NYC memberships worth investing in to jumpstart 2025

Annual membership: $102 

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 $102 annual fee (or $8.50 per month) gets you 50% off general admission tickets for guests and early access to new exhibitions. Members can snag 20% off in the Museum Shop and 10% off at the Whitney Cafe and Studio Bar.

Annual membership: Starting at $230

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 $230, allows for two adults and one guest, while the $430 family-plus plan covers four guests, and also gets you access to special exhibitions at the Bronx Zoo and free parking. If you want that NY Aquarium add-on, it’ll be an additional $185. While 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: $180; or $100 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 60,000 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: $155 + a one-time $10 member card fee 

Annual membership: $1,550

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 ($155, 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 $1,550 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. 

Monthly membership: Starting at $595

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; annual membership: $50

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.

Monthly membership: $125

Frequent mani and pedi customer? Go unlimited! GlossLab offers monthly memberships at its nail salons in Flatiron, Tribeca, and Murray Hill for unlimited waterless manicures and pedicures, including gel polish and removal. Nail art, extensions, and more services are also available, and smaller packages, like two manis for $46 a month, are also available. Appointments are bookable online to accommodate flexible schedules. The tip isn’t included in the all-inclusive price, so come prepared with cash.

Monthly membership: $19.99; annual membership: $99 

Cancel all your streaming subscriptions and get out of the house with a membership to the Infinity Club at LOOK Dine-In Cinema in midtown. The $99 annual membership earns you one movie ticket per day, plus $2 off one companion ticket per day. Members also get 20% off food (think apps like loaded cheese fries and coconut shrimp with chili dipping sauce, plus salads, bowls, burgers, pizzas, and more finger foods) and non-alcoholic beverages. Online booking fees are waived for members. The 8-screen theater plays new releases and more films.

Annual membership: $12,500

Yes, Brooklyn’s premier sports venue now offers annual memberships. A new club, JetBlue at The Key, offers members access to every Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty game, via seating and lounging in a communal atmosphere above center court. Members can also be invited for access to more arena events, like concerts. At just over $1,000/month, the starting price sounds steep but includes unlimited food from all-you-can-eat buffet stations and complimentary beer on tap (a novelty compared to the can-focused concession stands). 

Yearly membership: $65

Tapping into the subway once you’ve hit your weekly spending limit may feel like you have a membership to an elite club, but it gets better! The New York Transit Museum offers unlimited visits with its annual membership, plus members-only events, previews, and a 10% discount at the very good souvenir shop. The membership is also the key to seeing some of the city’s underground and lesser-known treasures, including exclusive access to the Old City Hall station tour. 

Monthly membership: $89 or $220

Art studio rentals are pricey, but this communal and stylish space for established, up-and-coming, and aspiring artists (read: hobby doodlers) is an excellent amenity in Chelsea. Established as a creative third space, the Drawing Room offers $20 day passes, plus a $15 fee to access a trove of creative supplies. Loyalists can join with a lite membership for $89 a month without access to the materials library, while a full membership includes materials, two monthly workshops, a guest pass and more perks. Loose leaf tea, drip coffee, and more refreshments are available in the cozy space full of cushions, couches and carpets.

Annual membership $45

That friend who is always seeing shows? Likely a TDF member. The non-profit performing arts organization aims to make theatre and live performance accessible to all, and offers a range of low cost tickets for Broadway performances, off-Broadway shows, operas, ballets, kids shows, touring productions, and much more. Tickets range from $11-$60, including fees. Tickets can be picked up at will call by the TDF member before the show. The members-only access is by application and limited to arts professionals, retirees, educators, freelancers, clergy, students, recent graduates, armed service members, civil service workers, union members, and others.

Monthly membership: $60

Treat yourself to some self-care each month with a membership to this skincare salon, Glowbar. For $60, you get one treatment a month, plus one guest pass each year, and 15% off retail purchases. The spa has locations in Williamsburg, Tribeca, Union Square, and the Upper West Side, so you can book appointments at your convenience. The facials are designed for efficiency and optimal results, starting with clients washing their own faces, followed by estheticians designing a customized 30-minute facial. 

Monthly membership: $84

Sad desk lunches are so back, but you can upgrade the experience and save money with this takeout subscription. MealPal offers daily menus of hundreds of lunch and dinner options across the city—all for pick-up. Participating restaurants include local hotspots (Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns, various delis and bagel shops) and popular chains, like Sweetgreen, Juice Press, and Shake Shack. Various membership tiers are available depending on how many meals you’d like monthly, credits can roll over, and cooking can become obsolete.

Annual membership: $1,000

Wolfe’s Den is an exclusive, members-only club located within Elsie Rooftop, right by Bryant Park. The club is designed to welcome professionals from fields typically excluded from creative-focused social clubs—think finance, healthcare, law and real estate, among others. The space, and its name in particular, draws inspiration from Elsie de Wolfe, the first woman to ever own a penthouse in NYC, back in 1916. Wolfe's Den actually allows members to use their annual fee as a credit toward food and beverage purchases. Speaking of which, the on-site menu features a rotating selection of caviar and truffles, as well as premium spirits, all part of an extensive food and drink program that mirrors the lavish spreads de Wolfe herself used to offer at her penthouse when hosting guests. Members can also take advantage of the newly launched AI-driven networking concierge service, dubbed “Ask Elsie.” This service facilitates networking by helping members connect with one another and arrange meetings.