Parents, mark September 23 on your calendar! That'll be the day that you and the kiddos can visit museums around the city for free. In the spirit of the Smithsonian's free admission policy, Museum Day Live! offers free access to participating cultural institutions around the country. There are some great NYC spots on the list that are perfect for families.
The list will keep growing as that date approaches, and there are already a few institutions that will be fun for kids. Visit Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in the Bronx to get a view into the Pelham Bay Park area in the 19th century (complete with tours of the children’s garden and trolley rides), or head into Inwood to tour the Dyckman Farmhouse, a Dutch Colonial piece of architecture surrounded by a garden and overlooking the neighborhood. And any kid that’s obsessed with firetrucks should check out the New York City Fire Museum to learn about the history and see artifacts related to firefighting in New York. They’ll get a kick of the early horse-drawn ladder wagon on display!
Participating museums include:
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
This year, Microsoft is an event partner and will create special interactive lessons using Minecraft: Education Edition. Museums will use the game to complement visitors’ experience during Museum Day Live! and schools will have access to the materials after the event.
To download a Museum Day Live! ticket that grants free entry to two people, visit smithsonianmag.com beginning August 25th. A list of participating museums can be found here.
If your kids can’t wait to visit museums this summer, check out free museum days for kids and plan a trip to the best children’s museums for all ages.