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​Before you spend $$$—save this list first 

 

Manhattan

• MoMath (National Museum of Mathematics) – Free Open Play (hours vary; check schedule)

• American Museum of Natural History – Pay-what-you-wish (NY residents)

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Pay-what-you-wish (NY/NJ/CT residents)

• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – Free First Fridays (4–8 PM, NY residents)

• New York Transit Museum (Grand Central Gallery) – Free MetroCard exhibit

• New Museum – Free for children under 16

• Whitney Museum of American Art – Free Fridays (5–10 PM) + 2nd Sundays

• The Morgan Library & Museum – Free Fridays (5–8 PM)

• Intrepid Museum – Free last Friday (5–9 PM; tickets required)

 

Queens

• Queens Botanical Garden – Free Wednesdays (3–6 PM) + Sundays (9–11 AM, seasonal)

• New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) – Free Fridays (2–5 PM)

• MoMA PS1 – Free for everyone

• Queens Museum – Pay-what-you-wish

• Museum of the Moving Image – Free Thursdays (2–6 PM)

 

Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Children’s Museum – Free Thursdays (2–5 PM)

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Free mornings (8–10 AM)

• New York Aquarium – Free Wednesdays (3–5 PM; RSVP required)

 

Bronx

• Bronx Zoo – Free Wednesdays (RSVP required)

• New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) – Free grounds access (select hours)

 

Staten Island

• Staten Island Ferry – Free 

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden – Free grounds access

 

NYC Mom Hacks

• New York Public Library (NYPL) + Culture Pass – Free museum tickets

• IDNYC – Free memberships across NYC

 

Know Before You Go

Many locations require reservations, and hours can change—always check ahead before visiting!