Free -- or "Pay What You Can" -- Admission Days at Museums, Zoos and Planetariums
The price of admission to many museums has become so expensive that many people on a tight budget aren't able to see the many treasures these museums hold.
That's why many museums, zoos and planetariums have a "free admission day" once a week, once a month, or even once a year. Other museums have a day when they will accept any amount a patron wishes to pay.
We have put together just a few examples of these "free" or "pay what your can" admission days to show you that it's possible to get free or reduced admission to even the largest museums.
Some Examples of Free Museum Admissions
Below are examples of the kind of free museum admissions you can expect in major US cities. However, there are many thousands of museums in the United States... and indeed all over the world... and many of them do have free or 'pay what you can' days.
To locate free or 'pay what you can' admissions in YOUR area or any city you plan to visit, go to Google.com and search on "free admission" or "free museum day" or "free museum admision" and the name of your city or town.
Please also note that the days and hours of free museum days can change from time to time, or even be discontinued, so please check with the museum for current information before you plan to visit.
United States
California
Los Angeles
Carnegie Art Museum (Oxnard) Fridays 3-5 pm: free.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art "After 5 pm and the second Tuesday of each month, General Admission to the Galleries is free to all." On the second Tuesday, you can also take advantage of the fact that Tuesday matinee tickets for films are just $2 ($1 for senior). Check the Museum Calendar for films, tours and other scheduled events.
MOCA The Museum of Contemporary Art Wells Fargo Free Thursdays: Admission is free for all MOCA venues every Thursday, 5-8pm.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County "...Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month."
Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits "...Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month." Admission is also always free to members and children 5 and under.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art Admission free every Sunday.
UCLA Hammer Museum Free on Thursdays for all visitors. Take advantage of the Docent-led Tours Thursdays at 1pm and 6pm. "Free docent-led tours of special exhibitions are offered during the run of exhibitions. Tours convene at the entrance to special exhibition galleries." Free Thursday lectures at 7 p.m. Check their website for occasional other free events aka "Hammer Bashes". All school groups are admitted free of charge.
L. A. Museums with Ongoing Free Admissions
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum and Galleries 1st Level FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (Corner of Grand Avenue & 9th Street)
Hollywood Bowl Museum "..open every night before concerts - and daytime all year round."
The Getty Center "...presents the Getty's collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views...." Admission is free. No advance notice or tickets. Parking is $7, cash only.
The Getty Villa (Pacific Palisades) "... is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria". Many educational and family events. Admission is free, but must be scheduled in advance. Parking is $7, cash only.
San Francisco
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Free Admission: "Target Tuesdays" courtesy of Target Stores on the first Tuesday of every month. SFUSD students are always free. Reduced Admission: Thursday evenings after 5, price of admission is $5. See "Special Museum Nights" Alternatively, enjoy free admission with the Go San Francisco Card or with a CityPass.
Bay Area Discovery Museum "Free Second Saturdays for Families, brought to you by MetLife Foundation. (Free admission 1 – 5 p.m.)"
Berkely Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive "First Impressions: Free First Thursdays at BAM/PFA Free admission to the galleries, public programs, and a 5:30 PFA screening, the first Thursday of every month." Supported, in part, by The Gap.
California Academy of the Sciences Free admission for all on the first Wednesday of each month. Part of the CityPass system.
Chinese Historical Society of America "Free to the public on the first Thursday of every month"
Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education (San Mateo) Free admission on First Wednesdays.
Exploratorium "Free admission on first Wednesday of each month; however, due to capacity limits, groups of 10 or more are required to make reservations or will not be admitted."
Habitot Children's Museum Schedule of Free Admission Days
Museum of Craft and Folk Art Check the site for free public openings of new exhibits. Under 18 years old, free.
Oakland Museum of California Free Second Sunday of each month (does not include special exhibitions)
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) First Tuesday of each month is free. Thursday evenings, 6 to 9, is half price.
The Mexican Museum Free admission first Wednesdays.
Florida
Miami
Miami Art Museum Free on Sundays and Second Saturdays. Free to students with ID> Second Saturdays are FREE for families.
Museum of Contemporary Art - North Miami Tuesdays are by donation.
Georgia
Atlanta
High Museum of Art "...admission to the High is free for the first 600 Fulton County residents on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month."
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (SunTrust Plaza) All First Thursday receptions are free and open to the public and include validated parking with a ticket from the SunTrust lot.
Illinois
Chicago
Free and Discounted Admission Days for Chicago Museums, Zoos, Planetariums and Aquariums
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
Click on "Discount Days" for current schedule. An additional fee for shows applies.
Art Institute of Chicago Ford Free Tuesdays. "Join us each Tuesday for a free dose of culture. Thanks to Ford Motor Company, the Art Institute is able to provide exciting and constantly changing free programs and activities throughout the day. Drop by any time—there’s always something to see on Ford Free Tuesdays." 111 S. Michigan 312/ 443 3600
Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art
Admission is free from 5 - 8 pm on Tuesday evenings. Marshall Field's Free Tuesday Evenings are generously sponsored by Marshall Field's Gives. Located 220 East Chicago Avenue, just one block east of Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago
Chicago Childrens Museum Free Family Night sponsored by Kraft: Thursday evenings, 5 - 8pm Located at the Navy Pier.
Field Museum offers 52 Discounted Admission Days a year. During these days, the Gold Pass, normally $19, becomes $7, the Platinum Pass is reduced from $22 to $12, and the Diamond Pass, usually $25, becomes $16. Once inside the museum, there are many wonderful totally free activities: tours, workshops, etc.
Museum of Science and Industry Free Admission Day Schedule for 2005: Free on Mondays and Tuesdays from January 3 through March 15; Free every day from June 5 through June 10; Free on Mondays and Tuesdays from September 12 through November 24; Free on December 24
Shedd Aquarium "Discount Days will run June 5 -10. During this time, general admission is free, and admission to the Oceanarium and Wild Reef is available at the reduced rate of $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children 3-11." Check website for current information .
Free Museum Admissions for College Students
Free University Nights at the Art Institute for Students and Faculty "Twice a year, the Art Institute opens its special exhibitions exclusively to university students and faculty. These free, evening events allow you to avoid the normal crowds, enjoy gallery talks by curators and area scholars, and socialize with other art-loving students and faculty at a coffee-bar reception. Free, but you must register to attend. Individuals are welcome, or instructors can arrange to bring a class. Space is limited and once capacity is reached, registration will close. To register, send an e-mail to unight@artic.edu or leave a message at (312) 857-7182 with your name, e-mail address, and school that you attend. 2. On the evening of the event, enter the museum at the Michigan Avenue entrance. 3. Bring your school ID to gain entrance. Only current students and faculty may attend."
Chicago Museums Which Always Have Free Admission
Lincoln Park Zoo Free 365 days a year (parking is $12). Off Lake Shore Drive just north of downtown at 2001 N. Clark St (Fullerton Parkway exit). Summer hours: Grounds: 9-6
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum is the largest Latino culture organization in the country and the only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums. The Museum is located at 1852 West 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608 in the Pilsen/Little Village communities. Free admission to exhibits
|
