FREE IN NYC

wednesday, october 21, 2026

More options for Wednesdays

FREE THAT DAY

01
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design MuseumPWYWpay-what-you-wish daily 5-6pm. museum open 10am-6pm daily. · open until 6pm · upper east side
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”
02
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”
03
Queens MuseumPWYWpay-what-you-wish always · open until 5pm · flushing meadows
now showing: Sonia Boyce: Demonstrate
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
Compare Queens museum admission ↗
“the panorama of the city of new york -- a 9,335 sq ft scale model of all five boroughs built for the 1964 world's fair -- is worth the trip alone”
04
The Drawing Centerfreealways free admission · open until 6pm · soho
Always free admission
None
official site
05
Artists Spacefreealways free admission · open until 6pm · tribeca
now showing: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha: Multiple Offerings
Always free admission
Closed Sun-Tue.
official site
06
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
now showing: Halumii Ktapihna: Lenape Legacies and Futures
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
07
Museum of Chinese in AmericaPWYWpay-what-you-wish with residency verification (in-person only) · during regular museum hours · chinatown
now showing: With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America
Pay-what-you-wish with residency verification (in-person only)
Residency verification required for PWYW. Check website for current hours.
official site
08
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
09
Museum of Reclaimed Urban SpacePWYWsuggested donation $5. walking tours sat-sun at 3pm. · open until 5pm · east village
now showing: Reclaiming Space: Squats
Suggested donation $5. Walking tours Sat-Sun at 3pm.
Closed Mon-Tue.
official site
10
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
11
Grey Art Gallery (NYU)PWYWsuggested donation $5. free for nyu students, faculty, and staff. · open until 8pm · noho
now showing: by Alison Knowles: A Retrospective (1960–2022)
Suggested donation $5. Free for NYU students, faculty, and staff.
Closed Sun-Mon.
official site
12
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
now showing: Before New York: The Bronx
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
The Frick CollectionPWYWpay-what-you-wish wednesdays 1:30-5:30pm. free admission for ages 10-18; children under 10 are not admitted. first fridays are a separate monthly program, not weekly admission. · open until 5:30pm · upper east side
now showing: Siena: The Art of Bronze, 1450-1500
Pay-what-you-wish Wednesdays 1:30-5:30pm. Free admission for ages 10-18; children under 10 are not admitted. First Fridays are a separate monthly program, not weekly admission.
Timed tickets recommended. Online PWYW has a $5 minimum; different contributions including less than $5 are available onsite Wednesday, subject to capacity. Regular hours Mon, Wed-Sun 10:30am-5:30pm; closed Tuesday. First Friday event dates: Still verifying.
official site