Add These Free US Museums to Your Must-See List

Budget-friendly days out

Often, cultural and educational attractions don't come cheap. Thankfully, though, the US is filled with fantastic museums, housing some of the most fascinating collections, that are free to visit. Here we take a look at some of the best free museums in America.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas

This shrine to American art has been in Bentonville since 2005. Big draws here include pieces by Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol, and a cavernous library filled with over 50,000 reference books about art and design. The building's unique design, with bold concrete blocks and a sloping copper roof, was the brainchild of leading Canadian architect Moshe Safdie.

Heritage Center and State Museum, Bismarck, North Dakota

North Dakota's official history museum is brimming with relics from bygone eras. It pays tribute to early settlers and boasts an interesting exhibition on local women's role in the First World War. Showcased items range from artworks to antique weaponry, all with the aim of preserving "the fabric of life in North Dakota."

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio

Founded in 1913, the Cleveland Museum of Art has a collection spanning more than 45,000 pieces dating back thousands of years. Its sprawling galleries most notably include an impressive range of Asian, medieval European, and pre-Columbian artwork. Kids and adults will be in awe of the huge range of galleries with works hailing from all over the world. Admission is free though some special exhibitions are ticketed. 

Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York City, New York

Focusing on contemporary and 20th-century works by American artists, the Bronx Museum of the Arts is one of the few New York City museums that offers free admission. It's famous for its annual Artist in the Marketplace program that aims to shine a light on emerging talent. The museum is part of the Bronx's Grand Concourse Historic District – a collection of buildings along the Grand Concourse and its side streets.

Read our full guide to New York City

The Menil Collection, Houston, Texas

A mixed bag of artworks spanning early to mid-20th century, The Menil Collection houses around 17,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs and rare books, including works by Pablo Picasso and an extensive collection of pop art from Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg. It's the private collection of founders John de Menil and Dominique de Menil, and the museum also offers free parking.

Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, Tennessee

This sizable institution is said to be the best history museum in the state. It covers a broad sweep of Tennessee's past, from its role in the Civil War to the influence of President Andrew Jackson, who hailed from Nashville. Exhibits include archaic modes of transport, military uniforms and weaponry, as well as models of historic buildings.

Read our full guide to Nashville

Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, Maryland

This popular museum has a vast store of international works. The institution is more than 100 years old and located in the well-heeled Charles Village District. The best bits include a huge collection dedicated to French artist Henri Matisse (there are more than 1,000 pieces), as well as two sculpture gardens dotted with striking works from talents such as Joan Miró. 

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

This missionary in San Antonio is famous as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Here Texans clashed with invading Mexicans during the Texas Revolution, in a conflict that would last almost two weeks. Today it's a preserved historic site-turned-museum with an education center, bringing to life this pivotal battle. It remains one of the most-visited attractions in the state – admission is free with a timed-entry ticket.

Why San Antonio should be your next USA trip

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) houses a diverse collection of everything from paintings and ceramics to sculptures and silk textiles, spanning 5,000 years and almost all continents. Here, visitors will find a vast collection of African art, Native American galleries featuring artifacts like a 3,000-year-old Olmec jade mask and a brilliant collection of European and American paintings, including works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Edgar Degas and Roy Lichtenstein.

The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, Delaware

This contemporary art museum opened in Wilmington in 2000. Seven galleries and more than 20 working artists' studios are here, and exhibitions are continually changing. Past displays have included those dedicated to outer space and modern politics, while free events typically pop up every month. Admission is free although there is a suggested donation.

Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, Alabama

This artistic treasure trove in Birmingham holds more than 27,000 items. It was founded in 1951, with pieces ranging from Native American works to those from all over Europe, Asia and Africa. A highlight is the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden in the upper plaza. A permanent exhibition, it spreads over 13,000 square feet – the focus is a towering water feature designed by renowned American sculptor Elyn Zimmerman.

Oklahoma Railway Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This Oklahoma museum is more than just a haven for train enthusiasts. Compact but absorbing, it houses an antique steam engine, model trains and a whole lot of locomotive history. Although the museum itself is free to visit, for a few dollars visitors can take a 40-minute ride on a vintage train. 

Discover the best attraction in every state capital open now

Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Cincinnati Art Museum houses one of the most comprehensive art collections in the Midwest. Typically, the museum occasionally hosts ticketed special exhibitions, but its main focus lies firmly on expanding its permanent collection, which includes over 15,000 fashion and textiles objects and is free to explore. General admission and parking are free.

Check out the world's most beautiful museums

National Museum of American History, Washington DC

Focused on the social, political and cultural history of the United States, the National Museum of American History's mission is to collect, care for and study objects that reflect the experience of the American people. The sprawling collection includes everything from Julia Child's kitchen and the Red Slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, to the original Star Spangled Banner Flag and George Washington's uniform that he wore from 1789 until his death 10 years later. 

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, Florida

Focusing on new talent and emerging artists, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami is dedicated to promoting contemporary art. Its permanent collection also features world-famous modern artists like Pablo Picasso and Roy Lichtenstein. Equally important as the collection is the museum building itself. Finished in 2017, its geometrical exterior surrounds 20,000 square feet of gallery space and a sculpture garden at the back. Admission is free and timed tickets for entry can be reserved on the website.

Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska

This hulking Omaha museum has a huge variety of collections. Most notable is its store of European art (from Renaissance to Medieval works) and its large set of ancient antiquities, including Egyptian statues and Grecian urns. With its vast collection, looking around Joslyn will take at least an afternoon. Free entry tickets can be booked on the website.

National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington DC

It’s free to enter and explore this Smithsonian museum in Washington DC housed in a striking bronze building, but timed tickets book up months in advance. That’s probably because the breadth and depth of its galleries, transporting visitors through US history from an African-American perspective, is so impressive. A full day is needed to absorb exhibits from iron shackles to costumes worn by black icons. 

Discover Washington DC with our full guide

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri

With an impressive collection of over 40,000 pieces of art from ancient vases to modern American paintings, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City is internationally recognized as one of the finest general art museums in the US. The iconic shuttlecock sculptures scattered across the lawn are the museum’s biggest draw. Created by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Brugge, at 19-feet-high, they’re the largest shuttlecocks in the world. The Nelson-Atkins is open Thursday through Monday and free tickets can be reserved on the website.

The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland

Another gem from Maryland's capital. Established in 1909, The Walters Art Museum may be less well known than the Baltimore Museum of Art, but with its mighty collection, it certainly packs a punch. Dating back thousands of years, the museum encompasses over 36,000 objects from all over the world, including 19th-century French paintings, Art Nouveau jewelry and even medieval suits of armor. Its beautiful Palazzo building was modeled after a 17th-century Italian palace and is arguably just as spectacular as the artwork. 

Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi

Known as Mississippi’s largest museum, the Mississippi Museum of Art has been a community supported institution for more than 100 years. With a focus on connecting Mississippians with the power of art, the museum showcases some of the best of the state’s artists throughout history. Alongside an impressive permanent collection of over 5,000 objects, the museum also features a 1.2-acre park named The Art Garden, a pretty stretch of open greenery decorated with permanent art installations. Tickets are free for some exhibitions (others require a fee), plus the garden. 

The Georgia Museum of Art, Athens, Georgia

Georgia's official art museum since 1982, The Georgia Museum of Art can be found on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. The museum features artworks primarily from the 19th and 20th century from artists all over the world, including works from Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Hokusai. It's also popular with families, known for typically hosting a monthly 'Family Day' themed around the museum's current exhibitions. The Georgia Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday and reserving a free ticket is required.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, North Carolina

Located in Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is famed for being one of the state's most visited attractions. Created in 1879, it’s the oldest established museum in North Carolina, home to a show-stopping collection of natural artifacts including dinosaur bones, asteroid pieces and glittering gemstones. Highlights from the museum include its impressive T-Rex that towers over the third floor, and the huge globe-shaped three-story theater, known as the SECU Daily Planet that juts out of the Nature Research Center. The museum is open but free timed-entry tickets must be booked in advance. 

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Salt Lake City, Utah

Previously known as the Salt Lake Art Center for over 50 years until it was renamed in 2011, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is home to a mixture of modern artwork from local, national and international artists. Across its four galleries, the museum features rotating exhibitions, alongside a typically extensive calendar of workshops, talks, films, performing arts and educational programs. The museum is technically free but a donation is suggested. 

Now take a look at the American attractions that no longer exist