Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families

Summer + NYC Military Discounts

Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families from Memorial Day to Labor Day is being offered at more than 24 New York City Museums and gardens. The program, sponsored by Blue Star, allows all active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their families access to 2,000 art exhibits, science centers, and amazing museums all over the nation.

The 2026 program runs from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.

American Museum of Natural History

Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families

Museums are added to the list all the time. Please see https://www.arts.gov/blue-star-museum-map for up to date information. And keep reading below for more NYC Military Discounts – many are offered to active-duty military, retired military and veterans all year round.

Participating New York City Museums include:

New York City – Manhattan

• American Museum of Natural History
• Apex Art Curatorial Program (apexart)
• Grey Art Gallery
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Jewish Museum
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA)
• Morgan Library & Museum
• Morris Jumel Mansion
• Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
• Museum At The Fashion Institute Of Technology
• Museum of Arts and Design
• Museum of Modern Art
• New Museum
• New York Historical Society
• Poster House
• Society Of Illustrators
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
• Ukrainian Museum
• Whitney Museum of American Art

Note: The following Museums have participated in prior years and while they have not yet been announced for Summer 2023, check back soon to see if they’ve been added.

• American Folk Art Museum
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
• Judd Foundation
• Museum of American Finance
• Museum of Chinese in America
• Museum at Eldridge Street
• Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
• The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen
• New York City Fire Museum
• Rubin Museum of Art
• Skyscraper Museum
• The Studio Museum in Harlem

New York City – Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Museum
• New York Transit Museum

New York City – Staten Island

• Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
• The Staten Island Children’s Museum

New York City – The Bronx

• Derfner Judaica Museum + The Art Collection at Hebrew Home at Riverdale
• The New York Botanical Garden
• Van Cortlandt House Museum

Long Island City

• Sculpture Center

About Free NYC Museum Admission for Military Families

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America. First launched in the summer of 2010, Blue Star Museums offers free admission to nation’s active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

More Info: https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums

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More NYC Military Discounts

Have Military ID? NYC Military Discounts galore await you in NYC. Check out websites like Military.com or GovX to find deals and discounts specifically for military members. Don’t forget to bring your military ID with you to take advantage of these savings!

• 9/11 Memorial Museum – active-duty military, retired military and 9/11 family members free admission. Veterans receive discounted tickets.
• One World Observatory – active-duty and retired service members get 50% off full-priced Standard Experience admission packages and 20% off for up to four guests.
• Museum of Modern Art – free admission to to active-duty military and family members with dependent cards.
• Empire State Building – free admission to active-duty service members.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – free general admission to active-duty military and veterans.
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises – (next door to the Intrepid) – 50% military discount on all cruises
• Edge – reduced admission for active and retired members of the U.S. military with valid ID. Please note that the discount is not available online, you must contact or call them for it.
• Summit One Vanderbilt – Active and retired members of the United States Armed Forces are eligible for free and reduced price tickets.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers military discounts.
• NYC Subway Military Discount – The NYC Subway system (MTA) offers a reduced fare for active duty military members and veterans. Many restaurants in the city, such as Hard Rock Cafe and Applebee’s, offer discounts for military members as well. Be sure to bring your military ID with you and ask about any available discounts.
• Is there a Statue of Liberty Military Discount? According to the cityexperiences website, the official provider of Statue of Liberty tickets and cruises, there is not. However, it is possible to show ID at the ticket window in Battery Park and receive a military discount.
• Broadway Military Discount – The USO (United Service Organizations) may provide active duty military personnel and their dependents with complimentary and discounted tickets to Broadway, Off Broadway, sporting events and more. TDF (Theater Development Fund) offers immediate access to Broadway Discount Tickets upon joining for a fee, and one of the eligible groups to join is members of the armed forces or veterans.

NYC Military Discounts Hotels

• Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel – As their way of saying thank you for your service, Westgate welcomes you to their New York hotel with up to 10% OFF Best Nightly Rates! It’s their way of saying thank you to our men and women in uniform everywhere!
• Moxy NYC Times Square – like almost every Marriott Hotel in NYC, Moxy offers special government and military rates on their site.
• Arlo SoHo and Arlo Midtown – Arlo Hotels extends a Government rate. We look forward to welcoming you to the Big Apple!

Discount NYC Hotels for Military Families

Navy Lodge New York

The NYC Navy Lodge, located on Staten Island, is newly renovated, budget-friendly and the free Staten Island Ferry gets you into Manhattan in about 20 minutes. The NYC Navy Lodge is open to Active Duty, Surviving spouses, Reserves/National Guard, US Coast Guard, Retired Military, International Military + almost all family members. Rates start around $90 per night. See more: Discount NYC Hotels

• 408 North Path Road, Staten Island, NY

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One Last Military Discount in NYC

If you happen to find me out and about in NYC, I am ALWAYS thrilled to buy our service members in uniform a drink! And if you run into anyone in NYC that doesn’t treat you right – send ’em my way, I’ll handle ’em NY-style:) THANK YOU for your service!

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Best New York City Hotel Rooftops

NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:

• Ink48 Hotel – right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
• The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village – all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
• The Empire Hotel – year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals

See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops

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