Good to know
Good to Know
- NYC has over 100 museums with generous free admission windows throughout the week—savvy visitors can experience world-class art without paying full price
- Pay-what-you-wish pricing at major museums typically requires proof of New York residency (State ID, IDNYC, or valid NY library card required at time of purchase)
- The New York CityPASS is valid for 9 days, allowing you to spread visits across your stay and avoid rushed schedules
- Many attractions and museums can develop long ticket-kiosk lines (30-45 minutes during peak hours); online advance booking is strongly recommended
- Library cardholders can access Culture Pass for free admission to 100+ venues—an excellent resource if you have access to NYC public libraries
- Free walking experiences include the Brooklyn Bridge, High Line, Central Park, and Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty
- Museums often have special programming, late-night hours, and interactive installations year-round—check websites before visiting
Museum Passes
New York CityPASS
- Cost
- $142
- Savings
- Up to 42% off individual tickets
- Validity
- 9 days from first use
- Description
- 5 attractions including Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History plus 3 choice selections from 9/11 Memorial, Guggenheim, Top of the Rock, Intrepid, and others
New York C3 by CityPASS
- Savings
- Significant discounts vs individual tickets
- Validity
- 30 days from activation
- Description
- 3 attractions of your choice from 30+ options including MoMA and Edge at Hudson Yards
Culture Pass NYC
- Cost
- $0.00
- Notes
- Available through Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, or New York Public Library cardholders age 13+
- Description
- Free admission to 100+ cultural institutions for NYC public library cardholders
Must See Museums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Description
- World-class art museum with over 5,000 years of art from around the world
Admission
- Standard
- $30
- Notes
- Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents; NY, NJ, CT students can purchase pay-what-you-wish tickets in person with valid ID
American Museum of Natural History
- Description
- Over 40 exhibition halls featuring dinosaur fossils, space exhibitions, and ocean life displays
Admission
- Standard
- $37
- Notes
- Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents (suggested $25); children 3-12 $22 (non-resident) or $14 suggested (resident)
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Description
- World-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art across six floors
Admission
- Standard
- $25
- Notes
- Free admission for NY State residents every Friday 5:30-8:30 PM (advance ticket reservation required)
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- Description
- Architecturally distinctive building with exceptional art collection
Admission
- Standard
- $25
- Notes
- Pay-what-you-wish admission for NY residents (suggested donation); pay-what-you-wish Saturday evenings 5-8 PM
Brooklyn Museum
- Description
- Third-largest museum in five boroughs with Egyptian, African, and contemporary art collections
Admission
- Standard
- $24
- Notes
- Pay what you wish for general admission; free entry first Saturday of every month 5-11 PM
Whitney Museum of American Art
- Description
- Modern and contemporary American art with 63,000 square feet of exhibition space
Admission
- Standard
- $24
- Notes
- Free Friday nights 5-10 PM; free second Sunday of each month; free for visitors 25 and under always
9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Description
- Tribute honoring those connected to September 11 events and history of World Trade Center
Admission
- Standard
- $33
- Notes
- Requires timed-entry ticket; free for NY residents on Sundays 4-7 PM
Free Entry Windows
Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Details
- Pay-what-you-wish daily for NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students
American Museum of Natural History
- Details
- Pay-what-you-wish daily for NY State residents
MoMA
- Details
- Free Friday evenings 5:30-8:30 PM for NY State residents (advance reservation required)
Guggenheim
- Details
- Pay-what-you-wish Saturday evenings 5-8 PM
Brooklyn Museum
- Details
- Free first Saturday of every month 5-11 PM
Whitney Museum
- Details
- Free Friday nights 5-10 PM; free second Sunday of each month all day; always free for visitors 25 and under
Asia Society
- Details
- Free Friday evenings 6-9 PM (except July 1-Labor Day)
Always Free Museums
Queens Museum
- Admission
- Always free
- Description
- Features The Panorama of the City of New York, a 9,335-square-foot scale model of five boroughs
The Bronx Museum
- Admission
- Always free
- Description
- Contemporary arts museum with focus on multicultural artists
National Museum of the American Indian
- Admission
- Always free
- Description
- Smithsonian museum with counterpart in Washington DC
Must See Sightseeing Attractions
Central Park
- Admission
- Free
- Description
- 843-acre green heart of Manhattan with Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, and Strawberry Fields John Lennon memorial
Statue of Liberty
- Admission
- Ferry and island access available through CityPASS or individual tickets
- Description
- Global symbol of freedom accessible via ferry to Liberty Island
Empire State Building
- Admission
- Included in CityPASS options
- Description
- 1,454-foot building with 360-degree open-air vantage point from 86th and 102nd floor observatories
Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- Admission
- Included in CityPASS options
- Description
- 70th-floor observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza with unmatched views of Central Park and Midtown
Edge NYC
- Admission
- Included in CityPASS options
- Description
- 100-story outdoor sky deck in Hudson Yards with highest open-air deck in Western Hemisphere
The High Line
- Admission
- Free
- Description
- 1.45-mile elevated park on historic freight rail line with landscaped gardens and Hudson River views
Brooklyn Bridge
- Admission
- Free to walk across
- Description
- Historic suspension bridge connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn with spectacular skyline views
Times Square
- Admission
- Free to visit (best at night when fully illuminated)
- Description
- Electric area with flashing billboards and Broadway theaters
The Oculus/World Trade Center Transportation Hub
- Admission
- Free to explore; shopping and dining available
- Description
- Calatrava architectural masterpiece with 350-foot skylit atrium connecting 13 subway lines and 100,000-square-foot mall
Planning Tips
Planning Tips
- Book popular attractions in advance, especially during peak seasons
- Consider a city pass for bundled savings compared to individual tickets
- Most major museums have dedicated free entry hours or days
- Timed entry is required at many museums; reserve in advance for popular times
- Many museums offer free admission to children under specific ages (often 12 or 16)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About New York
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.