This history started as far back as 1884, when the iconic Hotel Chelsea opened on 23rd St. and became a haven for the NYC art and music scene (Andy Warhol even made a film there!). Today, it still holds that same cultural significance, with the addition of the elevated High Line Park with its outdoor exhibitions, and of course, the many art galleries—which are all free to visit. So here’s a guide for your next budget-friendly, high-culture outing with some of the best free art galleries in Chelsea, NYC:
1. Gagosian Gallery
Larry Gagosian is a renowned art gallery owner who started off in Los Angeles in 1980 and has since expanded to New York (his second oldest gallery), Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Paris, Geneva, Basel, Rome, Athens and Hong Kong. It’s a bit high-end, but arguably one of the most best galleries in all of the city, closer to a museum in and of itself.
Where: 555 W 24th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10a.m. – 6p.m.
2. David Zwirner Gallery
The David Zwirner Gallery is well-known for its Instagram-friendly gallery exhibitions like Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room (and the long lines it takes to experience them). But if you try it off-season, you can enjoy other amazing contemporary art exhibits without the crowds, like Nora Turato’s govern me harder exhibit on display now through July 1.
Where: 525 W 19th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10a.m. – 6p.m.
3. High Line Nine
This gallery only takes up one number on the list, but is pretty much like nine galleries in one! The hybrid gallery, exhibition, and event space is underneath the historic High Line park and connects nine different galleries flowing from one to the other within the space. They also have a lovely on-site Italian cafe with coffee, paninis, pastas, gelato, freshly made pastries, and wine in the evening.
Where: 507 West 27th St.
Hours: Individual gallery hours vary. Learn more here.
4. Agora Gallery
Agora Gallery was founded by an artist in 1984 in hopes of promoting all different kinds of work by artists from all over the world in the competitive New York market. Exhibits typically change up monthly, and the current one open features works by a variety of different artists, called “The Saturated Palette.”
Where: 530 West 25th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11a.m. – 6p.m.
5. Wilensky Exquisite Mineral Gallery
This is nature’s art gallery! A hidden gem (literally), the Wilnesky Mineral Gallery displays the Earth’s most beautiful minerals as art sculptures. Right now you can catch stunning fluorite, tourmaline, opal, celestite, rhodonite, amethyst, and more!
Where: 173 10th Ave.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12p.m. – 5p.m.
6. C24 Gallery
C24 Gallery (it’s in Chelsea on 24th St., so we can guess where the name comes from) opened in 2011 and serves as a contemporary international art gallery. The past few years they have been on a mission to include more underrepresented artists and to better reflect political and social issues in the works they choose to display. It’s multi-leveled and has lots of natural light thanks to a giant skylight.
Where: 560 W 24th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m. (8p.m. on Thursdays)
7. 303 Gallery
303 is one of the oldest galleries in Chelsea, harkening back to 1984 (though in later years it did move to the East Village to SoHo and then eventually back to Chelsea). Though on the smaller side, it has many interesting mixed media exhibits.
Where: 555 W 21st St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m.
8. Lisson Gallery
The Lisson Gallery opened in 2016 and boasts 4,500 square feet of gallery space (along with another 4,000 square feet of offices, viewing spaces and storage). It’s under the High Line, connecting 23rd and 24th St. The current exhibit is the first of a two-part presentation that focuses on artist Carmen Herrera’s work from the 1970s.
Where: 504 West 24th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m.
9. Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
This gallery offers many more sculptural and installation pieces, perfect if you like art you can interact with. The current exhibit displays an ongoing formal inquiry into space, volume, balance, and gravity that is equally informed by sensuality, energy, and spirituality. Ernesto Neto’s work incorporates organic shapes and materials that engage all five senses.
Where: 521 W 21st St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m.
10. Petzel Gallery
The Petzel Gallery just opened another sister museum on the Upper East Side, and features internationally renowned artists like Yael Bartana, Walead Beshty, Cosima von Bonin, Troy Brauntuch, and many more.
Where: 456 W 18th St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10a.m. – 6p.m.