20 U.S. Museums
These 20 top-notch museums—of art, fashion, dinosaurs, and more—are free to the public some or all of the time. What are you waiting for? Get a sneak peek of the list below, then find all 20 online. Plus, we want to hear from you. Tell us about another free museum in the comments section below.
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital is chockablock with free attractions, and most of the Smithsonian Institution’s 19 museums and galleries are among them. National Mall attractions like the Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the iconic Smithsonian Castle are must-sees for all visitors to D.C.
Dinosaur Trail
Montana
Travel the free Dinosaur Trail to several locations in Montana. Jordan’s Garfield County Museum has a full-size Triceratops replica, a full T. rex skull, and other Cretaceous fossils from the Hell Creek Formation. About 90 minutes away, the Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum boasts one of the world’s most complete T. rex skeletons, as well as creatures from the Cretaceous Sea. Three hours farther on, at the Blaine County Museum in Chinook, visitors can actually handle fossils of ancient dinos and sea creatures.
Fairbanks Community Museum and Dog Mushers Museum
Fairbanks, Alaska
The free community museum tells the story of Fairbanks, while a second site in the same building pays particular attention to the faithful, four-legged athletes that helped build modern Alaska. From Native Alaskan sleds to the Klondike Gold Rush days and the modern Iditarod, the Dog Mushers Museum may be the world’s foremost museum dedicated to the topic.
Indianapolis Museum of Art
Indianapolis, Indiana
This Indianapolis museum boasts outstanding collections of Georges Seurat and the neo-Impressionists; Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven school; J.M.W. Turner; Japanese paintings from the Edo period; and Chinese ceramics. Access to Lilly House, an outstanding example of an early-20th-century American country estate, is included with free admission.
Help us build our list! Tell us about a free museum near you. Leave the details in the comments section below.
Photo: Mike Heller/My Shot
Sponsored by Toyota Venza
Previous: Free U.S. Architecture
Go Further
Animals
- Cougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treksCougar travels 1,000 miles in one of longest recorded treks
- Rare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginningRare gray whale spotted in the Atlantic—and it's only the beginning
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- Termite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million yearsTermite fossils prove mating hasn't changed in 38 million years
Environment
- Why the 2024 hurricane season could be especially activeWhy the 2024 hurricane season could be especially active
- Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.Mushroom leather? The future of fashion is closer than you think.
- This deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the worldThis deadly fungus is hitchhiking its way across the world
- Why 'funga' is just as important as flora and faunaWhy 'funga' is just as important as flora and fauna
- This exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the worldThis exploding mine holds a treasure that may change the world
History & Culture
- See the story of Jonah and the whale like never beforeSee the story of Jonah and the whale like never before
- This ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the pastThis ancient mosaic offers extraordinary insights into the past
- These are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit themThese are the real dunes that inspired Dune—and you can visit them
- Meet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius CaesarMeet the only woman privy to the plot to kill Julius Caesar
Science
- Women’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to changeWomen’s bodies are understudied—but that’s starting to change
- Hundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right nowHundreds of tiny arachnids are likely on your face right now
- What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.What's worse than a hangover? Hangxiety. Here's why it happens.
Travel
- A taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street foodA taste of West Bengal, from curries to Kolkata street food
- Discover southeastern Spain's secret coastal regionDiscover southeastern Spain's secret coastal region
- All aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sunAll aboard Norway's slow train under the midnight sun