VERIFIED COMPARISON
MoMA, Whitney and the Met: Friday nights compared
Whitney’s free Friday is open to everyone, MoMA’s requires New York State residence, and the Met’s late opening uses paid or eligible pay-what-you-wish admission. Closing time does not determine price.
| Venue | Admission category / who qualifies | Offer windows | Booking | Regular evening hours / admission | Neighborhood / checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum of Modern Art | free with eligibility Uniqlo Free Fridays -- free for NY State residents 5:30-8:30pm | Friday 5:30pm–8:30pm NY State ID required. Advance reservation required. Enter through 53rd St entrance. | NY State ID required. Advance reservation required. Enter through 53rd St entrance. | Friday 10:30am–8:30pm 2026-10-09: free with eligibility. Offer window: Friday 5:30pm–8:30pm. Other evening hours have no verified general free/PWYW offer. Hours source · 2026-09-05 | Midtown Admission source · 2026-09-05 |
| Whitney Museum of American Art | free Free Friday evenings 5-10pm for all visitors. Free 2nd Sunday of every month. Visitors 25 and under always free. Free with age eligibility: ages 25 and under. During ordinary museum opening hours; not limited to Friday or second Sunday. Tickets required. Separate offer source · 2026-09-05 | Friday 5pm–10pm; second Sunday 10:30am–6pm Tickets required; capacity is limited. Advance reservations recommended. Friday free admission is for everyone. | Tickets required; capacity is limited. Advance reservations recommended. Friday free admission is for everyone. | Friday 10:30am–10pm 2026-10-09: free. Offer window: Friday 5pm–10pm; second Sunday 10:30am–6pm. Other evening hours have no verified general free/PWYW offer. Hours source · 2026-09-05 | Meatpacking District Admission source · 2026-09-05 |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | pay what you wish Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and students from NY/NJ/CT | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 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. | 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. | Friday / Saturday 10am–9pm 2026-10-09: pay what you wish. Offer window: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Other evening hours have no verified general free/PWYW offer. 2026-10-10: pay what you wish. Offer window: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Other evening hours have no verified general free/PWYW offer. Hours source · 2026-09-05 | Upper East Side Admission source · 2026-09-05 |
Choose by the condition you can meet
- Choose Museum of Modern Art if… You meet MoMA’s residency requirement.
- Choose Whitney Museum of American Art if… You need an all-visitor free evening.
- Choose The Metropolitan Museum of Art if… You qualify for pay what you wish or have budgeted for a paid ticket.
Keep planning
Friday admission guide · Thursday admission guide · Pay-what-you-wish guide
Policy dates and official sources appear with each venue. Ordinary evening hours are separately verified. Monthly windows are not weekly offers. Check closures and tickets for your date.