Free Museum Days in Broward County: When and How to Go

Broward County is home to nearly a dozen museums worth visiting — and most of them offer free admission at least once a month. The trick is knowing which day to show up. Some are always free. Others open their doors on specific Thursdays, Sundays, or weekends. A few require nothing more than a library card or a Bank of America debit card you already have in your wallet.

This guide covers every recurring free museum opportunity in the county, from Fort Lauderdale to Coral Springs to Hollywood. No special memberships required. No limited-time promotions. Just the standing, year-round ways to get in for free.

Contemporary art with no admission fee, ever. The Coral Springs Museum of Art sits inside the Coral Springs Center for the Arts and rotates exhibitions four times a year — painting, sculpture, mixed media, installations. There's also an Imagination Station play area for kids, making it one of the more family-friendly art spaces in the county. Free parking surrounds Mullins Park.

Where: 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs Hours: Mon, Fri, Sat 9 AM–5:30 PM · Tue, Thu 9 AM–8:30 PM Website: coralspringsmuseum.org

The largest LGBTQ+ lending library in the country, housed in a former Broward County library branch on Sunrise Boulevard. Two rotating gallery spaces feature exhibitions on queer history, civil rights, and culture. The museum hosts regular talks, film screenings, and book events — most of them free. Admission is free (donations welcomed). Guided tours run Thursdays at 6:30 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM, and Sundays at 1 PM for $10 per person.

Where: 1300 E. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale Hours: Mon–Wed, Fri 11 AM–5 PM · Thu 11 AM–8 PM · Sat–Sun 11 AM–3 PM Website: stonewall-museum.org

Built in 1924 as Fort Lauderdale's first public school for African American students, Old Dillard is now a museum in the heart of the Sistrunk neighborhood. The permanent exhibits cover local Black history, community milestones, and cultural contributions. The Jazz Room pays tribute to Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, the legendary musician who once taught at Dillard High. The SportZone Room highlights alumni who went pro. Free admission — call ahead to confirm hours.

Where: 1009 NW 4th St, Fort Lauderdale Phone: 754-322-8828

A small but worthwhile stop covering the city's roots — Seminole and Tequesta heritage, agricultural history, and local artifacts. Always free, always quiet. A good rainy-day option if you're in western Broward.

Where: 511 N. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation Phone: 954-797-2722

The biggest name on this list, and the one with the most ways to get in free. NSU Art Museum holds over 7,500 works of contemporary and modern art, right on Las Olas Boulevard. Here's how to visit without paying full price:

Free First Thursdays ("Sunny Days / Starry Nights"): The first Thursday of every month, 11 AM–7 PM. Free admission, extended hours, 2-for-1 happy hour at the Museum Cafe, and free drop-in art-making activities for kids from 4:30–6:30 PM. This is the best free museum event in Broward, full stop.

Bank of America Museums on Us: The first full weekend of every month, free general admission with a Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank debit or credit card plus photo ID.

Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Day: Usually the fourth or fifth Sunday of the month, free admission for City of Fort Lauderdale residents. Bring proof of address (utility bill works) and a photo ID.

Where: 1 E. Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale Regular hours: Tue–Sat 11 AM–5 PM · Sun noon–5 PM Website: nsuartmuseum.org

Fort Lauderdale's big family museum — interactive science exhibits, an IMAX theater, and enough hands-on stations to burn a full afternoon. Regular admission runs $27 for adults and $22 for kids, but there's one reliable free window:

Bank of America Museums on Us: First full weekend of every month. Same deal — show your BofA card and photo ID at the box office. One free general admission per cardholder. IMAX and special exhibitions excluded.

Where: 401 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale Website: mods.org

A contemporary arts hub in a beautifully restored 1924 Mediterranean Revival building, one block from ArtsPark at Young Circle. Rotating exhibitions feature national and Florida-based artists.

Free Arts! Family Day: Third Sunday of every month, noon–4 PM. Free admission for everyone, with hands-on art activities and cultural programming for families. Each month explores a different theme.

Also free with SNAP EBT: Present a valid SNAP EBT card plus photo ID for free admission for the cardholder and up to three guests, any open day.

Where: 1650 Harrison St, Hollywood Regular hours: Tue–Fri 10 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun noon–4 PM Website: artandculturecenter.org

A campus of historic buildings on the Riverwalk — including the 1905 New River Inn, a pioneer house, and an 1899 schoolhouse replica. Regular admission is $15 for adults, but it's free for SNAP EBT cardholders with a valid photo ID. Docent-guided tours run daily at 1, 2, and 3 PM.

Where: 231 SW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale Hours: 7 days a week, 10 AM–4 PM Website: historyfortlauderdale.org

If you have a Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank debit or credit card, you get free general admission at over 235 museums nationwide on the first full weekend of every month. In Broward, that covers NSU Art Museum and the Museum of Discovery & Science. Just bring your card and a photo ID. One free admission per cardholder — no coupon, no app, no signup.

A Broward County library card can get you free passes to participating museums — including NSU Art Museum and MODS. Passes are available through the library's reservation system, but they go fast. Check with your local branch or the Broward County Library website for availability and how far in advance you can book.

Every September, Broward Attractions and Museums Month brings BOGO admission to 15+ museums and attractions across the county, with several others offering completely free entry. Coral Springs Museum of Art and Old Dillard are among the always-free participants. Others like Bonnet House, Flamingo Gardens, and History Fort Lauderdale run buy-one-get-one deals all month. Just mention "BAMM" at the ticket counter.

Call before you go. Free days and hours shift occasionally, especially around holidays or special events. A quick call or website check saves you a wasted trip.

Arrive early on free days. First Thursdays at NSU Art Museum and Bank of America weekends at MODS draw crowds. Showing up when doors open means shorter lines and a better experience.

Stack your visits. NSU Art Museum and History Fort Lauderdale are both on the Riverwalk, less than a ten-minute walk apart. MODS is right there too. Hit two or three in one afternoon.

Grab a library card. If you live in Broward and don't have one, the museum pass program alone makes it worth the trip to your local branch.

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