New York City houses some of the world's most impressive museums, from the iconic Met to the innovative MoMA. But admission prices can add up quickly for culture enthusiasts. Fortunately, most NYC museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish days that make these cultural treasures accessible to everyone.
Our August 2025 guide highlights all the opportunities to visit NYC's top museums either completely free or at a price you choose. We've organized everything by museum to help you plan your cultural visits.
Monthly Specials
Here are the recurring monthly events you can plan for:
The Noguchi Museum
- Free First Fridays (Aug 1)
- ⚠️ Tickets released two weeks in advance at 12pm (starting Jul 18)
- → Reserve early, spots go fast!
Brooklyn Museum
- Free First Saturdays 5-11pm (Aug 2)
Whitney Museum of American Art
- Free Second Sundays (Aug 10)
Special Hours
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
- Daily 5-6pm, Pay-as-you-wish
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation
- Mondays & Saturdays 4-5:30pm, Pay-as-you-wish
Museum of the Moving Image
The Frick Collection
- Wednesdays 2-6pm, Pay-as-you-wish
Whitney Museum of American Art
The Morgan Library & Museum
NY Residents & Students
MoMA The Museum of Modern Art
- Free Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
American Museum of Natural History