Discover the captivating world of New York City Museums, a treasure trove of art, culture, and history for locals and visitors alike. And here is a delightful secret for you: did you know that many of these incredible museums are absolutely FREE to visit? Yes, you read that right. Prepare to be amazed as we unveil the New York City Museums FREE Days schedule in this exclusive guide.

You might wonder, “Why are these museums offering free days?” Well, it is all thanks to their mission as non-profit organizations. They strive to make art and culture accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial means. Instead of imposing rigid admission fees, they merely request a “suggested donation” or contribution upon entry. Remember, these museums are true gems, and any donation you make goes right back into enriching the NYC Museums, ensuring that future generations can continue to revel in their wonders. So please donate

But wait, there is more. The generosity continues beyond the free days. These iconic New York City Museums also offer special “Pay-What-You-Wish” days and times. Picture yourself strolling through The Bronx Zoo, gazing at masterpieces in the Whitney Museum, experiencing the poignant history of the 9/11 Museum, fostering creativity at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, and marveling at the Guggenheim Museum’s architectural marvel. And that is not all. You can also explore the renowned Museum of Modern Art and many other gems during these magical moments of pay-what-you-wish admission.

Statue of Liberty

Have you dreamed of visiting the Statue of Liberty Museum? We received questions about seeing Lady Liberty for free, but that does mean only getting to take a photo of her. However, there are no free options for visiting Liberty Island and physically going inside the statue. Visitors who wish to enter the pedestal and visit the crown must secure reservations. This ensures you do not miss out on the immersive experience.

So, whether you are a local or curious traveler, embark on a mesmerizing journey through the New York City Museums. Let their priceless exhibits and enchanting stories leave an indelible mark on your soul.

New York City Museums Pay as You Wish and Free Days/Times

Mondays: Free and Discounted New York City Museums

• 9-11 Memorial Museum—Financial District 5:30 to 7 PM free admission with reservation [open Wednesday through Monday from 9 AM to 7 PM. 
• Museum at Eldridge Street—Lower East Side 10 AM to 5 PM [Pay as you wish Monday + Friday]

Tuesdays: Free and Discounted New York City Museums

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden—Crown Heights, Brooklyn—While the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens no longer offer an admission-free day, they provide Community tickets for those who need them. The Community tickets are available online or at the booth any day on a first-come, first-serve basis. This does not apply to any special events, ONLY regular admission. 

Wednesdays: Free and Discounted New York City Museums

• Museum of Jewish Heritage—4 to 8 PM. To reserve your advance free admission, please choose a Thursday from their admission ticketing calendar and change the time dropdown to 4:00 PM. 
• Bronx Zoo, pay-what-you-wish, all proceeds support their animal care work.
  Reserved Ticket required—Reservations open at 5 PM on Monday [Reserve up to four tickets]. Children two years old and under always FREE
• NY Botanical Garden—Bronx On Wednesdays, Grounds Admission is free [Outdoor ONLY] to NYC residents all day and to all other visitors between 10 to 11 AM. If you are not a NYC resident DO NOT ENTER AFTER 11 AM you will not be granted access.
• Van Cortlandt House Museum—Bronx. Wednesdays 11 AM to 4 PM. 

Thursdays: Free and Discounted New York City Museums

• Museum of Arts and Design [formerly American Craft Museum]—Hell’s Kitchen MAD offers complimentary or discounted General Admission to front-line workers, active US military or veterans, people with disabilities and their accompanying caregivers/nurses, EBT/SNAP benefit cardholders, and our museum colleagues. See Affiliate Partners here.
• New Museum of Contemporary Art—Lower East Side Pay what you wish for admission from 7 to 9 PM
• Wave Hill—Bronx From 10A M to 5:30 PM. The last admission is at 5 PM; the grounds close at 5:15 PM. Admission is free on Thursdays. [does not apply to organized groups.]
• Frick Collection—Upper East Side [temporary location]. There is a  Pay-what-you-wish admission is offered on Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
• International Center for Photography [ICP], Admission is pay-by-donation with $5 minimum on Thursdays from 6 to 9 PM.

Fridays: Free and Discounted NYC Museums

• Bronx Museum of the Arts—Bronx Open Wednesday to Sunday, and admission is always FREE.
• The Intrepid—Pier 86 [West 46th + 12th Avenue] offers FREE Fridays, the last Friday of every month, April through September [Last one this year is September 29th], from 5:00 to 9:00 PM [last entry up to 8:30 PM]. NYC Residents receive 50 percent off general Museum admission when presenting a valid government-issued photo ID with a printed address, or a current utility or mortgage statement with an address within the five boroughs and name that matches their photo ID. Discount is eligible for all those in qualifying households. May not be combined with other discounts or applied to group sales.
• Morgan Library & Museum, McKim rooms [Mr. Morgan’s Library, Study, Rotunda, and Librarian’s Office]—The FREE Fridays Program requires reservation and takes place 5 to 7 PM
• UNIQLO Free Fridays at MoMA—Midtown West, MoMA stays open late on the first Friday of every month, and admission is free just for New Yorkers. Tickets, from 5:30 to 8 PM, are free for New York City residents but must be reserved in advance [up to two adults] and are subject to availability and proof of residency.
• Morgan Library & Museum—Midtown East, McKim rooms, 5 to 7 PM Reservations are required. Tickets are available one week in advance.
• New York Historical Society—Upper West Side Pay-what-you-wish 6 to 8 PM
• Whitney Museum of American Art—Meat Packing District All visitors enjoy Pay-What-You-Wish admission each Friday from 7–10 pm. Tickets are limited and advance reservations are strongly recommended. Reserve tickets.
• Children’s Museum of Manhattan—5 to 8 PM free admission, 1st Friday of every month. NO LONGER BEING OFFERED
• New York Hall of Science—Corona Queens, Friday FREE hours every Friday From 2 to 5 PM

Saturdays: Free and Discounted New York City Museums

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden—While the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens no longer offer an admission-free day, they provide Community tickets for those who need them. The Community tickets are available online or at the booth any day on a first-come, first-serve basis. This does not apply to any special events, ONLY regular admission. 
• Guggenheim—Upper East Side Pay-What-You-Wish Admission
  Saturdays 5–8 PM
• Jewish Museum—Upper East Side  From 11:00 AM to 5:45 PM. On select Jewish Holidays the Museum is open and admission is free. Free admission on Saturdays is made possible by Mildred and George Weissman, and other generous donors.

  Free admission is also offered to community partners and affiliates, visitors with disabilities and their caregiver, and SNAP/EBT cardholders. Advance reservations are recommended. For information on reserving tickets and our affiliate list please contact us at info@thejm.org or call 212.423.3200 ext. 0.

Sundays: Free and Discounted New York City Museums

• COMING SOON

UNIQLO Free Fridays

Experience the ultimate Friday night art extravaganza with UNIQLO Free Fridays at the Museum of Modern Art. First Friday of every, from 5:30 to 8 PM, the doors open for all visitors, offering a mesmerizing journey through MoMA’s awe-inspiring exhibitions and captivating film screenings.

The best part? Admission is absolutely FREE. Want to skip the wait? Arrive after 6:00 PM to beat the lines and dive straight into the artistic wonderland. Since its launch in 2004, this incredible program has welcomed nearly three million art enthusiasts, breaking barriers and making art accessible.

Join the creative celebration and bask in the beauty of The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden—an experience that will ignite your imagination and leave you spellbound.

In conclusion, New York City is undoubtedly a haven for art and culture enthusiasts, with its myriad of captivating museums offering something for everyone. Whether you are a local or a visitor, the city’s museums are a must-visit, and the best part is the free admission on specific days. Thanks to the noble efforts of non-profit organizations, art, and culture are made affordable and accessible to all, fostering a sense of inclusivity and community. We do hope our guide is helpful.