Thanks to Target, the massively successful chain of discount stores, many of the New York City museums offer free admission for all on certain days.

In addition, many other New York City museums offer Pay What You Wish days or times. Since admission to most local museums is based on a suggested donation (usually $8-20 per person), during PWYW times, you can take a look at your budget and pay what you can afford.

NOTE: Before you set out, be sure to check these museums' web sites or call first, as holidays and seasons can change the free and Pay What You Wish deals.

SCHEDULE BY DAY
Monday
Free admission to Yeshiva University Museum (15 W. 16th Street, Manhattan/ YU Museum) all day

Tuesday
Free admission all day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn/ BBG)

Wednesday
Free guided tours of Grand Central Terminal (42nd St. & Park Ave, Manhattan/ GCT) at 12:30 p.m.

Free admission to the Museum of Jewish Heritage from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. (36 Battery Place, Battery Park City (Manhattan)/ Museum JH)

Free access all day to the grounds at New York Botanical Garden (200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard, Bronx/ NYBG)

Free admission to Yeshiva University Museum (15 W. 16th Street, Manhattan/ YU Museum) from 5 – 8 p.m.

Pay What You Wish to enter the Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx/ Bronx Zoo) all day.

Thursday
Free admission to the Museum of Chinese in America all day. (215 Centre Street, Manhattan/ MOCA).

Free admission to the New Museum of Contemporary Art from 7 – 9 p.m. Children’s admission is always free. (235 Bowery at Prince Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets, Manhattan)

Friday
Free Admission to the Museum of Modern Art from 4 – 8 p.m. (11 West 53rd Street, Manhattan/ MOMA)

Free guided tours of Grand Central Terminal (42nd St. & Park Ave, Manhattan/ GCT) at 12:30 p.m.

Pay What You Wish to enter the Whitney Museum from 6 – 9 p.m. 945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street/ Whitney)

Pay what you wish to enter the New York Historical Society Museum from 6 – 8 p.m.(170 Central Park West, Manhattan/ NYHSM)

Free admission from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the American Folk Art Museum (45 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan/ FAM)

Saturday
Pay What You Wish to enter the Guggenheim Museum from 5:45 – 7:45 p.m.(1071 5th Avenue at 89th Street/ Guggenheim)

Free admission all day to the Jewish Museum (1109 5th Ave at 92nd St, Manhattan/ Jewish Museum)

Free access from 10 a.m. – 12 noon to the grounds at New York Botanical Garden (200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard, Bronx/ NYBG)

Free admission to Yeshiva University Museum (15 W. 16th Street, Manhattan/ YU Museum) all day.

Sunday
Pay What You Wish from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Frick Collection (1 East 70th Street/ Frick Museum)

Free admission from 12 noon – 6 p.m. at The Studio Museum in Harlem (144 West 125th Street, Manhattan/ Studio Museum)

Admission to the following New York City museums is always free: Fashion Institute of Technology Museum, The Forbes Galleries, and National Museum of the American Indian. Many other museums such as the New York Hall of Science, El Museo del Barrio, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the South Street Seaport Museum offer free admission times during certain seasons or on select days or weekends.

If you’ve had your heart set on visiting a particular New York City museum that is not listed here, go to its web site and look for special promotions.