SAVE $ ON MUSEUMS

moma matisse

Enjoy free/low-cost culture with these tips for saving at NYC's fabulous family-friendly museums, where kids are often free or discounted everyday.

* Also see our guide to always-free gallery shows.

* Follow us on Instagram & subscribe to our email list for temporary deals.

* Consider a membership at your local favorite - usually around $100 and totally tax-deductible - for a climate-controlled spot to roam all year long plus perks like discounts at the fabulous gift shops and cafes.

* See our kid-friendly museum guide for more tips.

COMMUNITY HOURS

Check out museums for as little as a penny during certain hours. Some require advance reservations; click-though for more info.


* Upcoming Free Events


ALWAYS PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH

* American Folk Art Museum
American Museum of Natural History (NY, NJ & CT residents)
* Cooper Hewitt Design Museum (5-6 pm daily)
* El Museo Del Barrio
* Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York State residents)
* The Met Cloisters (New York State residents)
* MoMA (First Floor)
National Museum of the American Indian
* Queens Museum
* Skyscraper Museum


MONDAY

* Museum at Eldridge Street (10 am-5pm)

Thursday

* Brooklyn Children's Museum (2 pm-5 pm)
* Museum of the Moving Image (2-6 pm)
* New Museum (7 pm-9 pm)

Friday

* Museum at Eldridge Street (10 am-5pm)
* MoMA (4 pm-8 pm first Friday of the month for NYC residents)
* New York Hall of Science (2 pm-5 pm)
* The Morgan Library & Museum (5-7 pm)
* New-York Historical Society (6 pm-8 pm)
* The Poster House (10 am-6 pm)
* Rubin Museum (6 pm-10 pm)
* Whitney Museum (5-10 pm)

SATURDAY

* MoMA (10:15 am-5:30 pm, during & after Family Gallery Talks on some Saturdays)
* Jewish Museum (11 am-6 pm)
* Guggenheim (6 pm-8 pm)

SUNDAY

* The Poster House (10:30 am-12:15 pm during Poster Kids on select Sundays)
* Rubin Museum Family Sundays (1 pm-3 pm)

PASSES

CULTURE PASS

NYC library card holders can get free admission to dozens of cultural institutions.  Reserve passes online; browse available passes by date or venue. Westchester libraries have a similar programs.

IDNYC

IDNYC cardholders are eligible for free one-year memberships or discounted tickets at a number of participating institutions.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS

Many corporations and financial insitutions donate to museums, then offer free admission to employees/patrons. Check with yours; Bloomberg, American Express and Chase all have programs.

BANK WEEKENDS

During the first full weekend of every month, Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders are eligible for free admission to: