Free USA Museums
A comprehensive list of all major museums that can be visited free in 12 main US cities including Boston, New York, Washington DC.
There are fabulous museums and art galleries all across the USA, where you can see everything from priceless antiquities to cutting edge contemporary art. But hefty admission charges can soon add up. Luckily there are many free establishments too, including some of the country’s most renowned art collections.
Our directory will help you stretch your sightseeing budget in 12 top destination cities. Unless otherwise noted, these museums have free general admission every day (though there may be a charge for special exhibitions and for parking). Others offer free admission on particular days or evenings each month. Most museums offer reduced admission for seniors and children (ages vary), so it’s a good idea to bring ID. Check the websites for current details.
Baltimore
Baltimore Museum of Art
Ranging from 19th-century to contemporary art, the museum is home to the world’s largest collections of works by Henri Matisse as well as an extensive sculpture garden.
Walters Art Museum
A broad collection of world art, from Egyptian mummies, to medieval treasures, to Old Master paintings and Art Nouveau jewelry.
Boston
Institute for Contemporary Art
National and international art in a range of media, with a strong collection of works by women. Free Thursdays after 5 pm.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Exquisite collection of Renaissance art, sculpture, decorative arts, rare books, letters and more, set in a Venetian-style palace. Free admission on your birthday (ID required), or anytime for those named Isabella.
Museum of Fine Arts
A world-class collection from ancient to contemporary times, featuring paintings, drawings, photography, textiles, musical instruments and more. Free Wednesdays after 4pm, and on special Open House days.
Chicago
Chicago Children’s Museum
An experiential museum for kids of all ages, with exhibits ranging from a dinosaur expedition to a tinkering lab. Free for all visitors Thursdays 5-8pm and the first Sunday of each month for ages 15 and under.
www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org
DePaul Art Museum
A diverse collection of modern and contemporary art from around the world, located on the DePaul University campus in Lincoln Park.
DuSable Museum of African American History
Exhibits and activities illustrating African American history, culture and art. Free Tuesdays, all day.
Glessner House Museum
A National Historic Landmark and one of the leading house museums in the country. Free admission (guided tours only) on Wednesdays.
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Dedicated to the history, culture and art of Native American tribes from across the United States and Canada. Free on the first Friday of each month.
National Museum of Mexican Art
One of the largest collections of Mexican art in the USA, from ancient to times to present day.
http://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
Smart Museum of Art
Wide-ranging permanent collection and changing exhibitions, located on the University of Chicago campus.
https://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
Dallas and Fort Worth
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Works in a variety of media by American artists.
Crow Collection of Asian Art
Showcases the art of India, China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia from ancient to contemporary times.
Dallas Museum of Art
Extensive collection of art spanning 5,000 years, highlighting cultures from around the globe.
Kimbell Art Museum
Fine European collection ranging from Old Masters to Picasso, set in vaulted galleries.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Large permanent collection and changing exhibitions. Free on Sundays and half-price on Wednesdays.
Museum of Geometric and MADI Art
Striking works of geometric and non-representational art.
Sid Richardson Art Museum
Paintings by leading artists depicting the American West.
www.sidrichardsonmuseum.org/index.php
Houston
Art Car Museum
One-of-a-kind collection of elaborate art cars, plus changing art exhibitions.
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Changing exhibitions of regional, national and international works of the last 40 years.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Exhibitions highlight regional and national artists working in wood, glass, fiber, metal and other materials.
Houston Center for Photography
Exhibits highlight emerging photographers and trends, as well as leading photographers of the past century.
Houston Museum of African American Culture
Exhibitions, films and other programs that focus on African American culture and experience.
Lawndale Art Center
Contemporary art exhibitions with an emphasis on works by local artists.
The Menil Collection
Collections include Surrealist works, the arts of Africa, the Americas, the Pacific Islands, the Ancient World, and more.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The city’s leading art museum features collections of international art from antiquity to the present day. Free on Thursdays.
Station Museum
Changing shows of contemporary artworks that raise awareness of cultural, political and personal issues around the world.
Los Angeles
Annenberg Space for Photography
Photographic exhibitions, often with music and video.
Autry Museum of the American West
Displays and exhibitions covering historic and modern Western life. Free on the second Tuesday of each month.
The Broad
Post-war contemporary artworks by leading artists of the 20th century.
California African American Museum
Permanent and traveling exhibits on the art, culture, history, experience and achievements of African Americans.
California Science Center
A world of scientific wonders. Free, but small charge and timed tickets required for Space Shuttle Endeavour.
https://californiasciencecenter.org
The Getty Center
Impressive hilltop home of J. Paul Getty’s extensive art collection. The Getty Villa houses works from the antiquities collection. Free admission, but parking fee.
Hammer Museum
Paintings, drawings, cartoons, graphic arts and more, plus exhibitions of photography and design.
Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
European and American art, rare manuscripts and beautiful gardens. Free on the first Thursday of the month with advance tickets.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA is the city’s leading art institution, with works from antiquity to the present day. Free on the second Tuesday of every month.
Marciano Art Foundation
Private contemporary art collection with works from the 1990s to the present. Free with advance ticket reservations.
https://marcianoartfoundation.org
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Features leading and lesser-known contemporary artists at three city locations. Free Thursdays 5-8pm. Always free at Pacific Design Center.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The USA’s second-largest natural history museum after the Smithsonian. Free on the first Tuesday of the month (except July and August) and every Tuesday in September. Reservations advised.
Norton Simon Museum
Known for its collection of Dutch Old Masters and French Impressionists. Free on the first Friday of the month from 5-8pm.
Page Museum at the LaBrea Tar Pits
Fascinating look at prehistoric LA. Free on the first Tuesday of the month (except July and August) and every Tuesday in September.
Paley Center for Media
Tens of thousands of TV and radio programs, plus memorabilia. Admission is free, donation suggested.
Miami
Bass Museum of Art
South Beach’s leading contemporary art museum has free Family Days on the last Sunday of each month.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
From model railways to steam and diesel trains. Free first Saturday of each month (except March).
HistoryMiami
Florida’s biggest history museum offers free Family Fun Days on the second Saturday of each month, with activities starting at noon.
Institute of Contemporary Art
Open in December 2017, this is Miami’s newest museum space with changing exhibitions on three floors.
Miami Children’s Museum
Among the interactive attractions are a music studio, a construction zone and a cruise ship to play on. Free every third Friday after 3pm.
Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami
MoCA is North Miami’s main art museum, with a good Caribbean collection. Free outdoor jazz concerts and admission by voluntary donation on the last Friday of the month.
Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum
On the FIU campus, this museum is noted for its Latin American and 20th-century American art collections.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Contemporary art museum in Museum Park. Free every first Thursday and every second Saturday afternoon.
The Wolfsonian-FIU
University museum in the Art Deco district with a wide-ranging collection. Free on Fridays 6-9pm.
New York
American Folk Art Museum
The nation’s leading collection of American folk art dating from the 18th century to the present day.
Asia Society and Museum
Small but superb collection of Asian art, collected by J.D. Rockefeller 3rd. Free on Fridays, 6-9pm, Sept-June.
https://asiasociety.org/museum
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Innovative contemporary art exhibitions, with a focus on artists of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Brooklyn Museum
Huge collection of art and artifacts from cultures around the world. Free first Saturday of the month, 5-11pm.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Interactive exhibits for children to play and learn. Free on first Fridays of the month, 5-8pm.
El Museo del Barrio
Collections and exhibitions highlighting New York’s Latino culture. Free every third Saturday of the month, and free for seniors on Wednesdays.
FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) Museum
Award-winning exhibitions showcasing leading designers and the art of fashion.
Frick Collection
Traditional paintings and sculpture housed in a beautiful mansion. Free on first Fridays of the month (except September and January) 6-9pm.
Historic Richmond Town
Living history village and museum that re-creates American colonial life. Free on Fridays.
https://www.historicrichmondtown.org/
Jewish Museum
One of the world’s leading museums dedicated to Jewish art and culture through the ages. Free on Saturdays.
Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art
Dedicated to artworks and perspectives by LGBTQ artists. Admission free, donation suggested.
Morgan Library and Museum
Rare books, manuscripts and drawings collected by financier J.P. Morgan and housed in his ornate mansion. Free on Fridays, 7-9pm. Also free admission to the McKim Rooms only (Morgan’s library, study, the rotunda, and the librarian’s office) Tuesdays 3-5pm and Sundays 4-6pm.
Museum of Chinese in America
Exhibits on the history and culture of Chinese American communities. Free on the first Thursday of the month.
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Exhibits from the Holocaust to contemporary issues. Free Wednesdays and Thursdays 4-8pm.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
New York’s leading contemporary art museum. Free Fridays 4-9pm.
Museum of the Moving Image
Dedicated to the moving image in all its forms, from 19th-century optical toys to digital art. Free on Fridays, 4-8pm.
National Museum of the American Indian
The New York branch of this Smithsonian museum, set in the historic US Custom House, highlights the culture of Native peoples across the Americans.
https://americanindian.si.edu/
Neue Galerie
German and Austrian art from the early 20th century. Free on first Fridays of the month, 6-8pm.
New York Transit Museum Annex
Changing exhibitions are free in the museum’s Grand Central Terminal annex.
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Moving displays on the events of the September 11 terrorist attack. Free on Tuesdays, 5pm to close.
Noguchi Museum
The works of Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. Free on the first Friday of every month.
Rubin Museum of Art
Themed exhibitions on life, art and ideas in the Himalayas, India and neighboring regions. Free on Fridays 6-10pm.
Studio Museum in Harlem
Collections and exhibitions showcasing national and international artists of African descent. Free on Sundays.
Van Cortlandt House Museum
One of the city’s oldest buildings, depicting life in the Bronx in the 18th century. Free on Wednesdays.
Philadelphia
The Barnes Foundation
The foundation’s 4000 works include fine Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections. Free on the first Sunday of the month.
Fireman’s Hall Museum
Fascinating specialist museum about the history of fire-fighting in Philly.
The Franklin Institute
This science museum has numerous interactive zones and exhibits, including The Giant Heart. Free community nights from 5-8pm on the third Wednesday of the month.
Institute of Contemporary Arts
On the Penn campus, works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Robert Mapplethorpe are just some of the exciting free displays.
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Sunday afternoon free family arts workshops include free admission to the oldest art museum and art school in the USA, founded in 1805.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Impressive fine arts museum holding almost a quarter of a million objects and free on the first Sunday of the month and after 5pm on Wednesdays.
Rodin Museum
Largest collection of Rodin’s work outside Paris. The gardens, which contain many of his works including ‘The Thinker’, are free though the museum is by a suggested donation.
Ryerss Museum
Impressive collection of Oriental art in an 1865 mansion in Burholme Park.
www.facebook.com/ryerssmuseumlibrary/
United States Mint
Philadelphia and Denver are the only two cities where you can have a free self-guided tour of one of the US Mint’s several operations, including seeing coins being minted.
Wells Fargo Museum
The story of the US West begins in the east, and especially in Philadelphia as this popular museum shows.
www.wellsfargohistory.com/museums/philadelphia/
Woodmere Art Museum
Housed in a Victorian mansion, this focuses on artists from Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Free on Sundays.
San Francisco
Asian Art Museum
One of the largest collections of Asian art outside Asia. Free on the first Sunday of each month.
California Academy of Sciences
This world-class natural history museum in Golden Gate Park is free only four times a year, quarterly on Sundays. Check the website for details.
De Young Museum
One of the best fine arts museums in the USA. Free on the first Tuesday of the month.
Museum of Craft and Design
Contemporary furniture, jewellery and fashion feature here, with visiting exhibitions. Free on the first Tuesday of the month.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Extensive collection and recently expanded, this was the first modern art museum on the west coast. Free on first Tuesday of the month.
Seattle
Burke Museum
Museum of natural history and culture, the best in the northwest USA. Free on the first Thursday of each month.
Frye Art Museum
This collection of 19th-century to present-day European and American art was Seattle’s first free art museum. It remains free, including the guided tours.
Henry Art Gallery
This contemporary art museum was the first public art museum in the state. It’s free on Sundays and the first Thursday of the month.
Museum of Flight
This vast collection is the largest private air and space museum in the world. Free from 5pm on the first Thursday of the month.
Museum of History and Industry
MOHAI tells the story of Seattle and the Puget Sound area, with over 4 million items. Free on the first Thursday of the month.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Part of the Seattle Art Museum, this separate sculpture park is free daily, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park
Seattle Art Museum
Impressive collection ranging from contemporary art to Native American and other indigenous people’s arts and crafts. Free each first Thursday,
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
The Wing is an affiliate of the Smithsonian and tells the story of the Asian Pacific American communities. Free on first Thursdays.
Washington DC
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Distinctive building and an eclectic collection of modern art.
National Air and Space Museum
Largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world and part of the Smithsonian Institute.
National Archives Museum
The USA’s story is in this fascinating collection of US historical documents.
National Gallery of Art
Matisse, Monet and the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas are among the highlights of this huge free collection.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
This Smithsonian museum tells the story of the African-American journey in the USA.
National Museum of African Art
This Smithsonian museum has the largest collection of African art in the USA.
National Museum of American History
See the original star-spangled banner and be prepared to spend hours in this Smithsonian collection.
National Museum of the American Indian
This Smithsonian museum covers the Native-American cultures from all of the Americas, not just the USA.
National Museum of Natural History
The best and most visited natural history museum in the world is free and only closes on Christmas Day.
National Portrait Gallery
Portraits of the people who made America.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Sobering displays on the effects of the holocaust.
This piece first appeared on the 101 Holidays website.
