PSA: Kids Can Get Into These NYC Museums for Free
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If it were up to them, children might be inclined to spend endless stretches of time buried in their iPads—but there's a big, beautiful, fascinating world out there to explore. And that is particularly true in New York City, home to countless museums of all kinds.
While museum admission fees can add up when you're traveling with kids, several of these world-class institutions—including museums, zoos, botanical gardens, working farms, and more—welcome kids for free. (Age limits vary, of course.) Even better, some stops on our list are free or pay-as-you-wish for all visitors on select days—or in some cases, all the time.
To help you keep track and plan your culture-packed days for families and children of all ages, we've compiled a list of the best museums in New York City that offer free access for kids of certain ages—and in some cases, if you plan it right, adults too.
Museum of Ice Cream
There's no sweeter place to explore than the Museum of Ice Cream, where children under two get in free.
The museum features 12 interactive exhibits that take visitors through the history of ice cream, from a diner set-up to an exploration of toppings. Kids can play in an ice cream-themed playground that includes a three-story slide and a photo-worthy sprinkle pool. Don't forget to take advantage of the unlimited ice cream!
558 Broadway, Manhattan
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Children under 12 always get in free at this 52-acre urban retreat that houses more than 12,000 kinds of plants and more than 30 specialty gardens, including the sprawling Cherry Esplanade you see here and the hands-on Discovery Garden that was built with little visitors in mind. Pro tip: Winter weekdays through February are pay-what-you-wish for everyone.
990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
Metropolitan Museum of Art
NYC's most-visited museum, the Met, is free for children under 12, and admission is pay-what-you-wish for residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as students. Families are invited to participate in Storytime (ages 18 months to six), Art Treks (ages seven to 11), Family Afternoons (all ages), and more.
1000 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Museum of the Moving Image
Kids under three get free admission at the Museum of the Moving Image—and all other visitors can score free general admission every Thursday between 2 and 6 p.m. (with reservations required).
The museum is billed as the only spot in the country devoted entirely to the history, art, and technology of movies, television, and digital media. Sesame Street fans, take note: It houses the Jim Henson exhibition, which includes more than 40 puppets.
3601 35th Avenue, Astoria, Queens
New York Botanical Garden
Even kids can appreciate the beauty of nature! All-Garden passes at NYBG—which include access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and the Tram Tour—are free for children under two all the time. If you're interested in solely exploring the grounds of this gorgeous 250-acre space, on Wednesdays, grounds admission is free all day for all New York City residents and to all other visitors between 10 and 11 a.m. That will grant you access to outdoor gardens and seasonal pop-up programming for kids.
2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
American Museum of Natural History
A day at this museum is a no-brainer for curious little ones—and if they're under three, they get in for free. (Admission is pay-what-you-wish for residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.)
One of the biggest collections of fossils (seriously, don't miss the dinosaur halls) and insects aside, kids won't want to miss the Great Blue Whale located in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life—though they couldn't if they tried, as it's nearly 100 feet long!
200 Central Park West, Manhattan
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Kids 16 and under get into the iconic MoMA in Midtown Manhattan for free—and New York City residents have free access on the first Friday of every month, from 4 to 8 p.m. (Reserve in advance!)
Children can peruse the museum with audio and activity guides created especially for them, and parents and kids can bond at Family Gallery Talks with monthly themes.
22-25 Jackson Avenue, Queens
Sugar Hill Children's Museum for Art and Storytelling
Children under eight (the museum's recommended age range) can get into the Sugar Hill Children's Museum for Art and Storytelling for free.
Located in the heart of Harlem, the museum allows children to explore various art mediums through interactive exhibits and Studio Labs, which offer opportunities to participate in guided sessions or try their hand at free-styling their own pieces.
898 St. Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan
Intrepid Museum
Entry is always free for kids four and under—and everyone else can score the same deal on select free Fridays, which are announced via the museum's online events calendar.
This immersive museum located in and around the Intrepid aircraft carrier teaches kids history and STEM lessons and invites them to admire iconic installations, like the world's first space shuttle, the world's fastest commercial airliner, a submarine, a supersonic spy plane, and more. Keep your eyes peeled for special kids programming throughout the year.
West 46th Street and 12 Avenue, Pier 86, Manhattan
New York Aquarium
Admission is always free for children two and under—but if you really want to save, everyone gets in free after 3 p.m. on Wednesdays. (Heads up: Advance timed tickets are required, and ticketing for free Wednesday afternoons opens on Monday at 3 p.m.)
Located on 14 seaside acres on Coney Island, this aquarium houses more than 8,000 animals, including sharks, sea lions, sea otters, and more. The PlayQuarium is particularly fun for little ones, complete with an interactive Touch Pool.
602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn
Wave Hill
Admission to this nonprofit cultural institution, situated on 26 acres that overlook the Hudson River, is free for children under six every day and for all visitors on Thursdays. Parents and kids can participate in the Family Art Project program together on most Saturdays and Sundays or go on nature-filled strolls throughout the gardens.
4900 Independence Avenue, Bronx
Color Factory
Budding artists will love the sensory experience at the Color Factory, where kids under two get in free.
Start with a stroll through the confetti park, where the colors change to reflect the current season. Kids can also explore art installations showcasing hidden New York City gems, and dance their hearts out in a silent disco room that comes complete with a curated playlist. There are plenty of photo ops and city-exclusive merchandise in each of the museum's 14 exhibits.
251 Spring Street, Manhattan
The Met Cloisters
Located on a hill at the very northern tip of Manhattan is the Met's second location: the Cloisters, where kids under 12 get in free with an adult. Students, as well as residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can pay what they wish.
The Cloisters' medieval architecture evokes the Middle Ages, so kids get the feeling of being in an ancient castle. For kids three through 11 and their families, interactive gallery activities bring medieval artworks to life.
99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Manhattan
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Only babies under one can get in free here, but admission is free for everyone on Thursdays between 2 and 5 p.m. (Tickets are best reserved ahead of time.)
Billed as the world's first children's museum, this iconic institution has been around since 1899. It boasts three floors of interactive exhibits and cultural and science programs for infants as little as six months old and kids up to age 10. The popular Totally Tots exhibit, for children ages zero to 6, is complete with nine sensory play areas—and the climbable Nest, located on the rooftop, is perfect for outdoor fun in warm weather.
145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn
Museum of the City of New York
Anyone under 20 gets in free at the Museum of New York, which also offers pay-what-you-wish admission for everyone else.
Young historians can stroll through exhibits exploring the evolution of the city's history, from humble origins as a Dutch village to one of the biggest cities in the world. Exhibits are frequently updated with new installations, covering everything from fashion to sports with a city spin.
1220 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Bronx Zoo
A visit to the Bronx Zoo is always free for children under two—but up to four adults can get free park entry on Wednesdays, as long as you snag tickets the Monday prior, at 5 p.m.
We don't have to tell you why kids will love it here: Sprawling over 265 acres, this is the largest urban zoo in the country, with more than 6,000 species. Don't miss the tree house that gives children three and up what they aptly call a "giraffe's-eye view" of the zoo grounds.
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
New York City Fire Museum
Admission to the New York City Fire Museum is free for children under two, while tickets for kids ages three to 17 are $6.
The museum chronicles the history of firefighting in New York, with hundreds of objects—including vintage vehicles, old-school uniforms, and an array of photographs and art—devoted to volunteer firefighters.
278 Spring Street, Manhattan
New York Transit Museum
A trip to the New York Transit Museum—where admission for children under two is free and kids three to 17 can get in for just $5—is the perfect pick for any youngster who delights in a subway ride.
The museum is devoted to preserving New York's vast transit history and is located in a decommissioned subway station for an authentic feel. Visitors can explore over 20 vintage subway cars and learn about trolleys, buses, and other methods of transit through photos, videos, and other interactive elements.
99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn
New York Hall of Science
Children under two always get in free at NYSCI, and general admission is free every Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. Families can explore 450 exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and STEM activities, including science-driven mini golf, an eco-friendly indoor skating rink, and the largest science playground in the United States.
4701 111th Street, Flushing, Queens
Guggenheim Museum
Kids under 12 always get into the Guggenheim Museum for free, where the circular Frank Lloyd Wright building's architecture is just as fun to discover as the space's collection of fine art. If you plan to visit on a Monday or Saturday, the museum offers pay-you-what-you-wish hours (with a minimum of $1).
The museum also offers educational and inspirational programs aimed specifically at kids, teens, and families, where kids get the chance to create masterpieces of their owns. Kids' audio guides are also available.
1071 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
National Museum of Mathematics
Make sure to check out the calendar while planning your trip to the National Museum of Mathematics. While admission for children under two is free, the museum also offers sporadic days where all visitors get in free.
MoMath puts an interactive spin on math, with exhibits ranging from a square-wheeled tricycle to a "function grinder," where kids can create their own equations. The museum recently debuted a new, larger space where they frequently hold family-friendly events, including Folding Fridays where participants can create math-based crafts to Math Gym workout sessions.
225 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Skyscraper Museum
Best news: Admission to the Skyscraper Museum is always free...for the whole family.
Founded in 1996, this private nonprofit museum celebrates the groundbreaking architectural history of the city's skyscrapers through exhibits and programs. An array of family-focused programs start at 10:30 a.m. on scheduled days.
39 Battery Place, Manhattan
Staten Island Zoo
Kids under two can scope out Staten Island's eight-acre collection of more than 1,100 animals for free. If you plan your visit for a Wednesday afternoon, between 2 and 4 p.m., the entire family can get in free.
614 Broadway, Staten Island
Spyscape
Kids (and parents!) will delight in this museum that's equal parts informative and interactive—and children under two get in for free.
Each visitor can receive their own spy role and profile developed by M16 experts, or participate in SpyGames, an interactive experience designed by CIA agents to test physical and mental stamina.
928 8th Avenue, Manhattan
New-York Historical Society
Although admission to the New-York Historical Society is always free for children under five, you might want to plan your family's visit for a Friday evening, when admission is pay-as-you-wish from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for all visitors.
This museum showcases 400 years of history by way of exhibitions, movies, and immersive programs. The DiMenna Children's History Museum is on site, offering its own suite of kid-friendly interactive displays and programs, as well as the Barbara K. Lipman Children's History Library.
170 Central Park West, Manhattan
The Jewish Museum
Stop by this Museum Mile institution, where children 18 and under always get in free. (The museum is free for everyone on Saturdays!)
The Jewish Museum offers visitors a peek into art and culture from ancient to modern times, and family programming here includes a roster of music, art, and archaeological offerings.
1109 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
The Whitney Museum of American Art
Young artists under 18 can take in world-class artwork for free at the Whitney Museum. All other visitors can enjoy free admission on Fridays between 5 and 10 p.m., although advance tickets are required.
This world-famous museum of modern and contemporary American art presents the works of artists like Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jacob Lawrence, Alexander Calder, and many others. Family programs include art-making workshops, events and tours, and age-appropriate activity guides for the galleries.
99 Gansevoort Street, Manhattan
Brooklyn Museum
General admission for kids and teens up to the age of 19 is always free at the Brooklyn Museum, which is one of the biggest art museums in the country. With 560,000 square feet and half a million objects in the collection, it's also one of the most important art institutions in the world.
Before you plan your visit, check out the museum's calendar of art workshops for kids and families.
200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
Queens Museum
The Queens Museum is a budget-friendly pick for the whole family: Admission is always free for kids 12 and under, and all other visitors can pay what they wish.
Located in the historic New York City Building—which formerly housed the United Nations and was the site of two Worlds Fairs—this museum showcases modern artworks through changing exhibitions, films, family workshops, performances, and more. Visitors can take in the Panorama, a miniature version of New York's five boroughs created for the 1964 Worlds Fair, which is continuously updated to reflect the city's changing skyline.
New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
There's something for everyone at the historic 83-acre Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, where access to the outdoor grounds and 14 botanical gardens is free, open seven days a week from dawn to dusk, and do not require advance tickets. Families can enjoy a picnic on the grounds—there are even picnic tables scattered throughout the property.
(On site, you'll also find the Staten Island Children's Museum, where children under one get in free.)
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
National Museum of the American Indian
The New York outpost of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian offers free admission—and tickets aren't required. The exhibits and programs cover the strength and culture of the Americas' indigenous people throughout history.
Open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, young visitors (particularly children 10 and older) will enjoy the interactive imagiNATIONS Activity Center.
1 Bowling Green, Manhattan
Socrates Sculpture Park
Admission for all visitors is always free at this five-acre waterfront park, which showcases exhibitions of contemporary public art and programming against a backdrop of sweeping Manhattan views. None of the work is permanent—all artworks are on temporary display, so return for something new to see.
32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City
Queens County Farm Museum
A visit to this historic farm, located on 47 acres in Queens, is free to the public. Dating back to 1697, the farm sprawls over the biggest remaining tract of farmland in the city and remains a working farm to this day. The property includes historic buildings, greenhouses, livestock, farm vehicles, planting fields, an orchard, and an herb garden.
Be sure to take the little ones to the Children's Garden, where they can explore over 50 seasonal fruits, vegetables, and more. There's even a living willow teepee!
73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens
The Children's Museum of Manhattan
Babies under one always get in free here, but the Children's Museum of Manhattan also offers free or discounted admission for many groups of attendees, ranging from city residents to military families.
The hands-on children's museum emphasizes education, creativity, health, and cultures from around the world, all through a fun environment that includes interactive exhibits, classes, workshops, performances, and events across five floors.
212 West 83rd Street, Manhattan
The Museum at FIT
Admission is always free at the Museum at FIT, which showcases a permanent collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the 18th century to the present day. This museum is an eye-popping attraction for budding fashionistas and history buffs of all ages.
227 West 27th Street, Manhattan
Museum at Eldridge Street
Children under five can visit this hidden gem museum, built in 1887 and housed in the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue, for free. All other visitors are offered pay-what-you-wish admission on Mondays and Fridays.
The architectural stunner is the first synagogue of its scale built by Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the country (and it almost vanished into history before a 20-year, $20-million restoration project saved it for public use). Kids can tour the National Historic Landmark and get a sense of how immigrants brought—and continue to bring—vibrant culture to the city.
12 Eldridge Street, Manhattan
Noguchi Museum
Admission to the Noguchi Museum is always free for children under 12 and New York City public school students.
The museum has 13 galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden to display artwork by the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. Don't miss the special programming for families and kids led by museum educators, which combines gallery experiences, art conversation, and interactive art projects.
9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City
Historic Richmond Town
A trip to New York City's only living history village is free for kids under five, while tickets for kids six to 11 are just $5.
Kids can explore historic houses and Revolutionary War touchpoints. The property boasts everything from working 19th century kitchens to collections of clothing worn by children in 1770s Staten Island.
441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island
Morris-Jumel Mansion
Admission for kids under 12 is always free at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, where visitors can embark on self-guided tours of Manhattan's oldest personal residence. The mansion once served as General Washington's headquarters, and Aaron Burr later called the palatial property home. The mansion has since been restored and packed with historical artifacts.
In addition to permanent exhibits, the mansion also offers revolving installations related to New York history and a full calendar of family-friendly events.
65 Jumel Terrace, Manhattan
El Museo del Barrio
Children under 12 are always free at El Museo del Barrio.
Founded in 1969, the museum's mission is to preserve the art and culture of Puerto Ricans and all Latin Americans in the U.S. El Museo del Barrio also coordinates a series of interactive programs for youth in the community, such a Coquí Club, an interactive program that includes storytelling, discussion, and an art-making project.
1230 5th Avenue, Manhattan
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