These 17 Georgia Museums Are Free To Visit in 2026 For Museums-For-All
Georgia is packed with incredible museums, historic sites, and cultural spaces that tell the story of the South in vivid detail.
Thanks to the Museums For All program and annual events like Super Museum Sunday, many of these gems are now free or deeply discounted for families and individuals across the state.
Whether you live in Atlanta, Savannah, or anywhere in between, there has never been a better time to explore Georgia’s rich heritage without spending a dime. Grab the family and start planning your 2026 museum adventure today.
1. MODA – Museum of Design Atlanta
Design is everywhere, and MODA makes sure everyone gets to experience it up close. Located at 1315 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, this museum celebrates the art and craft of design across fashion, architecture, graphics, and everyday objects. With SNAP benefits through the Museums For All program, admission drops to just $1 or becomes completely free.
MODA rotates its exhibits frequently, so no two visits feel the same. One month you might find an exhibit on sustainable packaging design, and the next could spotlight iconic sneaker culture. The galleries are bright, accessible, and genuinely fun for all age groups.
Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, making them a great time for families with younger kids or anyone who prefers a relaxed pace. Parking along Peachtree Street can be tight, so arriving by MARTA is a smart and easy option worth considering.
2. Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Always free and always thought-provoking, Atlanta Contemporary has built a reputation as one of the most accessible art spaces in the Southeast. Situated at 535 Means St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, this center focuses on contemporary art that challenges conventions and sparks real conversation. No ticket booth, no entry fee, just art waiting to be discovered.
The programming here leans toward emerging and experimental artists, which means visitors often encounter work they have never seen anywhere else. Studios on-site allow working artists to create while the public watches, adding a dynamic, living quality to every visit.
The surrounding Westside neighborhood has grown into a vibrant cultural corridor, so a visit to Atlanta Contemporary pairs naturally with a stroll through nearby galleries and eateries. Weekend afternoons bring a lively crowd, while weekday visits feel more intimate and unhurried, perfect for soaking in each piece at a comfortable pace.
3. David J. Sencer CDC Museum
Public health history rarely gets the spotlight it deserves, but the CDC Museum changes that completely. Found at 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, this free museum sits on the campus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and walks visitors through landmark moments in global health, from smallpox eradication to pandemic response efforts.
Exhibits are thoughtfully designed to be engaging for both adults and older students, using real artifacts, timelines, and interactive displays. Seeing the original equipment used during historic disease outbreaks makes the science feel tangible and genuinely impressive.
Because the museum is located on a federal campus, visitors should bring a valid photo ID for entry. Tours are self-guided and move at whatever pace feels comfortable. It is an especially meaningful stop for anyone interested in medicine, biology, or history, and the admission price of zero makes it an easy yes for curious minds of any age.
4. Georgia Museum of Art
Athens is home to one of Georgia’s finest cultural treasures, and it costs nothing to walk through the door. The Georgia Museum of Art, located at 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602, sits on the University of Georgia campus and houses a permanent collection of more than 18,000 works spanning American, European, and Asian art. Free admission is available to everyone, every day the museum is open.
The collection ranges from 19th-century American landscapes to modern works that feel fresh and immediate. Special traveling exhibitions rotate throughout the year, giving repeat visitors a new reason to return each season.
Parking near the UGA campus can be limited on game days and during large campus events, so checking the university calendar before visiting is a smart move. The museum also offers family-friendly programming and art education workshops, making it a well-rounded destination for school groups, solo visitors, and weekend day-trippers exploring Athens.
5. Oakland Cemetery
Few places in Atlanta carry as much quiet history as Oakland Cemetery. Established in 1850 and located at 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, this 48-acre Victorian cemetery serves as the final resting place for more than 70,000 people, including Civil War soldiers, civil rights figures, and Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind.
The grounds are beautifully maintained and open to the public for free, making it a surprisingly peaceful spot for a walk through Atlanta’s layered past. Architectural details on the monuments are stunning, ranging from simple fieldstones to elaborate marble sculptures that reflect the craftsmanship of their era.
Guided tours are available for a fee, but self-guided visits using the cemetery’s downloadable map are completely free and equally rewarding. Fall and spring bring particularly lovely light through the old-growth trees. Dogs on leashes are welcome, and the atmosphere tends toward respectful and contemplative rather than somber.
6. Smith-Gilbert Gardens
Tucked into the heart of Kennesaw, Smith-Gilbert Gardens offers a rare combination of botanical beauty, sculpture, and outdoor calm. The gardens are located at 2382 Pine Mountain Rd, Kennesaw, GA 30152, and through the Museums For All program, SNAP recipients can access the grounds at significantly reduced rates. The property spans nearly 16 acres of themed garden spaces, ponds, and walking paths.
Highlights include a bonsai collection that is among the finest in the Southeast, along with seasonal blooms that shift the entire atmosphere depending on when you visit. Spring visits reward guests with azalea and dogwood displays, while fall brings rich foliage and cooler air perfect for longer walks.
The gardens move at a slow, unhurried pace, which makes them ideal for families with young children, older visitors, or anyone who just needs a break from the city. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and bringing a water bottle on warmer days is always a good idea.
7. William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum
History, memory, and community come together in a deeply moving way at the Breman Museum. Located at 1440 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, this museum tells the story of Jewish life in Atlanta and beyond, with exhibits covering the Holocaust, the civil rights movement, and the vibrant contributions of Jewish Georgians across generations.
Through the Museums For All program, SNAP cardholders receive free admission, removing a barrier that might otherwise keep families from experiencing this important collection. The Holocaust galleries are sobering and carefully curated, designed to educate without overwhelming younger visitors.
Beyond the permanent collection, the Breman hosts rotating exhibits, film screenings, and community events that keep the programming fresh and relevant year-round. The museum sits near the arts corridor along Spring Street, so pairing a visit with a nearby lunch spot makes for a full and rewarding day. Staff members are known for being welcoming and knowledgeable, which adds warmth to every visit.
8. Georgia State Railroad Museum
Steam engines, massive locomotives, and the raw industrial history of the American South fill every corner of this remarkable site. The Georgia State Railroad Museum is located at 655 Louisville Rd, Savannah, GA 31401, and as a Museums For All participating institution, it offers discounted access to SNAP cardholders looking to explore Georgia’s rail heritage without a big ticket price.
The museum sits on one of the oldest and largest surviving antebellum railroad repair facilities in the country, a fact that gives the whole place a sense of enormous historical weight. Visitors can walk through original repair shops, climb aboard restored rail cars, and watch demonstrations of working equipment on select weekends.
Savannah’s humidity can make outdoor portions of the visit feel warm in summer, so morning visits are generally more comfortable. The grounds are large and walkable, and the sheer scale of the machinery tends to impress even visitors who would not normally describe themselves as train enthusiasts.
9. Savannah History Museum
Savannah’s layered past gets a compelling and well-organized home at the Savannah History Museum. Housed inside a restored 1860s train shed at 303 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401, this museum covers everything from the colonial founding of Georgia to World War II and beyond. Through Museums For All, eligible visitors can access the museum at reduced or no cost.
Standout exhibits include a Revolutionary War cannon, a locomotive from the 1890s, and a collection tied to the filming of Forrest Gump, which was partially shot in Savannah. The mix of military history, local lore, and pop culture makes the museum accessible to a wide range of visitors and age groups.
The location near Savannah’s riverfront makes it easy to combine with a walk along River Street or a visit to the nearby Battlefield Park. Morning entry tends to be less crowded, and the indoor setting provides welcome relief from Savannah’s famously warm and humid summer days.
10. Savannah Children’s Museum
Kids who learn by touching, climbing, and exploring will find their perfect afternoon at the Savannah Children’s Museum. Located at 655 Louisville Rd, Savannah, GA 31401, right next to the Georgia State Railroad Museum, this outdoor-focused museum is built around hands-on discovery for children ages 0 through 12. Museums For All programming helps make admission more affordable for qualifying families.
The outdoor nature of the exhibits means weather plays a role in the experience, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable visiting conditions. Exhibits are designed around STEAM concepts, encouraging kids to experiment with water flow, construction, and plant life in a playful, low-pressure setting.
Parents appreciate that the space is fully enclosed and easy to supervise, while kids tend to stay engaged far longer than expected. Packing a snack and sunscreen is a practical move for longer visits. Combining a trip here with the Railroad Museum next door turns the whole block into a full family day out.
11. Old Fort Jackson
Standing guard along the Savannah River for nearly two centuries, Old Fort Jackson is the oldest standing brick fortification in Georgia. The site is located at 1 Fort Jackson Rd, Savannah, GA 31404, and free or reduced access options are available through Museums For All and special event programming including Super Museum Sunday in 2026.
The fort dates to the War of 1812, and its moat, drawbridge, and original cannon emplacements remain remarkably intact. Cannon firings on select days add a dramatic, memorable dimension to visits that kids and adults alike tend to remember for a long time.
The river views from the fort’s ramparts are genuinely beautiful, offering a perspective of Savannah that most visitors never see. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the grounds involve uneven brick surfaces and outdoor walking. Arriving in the morning allows visitors to enjoy the site before the heat of the day, especially during Georgia’s long, warm summer months.
12. Lapham-Patterson House
Quirky, charming, and architecturally unlike anything else in Georgia, the Lapham-Patterson House is a Victorian-era landmark that rewards curious visitors. Located at 626 N Dawson St, Thomasville, GA 31792, this National Historic Landmark was built in 1885 and features an unusual design with no two rooms the same shape and a double-flued chimney that doubles as a staircase. Museums For All helps make access affordable for qualifying visitors.
The house was built as a winter cottage for a Chicago businessman and reflects the eclectic tastes of the Gilded Age in vivid detail. Guided tours walk visitors through the unusual floor plan and explain the clever design features that made the house both stylish and functional for its era.
Thomasville itself is a charming small city worth spending a few hours in, with a historic downtown full of local shops and restaurants. Visiting on a weekday generally means smaller tour groups and more time to ask questions and linger in each room.
13. Historic Westville
Stepping into Historic Westville feels like traveling back to 1850s Georgia in the most hands-on way imaginable. Located at 1850 Hwy 280 W, Lumpkin, GA 31815, this living history museum assembles more than 30 original 19th-century structures moved from across the state to create an authentic antebellum village. Costumed interpreters demonstrate crafts, cooking, and daily life as it was actually lived before the Civil War.
The experience is immersive in a way that textbooks simply cannot replicate, and younger visitors especially tend to leave with a genuine sense of what life looked and felt like in that era. Blacksmithing, spinning, and open-hearth cooking demonstrations happen throughout the day on most visiting days.
The outdoor setting means weather matters, and spring and fall visits are generally the most pleasant. Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds cover significant walking distance between structures. Checking the museum’s schedule before visiting ensures catching the best live demonstrations during the visit.
14. Robert T. Webb Sculpture Garden
Art does not always belong inside four walls, and the Robert T. Webb Sculpture Garden makes a convincing case for keeping it outdoors. Located on the campus of Columbus State University at 4225 University Ave, Columbus, GA 31907, this free outdoor space features a rotating and permanent collection of large-scale sculptures set among landscaped grounds and natural surroundings.
The garden is open to the public at no charge, making it one of the most accessible art experiences in the Columbus area. Works range from abstract steel installations to figurative bronze pieces, offering something visually interesting for visitors of all artistic backgrounds and preferences.
Because the garden is outdoors and situated on a university campus, the atmosphere shifts between quiet and lively depending on the academic calendar. Early morning visits during fall or spring semesters offer a peaceful, almost meditative experience. Bringing a camera is a natural instinct here since the interplay between sculpture, light, and landscape creates genuinely striking compositions at almost every turn.
15. Museum of Aviation
One of the largest aviation museums in the entire United States sits in central Georgia, and admission is completely free. The Museum of Aviation is located at 1942 Heritage Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31088, on the grounds of Robins Air Force Base, and it houses more than 90 aircraft spanning the full history of American air power from World War I through modern jet age technology.
The scale of the collection is genuinely staggering. Visitors can walk beneath a SR-71 Blackbird, explore a Cold War-era missile display, and learn about the evolution of flight in a way that feels exciting rather than academic. Interactive exhibits and flight simulators add an extra layer of engagement for younger visitors.
The museum is entirely indoors, making it a reliable destination regardless of Georgia’s unpredictable weather. Plan for at least two to three hours to see the main galleries comfortably. The gift shop carries a solid selection of aviation-themed items, and the surrounding Warner Robins area has plenty of dining options nearby.
16. Georgia Museum of Natural History
Fossils, minerals, native wildlife, and the deep geological story of Georgia all find a home at this underappreciated gem on the UGA campus. The Georgia Museum of Natural History is located at 140 Cedar St, Athens, GA 30602, and admission is free to the public, making it one of the most accessible science destinations in the state.
The collections here are genuinely impressive in scope, housing over 12 million specimens across zoology, geology, paleontology, and botany. For students and curious adults alike, browsing the fossil collections or examining the detailed mineral displays offers a level of depth that goes well beyond a typical school field trip experience.
The museum is compact enough to explore comfortably in about an hour, making it a great pairing with the nearby Georgia Museum of Art for a full day in Athens. Weekday visits are typically quiet and relaxed, while weekends during the academic year can see more foot traffic from families and university visitors passing through campus.
17. Telfair Academy
The oldest public art museum in the South carries its history with remarkable grace. The Telfair Academy, located at 121 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401, is part of the Telfair Museums network and dates back to 1886. During Super Museum Sunday 2026, held on February 8, the museum offered free admission as part of the Georgia History Festival’s annual celebration of the state’s cultural heritage.
The building itself is a work of art, a Regency-style mansion designed by architect William Jay that has been welcoming visitors for well over a century. Inside, the permanent collection features American and European paintings, decorative arts, and sculptures from the 18th through 20th centuries.
Savannah’s walkable downtown makes the Telfair Academy easy to reach on foot from many of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Pairing a visit with the nearby Jepson Center, also part of Telfair Museums, creates a full afternoon of art and architecture that showcases Savannah’s deep cultural identity in a genuinely satisfying way.
