This post lists the museums in NYC with late hours. Some of these museums have free admission and we make note of that.
Read more about NYC museums with free admission here.
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located on Fifth Avenue adjacent to Central Park on the Upper East Side of Manhattan,
The Met has nearly two million artworks, objects, and artifacts in its collection. It's hard not to be impressed by this outstanding museum.
This world-class museum is open late on Friday and Saturday nights until 9 pm.
This museum does not have free hours but is included for free with most tourist passes.
See our post on highlights of the Met collection.
2. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Located in Midtown Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is perhaps the most impressive modern art museum in the world.
The museum has a special program called First Fridays in which on the first Friday of every month, the museum is open until 8 pm.
See masterworks by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, Dali, and so many more artists.
Find out more information about MoMA and how to get free admission here.
3. National September 11th Museum
Located in Lower Manhattan, the September 11 Museum is open from Wednesdays to Mondays until 7 pm, with the last entrance at 5:30 pm.
The museum covers the events of 9/11 with historical artifacts and multimedia displays.
Learn more about each victim as well as the history of the World Trade Center location before, during, and after the events of 9/11.
This museum is free on Mondays from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.
Read more here about the museum and free and reduced fare admission.
4. Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum, one of the most prestigious modern art museums, is open late every Saturday until 8 pm.
Plus, on Saturdays from 6 pm to 8 pm, you can enter for free with a suggested admission of $10. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance and there is a $1 fee.
Also, this museum is included for free all the time with most tourist passes.
At the Guggenheim, you can see masterpieces of Impressionism, post-Impressionism, and Contemporary art.
5. Museum of Broadway
The Museum of Broadway is one of the most exciting museums to visit after dark in NYC. It’s open until 8 pm on Saturday nights.
The masterminds behind this museum include internationally renowned artists, designers, and theatre historians.
The museum provides an immersive experience as it explores the history of Broadway shows from the 1700s to some of the best Broadway shows playing now.
It's located in Times Square so after your visit to the museum, you have lots of things to do in the area. Check out our post, Things to Do at Night in Times Square.
6. Whitney Museum of American Art
This contemporary art museum is located just next to the High Line in Chelsea. The Whitney is open until 10 pm on Fridays.
On Fridays, the museum admission policy starting at 7 pm is Pay-What-You-Wish. Advance tickets are required.
The Whitney is a contemporary American art museum and is known worldwide for its prestigious Biennial Exhibit.
Since the museum is located at the entrance to the High Line, why not visit the park before heading to the museum?
7. New-York Historical Society
Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, this is the oldest museum in New York City. It’s also one of the most interesting museums in NYC with late hours.
It’s open until 8 pm on Fridays and starting at 6 pm, admission is pay-as-you-wish, meaning you can make a donation but it isn't required.
This museum is included for free with most tourist passes.
The museum aims to educate visitors about the city’s fascinating history through its excellent collection of artifacts and objects, some as old as four centuries.
8. New Museum
This is Manhattan’s only museum dedicated entirely to cutting-edge new contemporary art. It’s open until 9 pm every Thursday.
From 7 pm to 9 pm, admission is pay-what-you-wish, though timed tickets are required.
It’s located on the Lower East Side, a fun neighborhood to go out in after your time at the museum.
9. Brooklyn Museum
Of the NYC museums with late-night hours, the Brooklyn Museum is one of the most fun to visit during its First Saturdays program.
On the first Saturday of every month from February to August and October, the museum is open until 10 pm. There's live music and dancing and a bar as well.
Admission is free starting at 5 pm. Advance registration is required.
The Brooklyn Museum has a collection of nearly 1.5 million works of art, objects, and antiquities. Its Egyptian and African art collections are among the best around.
TIP: While you are in Brooklyn, enjoy more that this borough has to offer. See our post about things to do in Brooklyn.
10. Rubin Museum of Art
The Rubin is a one-of-a-kind museum in NYC that is open late. It’s solely dedicated to Himalayan art and artifacts.
On Friday evenings until 10 pm it hosts an event, K2 Friday Nights.
On K2 Nights, you can explore all the galleries for free. The museum cafe is turned into a lounge with a DJ and a cocktail menu.
Museum admission is free with a ticket reservation every Friday night from 6-10 pm.
11. Morgan Library & Museum
Housed in one of the finest examples of Neoclassical buildings in America is the personal collection from J. Pierpont Morgan.
It is open until 7 pm on Fridays. Entry is free on Fridays between 5 pm and 7 pm. Reservations are required.
In the sumptuous rooms, you can see his exceptional collection of rare manuscripts, drawings, and artifacts.
12. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Housed on a former aircraft carrier, this one-of-a-kind museum focuses on outer space, maritime and aeronautical history, and technology.
On select Fridays from April through September, the Intrepid is open until 9 pm. Entry is free starting at 5 pm.
While this museum is popular with visitors of all ages, it's an awesome place to bring the kids!
13. Neue Galerie
This museum is dedicated exclusively to Austrian and German art and design including paintings, sculpture, furniture, photography, and more.
On the First Friday of every month, it is open until 8 pm, with free admission starting at 5 pm.
Admission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
14. Fotografiska
This is the New York branch of the esteemed Stockholm-based Fotografiska. It is devoted to showcasing world-class photography.
It is open until 9 pm Sunday to Thursday and 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
This museum hosts rotation exhibitions with works by both renowned and emerging photographers.
The museum is housed in a gorgeous landmarked building from 1894. There’s also a bar to check out as well.
Fotografiskais included for free with a New York Pass, one of several NYC tourist passes.
15. Poster House
As the name implies, this unique museum in Chelsea is dedicated to the history of poster design.
It’s the first museum in the U.S. that examines this overlooked medium and its global history.
It is open late on Fridays until 9 pm, and admission is free all day and night on Fridays.
Poster House has a collection of more than 7,000 posters from more than 100 countries, so you can expect a diverse array of posters.
From vintage to modern, from aesthetically pleasing to powerfully communicating social issues, Poster House will not disappoint.
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