Many New York City museums have special days or hours when admission is free or pay-what-you-wish. Who doesn’t love to do something free? Check out these New York City museums and cultural institutions that offer free access every day that they are open — confirm hours/days that they’re open to avoid disappointment.
American Folk Art Museum: Free – every Friday 5:30-7:30pm.
American Museum of Natural History: Pay What You Wish – always.
Asia Society and Museum: Free Admission on Fridays from 6-9 p.m. (does not apply July 1 – Labor Day
Brooklyn Botanical Garden: Free admission on Tuesdays (Admission is free every weekday from mid-November through February)
Brooklyn Museum: Pay What You Wish – always, Free – first Saturday of every month 5-11pm.
Bronx Museum of the Arts: This contemporary art museum is open late on Fridays (from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) and visitors can explore the exhibits for free all day long.
Bronx Zoo: Admission by donation all day on Wednesday
Children’s Museum of Manhattan: Free – first Friday of every month 5-8pm.
El Museo del Barrio: Free – third Saturday of every month.
Frick Collection: Pay What You Wish – every Sunday 11am-1pm.
Guggenheim Museum: Pay What You Wish – every Saturday 5:45-7:45pm.
Hispanic Society of America: Free – always.
International Center for Photography: Admission to the frequently changing exhibitions is available with your voluntary contribution on Fridays from 5-8 p.m
Jewish Museum: Free – every Saturday.
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center: Free – every Thursday 8:30pm, first Saturday of every month 11am.
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Pay What You Wish – always
Morgan Library and Museum: Free – every Friday 7-9pm.
Museum of Arts and Design: Pay What You Wish – every Thursday 6-9pm.
Museum of Chinese in America: Free – every Thursday.
Museum of Modern Art: Free – every Friday 4-8pm.
Museum of the City of New York: Pay What You Wish – always.
National Museum of the American Indian: Free – always.
New Museum of Contemporary Art: Free – every Thursday 7-9pm, always ages 18 and under.
New York Botanical Garden: Free admission (covers grounds only) on Wednesdays
Noguchi Museum: Pay What You Wish – first Friday of every month.
Queens Museum of Art: Pay What You Wish – always.
Rose Center for Earth and Space: Pay What You Wish – always.
Rubin Museum of Art: Free – every Friday 6-10pm, first Monday of every month ages 65 and over.
Staten Island Museum: Admission is free on Tuesdays from 12 to 2 p.m
South Street Seaport Museum: Free – third Friday of every month 6-8:45pm.
Studio Museum in Harlem: Free every Sunday
Tibet House: Free, suggested donation $5.00
Whitney Museum of American Art: Pay What You Wish – every Friday 6-9pm.