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How To Visit Great Museums Without Spending a Dime

Some NJ museums are free every day, letting families experience art and culture as they please. Others earmark certain days for free admission. 

One trick is scoring free passes with your credit card or library card. For instance, the Bank of America Museums on Us lets the cardholder get free admission for themselves at certain NJ museums on the first weekend of the month. You'll have to pay for guests, but it helps to have at least one free ticket for your family.

I've used this program and my library card to get passes to NJ museums such as the Montclair Art Museum, the Liberty Science Center, and the Morris Museum.

What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Always-Free Museums in New Jersey?

1. All-Sports Museum of Southern Jersey — Bridgeton

Sports enthusiasts will love this museum, which showcases sports memorabilia from professional athletes in South Jersey. There's free parking, too! Other bonuses are that the Cohanzick Zoo and the Bridgeton Splash Park (both FREE) are only about half a mile away from the museum.

RELATED: Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions

The Heritage Glass Museum has a remarkable selection of glassware. Photo courtesy of the museum

2. Heritage Glass Museum — Glassboro

For children who can keep their hands off the objects, this museum offers a collection of historic glass, bottles, and animal glass art figurines. It's open Wednesdays (11am to 2pm), Thursdays (5pm to 8pm), and Saturdays (11am to 2pm). If you're looking for a snack afterward, Ry & Howies Steaks and Hoagies is right down the street. Or, if you're looking for a playground nearby, don't miss the fantastic dinosaur-themed playground at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum. It's only about a 10-minute drive from the glass museum.

3. Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum — Oradell

See sculptures and paintings of animals at this unique museum, which is one of only a few in the country to focus on wildlife art and the conservation of habitats. 

4. New Jersey State Museum — Trenton

This museum has lots of exhibits to explore, such as fossils, fine art, NJ artifacts, and Civil War flags. Also, take advantage of the Discovery Den, a free play area for little ones with books to read, drawing tables, imaginary play set-ups, and more. Families can also sign up children to attend the Small Explorers program here, but fees apply. On weekdays, you can do metered street parking or, if you're lucky, there are a few free visitor spots in the State House garage. Parking is free on weekends in the lots next to the museum and on the street in front of the museum.

5. Noyes Art Museum — Atlantic City, Hammonton

See impressive modern art and the work of emerging artists at these museum sites. If you're visiting the Noyes Arts Garage in AC, you'll have to pay to park in the Wave Garage. If you're visiting the Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall in Hammonton, free parking is available in the adjacent lot and on the street.

6. Paterson Museum — Paterson 

Located in the heart of the Great Falls National Historic Landmark District, this educational museum has collections highlighting local archeology, historical artifacts, cultural artifacts, and mineralogy. There's no air conditioning, so plan accordingly if you want to visit on a hot day.

7. Princeton University Art Museum — Princeton

This art museum got a new building in fall 2025 to house its collections, and contemporary art is on display at Art@Bainbridge.

8. Rutgers Geology Museum — New Brunswick

Head to this fantastic museum on Tuesdays through most Saturdays and see some great exhibits like a dinosaur trackway, a model of a small dinosaur, a mastodon skeleton, an Egyptian mummy, rare minerals, and fluorescent minerals. This museum is close to the New Brunswick NJ Transit train station if you don't want to deal with parking.

9. Twin Lights — Highlands

Admission to the museum is free, and access to climb the towers is $5 per adult and $2 per child.

10. Washington Headquarters Museum — Morristown

Learn about how General George Washington and his troops spent a freezing cold winter in Morristown in 1779-1780. You can visit three exhibit halls for free, but touring the Ford Mansion requires a ticket. After your visit, head to the Morristown Green for shopping and dining.

11. Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers — New Brunswick

Open Wednesdays through Sundays, this lovely museum has artwork on display that ranges from paintings to photographs to sculptures. There are also FREE Art Together drop-in family workshops on certain Sundays. Make sure you pre-register your car for parking on the workshop event page. You can also hit the nearby Rutgers Geology Museum on the same day, if you have the time and energy.

12. African Art Museum of the SMA Fathers at Tenafly, New Jersey — Tenafly

This museum features various types of African Christian art, and it's free (though donations are welcome).

When Are the Free and Low-Cost Museum Days in New Jersey?

13. Museum of Early Trades & Crafts — Madison

Free admission: Free for kids under 6 and local high school and college students. Admission is just $5 for adults and $3 for kids over 6. The maximum admission per family is $15.
Ages: Best for 64+
Insider Tip: This museum showcases NJ history, culture, trades, and crafts. Check the calendar for maker day events for families. 

14. Newark Museum of Art — Newark

Free admission: Newark residents can get free admission on all days. Tickets for other guests are $8-10.
Ages: Best for 4+
Insider Tip: Certain Saturdays have kids' programs included with admission, like hands-on activities, planetarium shows, and crafts.

15. Sea Life Museum — Brigantine

Free admission: Admission is free, but the suggested donation is $5 per person
Ages: Any
Insider Tip: The educational visitor center of this animal rehabilitation hospital is open to the public. See life-sized replicas of marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish.

16. Montclair Art Museum

Free admission: First Thursday each month, 5–9pm. Kids under 12 are free any day.
Ages: Best for 5+
Insider Tip: My family has found that this museum is great for mixed age groups because there are so many interesting things to see. Head to the third floor to make your own art in the learning lab.

17. WheatonArts — Millville

Free admission: Check the calendar for free admission dates, like Wheaton Wednesdays in the summer. There is often at least one free Wednesday in July and one in August. Kids ages 5 and under are free on all days.
Ages: 5+
Insider Tip: At WheatonArts, you can explore exhibits in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center, see glass and pottery demonstrations in the Artist Studios, and walk the Nature Trail. 

Which Free Museums Are Best for Different Ages?

Toddlers & Preschoolers

• New Jersey State Museum
• Rutgers Geology Museum

Elementary Kids

• Washington Headquarters
• All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey

Tweens & Teens

• Princeton University Art Museum
• Zimmerli Art Museum

How To Make the Most of Free Museum Days

• Definitely arrive early (or at an off time like during lunch) to avoid long entry lines.
• Check the museum’s policies and then pack snacks and drinks, if they’re allowed.
• Take a peek at the calendar of events for any free family workshops or story hours your family might like.
• Check to see if the museum is near any parks or playgrounds so your kids can blow off some steam after a quiet morning.
• If you’re planning a weekday trip, call the museum to find out if they’re anticipating bigger crowds from school field trips on the day of your trip.

Free Museum Days in New Jersey FAQ

Q: What museums are always free in New Jersey?
A: Several local favorites like the New Jersey State Museum and the All Sports Museum of NJ offer free admission year-round for everyone.

Q: When are free museum days in New Jersey?
A: Some major museums offer free admission on certain days. For instance, the Montclair Art Museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of the month.

Q: Are free museums in New Jersey good for kids?
A: Yes! Some museums are hands-on and family-friendly, with story times, crafts, 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. Call ahead to learn about the requirements of your museum and book early online.

Q: What’s the best time to visit free museums with kids?
A: Try for weekday mornings or first thing on the weekends. Avoid midday or rainy weekends when lines get long.