The Free List / OPENING
NYC museums open on Monday
Monday museum options include the National Museum of the American Indian, MoMA PS1 and the Met Fifth Avenue. Opening on Monday does not make every ticket free. Choose the collection and location first, then check admission eligibility and holiday notices.
Your planning questions
Ordinary opening hours
NMAI: 10am–5pm. MoMA PS1: noon–6pm. Met Fifth Avenue: 10am–5pm. These are ordinary Monday hours, not a declaration that all visitors qualify for free admission.
NMAI official New York visit information · MoMA PS1 official visit information · Met official hours
Plan by location and budget
NMAI is a Lower Manhattan choice; MoMA PS1 is in Long Island City; the Met Fifth Avenue is on the Upper East Side. They are not consecutive stops on a short neighborhood walk. Pick one anchor museum, allow time for travel and use the admission details below before adding another stop.
Holiday exceptions matter
These hours were checked September 5, 2026. The Met closes on Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1 and the first Monday in May. NMAI closes December 25. Check the official location page again for special closures before a holiday trip. The list is selected, not an inventory of every open NYC museum.
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 |
| MoMA PS1 | free | Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday | Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun 12-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm | not required |
| 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 | required / recommended |
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.
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: None. Closed Tue-Wed.
Official admission source · 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.
Official admission source · Tickets / registration · Policy source checked 2026-09-05 · Full venue page
Check the date before you go
Calendar calculated for 2026-10-09. 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.