Free Aquariums, Museums, Zoos, and Gardens with Suggested Donations

Pay only what you want at these area attractions—we've got the details on when and how.

By Julia Hyman December 28, 2017

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Many museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums offer pay-what-you-wish free admission and have tons to see. Here’s a list of the best places to go with suggested donations.

American Museum of Natural History—Suggested general admission of $13 for children ages 2-12, $23 for adults, and $18 for seniors (60+) and students with ID. http://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit/admissions-ticketing

Brooklyn Museum—Suggested general admission free for visitors ages 19 and under, $16 for adults, $10 for seniors and students with ID. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/hours_admission/museum_hours/

The Bronx Zoo—General admission is free all day on Wednesdays. Visitors are asked to donate what they wish to support operating costs and aid the care for animals. https://bronxzoo.com/tickets

Children’s Museum of the Arts—Pay-what-you-wish Thursdays, 4-6pm. http://cmany.org/visit/#public-hours

Museum of the City of New York—Suggested general admission free for visitors ages 19 and under, $18 for adults, and $12 for seniors (65+) and students with ID. http://www.mcny.org/visit

New York Aquarium—Pay-what-you-wish on Fridays, 3-3:30pm during the fall, winter, and spring; in the summer, pay-what-you-wish on Fridays from 4-5pm. https://nyaquarium.com/tickets

New-York Historical Society—Pay-what-you-wish Fridays 6-8pm. http://www.nyhistory.org/visit/plan

Staten Island Zoo—General admission is free for all on Wednesdays, 2-4:45pm and Tuesdays through Feb. 13, 2018, from 2-4:45pm. Donations are welcomed. http://www.statenislandzoo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=205&Itemid=95

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