The Free List / WEEKDAY
Free museums in NYC on Wednesday
On Wednesday, start with the National Museum of the American Indian for free admission. Queens Museum offers pay what you wish. The Met and MoMA PS1 are closed on Wednesdays.
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.
| Museum | Admission | When | Hours | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Museum of the American Indian | free | every day | 10am-5pm daily | not required |
| Center for Brooklyn History | free | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | Mon–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun | not required |
| Queens Museum | pay what you wish | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5pm | not required |
Plan your visit
Financial District / free
National Museum of the American Indian
1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004
Always free (Smithsonian)
Admission hours: 10am-5pm daily
Tickets and restrictions: No tickets required. Closed December 25.
Next matching policy dates: 2026-09-23, 2026-09-30, 2026-10-07, 2026-10-14 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Brooklyn Heights / free
Center for Brooklyn History
128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
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: 2026-09-23, 2026-09-30, 2026-10-07, 2026-10-14 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · 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: 2026-09-23, 2026-09-30, 2026-10-07, 2026-10-14 These are calculated from the policy, not confirmed ticket availability.
Official admission source · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Check the date before you go
Calendar calculated for 2026-09-23. Newest policy check among these museums: 2026-09-05. 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.