NYC Museum Free & Pay-What-You-Wish Days, July 2025
A monthly guide to New York's top museums, visiting tips, and updated schedules
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 July 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 (Jul 4)
- ⚠️ Tickets release: two weeks before, 12pm
Brooklyn Museum
- Free First Saturdays 5-11pm (Jul 5)
Whitney Museum of American Art
- Free Second Sundays (Jul 13)
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
- Free Thursdays 2-6pm
The Frick Collection
- Wednesdays 2-6pm, Pay-as-you-wish
Whitney Museum of American Art
- Free Fridays, 5-10pm
The Morgan Library & Museum
- Free Fridays, 7-9pm
Residents Only
MoMA The Museum of Modern Art
- Free Fridays, 5:30-8:30pm
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Always, Pay-as-you-wish
American Museum of Natural History
- Always, Pay-as-you-wish
Museum Visit Tips
- Always check the museum’s website before visiting—hours and policies may change.
- Some events require advance online reservations, so it’s best to plan ahead.
- Arrive early to avoid long lines, especially on free or pay-what-you-wish days.
- Special exhibitions may require separate tickets—even on free days.
Featured Museums