Checked against each museum's own website

Free museums.
Every borough.

New York City museums that are always free or pay what you wish, with hours, subway lines and who gets in.

80museums
61always free
5boroughs

80 free museums in NYC

Try

Lower East Side · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone.

466 Grand St, New York, NY 10002

Henry Street Settlement's arts center, with free gallery shows alongside theater and dance.

Africa Center, East HarlemPhoto: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Africa Center

Always Free

East Harlem · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone.

1280 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029

Cultural center on Museum Mile presenting African art, film, food and ideas.

African Burial Ground National Monument, Civic CenterPhoto: Dmadeo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Civic Center · Manhattan

Historic Site
Free for everyone. Visitor center is inside a federal building; bring photo ID.

290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007

National monument honoring the largest known colonial-era African burial ground in the U.S.

Alice Austen House Museum, RosebankPhoto: Blindowlphotography / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Alice Austen House Museum

Pay What You Wish

Rosebank · Staten Island

Historic Site
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested admission $5.

2 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

Waterfront cottage of pioneering photographer Alice Austen. Take the Staten Island Ferry, then the S51 bus.

Amant

Always Free

East Williamsburg · Brooklyn

Gallery
Free for everyone.

315 Maujer St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Arts campus with free exhibitions and programs, a bookstore and a café.

Upper West Side · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone.

2 Lincoln Square (Columbus Ave at W 66th St), New York, NY 10023

Self-taught and folk art from the 18th century to today, across from Lincoln Center.

American Museum of Natural History, Upper West SidePhoto: Ingfbruno / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Upper West Side · Manhattan

Museum
NY State residents: pay what you wish. Bring a valid NY State ID; covers up to four general admission tickets.

200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

Dinosaurs, the blue whale and the Gilder Center at one of the world's great science museums.

Americas Society

Always Free

Upper East Side · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone.

680 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065

Latin American and Caribbean art exhibitions in a Park Avenue townhouse.

BRIC House Exhibitions, Fort GreenePhoto: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Fort Greene · Brooklyn

Gallery
Free for everyone.

647 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Contemporary art gallery inside BRIC's Downtown Brooklyn arts and media center.

Bronx Historical Society Museum, NorwoodPhoto: Dmadeo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Norwood · Bronx

Historic Site
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested donation: $5 adults, $3 children and seniors.

3266 Bainbridge Ave, Bronx, NY 10467

The Museum of Bronx History, inside the c. 1758 Valentine-Varian fieldstone house.

Bronx Museum, ConcoursePhoto: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Bronx Museum

Always Free

Concourse · Bronx

Museum
Free for everyone.

1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456

Contemporary art museum on the Grand Concourse focused on Bronx and diasporic artists.

BronxArtSpace, Hunts PointPhoto: Julia Justo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

BronxArtSpace

Always Free

Hunts Point · Bronx

Gallery
Free for everyone.

700 Manida St, Bronx, NY 10474

Nonprofit gallery in Hunts Point showing emerging and underrepresented artists. Enter on Spofford Ave.

Brooklyn Museum, Prospect HeightsPhoto: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Brooklyn Museum

Pay What You Wish

Prospect Heights · Brooklyn

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Pay what you can at the Admissions Desk (online and kiosk tickets are full price). Free ages 19 and under. Ticketed exhibitions not included.

200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238

One of the country's largest art museums, from ancient Egypt to contemporary art.

Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery ParkPhoto: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Battery Park · Manhattan

Historic Site
Free for everyone.

Battery Park, New York, NY 10004

An 1811 harbor fort in Battery Park, now a national monument.

Center for Book Arts, NoMadPhoto: Karen Horton / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Center for Book Arts

Pay What You Wish

NoMad · Manhattan

Gallery
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Free, with a suggested donation.

28 W 27th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001

Exhibitions of artists' books, letterpress and papermaking.

Center for Jewish History, Union SquarePhoto: Gryffindor / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Union Square · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone.

15 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

Rotating exhibitions on Jewish history from five partner archives.

Coney Island History Project, Coney IslandPhoto: wil540 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Coney Island · Brooklyn

Museum
Free for everyone.

3059 W 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Free exhibition center by the Wonder Wheel with Coney Island artifacts and oral histories.

Culture Lab LIC

Always Free

Long Island City · Queens

Gallery
Free for everyone.

5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

Community art space in Hunters Point with rotating exhibitions and events.

The Drawing Center, SoHoPhoto: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

SoHo · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone. Closes between exhibitions for installation.

35 Wooster St, New York, NY 10013

The only U.S. museum dedicated entirely to drawing.

El Museo del Barrio

Pay What You Wish

East Harlem · Manhattan

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone.

1230 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029

Latino, Latin American and Caribbean art on Museum Mile.

Federal Hall National Memorial, Financial DistrictPhoto: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Financial District · Manhattan

Historic Site
Free for everyone. Visitor entrance at 15 Pine St.

26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

Site of George Washington's 1789 inauguration, with exhibits on the nation's founding.

General Grant National Memorial, Morningside HeightsPhoto: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Morningside Heights · Manhattan

Historic Site
Free for everyone.

W 122nd St & Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10027

The largest mausoleum in North America, resting place of Ulysses S. Grant.

Flushing · Queens

Museum
Free for everyone. Follows the Queens College calendar; closed during recesses.

65-30 Kissena Blvd, Queens, NY 11367

Queens College's art museum, with objects from antiquity to today.

The Grolier Club, Upper East SidePhoto: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

The Grolier Club

Always Free

Upper East Side · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone.

47 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

America's oldest society of book lovers, with free exhibitions on books and printing.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial, Hamilton HeightsPhoto: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Hamilton Heights · Manhattan

Historic Site
Free for everyone.

414 W 141st St, New York, NY 10031

Alexander Hamilton's restored 1802 country home in St. Nicholas Park.

Hispanic Society of America Museum & Library, Washington HeightsPhoto: Asaavedra32 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Washington Heights · Manhattan

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Reserve a free timed ticket first; suggested donation $15 adults, $10 NY/NJ/CT residents.

613 W 155th St, New York, NY 10032

Spanish and Latin American masterpieces, including Sorolla's murals, at Audubon Terrace.

Upper East Side · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone. Leubsdorf Gallery; Hunter also runs 205 Hudson Gallery in Tribeca.

132 E 68th St, New York, NY 10065

Hunter College's galleries for contemporary art and student exhibitions.

Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum, Lower East SidePhoto: Harris Graber from New York City, United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Lower East Side · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone.

280 Broome St, New York, NY 10002

The only Romaniote (Greek Jewish) synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, with a small museum.

King Manor Museum, JamaicaPhoto: CaptJayRuffins / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Jamaica · Queens

Historic Site
Free for everyone.

150-03 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432

Home of Founding Father Rufus King, in Jamaica's King Park.

Lefferts Historic House Museum, Prospect ParkPhoto: Epicgenius / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Prospect Park · Brooklyn

Historic Site
Free for everyone.

452 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

18th-century Dutch farmhouse in Prospect Park with hands-on history activities. Fall hours shown.

Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, SoHoPhoto: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

SoHo · Manhattan

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested donation $10.

26 Wooster St, New York, NY 10013

The world's first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ art.

The Met Cloisters, Fort Tryon ParkPhoto: Christopher Down / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

The Met Cloisters

Pay What You Wish

Fort Tryon Park · Manhattan

Museum
NY State residents + NY/NJ/CT students: pay what you wish. Minimum $0.01 per ticket; bring ID. Ticket includes same-day entry to The Met Fifth Avenue.

99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040

Medieval European art, architecture and gardens in Fort Tryon Park.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Upper East SidePhoto: Hugo Schneider / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Upper East Side · Manhattan

Museum
NY State residents + NY/NJ/CT students: pay what you wish. Minimum $0.01 per ticket; bring ID. Ticket includes same-day entry to The Met Cloisters.

1000 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10028

Five thousand years of art from around the world on Museum Mile.

MoMA PS1

Always Free

Long Island City · Queens

Museum
Free for everyone.

22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

MoMA's contemporary art center in a former public school.

Chelsea · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone.

227 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001

Fashion exhibitions drawn from FIT's collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories.

Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), ChinatownPhoto: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Chinatown · Manhattan

Museum
NYC residents: pay what you wish. Buy in person with proof of NYC residency.

215 Centre St, New York, NY 10013

Chinese American history and culture, in a space designed by Maya Lin.

East Harlem · Manhattan

Museum
NYC residents: pay what you wish. Free for everyone on Wednesdays (tickets at the counter only).

1220 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029

The story of New York City, from Lenape Manhattan to today.

National Jazz Museum in Harlem, HarlemPhoto: Jmih / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Harlem · Manhattan

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested donation $10.

58 W 129th St, New York, NY 10027

Jazz history exhibits, listening sessions and programs in Harlem.

National Museum of the American Indian, Financial DistrictPhoto: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Financial District · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone. Free admission for everyone. Tickets are not required.

1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004

Smithsonian museum of Native American art and culture in the Beaux-Arts Custom House.

Livingston · Staten Island

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone.

1000 Richmond Terrace, Building D, Staten Island, NY 10301

Maritime art and history at Snug Harbor, including John A. Noble's houseboat studio.

Pioneer Works

Always Free

Red Hook · Brooklyn

Gallery
Free for everyone.

159 Pioneer St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Artist-run cultural center in a 19th-century ironworks, with free galleries and a garden.

Queens County Farm Museum, Glen OaksPhoto: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Glen Oaks · Queens

Historic Site
Free for everyone. Free except on ticketed event dates.

73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park, NY 11004

New York City's largest remaining farm, with animals, fields and a 1772 farmhouse. No subway nearby: take the Q46 bus.

Queens Museum, Flushing MeadowsPhoto: Leo Chiou / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Queens Museum

Pay What You Wish

Flushing Meadows · Queens

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested $8 adults, $6 seniors and students; timed tickets recommended.

New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368

Home of the Panorama of the City of New York, a scale model of all five boroughs.

Salmagundi Club (Public Galleries), Greenwich VillagePhoto: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Greenwich Village · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone.

47 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10003

Historic artists' club with free exhibitions in a Fifth Avenue brownstone.

SculptureCenter, Long Island CityPhoto: Michael Moran / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

SculptureCenter

Always Free

Long Island City · Queens

Museum
Free for everyone.

44-19 Purves St, Long Island City, NY 11101

Contemporary sculpture and installation in a former trolley repair shop.

The Skyscraper Museum, Battery Park CityPhoto: Aude / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

Battery Park City · Manhattan

Museum
Free for everyone. Free timed tickets recommended; walk-ins welcome.

39 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280

Exhibits on high-rise architecture and the building of New York's skyline.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, LivingstonPhoto: Dmadeo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Livingston · Staten Island

Garden & Park
Free for everyone. Grounds and gardens are free; some attractions on campus charge.

1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

An 83-acre campus of 19th-century buildings, gardens and museums on the Kill Van Kull.

Staten Island Museum, LivingstonPhoto: DavisTW / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Staten Island Museum

Pay What You Wish

Livingston · Staten Island

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested $8 adults, $5 students and seniors.

1000 Richmond Terrace, Building A, Staten Island, NY 10301

Natural science, art and history museum at Snug Harbor.

Taller Boricua, East HarlemPhoto: Juliajusto8 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taller Boricua

Always Free

East Harlem · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone.

1680 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10029

Puerto Rican artists' collective and gallery, founded in East Harlem in 1970.

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, FlatironPhoto: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Flatiron · Manhattan

Historic Site
Free for everyone. Visits are by guided ranger tour.

28 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Rebuilt brownstone birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt.

Ukrainian Institute of America, Upper East SidePhoto: Waso Danilenko / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Upper East Side · Manhattan

Museum
Pay what you wish, for everyone. Suggested admission $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students.

2 E 79th St, New York, NY 10075

Ukrainian art and culture in the Gothic-style Fletcher-Sinclair mansion on Fifth Avenue.

Voelker Orth Museum, FlushingPhoto: Peter Greenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Voelker Orth Museum

Pay What You Wish

Flushing · Queens

Historic Site
Pay what you wish, for everyone. House tours: suggested donation $5. The garden is free on weekdays 10am-4pm.

149-19 38th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354

Victorian house museum and garden in Flushing, built in 1891.

Red Hook · Brooklyn

Museum
Free for everyone. Open most Thursdays and Saturdays; check the museum's calendar before you go.

290 Conover St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

A restored 1914 wooden railroad barge on the Red Hook waterfront.

Weeksville Heritage Center, Crown HeightsPhoto: Anonitect (talk) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Crown Heights · Brooklyn

Historic Site
Free for everyone. Guided tours have a fee and must be booked 24 hours ahead.

158 Buffalo Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Historic houses of Weeksville, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America.

White Columns, West VillagePhoto: Team Naked Pictures of Bea Arthur, Wikis Take Manhattan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

White Columns

Always Free

West Village · Manhattan

Gallery
Free for everyone.

91 Horatio St, New York, NY 10014

New York's oldest alternative art space, founded in 1970.