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 the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is one of the best museums open late in NYC.
The Met has nearly two million artworks, objects, and artifacts in its collection. It's hard not to be impressed by this magnificent museum.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the Met is open until 9 pm.
This museum does not have free hours but is included for free with most tourist discount 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 late hours on the first Friday evening of every month. It’s 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 discounted 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 discount 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 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.
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 discount 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 11 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.
Every Friday, 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.
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