FREE IN NYC

friday, september 25, 2026

More options for Fridays

FREE THAT DAY

01
The Metropolitan Museum of ArtPWYWpay-what-you-wish for ny state residents and students from ny/nj/ct · open until 9pm · 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
Museum of Modern Artfree with eligibilityuniqlo free fridays — free for ny state residents 5:30-8:30pm · open until 8:30pm · midtown
Uniqlo Free Fridays -- free for NY State residents 5:30-8:30pm
NY State ID required. Advance reservation required. Enter through 53rd St entrance.
official site
“everyone rushes to starry night on the 5th floor”
03
Whitney Museum of American Artfreefree friday evenings 5-10pm for all visitors. free 2nd sunday of every month. visitors 25 and under always free. · open until 10pm · meatpacking district
now showing: Whitney Biennial 2026
Free Friday evenings 5-10pm for all visitors. Free 2nd Sunday of every month. Visitors 25 and under always free.
Tickets required; capacity is limited. Advance reservations recommended. Friday free admission is for everyone.
official site
“the outdoor terraces on floors 6, 7, and 8 face the hudson -- go at sunset during pwyw fridays”
04
The Morgan Library & Museumfreefree friday evenings 5-8pm · open until 8pm · murray hill
now showing: The Collected Photograph, 1970-1989
Free Friday evenings 5-8pm
Reservation required via website. Book early in the week.
official site
05
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
06
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
07
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
08
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
09
The Drawing Centerfreealways free admission · open until 6pm · soho
Always free admission
None
official site
10
Artists Spacefreealways free admission · open until 6pm · tribeca
Always free admission
Closed Sun-Tue.
official site
11
Japan Societyfreefree friday evenings 6-9pm. also free first fridays 5-7pm with special programming. · open until 9pm · midtown east
Free Friday evenings 6-9pm. Also free First Fridays 5-7pm with special programming.
Children under 16 free. Members free always.
official site
12
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
13
Poster Housefreefree all day friday and free 3rd sunday of every month · open until 9pm · flatiron
now showing: From Monarchy to Modernity: Travel, Identity, & the Czechoslovak First Republic (1918-1938)
Free all day Friday and free 3rd Sunday of every month
3rd Sunday is monthly. Regular admission otherwise $15.
official site
14
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
15
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
16
New-York Historical SocietyPWYWpay-as-you-wish friday evenings 5-8pm · open until 8pm · upper west side
now showing: Women & the American Revolution
Pay-as-you-wish Friday evenings 5-8pm
Culture Pass available through NYPL, Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library for free anytime.
official site
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museumfreefree friday nights on the last friday of select months (apr, jun, jul, aug, sep) 5-9pm · open until 9pm · hell's kitchen
Free Friday nights on the last Friday of select months (Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) 5-9pm
Advance reservation required. Subject to capacity. US military/veterans free with ID anytime. SNAP/EBT free.
official site
21
City Reliquary MuseumPWYWsuggested donation $5 · open until 6pm · williamsburg
Suggested donation $5
Closed Mon-Wed.
official site
22
Lewis Latimer House Museumfreefree self-guided visits fri-sun. guided tours now ticketed: $15 adults, $8 seniors/students/veterans/visitors with disabilities, free under 12 and caregivers. · open until 5pm · flushing
Free self-guided visits Fri-Sun. Guided tours now ticketed: $15 adults, $8 seniors/students/veterans/visitors with disabilities, free under 12 and caregivers.
Closed Mon-Thu. Guided tours (45 min) are paid and should be booked in advance; monthly Mandarin-language tours.
official site