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Free Museums in New York City

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Updated: June 9, 2025
 By Courtney Shapiro

One of the best things about living in New York City is the number of free museums one can visit.

My fellow local tour guides and I appreciate every opportunity to save money enjoying the city’s best museums, cultural institutions, historic landmarks and so much more.

When talking to our tour guests, we find it surprising how few knew just how many museums cost nothing or next to nothing. Well, we don't want you to miss out on the savings!

In this post, I share an exhaustive list of museums and other attractions that are always free as well as those that offer free days or free hours.

I’ll explain what pay-what-you-wish admission means and also tell you which museums, while not free, are fairly cheap.

Finally, you’ll find museums with free night hours (a great time to go!) and kid-friendly museums that don't cost a thing.

To give you additional insight into this topic, I reviewed hundreds of comments from the more than 270,000 members of our popular NYC Travel Tips Facebook group. 

You can read some of these comments below.

Our group consists of New Yorkers, returning visitors to NYC, and newcomers.

You don't need to become a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

You can even ask a question yourself -- so check it out!

FREE MUSEUMS IN NEW YORK FOR TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS

First, let me explain why I distinguish between tourists and residents in the title of this section.

There was a time when a few top museums were free for anyone to enter. Sadly, that changed several years ago.

Currently, entry to the Metropolitan of Art and the Museum of Modern Art is free only to local residents.

Don't worry though, there are ways to save on those two and I explain how further down in this post.

Next, I'd like to explain what we mean when we say 'free'. We mean you don't have to pay a thing!

But not all free museums make that information obvious on their websites or at their ticket booths.

Instead, you will see phrases like "Pay-what-you-wish", "By Donation" or "Suggested Admission".

These phrases mean 'free' but invite you to contribute something. But you really don't have to. If you can, that's great, if not, no worries!

A few free museums require you to pay a small fee when you make your ticket purchase online.

Also, know that not all exhibits are included in free entry. In those cases, if you want to see that exhibit, you will have to buy a ticket for it.

Now that you know what 'free' means, let's talk about museums that have free days or free hours.

We call these 'sometimes free' and I list those just after the free museums.

Last but not least, some NYC museums have free entry for individuals with unique status.

For example, students, seniors, children under a certain age, members of the military and others are sometimes offered free admission.

Read the fine print or check under the museum website's FAQ section to see if you are eligible for free entry.

OK! Let's get onto that list I promised you!

TIP: On a budget? Check out our post on Free Things to Do in NYC and the Budget Tips section of this post.

New York Public Library

This library is an NYC icon. Though not a museum, there are fantastic literary artifacts on display and the library inside and out is gorgeous!

You can explore the library’s exhibits on your own or take one of the free tours.

As someone who is a traveler, I can tell you that the library's map collection is stellar. It's one of the largest public map collections of maps in the world!

There are 10,000 maps of New York City alone!

Read what you can see at the library, such as the exquisite murals on the ceilings.

Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018 (map)

TIP: The NYPL is a stop on our guided Midtown Manhattan Tour as well as our GPS-led audio tour.

Museum of the City of New York (MCNY)

The MCNY is dedicated to preserving NYC’s history and has an impressive collection of historic artifacts, documents, photographs, drawings, and much more.

The MCNY's pay-what-you-wish policy is one of the best deals in NYC for those who like history and want to learn about the city's past.

But to enter for free, you must get your tickets at the museum ticket counter.

If you want to get tickets in advance online, you must pay full price.

I have seen some incredible exhibitions here over the years. The curation is always top-notch and the topics are diverse and appealing.

This museum is excellent for children due to its educational programs.

It's one of the museums included in Museum Mile on the Upper East Side.

Address: 1220 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029 (map)

National Museum of the American Indian

The collection of native American Indian artifacts is outstanding. This museum is very kid-friendly as well.

The building it is housed in is a stunning Beaux-Arts building, the former Alexander Hamilton Customs House.

Take the time to look carefully at the huge stone statues along the building's facade.

These are among my favorite sculptures in the city. Read here to learn what they represent.

Address: 1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004 (map)

This museum is in Lower Manhattan, which has so much to see, which has so much more to see and do. Learn more here.

TIP: Take advantage of the free public bathrooms!

The Bushwick Collective

This is an open-air museum, showcasing some of the best street art and graffiti in the city.

It's a curated space that invites some of the most talented artists in the world to produce work here.

Read more about the Bushwick Collective with tips on getting there, what to expect, and other useful information.

Or you might like to visit with us! Our free Bushwick Street Art Tour runs daily.

Address: 427 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237 (map)

TIP: Before or after your visit, head to Roberta's for some of the best whole-pie pizzas in NYC! So good! See our Bushwick guide to find it and see what else to do there.

Brooklyn Museum

Sshh - don't tell anyone that entry to this world-class museum is by 'suggested donation' - but only if you visit the ticket desk.

It's not free if you purchase tickets online or at a kiosk.

With 1.5 million works of art, objects, and antiquities, this museum is known around the world for its excellent Egyptian and African art collections.

It also has outstanding modern and cutting-edge art. Their special exhibitions are of world-class quality.

They also have an impressive early American paintings collection.

A highlight in the past decade was the David Bowie Is that traveled from London's Victoria and Albert Museum and sold out everywhere it went.

I was one of the lucky ones to get a ticket. It was unforgettable.

Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (map)

TIP: While you are there, take advantage of all the great things you can do in Brooklyn.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Located in Harlem, this is one of the world’s top institutions devoted to the preservation and exhibition of materials focused on African American and African experiences.

They have over 10 million objects, artifacts, documents, recordings, art pieces, and more.

It's not all on display at the same time of course, but still, with so much to see, you might enjoy the free museum app. I found it very helpful during my most recent visit.

If you go to the Schomberg, you might want to set aside some time to see the many interesting things to do in Harlem.

TIP: The Schomburg Center is a stop on several of our tours of Harlem, including our GPS-led audio tour.

El Museo del Barrio

This is the only museum in NYC that showcases Latino cultures extensively.

See works by artists of Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and Latin American heritage as well as enjoy their cultural festivities, youth, and educational programming, and literary discussions.

Address: 1230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029 (map)

TIP: Since the museum is in the southern part of Harlem, I suggest that you consider visiting the neighborhood. See our guide to things to do in Harlem.

NYC Travel Tips & Hacks Facebook Group

American Folk Art Museum 

This museum celebrates the work of folk artists which means they are completely self-taught and have not had any formal artistic training.

Its collection is surprisingly large with over 7,000 objects. Among them are artworks of all mediums from four centuries and nearly every continent.

Address: 2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023 (map)

TIP: Though I am not a huge folk art fan, I will sometimes pop in if I am going to a performance at Lincoln Center which is just across the street. I am always impressed!

South Street Seaport Museum

Located in the South Street Seaport historic district, this small but interesting museum includes artifacts of New York City’s long maritime history.

Entry is always free when you check in at the museum. Advance online tickets are by donation, with a minimum of $1 per ticket. That's still a deal!

Plus you can visit its fleet of ships docked on the East River at nearby Pier 16 and even enter the Wavertree, a tall ship dating back to 1885.

Address: 12 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038 (map)

TIP: If you visit the museum, save a little time to go to Pier 15, a two-level esplanade with green space and benches.

The views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge are fantastic. I like to grab a coffee nearby, sit on a bench and soak in the views.

Queens Museum

The museum’s mission is to offer a look into the diversity of the Queens community.

It's best known for its massive panorama of New York City, a 9,335-square-foot scale model of the five boroughs, created for the 1964 World’s Fair, held on the museum grounds.

While it is free to enter, the museum requests that visitors reserve a timed entry ticket.

If you are bringing children, the extremely kid-friendly Queens Zoo and the New York Hall of Science are just nearby.

Address: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Building, Queens, NY 11368 (map)

TIP: If you make the trek out to the museum (about 40 minutes from Midtown Manhattan), you may as well set aside time to walk through the park.

Warning: the park is massive! But you don't have to see it all. For a very cool photo op, walk over to the Unisphere, a huge spherical stainless steel globe orbited by three rings. It's beautiful!

Bronx Museum

Spotlights the modern artworks of artists who are either Bronx-based or of African, Latino and Asian ancestry.

The museum’s 800-plus paintings, photographs and sculptures are housed in a 33,000-square-foot converted synagogue with a splendid three-story, glass-enclosed atrium.

Address: 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456 (map)

TIP: It's four blocks from Yankee Stadium if you are going to see a game.

Alexander Hamilton Grange National Memorial

This house dating from 1802 was the home of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers and founder of the U.S. Treasury system.

You can see historically furnished rooms either on a ranger-guided tour and talk or on your own.

Address:414 W 141st St, New York, NY 10031 (map)

TIP: Hamilton is buried in Lower Manhattan. Learn about the duel with Aaron Burr that led to his death on our pay-what-you-wish Lower Manhattan Tour or with our GPS-led audio tour.

Federal Reserve Bank

*Note that as of January 2025, tours are currently suspended with no future restart date set.

This is one of the 12 Federal Reserve banks in the U.S. Their vault holds 900 tons of gold, which you can see on one of their free tours.

There is also a small but excellent museum where you can see rare coins and learn about the history of money and finance.

The Federal Reserve Bank is a stop on several of our tours of Lower Manhattan, including our GPS-led audio tour.

Other Always-Free Museums

Just because they aren't described above doesn't mean these below aren't outstanding. Check them out!

Historical Museums

Cultural Museums

Art Museums

Art Galleries

Commemorative Museums and Memorials

Gardens

MUSEUMS THAT ARE SOMETIMES FREE FOR EVERYONE

As I talked about at the start of this post, many museums offer hours or days when visitors can enter for free.

Almost all museums require or suggest that you reserve your free tickets online at their websites.

Most ‘sometimes free’ museums do not advertise in big print when these free hours/free days are. You will have to look for some fine print on the ticket purchase page.

For the museums I go over below, the free days/hours are listed but note that museums can change these special times, so always check the websites rather than relying solely on what is written in this post. 

I and my fellow guides try to take advantage of these free hours/days, but I have to say that it’s not always the best experience.

First, if it is free hours, it is a pretty limited time window, usually two to three hours and you may feel rushed.

Next, you’re not the only people who want to save money so free hours/free days attract big crowds.

You might want to consider if a less than satisfying experience is worth saving the money. 

Be sure to check out the ‘ticket deals’ section in each museum’s posts. Click on the museum name above to go to these detailed individual posts. 

TIP: If you can lower costs on other activities on your trip, you will have more to spend on museums! See our guide to NYC on a budget for other activities that are free and inexpensive.

National September 11th Museum

This special museum has several exhibits that detail the history of 9/11 and the World Trade Center.

This museum is free on Mondays from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Reservations are required.

Tickets become available starting each Monday at 7:00 am. Limit 4 tickets per person.

Free tickets get snatched up fast and you’ll have only 90 minutes to see all of the museum unless you narrow your visit to just a few exhibits. 

If this topic interests you, you may want to consider paying full price.

The good news for those who purchase a tourist attraction pass can visit the museum for free anytime.

Address: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007 (map)

TIP: The museum is next to the 9/11 Memorial which is free to visit. I suggest you set aside some time to walk around the plaza and to see the massive cascading fountains

American Museum of Natural History

Entry is free when you go during the last time slot of the day (4:30 pm).

Keep in mind that the museum closes at 5:30 so you will only have one hour.

Here's how it works: when you go online to reserve a date and time slot, choose the 4:30 pm time slot.

Note that this slot is often fully booked.

Click here to learn about its many amazing exhibits. You really must say hello to the gigantic T. Rex skeleton!

TIP: I have to say that this museum is one that you might want to pay to visit so you can spend more time. You do not want to rush through this remarkable institution.

Find out about deals on tickets here.

Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim specializes in Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, early Modern, and contemporary art.

The museum has pay-what-you-wish hours on Monday and Saturday, from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.

There is a minimum donation of $1 per person, though you may donate more.

You must get pay-what-you-wish tickets in advance. Ticket quantities are limited and sell out quickly. Read more here.

Advance tickets for Mondays are released at 10 am that same day and tickets for Saturdays are released at 10 am that same day.

Included for free anytime with most tourist attraction passes.

Address: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128 (map)

Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney has a pay-what-you-wish policy every Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm and on the second Sunday of every month. Book in advance if you want to get in!

This museum focuses exclusively on contemporary American art from 20th and 21st Century artists and is known worldwide for its Biennial Exhibit.

A bonus: its terraces have views of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and more!

It's included for free anytime with several tourist attraction passes.

Address: 99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

TIP: Since the Whitney is located at the southern end of the High Line park, I like to combine my visit with a stroll along the High Line.

New-York Historical Society

Entry is free on Fridays from 6 pm - 8 pm.

This is the oldest museum in NYC and its mission is to help visitors learn about the city’s rich past.

Their collection of artifacts and objects some as old as four centuries is impressive.

Address: 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024 (map)

TIP: The museum is on the Upper West Side, which has a lot of great places to eat, so after your visit, you might want to plan a dinner out nearby.

Frick Collection

Entry is free on Thursdays from 2 pm to 6 pm.

Opened in 1935 and housed in one of the few remaining Gilded Age mansions and formerly owned by Henry Clay Frick.

This museum’s atmosphere is as beautiful as its artwork by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Whistler.

Address: 1 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021 (map)

TIP: The museum is on the Upper East Side, which has a lot of great places to eat, so after your visit, you might want to plan a dinner out nearby.

Morgan Library & Museum

Free on Fridays from 5 pm to 7 pm. Reservations are required and you can do so at least one week in advance.

This library consists of J. Pierpont Morgan’s exquisite collection of rare books, manuscripts, drawings, and artifacts.

It is housed in one of the finest examples of neoclassical buildings in America.

Admission to the historic rooms of J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library is free on Tuesday and Sunday from 3 to 5 pm. No reservations are not required.

Address: 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 (map)

The Morgan is in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, so there is plenty to do nearby, including seeing the Empire State Building.

TIP: If you like Korean food as I do, four blocks from the Morgan is Koreatown, a small enclave along W. 32nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. The street is lined with dozens of Korean restaurants.

Bronx Zoo

Free on Wednesdays. Note that some rides and exhibits require separate tickets.

This is the world’s largest metropolitan zoo and is home to over 6,000 animals.

Visit the Monkey House, Jungle World, the World of Darkness, and the Congo Gorilla Forest.

Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 (map)

TIP: Save time to visit Arthur Avenue, NYC's other Little Italy. My guide to Arthur Avenue steers you to the best food in the area.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Free on the last Friday of April, June, July, August and September from 5 pm - 9 pm.

This popular museum is housed in and on an aircraft carrier whose exhibits include a Concorde, a submarine & a space shuttle.

Very interactive and great for kids -- and also adults like me who are interested in this topic. If you are too, it’s a pretty cool museum to go to.

Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

Jewish Museum 

Free on Saturdays, though some exhibitions are closed in observance of the Sabbath.

Admission is free on select Jewish holidays as well.

Bank of America cardholders can enter for free on the first weekend of every month.

An excellent collection of Judaica and exhibits of modern and contemporary art.

Also has an outpost of Russ & Daughters, the famous Lower East Side food shop. Enjoy Kosher delicacies like bagels and lox.

Address: 1109 5th Ave & E 92nd St, New York, 10128 (map)

TIP: The museum has an outpost of Russ & Daughters, the famous Lower East Side food shop. Enjoy Kosher delicacies like bagels and lox.

You can see the original Russ and Daughters on our Lower East Side Food Tour.

Other Sometimes-Free Museums

These also have free days/hours for tourists and residents.

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Select Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

First Weekend of Each Month- Bank of America Card Holders

These museums are free for Bank of America cardholders. Admission excludes special exhibitions and ticketed shows.

Read more about the Museums on Us program.

MUSEUMS THAT ARE FREE FOR NEW YORK RESIDENTS

Residents of New York City, New York State and the tri-state area can enter for free with some restrictions.

American Museum of Natural History

Residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can enter the museum for free anytime.

Other visitors must pay full price unless they visit during the last time slot of the day (see above).

Two things to note about the free entry at this museum.

First, if you want to get tickets in advance online, you must pay the full price.

Second, when you enter for free, you will not have access to the Hayden Planetarium Show or the IMAX.

Address: 200 Central Park W. New York, NY 10024 (map)

TIP: Central Park is right next to the museum. Plus, there are many things to do in the neighborhood, the Upper West Side.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

This is one of the top museums in the world and its permanent collection of over two million works includes pieces from several different periods in human history.

New York State residents, and New York, New Jersey and Connecticut students can enter by suggested donation. Proof of address is required.

Remember what I said above about suggested donations? It's free. But do contribute if you feel like it.

Honestly, the Met gets millions of dollars in endowments each year, so I never feel guilty giving a buck at the Met.

Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028 (map)

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

This is a 'must-see' attraction if you love modern art as it is one of the most prestigious modern art museums in the world.

The MoMA is free for residents of New York City with ID on the first Friday of every month from 4 pm to 8 pm.

You must reserve tickets in advance. Ticket supplies are limited. It will be very crowded.

Children, whether they are residents of NYC or not, under 16 can always enter MoMA for free.

As a local, I have had many opportunities to go to the MoMA, but I never did go on the free days.

I have always paid full price, and while frustrated at how expensive it is, I never regret paying. This museum is like no other in the world.

Address:1 1 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 (map)

MUSEUMS INCLUDED IN TOURIST PASSES

Entry to some ticketed museums is included in most tourist attraction passes, which bundle several tours and attractions, including museums, into one pass at a flat rate price.

By purchasing a tourist pass, you can save between 15-55% off museum tickets, depending on the pass.

Also, having a pass saves you time because you don’t have to wait online to purchase tickets and some passes offer ‘skip-the-line’ privileges.

Buying a tourist pass makes a lot of sense if you are planning on visiting several museums, especially those that require a paid ticket.

With the major art museums costing $25 each, you’d be wise to consider a pass if you plan on going to 3 or more such museums.

Be sure to read our post that explains and compares all of the tourist attraction passes.

Statue of Liberty Museum

Visiting Lady Liberty is likely on your list of “must-see” attractions in NYC.

Though you cannot visit for free, you can lower your costs if you purchase a tourist pass that includes a cruise ticket to the Statue of Liberty.

Address: Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004 (map)

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

This fascinating museum explores the experience of the more than 12 million immigrants who passed through the island upon their arrival in the United States.

Address: Ellis Island Bridge, Jersey City, NJ 10280 (map)

Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum

This very popular museum, located on an aircraft carrier, is very engaging. Its mission is to educate the public about the history and science of sea, air, and space travel.

It is very interactive and great for kids.

Tickets are pricey, and though they have free hours one Friday a month, the best way to save on tickets is to consider a tourist pass.

Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

The New York location of this world-famous wax museum has all the famous figures you expect to see.

There are also some exciting special exhibits, such as the Ghostbusters virtual reality experience and the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience.

Address: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 (map)

New York Transit Museum

This unique museum is located in an actual 1936 subway station. You can step inside real vintage subway cars and learn about the fascinating history of NYC’s famous subway system.

This museum is a good choice if you are visiting with children. They have no free hours but are included for free in many tourist passes.

Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (map)

9/11 Museum Workshop

Located in the neighborhood of Chelsea, this museum focuses on the recovery following the 9/11 attacks and is geared toward families.

It is especially good for younger children since the topic at hand is a sensitive one.

Address: 420 W 14th St Fl 2, New York, NY 10014 (map)

Fraunces Tavern Museum

This is the only Manhattan museum that is dedicated to Revolutionary War history.

Fraunces Tavern was where George Washington bid farewell to all of his officers in 1783, at the end of the American Revolution.

Listen to local tour guide Renee talk about the importance of Fraunces Tavern.

Address: 54 Pearl St 2nd floor, New York, NY 10004 (map)

Other Museums (and Attractions) Included in Tourist Passes

MUSEUMS WITH FREE ENTRY ON CERTAIN EVENINGS

The below museums and galleries stay open relatively late on certain nights and are free to visit during the evening hours listed.

For more free nighttime attractions and activities, read our post on things to do at night in NYC, free things to do in NYC, and our master post on NYC Attractions.

KID-FRIENDLY

Below is a list of museums that are great for kids.

Some are specifically for children, as their name implies. These are generally for children ages 8 and under.

The other museums are not focused on children, but are still enjoyable for kids of all ages. Some even have special activities and events for kids.

Be sure to check the age limit for free admission before going.

Always free

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

For more kid-friendly museums and attractions, see our post on things to do with kids in NYC as well as our master post on NYC attractions.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

As going to museums in NYC is one of the most popular things to do among locals and tourists, we have loads of comments about the city’s free museums.

Here are some suggestions from members of our New York City Travel Tips group on Facebook. All of these are mentioned in this post.

Gerlinde (and the 23 ‘likes’ her comment received) knows what many New Yorkers and visitors know -- that the New York Public Library is a fantastic place to visit, even if it isn't a museum!

Reddit review of the free New York Public Library Exhibits.

Two lesser-known museums, but still worth checking out, came up in the group suggestions.

The Folk Art Museum is always free and all of the Morgan is free to visit on Fridays from 5 pm - 7 pm.

Reddit review of the free Folk Art Museum.

The always-free Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) museum came up several times.

Reddit review of the free Fashion Institute of Technology Museum.

Besides the FIT Museum, Deborah also recommends the National Museum of the American Indian, which is always free and is excellent.

These are just a handful of the many suggestions our Facebook Travel Tips group made.

You don't have to be a member to search the group for specific recommendation,s though you might like to join and post a question about free museums to see which ones you might enjoy!

OTHER BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS

New York Walking Tours

About The Author

Courtney Shapiro

Courtney is a lifelong New Yorker in love with the city’s history, culture and food. She's a world traveler as well and enjoys sharing her travel expertise with others. She joined Tours by Foot in 2011, first as a guide and then as a writer. She still leads tours on a part-time basis. READ MORE...
Updated: June 9th, 2025
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