Free or Low Cost Attractions

Please click on the tabs below to view a selection of Attractions by Borough.
Click here to view Trip Tips for Families

Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum
The Intrepid museum has programs for visitors of all ages as well as abilities. Click here to learn more about their special programming for visitors with autism, developmental disabilities, hearing impairments, vision impairments, limited mobility and dementia.

Admission: Children under 3 are FREE
Address: Pier 86, W. 46th St.
(212) 245-0072

 

Museum of the City of New York
The Museum offers special programs for families with children ages 1 month to 5 years old. See website for schedule.

Admission: They suggest visitors pay $10, and offer free admission to people who live or works above 103rd street of east Harlem.
Address: 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd street
(212) 534-1672

 

The Studio Museum of Harlem
Parents, caregivers, and organizations servicing little ones ages 2.5 to 4 are invited to the Studio Museum to enjoy art-making and other activities that encourage creative time and bonding. The Lil' Studio program is free and refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is required.

Admission: FREE on Sundays, and during the week, there is a $7 SUGGESTED Donation.
Address:  144 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
(212) 864-4500

 

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
--The Children's Museum of Manhattan features five floors of educational fun for children ages six months to 12 years. There's pretty much something for everyone at this Upper West Side institution. The museum also offers lots of classes and special programs throughout the day. This makes it easier to visit with children of different ages because you can drop older kids off in a class and go visit the little kid areas that would bore more mature children…. it's not cheap, but you can spend many hours here on a cold winter day and get your money's worth. [reviewed by Mary Poppins website ]
Museum staff recommend calling before you come to find out what programs are running each day and if there are any last minute scheduling changes.

Admission: : $12.00 per person. Under 12 months: FREE
Address:  212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024
(212) 721-1234

 

Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
The museum has a monthly, theme based, activity/ story time session appropriate for young children under the age of 3. They have a children’s corner appropriate for preschoolers with toys and activities. The museum has a display of objects in a touch collection for young children to hold and explore.

Admission: $8 Adults, $7 seniors, and Students. Children under 12 years are FREE.
FREE for Children under 12
Address: 421 East 61st St.
(212) 838-6878

 

National Museum of the American Indian

Admissions: FREE
Address: One Bowling Green
(212-514-3700)

 

Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum has programs for children from toddlers through teens.

Admission: Adults- $16; Students with I.D. - $10
Adults 62 and over- $10; Ages 19 and under- Free
Address: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052
(718-638-5000)

 

New York Transit Museum
Events offered frequently for children with and without disabilities. Additionally, Special Day for Special Kids takes place 3 times a year
in collaboration with Extreme Kids and Crew! Children with disabilities and their families can come to the Museum an hour before it opens to the public. Free admission, fun activities about transit and a quiet room are offered. All ages welcome. For more information about this program and other events for young children with special needs, call the museum’s Special Education and Access Coordinator at 718-694-1823.

Admission: Adults $7, Children 2 – 17 years of age $5
Senior Citizens (62+): $5 - Free Wednesdays
Address: Located at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights
(718) 694-1600

 

Brooklyn Children’s Museum
The museum has a “Totally Tots” program tailored especially for children ages 5 and under. The Museum’s Sensory Room is an inclusive space where children of all abilities can engage with their peers and explore their senses. This room provides a welcoming environment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Admission: $9.00 per person and free for Museum members and children under 1 year of age.
Address: 145 Brooklyn Ave
(718) 735-4400

 

Lefferts Historic House & the Prospect Park Alliance
Check the website for frequently held events for families and kids in the park. They also offer special events exclusively for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders where visitors can enjoy interactive, sensory-based learning experiences at Lefferts Historic House, or ride the Carousel with the lights and sounds turned off to accommodate those with noise sensitivities.

Admission: $3 SUGGESTED
Address: 452 Flatbush Ave. - in park
(718) 789-2822

 

Prospect Park Audubon Center
Prospect Park Alliance offers free public programming that allows park visitors of all ages to explore the diversity of nature in Prospect Park at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Activities take place at the Boathouse, a historic landmark and place of active discovery with hands-on exhibits for children and adults, surrounded by acres of carefully restored natural habitat, and throughout the Park through the Alliance’s Pop-Up Audubon program. In Spring 2015, the Alliance expanded its public programs, with new weekend hours at the Boathouse, a second Pop-Up Audubon tent and free Discovery Packs for families filled with binoculars, magnifying glasses, nature journals and games to help you explore the Park on the go.

Admission: FREE
Address: Ocean Ave. & Lincoln Rd. - in park
(718) 287-3400

 

Prospect Park Zoo
The Zoo has a Discovery Center designed for very young children, where they can touch the animals and learn about nature.

Admission: Adults $8.00 Children (3–12)     $5.00 Children under 3 years old are always free!
Address: 450 Flatbush Ave.
(718) 399-7339

 

Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum
Farmhouse family days are free and open to families with children of all ages. The activities are best suited for kids ages 4 through 10. Drop in anytime between 11 a.m, and 3 p.m. to explore New York City’s oldest house together. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.Family Days are generally scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month.

Admission: $5 adults FREE for members and children 10 years and younger
Address: 5816 Clarendon Rd. - in park
(718) 629 5400

 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The BBG offers “Drop In Family Activities” designed for different age groups, from toddlers to teens. They offer gardening classes for children ages 2 to 17. Scholarships are available.

Admission: Children under 12-Free Adults- $10
Address: 1000 Washington Ave.
(718) 623-7200

The Noguchi Museum
The Noguchi Museum offers programs for families with children ages 2 through 11. All programs are taught by Museum Educators, and include gallery experiences and hands-on art making. Learn strategies for engaging your child during museum visits while exploring art materials and The Noguchi Museum galleries as a family. The museum website even offers scavenger hunt cards with photos of sculptures in the museum to search for as well as other tips for engaging children in their art museum! The ART for TOTS program is for families with children ages 2-4. Space is limited and reservations are required. This program runs from 10:30–11:45 am on select Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission: $10 for adults, Students with a valid ID: $5, NYC public high school students with a valid ID: FREE, Children under 12: FREE
Address: 9-01 33rd Rd., Queens, NY
Telephone: 718-204-7088

 

Queens County Farm Museum
Queens County Farm Museum's history dates back to 1697; it occupies New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. The farm encompasses a 47-acre parcel that is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. The site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard and herb garden. Our farm animals and tranquil agrarian environment provide the opportunity to leave the hectic daily pace behind for an enjoyable visit to a farm without leaving the City.
Grounds open daily, 10 am - 5 pm year-round with the exception of New Year's Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Admission: General admission is free to individuals and families, except during public events.

Address: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway Floral Park, New York 11004-1129
Telephone: 718-347-3276

 

Green Meadows Petting Farm
Located on the property of Queens County Farm Museum Green Meadows Petting Farm offers children and adults a hands-on touching experience with our animals. Children get a pony ride and everyone enjoys our hayride. General Admission is $11.00 per person.

Admission: General admission is free to individuals and families, except during public events.

Address:Box 20245 Floral Park, NY 11002-0245
Telephone: 718-470-0224

 

Queens Historical Society at Kingsland Homestead

Admission: Free
Address: 143-35 37th Ave.
Telephone: 718-939-0647

 

Queens Museum of Art

Admission: $8 for adults and children over 12$4 for students, children under 12 attend FREE
Address: NYC Building, Flushing Meadow Corona Park
Telephone: 718-592-9700

 

Queens Zoo

Admissions: Adult $8.00, Child (Ages 3-12) $5.00
Address: 53-51 111st. Flushing Meadow Corona Park
Telephone: 718-271-1500

 Staten Island Zoo

Admission: FREE on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m., parking is always free.
Address: 614 Broadway, Staten Island
(718-442-3100)

 

Staten Island Museum

Admission: $5, FREE for children.
Address: Staten Island Museum
75 Stuyvesant Place, Staten Island, NY, 10301
(718.727.1135)

 

Alice Austen House Museum

Admission: $3, but not required to pay
Address: 2 Hylan Blvd.
(718-816-4506)

 

Historic Richmond Town

Admission: Adults $8.00; Children 4-11 $5.00           Friday is FREE.
Address: 441 Clarke Ave
(718-351-1611)

 

The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

Admission: $6 Adults, $4 Students
Address: 338 Lighthouse Ave
(718-987-3500)

 

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden

Admission: $5 Adults; $4 Students; FREE Children 12 and under
Address: 1000 Richmond Ter.
(718-448-2500)

 

Staten Island Children’s Museum

Admission: $6 for people 1 year and up. Members are admitted for FREE
Grandparents are admitted FREE on Wednesdays!
All programs are free unless otherwise noted.
Address: 1000 Richmond Ter.
(718-273-2060)

 New York Botanical Gardens
The Garden is open year-round Tuesday–Sunday Hours are typically 10 a.m.–6 p.m. For specific hours on the day of your visit, see our calendar. (Winter hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m., mid January–February)
The Garden, its buildings, and its tour vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities, with the exception of a few areas where the terrain is naturally uneven. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at both Garden entrances, on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted). An ID must be left with Visitor Services. Learn more about Accessibility and read our Service Animal Policy here. Click here for family friendly programs at the NYBG.

Admission: Grounds admission is free to everyone all day on Wednesdays and from 9 a.m.–10 a.m. on Saturdays.This does NOT include admission to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Special Exhibitions, Everett Children's Adventure Garden, Rock Garden, or Tram Tour.
Address: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458
(718.817.8649 )

 

Bronx Museum of the Arts

Admission: FREE
Address: 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10456
(718.681.6000)

 

Van Cortland House Museum

Admission: Wednesday FREE/By Donation - general admission only.
Address: 6035 Broadway Bronx, NY 10471

 

Van Cortland Park

Admission: Mostly Free Attractions
Address: 1 Bronx River Parkway Bronx, NY 10462
(718.430.1890)

 

Bronx Zoo
Admission: On Wednesday, General Admission is by pay-what-you-wish donation.
Address: 2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10460
(718.220.5100)

 

Wave Hill
A spectacular 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades in the Bronx, Wave Hill's vibrant landscape is one of the most beautiful spots in New York City.

Admission: $8 Adults, $4 Students and Seniors 65+, $2 Children 6+ Free to Members and children under 6
Address:West 249th Street and Independence Avenue (main entrance)
675 West 252nd Street (mailing address)
Bronx, NY 10471-2899
(718.549.3200)