Membership FAQ

I have a question related to...

Benefits & Guests

Expand all

Q. Can I bring guests in a second vehicle?

A. Yes, please have your guests in the vehicle directly behind yours and enter through the main/middle gate entry.

Q. How do I change my membership to take advantage of more benefits?

A. We would be delighted to upgrade your Membership. Please call 612-301-1257 for details.

Q. I have not received any mailings since I became a member. What should I do?

A. Please call us at 612-301-1257 or email us at [email protected] to let us know so we can verify your contact information and mail or email all pertinent information to you.

Q. Do you offer a membership that allows me to bring a friend each visit?

A. Yes. All membership levels at Duo and above offer general Arboretum admission for one or more additional guests per day as long as one of the members is present. 

Q. Is my membership valid at other gardens, museums and area attractions?

A. Yes. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society. As a benefit to our members, there are more than 300 other gardens in which you may use your membership. If you are traveling, be sure to check out the list of reciprocal gardens.

Q. I am a person with a disability and need a caregiver to assist me with my visit. What do you recommend?

A. If you hold or purchase a Solo membership, your caregiver will be required to pay the general admission price of $15. You may want to consider purchasing a Duo or Duo+2 membership which will allow you to bring your caregiver as your additional guest each visit.

Q. Where in the Arboretum are dogs allowed?

A. In the Dog Commons only. Service dogs are welcome on the Arb grounds. 

Membership Levels

Expand all

Q. Do you offer a membership for two individuals?

A. Yes. All membership levels above our Solo membership extend benefits to two named cardholders who permanently live at the same postal address. 

Q. Do you offer a membership for families with adult children?

A. Yes. All membership levels above our Solo membership offer general Arboretum admission for one or more additional guests each day as long as one of the members is present. 

Q. Do you offer a membership for students?

A. No. We do not offer student memberships. However, all University of Minnesota campuses students with a valid student ID are granted free admission with a reservation. 

Q. Which levels of membership include the EZ Pass Lane?

A. Friend, Supporting, Sustaining, and Associate levels only. If you have guests in a second vehicle, please have them in the vehicle directly behind yours and enter through the main/middle gate entry. Do not use the EZ pass lane in this case.

Q. I purchased a membership. Does my employer match my membership donation?

A. Maybe. You may make a larger impact through your giving if your company has a matching gift program. Many companies offer programs that match charitable contributions from their employees at rates as high as 2 to 1 or higher. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, please check with your employer’s human resource department for a form to submit. 

Q. Do you have two-year memberships?

A. No. However, you may elect for annual automatic renewals with your online purchase. 

Q. Do you have a lifetime membership level?

A. No. We do not offer a lifetime membership.

Membership Policies

Expand all

Q. Is my membership tax deductible?

Q. Do the primary and secondary cardholders need to live in the same household?

A. Yes. An Arboretum membership is a household membership. The 2 cardholders need to permanently live at the same postal address. College students who live away from home for part of the year may be included as part of the membership but adult children or other relatives that have a permanent residence elsewhere may not be included. As a non-profit, the Arboretum is able to grow through the generous support of our members. If you are currently sharing and would like to purchase separate memberships, please contact the membership office at 612-301-1257.

Q. Do I have to have a secondary cardholder?

A. No. For certain membership levels, a secondary cardholder is part of the package if both adults live at the same postal address. Membership benefits extend only to named cardholders and, where applicable, their children ages 15 and under. If your membership includes a secondary cardholder, we recommend that you name a second member (who lives at your same postal address) but it is not a requirement. If you are a single household you may bring a guest with you each visit. 

Q. How do I update my contact information?

A. You can update your contact information by calling 612-301-1257 or emailing [email protected].

Q. Can I get a replacement membership card?

A. Yes. If your card has been lost, we can replace it for a processing fee of $5. Please call the membership office at 612-301-1257 or stop by the Membership or Information Desk to request replacement materials. 

Q. Can I still get in if I forgot my member card?

A.  Yes, you will need your tickets with barcodes (either printed or on your phone). The gate attendant may ask for your ID to confirm membership and ensure that your membership is active in our system.

Q. I misplaced/threw away my complimentary one-time use gate admission passes. Can they be reissued?

A. No. Complimentary guest tickets cannot be reissued.

Q. Why did I just receive another renewal notice, when I already renewed my membership?

A. If you have already renewed your Membership and sent in payment, please disregard the renewal notice. The renewal notice and payment probably crossed paths in the mail. Your member card(s) will arrive in the mail within 10 business days to confirm your renewal.

Q. Can my membership be auto renewed?

A. Yes. To schedule a recurring/auto renewed annual membership at the time of Joining or Renewing your membership online, check the check box once you select the membership category.  Currently, you are not able to change your account to auto renewal after the transaction until time of renewal without being charged. In addition. Membership staff are unable to setup the annual auto renewal. 

Important note: If you check Auto Renewal it will securely save your credit card information for the following year and charge the account a few weeks before expiration of your membership.

Q. Is my membership refundable or transferable?

A. No. Membership funds are considered a tax-deductible donation to the Arboretum. Memberships are non-refundable or transferable. 

Q. If I renew my membership before it expires, how will this affect my expiration date?

A. You will not lose any time if you renew early! Your membership is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. If you renew your membership early, that membership will not start until your current one expires. If you upgrade your membership before the current one expires, your upgraded membership begins immediately.

Q. Can I visit before I receive my membership cards?

A. Yes, as long as you have a reservation and your membership email confirmation. You are always welcome to call our ticketing line (612-301-6775) and mention that you have not received your membership card(s) but wish to make a reservation.  If you are a Friend or higher level member, please present your email confirmation to the gatehouse for entry. Membership cards will arrive in your mail within 10 business days. During busier seasons, processing can take longer.

Q. Does my donation qualify for an Arboretum membership?

A: Donations of $200 or more may qualify for a complimentary donor level membership at the Friend, Supporting, Sustaining, or Associate level. Please note that the IRS does not allow us to provide memberships in recognition of contributions made with donor-advised funds, IRA qualified charitable contributions, or family foundations. Also, we do not use donation matching funds from an employer to provide, upgrade, or renew someone's personal membership.

Have a question that isn't answered here?

Contact us at [email protected] or 612-301-1257.