How To Visit Great Museums Without Spending a Dime

Free museum days offer great cultural experiences for families, and we are lucky to have many options in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We've scouted the best venues to make sure they’re worth a family outing. Note: The list only includes museums that are truly free (or offer free days) for the entire family.

What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Always-Free Museums in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

Neuberger Museum of Art – Purchase

This fine arts museum features a large collection of modern, contemporary, and African art, including works by Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock. The museum includes interactive displays to entertain all ages and is also stroller-friendly. Note: There is a charge for parking in the visitor lot. Opt for a drop-off or public transportation if possible.

Blue Door Art Center – Yonkers

This nonprofit art museum in Yonkers offers free admission for all as well as free art workshops for children on Saturdays where children work with a professional artist featured in the exhibition. The center is a short walk from the Yonkers Train Station and is also served by Bee-Line buses. Metered parking is available on the street or in the Buena Vista Municipal Parking Garage. 

Marine Education Center at Harbor Island Park - Mamaroneck

The Aquarium at the Marine Education Center features fish and wildlife found locally in Long Island Sound. Activities for kids include touch tanks and FREE educational programs.

Pelham Art Center - Pelham

Pelham Art Center is a nonprofit gallery and learning center that presents six or seven art exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists. The gallery is free to visit, open to the public, and accessible to disabled visitors. The center also offers free cultural events throughout the year as well as a community art day for families in the summer.

Westmoreland Sanctuary Nature Center and Wildlife Preserve - Mt Kisco

The Natural Science Museum and hiking trails are FREE of charge to all visitors and open 7 days a week. The museum features live animals including rabbits, birds, and turtles plus educational exhibits. 

Cranberry Lake Preserve and Nature Center - White Plains

This 190-acre park in the heart of Westchester features hiking trails and a nature center offering children's programs, live animals, and interactive educational displays. Visitors can learn about the area's past by following the History Trail to the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center - Poughkeepsie

FREE and open to all, this museum features rotating art exhibitions, including art from around the world.

Art Omi - Ghent

Admission is FREE at this institution, but donations are encouraged. This Sculpture & Architecture Park is situated on 120 acres in the Hudson Valley and offers a range of large-scale works in nature, plus a 1,500-square-foot gallery. Registration is required on the museum website. The institute also offers art camps and Saturday children's art workshops.

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The whole family can enjoy free entry to the Marine Education Center at Harbor Island Park. Photo courtesy of the center

When Are the Free Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum – Poughkeepsie

Free admission: Third Saturday of each month from 5–8pm
Ages: 12 and under; there is a great toddler area in addition to more advanced exhibits
Insider Tip: Arrive early to beat the crowd. In case the parking area is full, there is additional free parking at the adjacent riverfront parks. Check the event calendar for free children's programs on select days. In the warmer months, the museum offers free outdoor events in their gazebo by the Hudson. Snacks are available inside the museum from vending machines.

FASNY Museum of Firefighting – Hudson 

Free admission: The museum hosts FREE Super Saturdays once a month, with fun kid-friendly activities and shows as well as FREE attendance to the museum. 
Ages: 10 and under. Children under 3 are always FREE. 
Insider tip: Registration is required for some of the programs.

Dia:Beacon – Beacon

Free admission: Final Sunday of the month. Admission is always FREE for Beacon residents and children under 5. 
Ages: all ages. The museum is also stroller-friendly, so moms with babies can enjoy a visit.
Insider tips: Free art workshops and programs for kids are also offered on select days, including Saturday Studios and Play Sets. 

Are There Any Hidden Gem or Off-the-Beaten-Path Free Museums in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

Orange County Farmers Museum – Montgomery

This farm-focused museum is always FREE, although it’s only open on weekends from May until October.

West Point Museum - West Point

The West Point museum focuses on the history of the West Point military base and the U.S. Army, featuring a large collection of cannons.

White Plains Library - White Plains

The White Plains Library features a free art gallery with seasonally changing exhibitions and family programs such as meet the artist events and art workshops.

Magazzino Italian Art - Cold Spring

FREE and open to the public, this museum specializes in postwar and contemporary Italian art. Visit the website to make a reservation before your visit, as space is limited.

Which Free Museums Are Best for Different Ages?

Toddlers & Preschoolers: Marine Education Center,  FASNY Museum of Firefighting, Orange County Farmers Museum, and Westmoreland Nature Museum

Elementary Kids: Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Neuberger Museum of Art, and Cranberry Lake Nature Center

Tweens & Teens: Dia Beacon, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, and Art Omi

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Show your child around the Katonah Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum 

How To Make the Most of Free Museum Days

• Arrive early to avoid long entry lines and to secure a parking space.
• Bring snacks and water (check policies!).
• Check for free family workshops or story hours.
• Combine your visit with a nearby park or playground. For example, there is a great walkway along the riverfront with a playground near the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum as well as riverfront dining and Walkway over the Hudson, so it's easy to make a day of it.
• Avoid school field trip hours.

Free Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley FAQ

Q: What museums are always free in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?
 A: Several local favorites like the Neuberger Museum of Art, the Marine Education Center at Harbor Island Park, and the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center offer free admission year-round for everyone.
Q: When are free museum days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?
 A: Many major museums offer free admission on select days—like the first Friday or first Sunday of each month.
Q: Are free museums in Westchester and the Hudson Valley good for kids?
 A: Yes! Many are hands-on and family-friendly, with play zones and interactive exhibits. Some art museums are better for older kids and tweens.
Q: Do I need tickets or reservations for free museum days?
 A: Some popular museums require timed-entry passes even on free days, so plan ahead and book early online.
Q: What’s the best time to visit free museums with kids?
 A: Mornings are typically less crowded; avoid midday or rainy weekends when lines get long. The local nature museums are hardly ever crowded and are always a hit with kids.