FREE IN NYC

wednesday, september 23, 2026

More options for Wednesdays

FREE THAT DAY

01
The Frick CollectionPWYWpay-what-you-wish wednesday 1:30-5:30pm. also free first fridays (1st fri of month except jan and sep) with advance registration. · open until 5:30pm · upper east side
Pay-what-you-wish Wednesday 1:30-5:30pm. Also free First Fridays (1st Fri of month except Jan and Sep) with advance registration.
Children under 10 not admitted.
official site
“the indoor courtyard with the fountain is one of the most peaceful rooms in nyc”
02
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design MuseumPWYWpay-what-you-wish daily 5-6pm. museum open 10am-6pm daily. · open until 6pm · upper east side
now showing: Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne
Pay-what-you-wish daily 5-6pm. Museum open 10am-6pm daily.
Very short window. Arrive at 4:50pm.
official site
“the interactive pen lets you design your own wallpaper and save it to your ticket -- kids love this but adults get into it too”
03
American Museum of Natural HistoryPWYWsuggested donation for nyc residents. pay what you wish. · open until 5:30pm · upper west side
Suggested donation for NYC residents. Pay what you wish.
NY/NJ/CT resident ID required for suggested donation pricing.
official site
“the gilder center opened in 2023 -- the insectarium and butterfly vivarium are stunning and most people still beeline for the dinosaurs”
04
Queens MuseumPWYWpay-what-you-wish always · open until 5pm · flushing meadows
Pay-what-you-wish always
Reserve a timed ticket before visiting. Last gallery entry 4:30pm. Closed Mon–Tue. Children 12 and under and IDNYC cardholders qualify for free admission; bring applicable ID.
official site
05
The Drawing Centerfreealways free admission · open until 6pm · soho
Always free admission
None
official site
06
Artists Spacefreealways free admission · open until 6pm · tribeca
Always free admission
Closed Sun-Tue.
official site
07
Museum of the City of New Yorkfree with eligibilityfree for everyone on wednesdays. nyc residents pay-what-you-can anytime with id. · open until 5pm · east harlem
Free for everyone on Wednesdays. NYC residents pay-what-you-can anytime with ID.
Free Wednesday tickets available at ticket counters only. Groups of 10+ excluded and must reserve in advance. Ages 18 and under always free.
official site
08
Museum of Chinese in AmericaPWYWpay-what-you-wish with residency verification (in-person only) · during regular museum hours · chinatown
Pay-what-you-wish with residency verification (in-person only)
Residency verification required for PWYW. Check website for current hours.
official site
09
Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan ArtPWYWadmission by donation · open until 5pm · staten island
Admission by donation
Saturdays only in January. Best reached by car.
official site
10
Museum of Reclaimed Urban SpacePWYWsuggested donation $5. walking tours sat-sun at 3pm. · open until 5pm · east village
Suggested donation $5. Walking tours Sat-Sun at 3pm.
Closed Mon-Tue.
official site
11
Staten Island MuseumPWYWsuggested donation: $8 adults, $5 students/seniors, $2 children 2-12. veterans free with id. · open until 5pm · staten island
Suggested donation: $8 adults, $5 students/seniors, $2 children 2-12. Veterans free with ID.
Closed Monday and Tuesday. Located inside Snug Harbor Cultural Center.
official site
12
Grey Art Gallery (NYU)PWYWsuggested donation $5. free for nyu students, faculty, and staff. · open until 8pm · noho
Suggested donation $5. Free for NYU students, faculty, and staff.
Closed Sun-Mon.
official site
13
New York Botanical Gardenfree with eligibilityfree grounds admission wednesdays for nyc residents all day; all visitors free 10-11am wed. bronx residents free grounds access tue-sun. · open until 6pm · bronx park
Free Grounds Admission Wednesdays for NYC residents all day; all visitors free 10-11am Wed. Bronx residents free grounds access Tue-Sun.
Grounds Access only. Does not include Conservatory, special exhibitions, or Tram. Proof of NYC/Bronx residency required.
official site
14
Bronx Zoofreefree limited admission every wednesday. reservations required (open mondays at 5pm for that week's wed). max 4 tickets per order. · wed, hours vary by season (typically 10am-5pm) · bronx park
Free Limited Admission every Wednesday. Reservations required (open Mondays at 5pm for that week's Wed). Max 4 tickets per order.
Must reserve timed ticket online in advance. Limited Admission does not include Star Attractions ($7 each separately). Do not come without a ticket.
official site
15
Van Cortlandt House Museumfreefree admission on wednesdays. otherwise $5 adults, $3 students/seniors, under 12 free. · open until 4pm · kingsbridge
Free admission on Wednesdays. Otherwise $5 adults, $3 students/seniors, under 12 free.
Last entry 3:30pm. Free admission does not apply to group tours.
official site
16
Queens Botanical Gardenfreefree wed 3-6pm and sun 9-11am (apr-oct). free admission daily nov-mar. otherwise $6 adults, $4 seniors/students, $2 children 4-12, under 4 free. · open until 6pm · flushing
Free Wed 3-6pm and Sun 9-11am (Apr-Oct). Free admission daily Nov-Mar. Otherwise $6 adults, $4 seniors/students, $2 children 4-12, under 4 free.
Closed Mondays (except legal holidays). Free hours may be suspended on special event days; separately priced programs and events not included.
official site