Many art savants recognize MoMA as a storehouse of modern Western masterpieces, showcasing history's most famous collection includes works of architecture, design, painting, sculpture, photography, illustrated books, film, artist's books, and electronic media. Keep reading to learn everything, including the museum’s highlights, history, visiting tips, and more.
The Museum of Modern Art, New York City, at a glance
Handy information
| ⏰ Suggested duration: | 3 hours |
| ☀️ Best time to visit: | Weekends between 10:30am and 2pm |
| 💜 Must Do: | Explore MoMA PS1 |
| 🎟️ MoMA ticket: | $30 |
| 🚇 MoMA Branches: | MoMA and MoMA PS1 |
Collections to look out for
Must see exhibitions at MoMA NYC 2024
Opening hours and address
- Sunday to Friday: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:30 PM to 07:00 PM
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas
- The last admission is at 5:30 PM
- Address: 1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128, USA
Get Directions
About MoMA New York City
The Museum of Modern Art NYC hosts an exquisite collection of modern and contemporary art works which has been collected from around the world for over 150 years. Established and opened in 1929, the evolving collection comprises almost 200,000 works. The museum aims to educate and bring modern and contemporary art forms to everyone’s attention. To achieve this, the museum has expanded its collection across several fields of visual expression: painting, sculpting, printmaking, drawing, photography, designing, film and performance art attracting 3 million people annually. The MoMA website allows you to explore a small part of its collection, 76,000 artworks by 21,000 artists online.
That's not it. MOMA also has a second branch in New York City itself - MOMA PS1, one of the largest art institutions in the United States dedicated solely to contemporary art. So if you’re looking to dive into the world of modern and contemporary art, there is no place like the NY Museum of Modern Art.
Why you should visit MoMA NYC?
- Leading modern art collection: MoMA is globally recognized for its exceptional collection of over 200,000 modern and contemporary artworks, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, and Pablo Picasso.
- Innovative exhibitions: You’ll find cutting-edge art across six floors of galleries, showcasing the evolution of art from the 1880s to today through immersive special exhibitions.
- MoMA PS1 Discover a treasure trove of early modernist works in the museum’s extensive collection. From impressionist paintings to contemporary installations, there’s something to captivate every art enthusiast.
- Extensive art departments: MoMA has 6 art departments - Painting and Sculpture, Architecture and Design, Photography, Prints and Illustrated Books, Film, and Media and Performance Art, where you can explore your unique interests.
- Culinary experience: Enjoy a meal at The Modern, a Michelin Star restaurant, or relax at Cafe 2 or Terrace 5, offering diverse dining options to suit every taste.
Museum of Modern Art tickets
We recommend buying your Museum of Modern Art NYC tickets online, to avoid waiting in the long ticket counter lines. On the day of your visit, you can show your online tickets on your phone, and walk into the Museum right away.
Your ticket also includes a free audio guide in several languages.
PS: Kids upto 16 years of age get free entry into MoMA!
MoMA New York City branches
MoMA has two branches. With your MoMA New York tickets you will get access to both these branches and we recommend checking both of them out.
MoMA, Manhattan
This is the main exhibition located in Midtown Manhattan, and is usually identified as one of the most influential museums of modern art in the world. It is also one of the largest museums in the world. Over here, you can enjoy the works of several prominent artists from the world of modern and contemporary art.
Timings
From Sundays to Fridasy, 10:30am to 5:30pm
Saturday: 10:30am to 7pm
MoMA NYC address
MoMA PS1
MoMA PS1 is a dedicated exhibition space that aims to promote the enjoyment, appreciation, study and understanding of contemporary art to a wide and growing audience. Their educational activities, coupled with the special exhibitions play a vital part in structuring cultural discourse. The MoMA PS1 is known for its live exhibitions which feature music, dance and aspires to innovate and diversify modern art to attract international audiences.
Timings
Sundays & Mondays: 12pm to 6pm
Thursdasy to Saturdasy: 12pm to 8pm
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Address
Distance between MoMA & MoMA PSI - 3.1 miles (17 min travel time)
Famous exhibits at MOMA New York City
1Campbell’s Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
This iconic piece, comprising 32 canvases, is a striking commentary on consumer culture and mass production. Warhol's meticulous hand-painting and stamping technique emphasize repetition and uniformity, challenging traditional notions of art and beauty. The work's enduring impact lies in its bold, graphic style and its reflection of society's obsession with consumer goods.
2Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
A masterpiece that transcends its subject matter to embody the inner, subjective expressionism synonymous with Van Gogh’s style. Rooted in imagination and memory, the swirling, dream-like composition and vibrant, expressive brushwork evoke a sense of movement and emotion. This iconic painting continues to captivate viewers with its timeless beauty and profound artistic vision.
3Water Lilies by Claude Monet
This impressionist masterpiece captures the ever-changing qualities of natural light and color on water. Monet's brushstrokes create an endless illusion of water without horizon or bank, blurring the line between reflection and reality. The painting's abstracted forms and harmonious color palette convey a sense of tranquility and the beauty of nature, making it a timeless symbol of artistic innovation.
4The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali
Universally recognized, this painting is often dubbed by the artist as ‘hand-painted dream photographs’. Among the finest works in surrealism, it presents an abstract flow that transcends conventional notions of time and space. The melting clocks, a recurring motif in Dali's work, symbolize the fluidity of time and the subconscious mind.
5The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau
This painting is regarded as one of the finest examples of symbolism, and is a masterpiece of fantastical imagery. Rousseau's dreamlike depiction of a sleeping figure in a desert landscape, accompanied by a lion, evokes a sense of mystery and enchantment. The scene, with its surreal elements and poetic quality, invites you to interpret its meaning and immerse themselves in its mystical allure.
Museum of Modern Art floor plan
Floor plan
The Museum of Art
• Level 1: Lobby, MoMA Store, Restaurant, Art Lab and Sculpture Garden.
• Level 2: Contemporary Galleries, Prints and Illustrated Books, Media, Special Exhibitions, Cafe and Store.
• Level 3: Architecture and Design, Drawings, Photography and Special Exhibitions.
• Level 4: Painting and Sculptures II - Jasper Johns, Yayoi Kusama, Roy Lichtenstein, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenburg, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol and others.
• Level 5: Painting and Sculptures I - Paul Cezzane, Frida Kahlo, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and others.
You can download the MoMA floor plan and keep it handy on your phone for your visit.
Avoiding the crowd at MoMA New York City
Buy tickets in advance
Book your Museum of Modern Art tickets well in advance to ensure you get entry on the day that you want. We suggest booking the tickets after going through the exhibition list so you may enjoy the exhibitions you like the most. Additionally, you will get access to the MoMA PS1 with your skip-the-line Museum of Modern Art tickets.
Avoid rainy days
The museum usually gets crowded later on in the afternoon and is bound to get noisier as the day progresses. During the rains, the number of visitors gets doubled.
Avoid mornings
Mornings are the busiest at the museum. If you prefer a quieter museum experience, we recommend coming after 11:30 AM.
Fridays paradox
On Fridays the museum is free to enter from 4 PM - 9 PM, which is when you should not go as the museum is always crowded and you won’t get to enjoy the exhibits much. However, Friday middays (12 PM - 4 PM) has the least crowd at the museum.
UNIQLO Free Friday Nights at MOMA New York City
On the first Friday of every monthy, from 4pm to 8pm, find inspiration at MoMA and enjoy free admission, courtesy of UNIQLO Free Friday Nights. Admission is free for all visitors during UNIQLO Free Friday Nights. The line for tickets begins at the Museum’s 54th Street entrance and your UNIQLO Free Friday Night ticket permits entry to all Museum galleries and exhibitions. Film and performance admission is free too, but a separate ticket is required.
MoMA free Friday tips
The queues for free Fridays starts at around 3pm and the galleries can become very crowded, so arrive as early as possible if you want the place to yourself. The line to enter MoMA for free Fridays may appear long, but they move quickly. To avoid queuing all together, arrive after 6pm once a good chunk of people have moved in.
Getting to the MoMA New York City
By Subway
The nearest subway station to the MET is the 50th Street Subway Station on the Blue Line. Take D or F trains to 47-50th Street/Rockefeller Center station; E or M trains to 53rd Street station at Fifth Avenue.
By bus
From the east side of Manhattan, take the M1, M2, M3, M4, or M5 bus to 53rd Street; From the west side of Manhattan, take the M50 cross-town bus to 50th Street. Then walk three blocks to 53rd Street.
Related Read: Learn all about the MoMA entrances and which entrance you should choose.
MoMA NYC map
MOMA New York City rules & regulations
• All large items (greater than 15" x 11" x 5") will be checked, including large umbrellas.
• Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the museum.
• Sketching is permitted in the galleries, but only with pencils. Pens or ink are not allowed in the museum.
• You can take photos on your phone, however, flash photography, video cameras or tripods are not allowed.
Insider tips fo visiting the Museum of Modern Art
Kids special - Children below 16 years of age may enter for free. Additionally, the museum has curated a unique experience for kids. Several free Activity Cards are available for kids to use across the museum. A dedicated space, The Art Lab, allows families to get together and create their own artworks.
MoMA stores - Known world over for the aesthetic look of their products, the MoMA stores houses designer items you won’t find in many other shops. Take a look at their wide selection of books, designer objects, jewelry, furniture, clothing and more on your visit to MoMA.
Top to bottom - The best way to see the museum is from the top floor to the bottom. The fifth floor houses the Painting and Sculpture Galleries, the fourth floor houses the more recent masterpieces. Don't miss the 6th floor as it is where the special exhibits are housed.
Afternoon visits - If you come in the afternoon (after 3 PM) we recommend going from the first floor to the top. This allows you to see the main highlights before closing time when there will be fewer people in the viewing rooms.
Practical details - The museum performs a thorough security inspection of your belongings. We suggest leaving the big bags and rucksacks at home. All galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible which are available in the checkroom free of charge. You may photograph the museum for personal use only in the collection galleries, however, no flash, tripods or camera extension poles are allowed.
Audio guide - Your tickets come with an audio guide. Be sure to make the most of it; you’re guaranteed to learn something fascinating.
- Take the stairs - Ditch the lift while going from one floor to the other as exhibits are hanging on the ceilings as well. Be sure to look up while going up the staircase; Arthur Bell's 1945 helicopter is displayed overhead.
MoMA PS1 is worth a visit-Though located in Long Island City, MoMA PS1 focuses on more recent art and up-and-coming artists and is worth a visit. You don't need a separate ticket for MoMA PS1.
Grab a bite at MOMA New York City
MoMA has several dining options inside the museum itself and some amazing cafes around the corner, too. Here is a small compilation of the top cafes in and around MoMA NYC.
Cafe 2 on the second floor is a first-come, first-serve venue with Italian-centric casual cuisine including fresh pasta, panini, soups, salads, cheese and meat boards, and full beverage menu.
The Espresso Bar serves all coffee shop staples. It is perfect for a small snack or coffee on the go and is only 5 mins walk from MoMA.
The Terrace Cafe on the sixth floor serves find small plates, shareable snacks, a selection of beer, wine and cocktails, and outdoor terrace seating when weather allows. You also get stellar views of Midtown Manhattan from here.
The Modern is a Michelin-starred restaurant, accessible within the museum and from the exterior after museum hours, and is a fine dining experience surrounded by world-class art. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made 28 days in advance. Pro tip: The Modern is a no-tipping venue, so you needn't factor in anything additional when paying the bill.
Things to do around MOMA New York City
MoMA’s midtown Manhattan location means it is easy to access and easy to reach many nearby attractions. Here are a few close by that we suggest adding to your vacation itinerary.
With sweeping panoramic views and marvelous architecture, the Rockefeller Centre is one of the most iconic buildings in New York. The Top of the Rock observation deck promises a sense of calm that prevails far away from the buzz of the city that never stops and people from all around the world find themselves falling in love with the American skyline from here.
843 acres stretching from the 59th Street to the 110th Street, occupying almost 6% of Manhattan is the Central Park New York for you. This vast expanse of lush greenery is a refreshing breather from the concrete jungle of New York making it the most visited urban park in the United States of America.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the country’s largest art museum. With seventeen permanent curatorial departments housing over 2 million works, there is so much to see, discover, and engage with. The Museum doesn’t just contain art - you can also find the armory, weapons, costumes, and musical instruments.
Based on the classic children’s tale, Gulliver’s Travels, this one-of-a-kind attraction puts you smack in the middle of miniature versions of some of the most iconic landmarks and historical sites from across the globe! Perfect for a family trip with kids et all, Gulliver’s Gate NYC is truly unique and makes for great edutainment as well.
Hotels near MoMA to plan your stay
Luxury stays
Economical stays
Frequently asked questions about the MoMA in NYC
The museum is least crowded right after it opens at 10am. Because of their free admission offer on Friday evenings, it's best to avoid Fridays between 4 and 8 as it is some of the busiest times to visit.
Yes! The Museum of Modern Art provides free admission every Friday night from 5:30 pm – 9 pm. Additionally, the first floor is now open to the public for free every day, including two new galleries, installations in the lobby and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.
Yes! The Art Labs program at MoMa is a great way to get children excited about creating while they learn tools and techniques used in the art-making process. There are also free talks and tours on weekend mornings for families.
Yes, photography is allowed, but flash photography is banned as it damages the paintings.
Both the MET and MoMA are world-class museums that any art or culture lover should definitely visit at least once in their lives. That said, they both specialise in different kinds of art. The MET is far larger with a wide focus of everything from the art of the ancient world to contemporary photography. MoMA on the other hand specializes in modern and contemporary art.
The PS1 acronym means Public School One and comes from the former destination of the building where the centre is housed. In 1997 the PS1 building underwent a major renovation and in 2001 it became an affiliate to the Museum of Modern Art and was renamed MoMA PS1.
Yes! With the New York City Explorer Pass you can get free admission to the Museum of Modern Art NYC.
Yes, however, flash photography, videography, tripods, and photography for professional purposes are not allowed
It is advised that you buy MoMa tickets online in advance to avoid standing in ticket queues on site, which can be quite long on most days. You could also find discounted deals online, which are not available on-site.
For contemporary art lovers, there's no better place than MoMa to spend a quiet few hours in artistic contemplation.
No. Mondays are reserved exclusively for members and their guests.
There is a 30-minute grace period for timed entry; entry is not guaranteed if you arrive more than 30 minutes after your ticketed time. Early entry is prohibited.
Current CUNY faculty, staff, and students receive free admission from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. Students of the following colleges also get one free admission
- Columbia University in the City of New York
- Cooper Union
- CUNY Schools
- The New School
- Pratt Institute
- SUNY Schools
- The Juilliard School
- The New School
From Oct 1, 2020 through Sep 30, 2021, all NYC health workers get free admission to MoMa. This has been made possible by UNIQLO.
No, MoMa has a ticketed entry.
Head here for an updated list of the current events at MoMa.
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