22 Amazing NYC Museums Offering Free Admission Days (2024)

A New York City outing can quickly get expensive–between starting your day off with a much-needed coffee, doing some shopping, and enjoying some al fresco dining.

The good thing is some of the best things in life actually are free. Whether it’s free admission every day or a once-a-month sort of deal, you can view some amazing art, without spending a penny, at these 21 free museums in NYC.

1. The MoMA, first Friday of every month

Thanks to clothing store UNIQLO, the MoMA offers free admission the first Friday of every month to New Yorkers with their UNIQLO NYC Nights. Their stores and café will also be open, too, so you can grab a bite and do some light shopping after exploring the exhibits. Tickets must be reserved in advance and are released one week in advance. Head here to sign up for reminders to get first dibs.

Where: 11 W 53rd St.

When: First Friday of every month – 4p.m. – 8p.m. (Only for New York residents)

2. MoMA PS1, everyday they’re open

Located in Long Island City is the MoMA’s sister museum, MoMA PS1. And, unlike the MoMA, the MoMA PS1 offers free admission to New York residents everyday they’re open (they’re closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) thanks to The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation.

Where: 22-25 Jackson Ave.

When: Everyday they’re open – Sunday-Monday 12p.m. – 6p.m., Thursday-Friday 12p.m. – 6p.m., Saturday 12p.m. – 8p.m. (Only for New York residents)

3. The Bronx Museum of the Arts, everyday they’re open

This museum is known for its innovative contemporary art exhibitions and is home to over 2,000 works of art. They regularly host in person and virtual events and the best part is admission is free everyday they’re open (they’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Head here to check out their upcoming events and to register.

Where: 1040 Grand Concourse

When: Everyday they’re open – Wednesday-Sunday 1p.m. – 6p.m.

4. Brooklyn Museum, first Saturday of every month

The Brooklyn Museum has been hosing First Saturdays for twenty-five years where visitors can get free admission to the museum. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged, however, as admission is subject to their capacity limits. Also note that ticket holders will have priority entry. First Saturdays run from February–August and also during October.

Where: 200 Eastern Parkway

When: First Saturday of every month – 5p.m. – 11p.m.

5. Noguchi Museum, first Friday of every month

The Noguchi Museum has many interesting sculptural works and performance art pieces you can view, and you can do so for free on the first Friday of each month. Tickets are released two weeks before each date at 12 p.m., and you can snag some through their website. Advance reservations are recommended as visitors without one will be admitted based on museum capacity.

Where: 9-01 33rd Rd.

When: First Friday of every month – 11a.m. – 6p.m.

6. Queens County Farm Museum, everyday

Hangout with farm animals, hop on a hayride, or learn about the grounds on a historic farmhouse tour. Whichever activity you choose, you can do it for free every day at Queens County Farm Museum (unless it’s a special ticketed admission day)!

Where: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway

When: Everyday – Monday-Sunday 10a.m. – 5p.m. (Except on special ticketed event days)

7. Neue Galerie, first Friday of every month

On the first Friday of every month, the Neue Galerie stays open late and offers free admission from 5p.m. to 8p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. This is the perfect museum to head to for a more specialty European cultural experience, as it features German and Austrian art created between 1890 and 1940. Please note that children under 12 are not admitted during First Fridays.

Where: 1048 Fifth Ave.

When: First Friday of every month – 5p.m. – 8p.m.

8. National Museum of the American Indian, everyday they’re open

The National Museum of the American Indian features an endless amount of Native American art and artifacts, some of which date back to 12,000 years ago. As an extension of the Smithsonian Institute, admission to this museum is free everyday.

Where: 1 Bowling Green

When: Everyday they’re open – Monday-Friday 10a.m. – 5p.m.

9. The Rubin Museum of Art, every Friday

This six-story museum presents art that traverses Asia’s diverse cultures, regions, and narratives and is home to a ton of large-scale temporary exhibitions. Every Friday night museum admission is free with a ticket reservation. Called K2 Friday Nights, attendance features co*cktails, art, music, special programs, and more! You must reserve a ticket in advance, and admission tickets are released on the 15th of every month. Learn more here.

Where: 150 West 17th St.

When: Every Friday – 6p.m. – 10p.m.

10. The Morgan Library & Museum, every Friday

This Morgan Library & Museum began just as the private library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan. Today, the museum is his gift to the city. The museum is home to drawings by Michelangelo, manuscripts by Edgar Allen Poe and Mark Twain, sheet music handwritten by Beethoven, and much more. Reservations are required and can be made here

Where: 225 Madison Ave.

When: Every Friday – 5p.m. – 7p.m.

11. The Jewish Museum, every Saturday

Founded in 1904, the Museum was the first institution of its kind in the United States and is one of the oldest Jewish museums in the world. Head here to discover a unique collection of nearly 30,000 works of art, ceremonial objects, and media reflecting the global Jewish experience over more than 4,000 years. You must get a timed ticket, which you can do here

Where: 1109 5th Ave at 92nd St.

When: Every Saturday, as well as select Jewish holidays including Passover and Shavuot, 11a.m. – 6p.m.

12. American Folk Art Museum, everyday they’re open

The American Folk Art Museum emphasizes self-taught artists. Its collection includes more than 8,000 works of art from four centuries and nearly every continent—from compelling portraits to dazzling quilts and art made from a variety of mediums. Getting a ticket in advance is encouraged, which you can do here. (Note: The Museum is temporarily closed for design renovations and gallery installations through March 17, 2023)

Where: 2 Lincoln Square

When: Everyday they’re open – Wednesday-Sunday 11:30a.m. – 6p.m.

13. Socrates Sculpture Park, everyday

Socrates Sculpture Park is a community engaged waterfront park in Astoria dedicated to supporting artists in the production and presentation of public art. It has presented more than 1,000 artists and it offers a wide variety of free activities and events such as sound baths and green days.

Where: 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria

When: Everyday – 9a.m. – Sundown

14. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, everyday

Snug Harbor is made up of 28 buildings, 14 botanical gardens, a 2-acre urban farm, wetlands, and park land. Though you can only make it to the grounds and botanical garden for free, there’s no shortage of things to see, such as their rose garden, healing garden, perennial garden, and Chinese scholar’s garden.

Where: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

When: Everyday – Dawn–Dusk (Grounds and botanical garden only)

15. The Museum at FIT, everyday they’re open

Best known for its innovation and award-winning exhibitions, the Museum at FIT has a permanent collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating back to the eighteenth century. They run special programs that include exhibition talk and tours, fashion conversations with leading designers, and lectures.

Where: 227 West 27th St.

When: Everyday they’re open – Wednesday-Friday 12p.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

16. Staten Island Museum, everyday they’re open

Founded in 1881, making it one of the oldest cultural organizations in New York City, The Staten Island Museum is dedicated to the heritage of Staten Island. The art collection dates back to 1905 exploring the ancient to contemporary periods, and the natural science collection contains a vast array of entomological, plant, geological, shell, and archaeological specimens. Admission is free for museum members, and though tickets are $8 for adults it’s a suggested cost.

Where: 75 Stuyvesant Place

When: Everyday they’re open – Winter hours: Friday-Sunday, 11a.m. – 5p.m.

17. Wave Hill, every Thursday

At Wave Hill you can explore 28 acres of multiple gardens and woodlands, participate in environmental programs and hands-on workshops, and view art exhibitions and cutting-edge performing arts presentations.

Where: 4900 Independence Ave., Bronx

When: Every Thursday – 10a.m. – 5:30p.m.

18. Queens Museum, everyday they’re open

The Queens Museum is dedicated to presenting the highest quality visual arts and educational programming for people in the New York metropolitan area, and particularly for the residents of Queens. It showcases the uniquely diverse, ethnic, cultural, and international community of Queens. Timed entry tickets are required for visiting and can be reserved here.

Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park Building

When: Everyday they’re open – Wednesday-Friday 12p.m. – 5p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11a.m. – 5p.m.

19. Sculpture Center, everyday they’re open

Founded in 1928, Sculpture Center leads the conversation regarding contemporary art by highlighting sculpture’s specific potential to change the way we engage with the world. They present exhibitions, commission new work, and generate scholarship. Reservations must be made, which can be done here.

Where: 44–19 Purves St., Long Island City

When: Everyday they’re open – Thursday-Monday 12p.m. – 6p.m.

20. Poster House, every Friday

Every Friday Poster House, the first museum in the United States dedicated to the global history of posters, offers free admission and extended hours for guests to come explore the museum’s latest exhibitions. Poster House explores the enormous impact of posters on society and culture, and how they have been adapted to contemporary use.

Where: 119 W 23rd St.

When: First Friday of every month, 10a.m. – 9p.m.

21. Intrepid Museum, select Fridays April-September

Founded in 1982, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum takes visitors on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery. Here visitors can get a close up look at the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine, and more. On select Friday nights from April to September visitors can enjoy free admission with after-hours programming.

Where: Pier 86, W 46th St.

When: Select Fridays, April-September

22. Free Museums using Culture Pass

Cardholders at the New York, Queens, and Brooklyn Public Libraries can go online and download day-long Culture Passes for free museum days in NYC to 79 cultural institutions. From the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and Flushing Town Hall to Kaufman Music Center and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum this opportunity is available to anyone with a library card. Learn more here.