Free Admission to NYC Museums on Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of over 20 NYC institutions offering free admission on Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of over 20 NYC institutions offering free admission on Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. Photo courtesy of the Intrepid
8/13/19 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

The best way to see some of this fall's best museum exhibits for kids? Why, for free, of course. On Saturday, September 21, 2019, hundreds of museums and cultural institutions across the country will be offering free admission, including more than 20 spots right here in New York City as part of Smithsonian Magazine's annual Museum Day, and passes are available to download starting this week, on August 15.

In addition to a handful of big institutions, such as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, there are lots of cool, off-the-beaten-path places participating, like the Museum of the Dog. Museum Day is the perfect time to check out a new-to-you museum or visit an old standby for at no cost. We've got the scoop on which museums are offering free admission and how to get your tickets for Museum Day.

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Unlike residents of Washington DC, we New Yorkers need to pay to visit most of our city's museums, so Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day is a wonderful opportunity. In order to gain free entrance to participating institutions, you'll need to fill out the ticket form on the Museum Day website and download your ticket. Each ticket is good for admission for two to one museum on Saturday, September 21.

Below is a list of New York City museums offering free admission. Visit the Museum Day website for a list of participating venues across the country.


Find more info on cool exhibits and institutions for families in our Museums Guide.

Originally published August 2010; this post has been updated for 2019.