Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids

The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier

When it comes to saving money on culture, there are tons of free museum days and free admission hours offered at a wide variety of New York City's top museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions. Many of these local cultural hubs offer free or reduced admission on certain nights, days, or hours at least once a month—a city perk no busy, cash-strapped parent should miss! Plus, many grown-up museums let kids in for free year-round.

It can be hard to keep track of when and where these free museum days in NYC are available, so we've compiled an exhaustive list of reduced or free admission days at our favorite NYC cultural spots from the Bronx Zoo to the Brooklyn Children's Museum and every free museum in between.

As always, you can visit our Family Activity Calendar for more budget-friendly kid activities every day or visit our NYC Kids Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits for the latest kid-friendly exhibitions. Also, don't forget to put your library card to work for free admission at many of these same places!

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

At Moe's Southwestern Grill, kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Looking for Westchester and Hudson Valley restaurants where kids eat free? Read on for our list of eateries with freebie kids' meals throughout the region. 

Dining out is a fun family outing that also provides a much-needed break from cooking, but it can get expensive! Luckily, plenty of local restaurants offer free or discounted food for kids to make meals more affordable.

Whether you are looking for large chain restaurants or local eateries, we’ve rounded up a fantastic list of restaurants where kids eat free, or close to it, in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Read on to figure out where to head for dinner tonight, and check out our Free Guide to find tons more money-saving tips and fun, FREE things to do with the kiddos!

Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free on Long Island

Kids eat free at participating IHOPs beginning at 4pm each afternoon. Photo courtesy of IHOP

Looking for a free meal on Long Island? There is such a thing! Kids eat free on certain days at these family-friendly Long Island restaurants. Skip the prep, cooking, and cleanup and plan a fun meal adventure the whole family will enjoy. 

From pizza to pasta, pub fare to ethnic dishes, fast food to table service, we've rounded up a list of restaurants across Nassau and Suffolk counties with great deals where kids eat free. Promotions change, so be sure to look at the restaurant websites or call ahead of your visit.

For more meal ideas, check out our top picks of Family-Friendly Themed Restaurants on Long Island and our Guide to Kid-Friendly Restaurants on Long Island. Bon appétit!

18 Free Museums and Free Museum Days in New Jersey

The New Jersey State Museum is always free and houses artifacts, natural and cultural history, dinosaurs, and fine art. Photo courtesy of the museum

From free beaches to free attractions and events. you don't need to break the bank to have a great day out in New Jersey. NJ is home to fantastic FREE museums that will stoke your kids' interest in art, history, animals, geology, and more.

Read on for museums to enjoy for FREE with kids. And be sure to check out our guide to the best NJ museums for families. 

MLK Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids

Learn more about snow at Teatown Reservation's Snow Stories. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for MLK Weekend.

MLK weekend is upon us and packed with family-friendly fun, including a Kid Zone Neon Glow Party at Harrison Meadows Country Club, featuring a dance party for kids with glow paint and karaoke. Families can also celebrate the reopening of the 60-foot-tall indoor Ferris wheel in the Palisades Center at the Ferris Wheel Reopening Party, with half-price rides, a live DJ, a balloonist, cotton candy, and more.

On Monday, honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual Singing Parade in Beacon or volunteer during the MLK National Day of Service at multiple locations throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

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