NYC memberships worth investing in to jumpstart 2023

Annual membership: $90/year 

In the heart of NYC’s Meatpacking District, the Whitney Museum of American Art houses nearly 26,000 20th- and 21st-century paintings, sculptures, drawings, visual artworks, and more from over 3,700 artists. Membership not only grants you unlimited access to the sprawling 50,000-square-foot space but includes free admission to other top modern and contemporary art museums around the world as part of a reciprocal program. The $90 annual fee gets you 50% off general admission tickets for guests, early access to new exhibitions, and even exclusive access to the museum between 9:30 am and 10:30 am on the weekends. Members can snag 20% off in the Museum Shop and 10% off at the Whitney Cafe and Studio Bar.

Annual membership: Starting at $180/year

You may have already given the Bronx Zoo a bit of business this year (for that, ahem, name-a-roach program), but don’t limit yourself to a one-time visit. In fact, the WCS membership grants you access to the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and New York Aquarium (for an added cost) in addition to the Bronx Zoo. The membership fee, which starts at $180, allows for two adults and up to four children, while the $225 family-plus plan covers that same admission but also gets you access to special exhibitions at the Bronx Zoo. If you want that NY Aquarium add-on, it’ll be an additional $95. While I get it, that’s a pretty penny in total, if you visit the Bronx Zoo just three times this year you’ll have already spent the same as a premium membership. Decision made.

Annual membership: Starting at $180/year & $100/year for students and seniors

The Center for Fiction is an oasis for storytellers and bookworms. The 200-year-old nonprofit, which has long supported the work of burgeoning writers, includes members-only spaces like a tech-free reading room, tech-friendly lounge, and even an outdoor terrace. While the membership starts at $180 per year (and only $100 a year for students and seniors), you’ll score library borrowing privileges and access to over 700,000 books. You’ll get access to exclusive member previews and early registration for reading groups, writing workshops and other special events—in addition to a members-only book club and free monthly reading with Head Librarian Allison Escoto. 

Monthly membership: $145 + a one-time $10 member card fee 

Annual membership: $1,450/year

Rock climbing…in New York City? Brooklyn’s own VITAL Climbing Gym is not only a destination for the sport, but also boasts additional amenities including a rooftop, café, sauna, traditional gym, aerial silks, and more on-site—which makes it that much more worth the membership fee. You can pay monthly ($145, plus a $10 one-time member card fee) for unlimited, 24/7 access, and the luxury of early access to reservations. You can also cough up a full $1,450 for the prepaid annual membership option. As a bonus, there are no contracts, initiation/cancelation fees, or freezing required. For those who want to test out the experience before committing, VITAL offers single-visit passes for $35, a five-day punch pass for $156, and a 10-day punch pass for $277. 

Annual membership: Starting at $200/year and $89/year for students 

Fotografiska, a.k.a. the destination for photography in New York City, is located in the opulent Church Missions House. The six-story, 45,000-square-foot Renaissance Revival landmark is home to rotating exhibitions spanning genres in the photography space. Membership to this cultural epicenter includes access to live music and performances, intimate artist discussions, and even private artist dinners. The $200 annual fee (or $89 if you’re a student) gets you unlimited museum access, plus three guests and early access to new exhibitions, the member lounge, and the annual Fotografiska Gala, among other perks. The Fotografiska also has an onsite restaurant and bar experience, so you can still finish your day with a few martinis. You even get priority reservations.

Day Access: $75 (9a-2p)
Weekly Access: $200 (M-F, 9a-2p)
Monthly access: $750 *excludes Sat/Sun always

While we might be a tad bit premature on rooftop pool season (albeit the unseasonably warm February weather), the Royalton Rooftop will be your go-to destination come sunbathing season. The rooftop pool deck—access is included as part of the premier membership program—includes Empire State Building views, luxe lounges, a heated pool, and weekly wellness classes. While you can snag a day pass for $75, an entire week’s access is $200 and monthly access will run you $750. Now here’s the only caveat: those membership fees only allow for access Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday are excluded from that narrative.

Monthly membership: Starting at $595/month 

Nothing says self-care like a trip to Remedy Place, a self-described “temptation and toxin-free club designed to simultaneously enhance your health and social life.” The ultra-luxurious wellness club membership gets you a whole host of freebie treatments under its $595 monthly fee: multi-vitamin IV, remedy shots, sessions in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber and lymphatic compression suit, ice baths, and time in the infrared sauna, among other things. You’ll also score special membership pricing on additional services and even the chance to bring pals along for the ride. Member-only pricing includes 15% off additional tech remedies and group experiences, as well as 10% off the annual rebalance functional remedy program.

Monthly membership: $5/month

Annual membership: $50/year

A monthly membership doesn’t automatically equate to saying "sayonara" to your savings account. We promise. Case in point: the Metrograph Theater membership that gets you at-home screenings and premieres, exclusive convos with your favorite filmmakers, and access to the Metrograph Editions Store for $5 per month or $50 annually. Streaming is available on Apple TV, Roku, AndroidTV, and FireTV. You’ll also get $10 box office tickets for IRL theater screenings with your membership (versus the non-member $17 ticket prices). Not to mention, the deal includes 10% off the Metrograph Commissary Restaurant for on-site snacking and 10% off the Metrograph Bookstore.