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New York City is full of absolutely incredible museums. One of my favorite pastimes is wandering through a new exhibit, learning about a place and time far different from our own. But, did you know, there are many New York City museums free admission or pay-what-you-wish pricing?
It takes a little planning, but you just might be able to take advantage of these free museum days in NYC and see some of the most magnificent art and artifacts in the city for as low as a cup of coffee.
Update for 2020: Although many of the museums on this list are back open, you will be required to follow social distancing guidelines. If you’re unsure if a museum is open, or would like more information regarding their health and safety measures, please call or send an email to the museum of your interest.
Hours are subject to change. Always confirm with the museum’s website for current listings!
*These museums have a recommended contribution price
Pay As You Wish: Anytime
On any day, at any time, these New York City museums allow you to pick your entry fee or offer free admission. Every day is free museum days in NYC at these institutions!
- Alice Austen House Museum*
- American Folk Art Museum
- Bronx Museum of the Arts
- Brooklyn Museum*
- Dyckman Farmhouse
- El Museo del Barrio*
- Federal Hall
- Godwin-Ternbach Museum at Queens College
- Hamilton Grange
- Houdini Museum of New York
- International Print Center New York
- Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art*
- MoMA PS1*
- Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Queens Museum*
- SculptureCenter*
- Socrates Sculpture Park
- The Paley Center for Media*
- Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace
My top picks: Brooklyn Museum, Federal Hall, Hamilton Grange, The Paley Center for Media
Pay As You Wish: Special Mentions
These New York City museums’ free admission policies allow you to price your own entry but have specific parameters.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art; but only if you’re a resident of New York State or a student in New Jersey or Connecticut. Otherwise, it’ll be $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, $12 for students, and free for children under 12. Although this might seem steep, the general admission tickets include all exhibitions and are valid for three days at other museums in their system – The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters.
- American Museum of Natural History; however, the pay what you wish program is only available at the ticket counter, not online.
- Bartow-Pell Mansion; the garden and grounds are free, but entrance into the mansion and carriage house carries a fee.
- The New York Public Library: the beautiful Stephen A. Schwarzman building offers free tours every day. The one hour tour leaves from the Astor Hall reception desk at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. First come, first serve.
- Queens Botanical Garden; free museum hours from November through March
- Waterfront Museum; museum hours are only Thursdays 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
My top picks: American Museum of Natural History, The New York Public Library
Monthly New York City Museums Free Hours
Once a month, these New York City museums open their doors to the city for free admission!
- Frick Collection; the first Friday of each month (excluding January and September) from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Museum of Chinese in America; the first Thursday of each month
- Neue Gallerie; the first Friday of each month from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- The Noguchi Museum; the first Friday of each month
My top picks: Frick Collection
Weekly New York City Museums Free Hours
Free Museum Days in NYC: Sunday Hours
- New York Hall of Science; Sundays from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Queens Botanical Garden; April through October on Sundays from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Free Museum Days in NYC: Monday Hours
- Museum at Eldridge Street; all day
Free Museum Days in NYC: Tuesday Hours
- 9/11 Memorial Museum; Tuesdays from 5 p.m. – close
- Brooklyn Botanic Gardens; all
- day December – February, or from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. from March – November
- Society of Illustrators; 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- New York Hall of Science; 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Free Museum Days in NYC: Wednesday Hours
- Bronx Botanical Gardens; all day Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Bronx Zoo; all day
- Frick Collection; Wednesdays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Historic Richmond Town; all day
- New York Aquarium; 3 p.m. – close
- New York Botanical Garden; all day
- Staten Island Zoo; 2 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Queens Botanical Garden; April through October on Sundays from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Van Cortland House Museum; all day
Free Museum Days in NYC: Thursday Hours
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum; Thursdays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Children’s Museum of the Arts; Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Museum of Arts and Design; Thursdays from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- New Museum*; Thursdays from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Free Museum Days in NYC: Friday Hours
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden; Fridays before noon
- Morgan Library & Museum; Fridays from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- MoMA; Fridays from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Museum of the Moving Image; Fridays from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- New York Hall of Science; Fridays from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- New York Historical Society; Fridays from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Queens Botanical Garden; all day November – March
- Rubin Museum of Art; 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Whitney Museum of American Art; Fridays from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Free Museum Days in NYC: Saturday Hours
- Bronx Botanical Gardens; all day Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum; Saturdays from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Guggenheim*; Saturdays from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
My top picks: 9/11 Memorial Museum, Bronx Zoo, Morgan Library & Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Guggenheim
How to visit the American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum for less with CityPASS
Can’t make some of the free hours listed for major museums? There’s still a cheaper way to go! If you’re already planning to visit the American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, or the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, you should absolutely look into purchasing a CityPASS. For just $132 (or $108 for kids ages 6 – 17), you can purchase admission for 6 different, iconic museums and observation places around New York City.
In addition to the four listed museums, you can also visit one of the best observation decks in New York City, the Empire State Building, and have Ferry Access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.
Learn more and purchase a CityPASS here.
All New York City museums’ free admission and pay-what-you-wish programs are different. However, since many happen also have reduced-price programs, you don’t need to break the bank or destroy your travel budget on museums!
Do you know of a museum that has free admission, free museum hours, or discounted prices that is not on this list? Have any of these free museum days in NYC changed? Let me know!
