79 institutions · verified on official pages

When is the
museum free?

Every free museum & zoo day in one place — who qualifies, whether you need a reservation, and the source we checked it on.

ChicagoLos AngelesDenverHoustonSan Francisco + 13 more
Chicago · Aquarium Shedd Aquarium Illinois residents. All adults · reserve ahead TUE5pm–9pm Los Angeles · Art The Getty Center Everyone · reserve ahead ALWAYSfree Seattle · Art Seattle Art Museum (SAM) Everyone 1st THUmonthly

Free this week

Every entry links its official source and check-date

TUE · 5PM–8PM Houston Museum of Natural Science Free Tuesdays: general admission to the permanent exhibit halls is free on Tuesday evenings, 5–8pm (last entry 7:30pm).. hmns.org · checked 09-04 → THU · 5PM–9PM ICA Boston ICA Free Thursday Nights: admission is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 9pm — advance tickets required. icaboston.org · checked 09-04 → FRI · 5:30PM–8:30PM · RESIDENTS MoMA MoMA offers free admission for New York State residents on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. moma.org · checked 09-04 → SAT de Young Museum Free Saturdays: every Saturday, general admission is free for residents of the nine Bay Area counties (ID required). famsf.org · checked 09-04 →

Start with your city

Chicago15 institutions · the resident free-day capitalFree days in Chicago →New York4 institutions · pay-what-you-wish for residentsFree days in New York →Los Angeles7 institutions · best always-free city in AmericaFree days in Los Angeles →Washington2 institutions · every Smithsonian + the National Gallery, freeFree days in Washington →
DenverHoustonSan FranciscoFort WorthSeattleMinneapolisPortlandSan DiegoSt. LouisAtlantaBostonDallasDetroitPhoenixAll 79 institutions →

Four ways into a museum for free

The institution's own free days

Weekly evenings, monthly free days, resident days — and the 21 museums that never charge.

 First-full-weekend bank program

Bank of America cardholders get free general admission at 250+ institutions on the first full weekend, monthly.

 The logo on your membership card

NARM, ASTC, AZA and Time Travelers turn one membership into thousands of admissions — 4,100+ mapped, the 90-mile rule computed. EBT cardholders get Museums for All.

Your library card

20 states lend free state-park day passes through public libraries — checked out like a book.
79
museums, zoos & aquariums verified
18
city guides, coast to coast
50
states checked for library park passes
100%
of entries cite the official source + date