Get out and explore these amazing museums for free
While it’s true visiting New York City with kids can get expensive, there are also a ton of free museums so you can make the most of your time in the city on a budget. From free days at museums to free museums for students, this list will help you get into some of the best free museums New York City has to offer. Read on for our list of the best places to gain free entrance to museums in New York.
Free Museums in Manhattan
National Museum of the American Indian
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The National Museum of the American Indian is actually part of the Smithsonian family of museums, which grants free entrance to museums. It houses the world's most expansive collections of Native artifacts, including objects, photographs, archives, and more.
1 Bowling Green
New York, NY
Online: americanindian.si.edu
Tibet House
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Tibet House US is dedicated to preserving Tibet’s unique culture at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1987.
22 W 15th St.
New York, NY
Online: thus.org
The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
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The mission of the Museum is to advance knowledge of fashion through exhibitions, programs, and publications. The museum also features student and faculty exhibitions, including the Art and Design Graduating Student Exhibition every May.
227 W 27th St.
New York, NY
Online: fitnyc.edu/museum
American Folk Art Museum
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The next free museum in NYC is the American Folk Art Museum. Since 1961 the American Folk Art Museum has been showcasing self-taught artists through its exhibitions, publications, and educational programs.
2 Lincoln Square
New York, NY
Online: folkartmuseum.org
El Museo del Barrio
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El Museo del Barriowas founded nearly 50 years ago and is dedicated to preserving the art and culture of Puerto Ricans and all Latin Americans. Tiny visitors can join the Coqui Club, a bilingual program offered monthly.
1230 5th Ave.
New York, NY
Online: elmuseo.org
Hamilton Grange
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Fans of the musical Hamilton can see first-hand where Alexander Hamilton lived with his family Uptown. Not only can you gain free entrance to this museum, but kids can also become Junior Rangers since this site is part of the National Park Service.
414 W 141st St.
New York, NY
Online: nps.gov
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace
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This National Historic Site is a recreated brownstone that depicts life as it was when our 26th President was a child. The first U.S. President to be born in NYC, visitors will learn about what his life was like, including how he overcame serious health issues.
28 E 20th St.
New York, NY
Online: nps.gov
Free Museums in Brooklyn
Williamsburg Art & Historical Center
One of the coolest buildings in Williamsburg, the Kings County Savings Bank building built in 1867, is the home of the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center. Besides ongoing music, dance, theatrical productions, poetry and stage readings, symposia, and lectures, the WAH Center created annual festivals such as the Williamsburg Film Festival, the Williamsburg Dance Festival, and more.
135 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY
Online: wahcenter.net
BRIC
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BRIC features a public media center, a major contemporary art exhibition space, two performance spaces, a glass-walled TV studio, and artist work spaces. They are also behind the popular BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival that happens annually in Prospect Park.
647 Fulton St.
Brooklyn, NY
Online: bricartsmedia.org
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
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This urban botanic garden connects people to the world of plants through events, workshops, and of course, their beautiful 52 acres of lush plants and flowers. In the off-season, admission to the garden is free.
990 Washington Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
Online: bbg.org
Free Museums in Queens
MoMA
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MoMA is one of the oldest and largest contemporary art museums in the country. Families can enjoy tours, art workshops, films, and more.
22-25 Jackson Ave.
Long Island City, NY
Online: moma.org
Queens Botanical Garden
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The garden is 39-acres of mature plants, trees, and flowers. They often host kid-friendly workshops, activities, and events.
43-50 Main St.
Flushing, NY
Online: queensbotanical.org
Godwin-Ternbach Museum
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Located on the Queens College campus, the Godwin-Ternbach Museum features gallery talks, workshops, films, concerts, and tours. It is the only comprehensive collection of art and artifacts in the borough.
Klapper Hall, Queens College
Flushing, NY
Online: gtmuseum.org
Socrates Sculpture Park
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Socrates Sculpture Park is an outdoor museum and public park featuring sculptures and multimedia installations. Families can enjoy outdoor movies, weekly sculpture workshops for kids, and much more at this free museum in NYC’s trendy LIC neighborhood.
32-01 Vernon Blvd.
Long Island City, NY
Online: socratessculpturepark.org
Free Museums in the Bronx
Bronx Museum of the Arts (BxMA)
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The museum’s goal is to make art accessible to the entire community and connect with local schools, artists, teens, and families.
1040 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY
Online: bronxmuseum.org
Free Museums on Staten Island
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
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The cultural center and garden are part of 23 historical buildings, nine botanical gardens, and 10 acres of wetlands—set on 83 acres. Visitors can experience history, theater, dance, music, and so much more.
1000 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island, NY
Online: snug-harbor.org
Pro tips:
- Many museums offer pay-what-you-wish admission. Check before you head out!
- Active duty military can show ID to receive free admission to many attractions around NYC.
- Check the museum’s stroller policy before you head out. You don’t want to get there to find out they don’t allow strollers in their galleries, or that they don’t have a stroller check-in.
