With its impressive collection of over 200,000 works of art, MoMA is a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in modern and contemporary art. You’ll find all the big names here – Picasso, van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali – and many, many more besides. We’re here to help you tell your art from your elbow with our handy guide to visiting the Museum of Modern Art, with top tips including…
- What MoMA is and why you should go
- Where MoMA is and how to get in
- What there is to see there
- What else you can do nearby
Go on then… what exactly is MoMA?
Go on then… what exactly is MoMA?
MoMA – the Museum of Modern Art – is NYC (and perhaps even the world)’s premier repository of art spanning the late 19th Century up to the present day. Located right in Midtown Manhattan, its collection of some 20,000 pieces covers all modern and contemporary art bases. We’re talking Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Surrealism, Cubism, Futurism, Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism and beyond, with disciplines including (primarily) painting and sculpture, plus photography, film, media and performance.
In its century-long history, MoMA has hosted exhibitions by the likes of Francis Bacon and Frank Lloyd Wright as well as showcasing highlights of its permanent collection, among them some of the planet’s most instantly recognizable works of art. Lookin’ at you, Starry Night, Water Lilies and Campbell’s Soup Cans.
Sounds good, where can I find it?
As we said, it’s in Midtown Manhattan. Any local worth their salt will be able to point you in the right direction. But, if you prefer to use your own wits (i.e. Google maps) you’ll find the entrance on 11 West 53rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues.
Hop a classic yellow NYC cab or ride the New York Subway to 53rd Street station at Fifth Avenue (E or M trains) or 47-50th Street/Rockefeller Center (D or F trains).
And how do I get in?
You can buy individual tickets direct, either online or at the ticket office on the day. Alternatively, skip all that malarkey and get your mitts on an NYC pass from Go City. That way you can unlock access to dozens of tip-top New York attractions, keep all your tickets in one place, and save a king’s ransom on regular entry prices. What can you possibly be waiting for?
Is there a good time to visit?
Is there a good time to visit?
Let’s be honest: New York’s museums can get a tad crowded, especially during peak tourist season (which, in NYC, is pretty much year-round). Our advice? If you want to gaze into van Gogh’s Starry Night without having to peer over a galaxy of bobbing heads, try to time your visit for midweek afternoons. Weekends are, of course, busiest and Friday evenings between 5.30PM and 8.30PM can also get very crowded, as entry is free to residents of New York State between these hours.
Anything I need to bring?
Other than a thirst for some classic NYC culture and a penchant for great art, there’s nothing you absolutely need to bring with you. MoMA also has fairly strict security procedures, so bags over purse size need to be checked, and shopping bags aren't permitted. Guards search all bags before you can enter the museum. However, you may wish to consider…
- Your smartphone. Well, of course you’ll be carrying this with you anyway. But make sure it’s charged if you plan to fill your Insta with gallery eye candy, of which there is loads. Note: no flash photography though, please. You can also use the MoMA app to help you navigate the place, as well as listening to audio guides.
- Earphones. To listen to the aforementioned audio guides.
- A sketchbook. Perhaps you’ll feel inspired to doodle your own meta-Picasso. MoMA allows visitors to sketch in some of the galleries with pencils and small-sized sketchbooks, although you can't sit on the floor to draw.
What should I see there?
What should I see there?
We thought you’d never ask. You’ll find most of the big-ticket items on the fourth and fifth floors, so we’ll take a look at those first, but there’s plenty more great stuff to explore elsewhere in MoMA if you have the time and inclination and, yep, we’ll fill you in on that too down below.
Floor 5: 1880s–1940s
Here’s where to feast your peepers on some of MoMA’s most iconic works of art. We’re talking nothing less than the swirling celestial splendor of van Gogh’s Starry Night, the meditative magic of Monet’s Water Lilies, and Salvador Dali’s 1930s masterpiece The Persistence of Memory. Picasso, Matisse, Brâncuși, Kahlo and Cézanne are all also well-represented here.
Floor 4: 1950s–1980s
Take a deep dive into the post-war generation of sculpting sensations and canvas kings and queens. For here’s your chance to get up close and personal with landmark Abstract Expressionist works by Jackson Pollock, Pop Art icons by Andy Warhol, and other notable favorites including Mark Rothko and Jasper Johns. Indeed, there’s a whole room dedicated to Rothko’s mesmerizing fields of color. Don’t miss Joel Shapiro’s playful swansong ARK, Germaine Richier’s Devil with Claws sculpture and – as if there’s any chance you would – Warhol's iconic Pop Art classics depicting Elvis, Marilyn and those Campbell’s Soup Cans.
Floor 2: 1980s–Present
The third and final of the ‘gallery-based’ levels, Floor 2 focuses on weird and wonderful works from the bleeding-edge world of contemporary international art. Pieces with names like Deodorized Central Mass with Satellites and Government Approved Home Fallout Shelter Snack Bar should give you some idea of what to expect here. Or perhaps not.
Step outside for access to the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden (also accessible from Floor 1). This peaceful oasis in midtown Manhattan is a wonderful way to take in some greenery and examples of modern sculptures from renowned artists. Sit, dream and let the kids run amok among sculptures by the likes of Rodin, Maillol, Picasso, Matisse, Isa Genzken et al.
Floors 1, 3 and 6
These more open-plan spaces are largely where you’ll find MoMA’s cafés, restaurants and gift stores. Floors 3 and 6 tend to be given over to rotating exhibitions, often requiring an additional admission fee, while Floor 1 has a Film Center and Art Lab.
Pro-tip: skip the elevators for full immersion in the superlative Bauhaus Staircase that links Floors 1 to 3.
Anything else I can do at MoMA?
Anything else I can do at MoMA?
Sure there is! The Art Lab opens daily from 11AM–5PM, with fun hands-on workshops for kids of all ages, while Café 2 (Floor 2) and the view-tastic Terrace Café (Floor 6) are where it's at for family friendly casual dining. Looking for something a little more highfalutin? You’ll find gallery-worthy fine-dining at Michelin-starred The Modern (Floor 1), where ‘Abstractions’ and ‘Impressions’ menus bring the palette to your palate. In addition to the museum store (cool art prints and other exhibition-related merch) there’s a huge design store just across the street, toting all manner of artist-designed knick-knacks and uber-stylish homeware, ideal if you’re seeking something a little more unique for your gifts and souvenirs.
A few more tips for visiting the Museum of Modern Art
- Download the app. It will help tremendously with planning your route through the museum.
- Keep in mind that kids 16 and under get free admission with a paying adult.
- Don't miss the 6th floor, where many of the special exhibits are.
- Be sure to look up while going up the staircase; Arthur Bell's 1945 helicopter – a design classic – is displayed overhead.
- If you have time, pay a visit to MoMA’s sister institution in Long Island City. MoMA PS1 focuses on more contemporary art and showcases up-and-coming international artists.
- Artworks sometimes get moved around for specific exhibitions. Check the MoMA app or daily gallery guide to find out where your must-sees are.
All those soup cans mean I’ve sure worked up an appetite…
All those soup cans mean I’ve sure worked up an appetite…
No problem. MoMA’s in Midtown so, besides its own eateries, there are plenty more opportunities to stuff your face within just a few minutes’ stroll. Here’s our pick of the bunch…
- Benoit. Alain Ducasse’s classic French bistro transported to the streets of Midtown. You’ll find it juste au coin from MoMA. That’s ‘round the corner’ to you.
- Limani. Chic seafood joint on Rockefeller Plaza serving up refined Greek and Mediterranean fare.
- Burger Joint. Low-key, neon-lit Midtown legend tucked behind a curtain at Thompson Central Park, 10 minutes from MoMA. Order a cheeseburger, fries and a shake and soak up the artfully neon-lit, graffiti-scrawled charm.
- Los Tacos No.1. The popular Mexican chain’s massive Times Square taqueria is practically a tourist attraction in its own right. The signature tacos are worth queuing for.
One last question: what else can I do nearby?
One last question: what else can I do nearby?
What, in the heart of Manhattan? Loads. Absolutely loads. Here are just a few of the nearby things you can do with your Go City NYC pass. Hit the links below to find out more…
Looking for more inspo for your NYC vacay? Check out our complete guide to visiting the mighty Intrepid Museum and learn to ride the New York City Subway like a local.
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