Cultural Pass NYC: Free Museum Tickets Guide

The Cultural Pass is a powerful initiative that allows eligible New Yorkers to access dozens of museums, libraries, gardens, and cultural institutions — completely for free. It’s designed to make arts and culture more accessible to local residents through their library membership.

If you're a member of:

• Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)
• New York Public Library (NYPL)
• Queens Public Library (QPL)

You can reserve free passes to visit over 80 institutions across New York City.

Here are selected museums & places through the Cultural Pass:

Manhattan

• American Museum of Natural History
• Asia Society Museum
• The Frick Collection
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Japan Society
• The Jewish Museum
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• The Morgan Library & Museum
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• New Museum
• Rubin Museum of Art
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• MoMA PS1
• Children's Museum of Manhattan
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
• Museum of the City of New York
• Poster House
• The Shed

Bronx

• Bronx Museum of the Arts
• New York Botanical Garden
• Wave Hill
• Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum

Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Museum
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Queens

• MoMA PS1
• Museum of the Moving Image
• Noguchi Museum
• Queens Museum
• Queens Botanical Garden
• SculptureCenter

Staten Island

• Staten Island Museum
• Alice Austen House
• Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

This list includes over 100 cultural institutions offering free access through the Culture Pass program, covering art museums, historical sites, botanical gardens, music venues, and more across NYC's boroughs

1. Sign in at culturepass.nyc with your library card.
2. Browse available institutions by date, location, or type.
3. Reserve a pass for a specific day.
4. Download or print your pass — and you’re ready to go!

ℹ️ Each cardholder can usually reserve one pass per week.

Insider Tips

• Reservations open on a rolling 30-day basis, so plan ahead.
• Some passes are good for multiple guests — perfect for families or friends.
• Some attractions have seasonal availability — check listings before booking.
• Many museums that participate in Cultural Pass also offer free or pay-what-you-wish days — so be sure to check both options.

To use Cultural Pass, you must:

• Be 13 years or older
• Live in New York City
• Have a valid library card from BPL, NYPL, or QPL

ℹ️ Online or temporary library cards are not eligible

At Artudy, we believe art is for everyone — and the Cultural Pass is one of NYC’s best-kept secrets for affordable, joyful exploration of culture. Whether you're planning a weekend date, a family day out, or a solo art walk, the Cultural Pass unlocks meaningful access to world-class spaces, one reservation at a time.

Ready to Explore?

Check availability and make your reservation here:

👉 culturepass.nyc

And don’t forget — on Artudy, you’ll also find:

• Free museum day calendars
• Featured museums’ exhibition highlights and planning tips

Because your art journey should be inspiring and easy.