Looking for some fun and cultural activities in New York City, but working with a limited budget? There are a variety of New York galleries just waiting to be enjoyed by you and your family. And best of all? They’re all FREE!
Here are some of the free New York galleries you won’t want to miss:
American Folk Art Museum
Dedicated to traditional folk art and contemporary self-taught artists from the U.S. and abroad, this museum features work dating from the 18th century to the present, from portraits to furniture. The museum’s Families and Folk Art events introduces children ages 4-12 to folk art through tours, discussions, and hands-on art activities.
BRIC House
BRIC House is a multidisciplinary arts and media center designed to support artists and engage the public, featuring contemporary art, performing arts, and community media programs. The venue features a flexible performance space, an intimate Artist Studio, a 3,000-square-foot gallery, a public access television station, and much more.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
The Bronx Museum of the Arts features 20th-century contemporary art, with an emphasis on artists with a connection to the Bronx, as well as artists of African, Asian, and Latin American ancestry. Their “Family Affair” program offers art-making and exhibition tours to parents and kids 12 and under, and the Teen Council features a variety of art geared toward New York’s urban youth.
Museum of Bibical Art (MOBIA)
MOBIA is one of the New York galleries that invites visitors of all ages to “look closely, engage in discussion, explore new ideas, and connect intellectually and emotionally with art.” Their focus is artwork related to the Bible and its cultural legacy. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs, including those for the family.
National Museum of the American Indian
Public tours are given daily here, exploring the diversity of Native American Indians. One of the New York galleries offering storybook readings and workshops for children, they also offer a variety of family events. Everything is free with the exception of craft workshops.
Socrates Sculpture Park
From sculptures to multimedia, Socrates Sculpture Park offers an ever-changing variety of art. It offers free admission, in addition to free creative workshops, from designing kites to building boats to creating sculptures.
Additionally, the following New York Galleries are sometimes free for kids — make sure to check their websites for current information:
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
This is one of the New York galleries that teaches kids about world cultures, history, science, and nature. It features live animals, a collection of 30,000 historical artifacts, and a special area for children under five. This all-ages museum is free Thursdays from 3-5pm, and every third Thursday of the month from 3–7pm.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
This museum offers unique, interactive, family-oriented exhibits, with a focus on play, fun, and learning-by-doing. Workshops and activities are free with admission, and on the first Friday of every month admission is free from 5–8pm.
New York Hall of Science
Offering an array of themed family events, the NYSCI offers more than 450 permanent exhibits, including a variety of feature exhibitions, events, programs, and hands-on workshops with a focus on science and technology. Free general admission is offered September through June on Fridays, 2–5 pm, and Sundays, 10–11 am. Rocket Park mini-golf (on location), which explores concepts such as propulsion, gravity, escape velocity, launch window, and gravitational assist, is a little extra.
Just because it’s New York City doesn’t mean it has to be pricey. Don’t miss out on the array of New York Galleries that will awe and inspire your family!
Photos by edwardhblake, bricartsmedia, Jules Antonio, MOBIA.org Press Room, Marlin2121, jasonlam, angelaortizmusic, Rubenstein, Sarah_Ackerman, Scott Beale
Suzy S.