Most Museums charge entrance fees, and they're usually not cheap. However, there are multiple ways to get into museums for free or pretty cheap. For those in or around the D.C. area, there are the Smithsonian museums, which are always free. If you're nowhere near the nation's capital, you'll have to get a bit more creative, like Gina over at Moneywise Moms.

Gina suggests checking if services you already use Offer free museum Admission, like Museums on Us by Bank of America. If you use Bank of America, Merrill, or US Trust services, your card can get you into museums all over the country for free. Usually, free admission is limited to certain days of the month, so be sure to check the website of the museum you want to visit first. If you or a family member are an active duty member of the U.S. military, you can also take advantage of the Blue Star Museums Initiative. From Armed Forces Day in May to Labor Day in September, admission to over 2,000 museums around the country is free for active service members and their families, with the proper identification. 

Many museums also do their own free admissions programs as well. Some will offer free admission on certain days of the month, while others offer free admission during certain hours, like the last few hours the museum is open. Check your local museums' websites to see what they offer.