Guggenheim New York: hours, tickets and how to avoid crowds
Quick answer
The Guggenheim New York is not free, but it is pay what you wish on Tuesdays and Sundays from 4pm to 5:30pm (suggested $10, minimum $1). General admission is $30 and under 12s are free. To avoid crowds, go at 10:30am on a weekday with an online ticket.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free at Guggenheim Museum New York
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
How pay what you wish works
On Tuesdays and Sundays from 4pm to 5:30pm you choose what to pay, with $10 suggested and a $1 minimum. Tickets for this slot are limited, non-refundable and non-exchangeable, and they tend to sell out, so plan ahead. The rest of the week the standard rate applies.
- Arrive before 4pm for the pay-what-you-wish slot: the line forms early.
- You get just over an hour and a half, so bring a route.
- If you are a student or 65+, the $19 rate can beat waiting in line.
Best time to visit without crowds
- Weekdays at 10:30am with an online ticket are the calmest.
- Avoid weekends and the pay-what-you-wish evenings.
- School holidays and long weekends bring more visitors.
- The upper ramp is usually clearest first thing in the morning.
Where to buy and what costs extra
Buy only on guggenheim.org to avoid reseller mark-ups. Exhibitions are included in general admission; the shop, café and some special programmes cost extra. Instead of renting an audio guide, the AnyArt app recognises works with your camera and tells their story.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Guggenheim New York ever free?
There is no general free day. It is pay what you wish on Tuesdays and Sundays 4pm–5:30pm, and under 12s are always free.
How much is the Guggenheim ticket in 2026?
General admission is $30 and the reduced rate is $19 (students and 65+). Check the official site before buying.
Do I need to book in advance?
Strongly recommended: buy a timed ticket online, especially on weekends. Pay-what-you-wish tickets are limited.
Does the Guggenheim close any days?
It is open daily, with occasional holiday closures. Check the calendar on the official site.
Can you take photos in the Guggenheim?
Generally yes, without flash and for personal use, except where an exhibition says otherwise.