While planning visits to many Chicago tourist locations, I've noticed how expensive it can be. Typically, the museums will offer a somewhat reasonable admission fee. But, the cost quickly rises if a visitor wishes to see any of the "premium" attractions. For example, it's $18 to enter the Museum of Science and Industry. But if one wants to see a couple of the attractions the cost rises to between $32 and $36 per person. Then, there's the $22 parking fee! Now, you're looking at a $55 visit for one person.

General admission is just $8 for the Shedd Aquarium, but one must spend at least $31 to purchase a package which included the "Jellies" exhibit (my main reason for visiting). It becomes more costly as a visitor adds more attractions--plus the parking fee.

I found that it's more economical to become a member. Over the past year, I have held an annual membership to five Chicago area locations:

1. Brookfield Zoo
2. Museum of Science and Industry
3. Shedd Aquarium
4. Adler Planetarium
5. Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

The annual membership fee is usually cheaper than visiting a location more than once. And, it usually allows me to bring a guest as well.

Groupon also helps keep the cost down. Let's take the Adler Planetarium as an example. The price to enter the Planetarium is $35 per person if one wishes to view the "Destination Solar System" exhibit. So, one visit for two people is $70. An annual membership runs $89 for one person and one guest for the year--just $18 more than it would cost two people for a single visit. Through Groupon, I paid $59 for an annual membership--or $11 less than the cost of a single visit for me and a guest!

One other factor in favor of the membership route is that the annual fee is generally tax deductible. I was surprised to receive a letter from the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust and the Shedd Aquarium acknowledging the full value of my membership fee as a tax deductible contribution. This would not have been the case if I had paid a single daily admission fee.

By going the membership route, I can visit a location several times without thinking about the entrance fee. As a result, I will visit Brookfield Zoo several times throughout the year. Sometimes, I stop by an exhibit for just an hour or so in an attempt to capture some interesting photographs and then leave. There is no incremental cost for my visits to the zoo as the membership includes both the admission and parking fees.

The membership also helps me visit when the locations are least crowded. Since I am not paying an admission fee, I always make sure to avoid visiting on "free" days. This improves my chances of capturing pictures with fewer people in the area.

Christmas Around the WorldChristmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry at 5700 S Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois on November 17, 2014