taking care of objects and facilitating programs by not allowing your membership to lapse.
Convenient: Your membership and benefits will be ready when you need them. Fernbank will automatically renew your membership at the then-current price on the day of expiration using the credit card of your choice until you tell us to stop.
*Introductory offer valid only on the first year of enrollment. Future membership renewals will be charged at the then-current rate. Please Note: The 15% savings introductory offer may not be combined with other discounts (including Student, Senior, Military or Educator). Memberships are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Be sure to use the discount code AUTOMATIC when checking out to receive 15% off.
If you have questions about which membership level is right for you, or if you are a current member and need assistance, please contact us at Membership@FernbankMuseum.org or 404.929.6340.
Fernbank is a nonprofit natural history museum, giant screen theater and old-growth forest, and is not affiliated with Fernbank Science Center, which operates as a division of DeKalb County Schools.
