FREE IN NYC

thursday, september 24, 2026

More options for Thursdays

FREE THAT DAY

01
The Metropolitan Museum of ArtPWYWpay-what-you-wish for ny state residents and students from ny/nj/ct · open until 5pm · upper east side
now showing: The Genesis Facade Commission: Liu Wei
Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and students from NY/NJ/CT
NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students only; minimum $0.01 per ticket. NY billing address required online; NJ/CT students buy in person with student ID. Advance tickets not required.
official site
“skip the main hall -- go straight to the roof garden (open may-oct) for skyline views most tourists miss”
02
New MuseumPWYWpay-what-you-wish thursday evenings 7-9pm · open until 9pm · lower east side
now showing: Arthur Jafa: I Am Tony
Pay-what-you-wish Thursday evenings 7-9pm
Short window -- arrive by 6:45pm to maximize time.
official site
“the sky room on the 7th floor has floor-to-ceiling views of downtown”
03
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”
04
Museum of Jewish Heritagefreefree thursday evenings 4-8pm · open until 8pm · battery park city
Free Thursday evenings 4-8pm
None.
official site
05
El Museo del BarrioPWYWpay-what-you-can always. super sabado on 3rd saturday with extended hours and special programming. · open until 5pm · east harlem
now showing: Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art
Pay-what-you-can always. SUPER SABADO on 3rd Saturday with extended hours and special programming.
SUPER SABADO on 3rd Sat (not Jan/Aug).
official site
06
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
07
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
08
The Drawing Centerfreealways free admission · open until 8pm · soho
Always free admission
None
official site
09
Artists Spacefreealways free admission · open until 6pm · tribeca
Always free admission
Closed Sun-Tue.
official site
10
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
11
Museum of the Moving Imagefreefree thursday afternoons 2-6pm for all visitors · open until 6pm · astoria
Free Thursday afternoons 2-6pm for all visitors
None. Museum members and children under 3 always free.
official site
12
Wave Hillfreefree all day thursday for individual visitors · open until 5:30pm · riverdale
now showing: Camille Cooper: SHOWPIECE
Free all day Thursday for individual visitors
Groups excluded from free Thursday. Winter hours close at 4:30pm.
official site
13
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
14
The Met CloistersPWYWpay-what-you-wish for ny state residents and ny/nj/ct students. same-day ticket valid at met fifth ave. · open until 5pm · fort tryon park
Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students. Same-day ticket valid at Met Fifth Ave.
NY/NJ/CT ID or student ID required. Closed Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, Dec 25, Jan 1.
official site
15
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
16
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
17
Grey Art Gallery (NYU)PWYWsuggested donation $5. free for nyu students, faculty, and staff. · open until 6pm · noho
Suggested donation $5. Free for NYU students, faculty, and staff.
Closed Sun-Mon.
official site
18
City Reliquary MuseumPWYWsuggested donation $5 · open until 6pm · williamsburg
Suggested donation $5
Closed Mon-Wed.
official site