The Free List / WEEKDAY
Free museums in NYC on Friday
Friday evening choices include Whitney’s all-visitor free window, MoMA’s New York State resident offer and Morgan’s free 5–8pm window with required reservations. New York Historical has 5–8pm pay what you wish. The Met’s late opening uses paid or eligible pay-what-you-wish admission.
Quick answer
Free means no admission charge for the stated offer. Free with eligibility requires qualifying proof. Pay what you wish is shown separately and can require a payment. Special programs may have their own tickets.
Admission at a glance
National Museum of the American Indian
free — Always free (Smithsonian)
Offer hours: 10am-5pm daily
Advance booking not required. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-05.
MoMA PS1
free — Free for all visitors since January 2026
Offer hours: Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun 12-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm
Booking requirement: Still verifying. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-10-09.
Center for Brooklyn History
free — Free admission. Part of Brooklyn Public Library system.
Offer hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun
Booking requirement: Still verifying. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-05.
Museum of Modern Art
free with eligibility — Uniqlo Free Fridays -- free for NY State residents 5:30-8:30pm
Offer hours: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Reservations required. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 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.
Offer hours: Fri 5-10pm; 2nd Sun 10:30am-6pm
Advance booking recommended. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 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
Offer hours: Sun-Tue, Thu 10am-5pm; Fri-Sat 10am-9pm; Closed Wed
Advance booking not required. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-05.
Queens Museum
pay what you wish — Pay-what-you-wish always
Offer hours: Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
Booking requirement: Still verifying. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-05.
The Morgan Library & Museum
free — Free Fridays 5-8pm for everyone. Separate free historic-library-only access Tuesdays and Sundays 3-5pm excludes special exhibitions.
Offer hours: Fri 5-8pm
Reservations required. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-10-09.
New-York Historical Society
pay what you wish — Pay as you wish Friday evenings 5-8pm.
Offer hours: Fri 5-8pm
Booking requirement: Still verifying. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-10-09.
The Met Cloisters
pay what you wish — Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY/NJ/CT students. Tickets include same-day admission at both Met locations.
Offer hours: Sun-Tue, Thu-Sat 10am-5pm; closed Wednesday
Advance booking not required. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-10-09.
Bronx Museum of the Arts
free — Always free
Offer hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm
Booking requirement: Still verifying. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-21.
Asia Society and Museum
free — Free Museum admission all day Friday for all visitors
Offer hours: Fri 11am-5pm
Booking requirement: Still verifying. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-16.
New York Hall of Science
free — Free Community Hours Fridays 2-5pm; general admission free for all
Offer hours: Fri 2-5pm
Reservations required. Official admission and tickets
Policy checked 2026-09-16.
The detailed table scrolls horizontally on small screens.
| Museum | Admission | When | Hours | Booking conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Museum of the American Indian | free | every day | 10am-5pm daily | No tickets required. Closed December 25. |
| MoMA PS1 | free | Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun 12-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm | Still verifying |
| Center for Brooklyn History | free | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun | Still verifying |
| Museum of Modern Art | free with eligibility | Friday 5:30pm–8:30pm | 5:30pm-8:30pm | NY State ID required. Advance reservation required. Enter through 53rd St entrance. |
| Whitney Museum of American Art | free | Friday 5pm–10pm; second Sunday 10:30am–6pm | Fri 5-10pm; 2nd Sun 10:30am-6pm | Tickets required; capacity is limited. Advance reservations recommended. Friday free admission is for everyone. |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | pay what you wish | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Sun-Tue, Thu 10am-5pm; Fri-Sat 10am-9pm; Closed Wed | 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. |
| Queens Museum | pay what you wish | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm | 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. |
| The Morgan Library & Museum | free | Friday 5pm–8pm | Fri 5-8pm | Friday reservations required; tickets released one week ahead. Ordinary hours Tue-Sun 10:30am-5pm, Friday until 8pm; closed Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. |
| New-York Historical Society | pay what you wish | Friday 5pm–8pm | Fri 5-8pm | Ordinary hours Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; Friday 11am-8pm; closed Monday. Advance booking requirement: Still verifying. |
| The Met Cloisters | pay what you wish | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Sun-Tue, Thu-Sat 10am-5pm; closed Wednesday | NY State residence or NY/NJ/CT student proof required; minimum $0.01 per ticket. NJ/CT students buy in person. Advance tickets not required. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1. |
| Bronx Museum of the Arts | free | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Wed-Sun 11am-6pm | Still verifying |
| Asia Society and Museum | free | Friday | Fri 11am-5pm | Still verifying |
| New York Hall of Science | free | Friday | Fri 2-5pm | Reservations required; book online same day (site says 9am in FAQ, 10am on hours block). Excludes Rocket Park Mini Golf, 3D theater and fee-based programs. Regular hours Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. |
Plan your visit
Financial District / free
National Museum of the American Indian
1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Always free (Smithsonian)
Admission hours: 10am-5pm daily
Tickets and restrictions: No tickets required. Closed December 25.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Long Island City / free
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-01 through 2027-01-01. New Year’s Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Free for all visitors since January 2026
Admission hours: Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun 12-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm
Tickets and restrictions: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Booking requirement: Still verifying.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-10-09 · Full venue page
Brooklyn Heights / free
Center for Brooklyn History
128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-01 through 2027-01-01. New Year’s Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-18 through 2027-01-18. Martin Luther King Jr. Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Free admission. Part of Brooklyn Public Library system.
Admission hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun
Tickets and restrictions: Othmer Library has separate hours. Check library holiday closures.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Midtown / free with eligibility
Museum of Modern Art
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Uniqlo Free Fridays -- free for NY State residents 5:30-8:30pm
Admission hours: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Tickets and restrictions: NY State ID required. Advance reservation required. Enter through 53rd St entrance.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Meatpacking District / free
Whitney Museum of American Art
99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014
Free Friday evenings 5-10pm for all visitors. Free 2nd Sunday of every month. Visitors 25 and under always free.
Separate offer: Free with age eligibility. Ages 25 and under. During ordinary museum opening hours; not limited to Friday or second Sunday. Tickets required. Official eligibility details · checked 2026-09-05
Admission hours: Fri 5-10pm; 2nd Sun 10:30am-6pm
Tickets and restrictions: Tickets required; capacity is limited. Advance reservations recommended. Friday free admission is for everyone.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Upper East Side / pay what you wish
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-01 through 2027-01-01. New Year’s Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and students from NY/NJ/CT
Admission hours: Sun-Tue, Thu 10am-5pm; Fri-Sat 10am-9pm; Closed Wed
Tickets and restrictions: 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.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Flushing Meadows / pay what you wish
Queens Museum
NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368
Pay-what-you-wish always
Admission hours: Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
Tickets and restrictions: 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.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Murray Hill / free
The Morgan Library & Museum
225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-01 through 2027-01-01. New Year’s Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Free Fridays 5-8pm for everyone. Separate free historic-library-only access Tuesdays and Sundays 3-5pm excludes special exhibitions.
Admission hours: Fri 5-8pm
Tickets and restrictions: Friday reservations required; tickets released one week ahead. Ordinary hours Tue-Sun 10:30am-5pm, Friday until 8pm; closed Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-10-09 · Full venue page
Upper West Side / pay what you wish
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024
Pay as you wish Friday evenings 5-8pm.
Admission hours: Fri 5-8pm
Tickets and restrictions: Ordinary hours Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; Friday 11am-8pm; closed Monday. Advance booking requirement: Still verifying.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-10-09 · Full venue page
Fort Tryon Park / pay what you wish
The Met Cloisters
99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-01 through 2027-01-01. New Year’s Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY/NJ/CT students. Tickets include same-day admission at both Met locations.
Admission hours: Sun-Tue, Thu-Sat 10am-5pm; closed Wednesday
Tickets and restrictions: NY State residence or NY/NJ/CT student proof required; minimum $0.01 per ticket. NJ/CT students buy in person. Advance tickets not required. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-10-09 · Full venue page
Grand Concourse / free
Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456
Always free
Admission hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm
Tickets and restrictions: Closed Mon-Tue. Temporarily closed for exhibition installation Sep 7 - Oct 8, 2026; reopens Fri Oct 9 at 6pm.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-21 · Full venue page
Upper East Side / free
Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Ave, New York, NY 10021
Known closure: 2026-11-26 through 2026-11-26. Thanksgiving closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2026-12-25 through 2026-12-25. Christmas Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Known closure: 2027-01-01 through 2027-01-01. New Year’s Day closure. Official closure notice · checked 2026-10-09
Free Museum admission all day Friday for all visitors
Admission hours: Fri 11am-5pm
Tickets and restrictions: Museum open Wed-Sun 11am-5pm. SNAP/EBT cardholders free anytime with up to 4 guests; visitors with disabilities plus one guest and ages 16 and under always free.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-16 · Full venue page
Corona / free
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Free Community Hours Fridays 2-5pm; general admission free for all
Admission hours: Fri 2-5pm
Tickets and restrictions: Reservations required; book online same day (site says 9am in FAQ, 10am on hours block). Excludes Rocket Park Mini Golf, 3D theater and fee-based programs. Regular hours Wed-Sun 10am-5pm.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-11-13, 2026-11-20, 2026-11-27, 2026-12-04 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-16 · Full venue page
Check the date before you go
Calendar calculated for 2026-11-07. Newest policy check among these museums: 2026-10-09. Policy verification dates appear with each museum and do not change merely because the calendar rebuilds. Holidays, ticket capacity and special closures can override regular hours. This is a curated selection, not a complete list of every NYC museum; see all venues.
Choose the next step
- MoMA vs Whitney on Friday — Residency is the condition that changes which free evening fits your group.
- Friday evening admission comparison — Compare the Met’s late opening with MoMA and Whitney’s different admission offers.
- Christmas Day museum openings — Check confirmed openings, closures and unannounced schedules for 2026-12-25; ordinary weekdays do not confirm holiday opening.
- New Year’s Day museum openings — Check confirmed openings, closures and unannounced schedules for 2027-01-01; ordinary weekdays do not confirm holiday opening.