MoMA New York: a practical visitor guide

More MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) guides

• MoMA in 2 hoursWhat to see at MoMA New York in 2 hours: a route through floors 5, 4 and the garden with Van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, Pollock and Warhol, with timings.
• Hours, tickets & free entryMoMA New York opening hours, ticket prices, free Friday evenings for New York State residents and the best time to visit without crowds. Checked in 2026.
• Must-see artThe 12 key works at MoMA New York with their floor and why they matter: The Starry Night, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Dalí, Pollock and Warhol.
• MoMA with kidsHow to visit MoMA in New York with kids: a 75-minute route, looking games for modern art, free entry for under 16s and the quietest times to go.

Why MoMA is a must

The Museum of Modern Art holds the world's finest collection of modern and contemporary art: Van Gogh's The Starry Night, Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Dalí's The Persistence of Memory, Monet's Water Lilies and the best of Pop Art. It's organised by floor and era, which makes it easy to choose what to see.

How to plan your visit

• Buy a timed ticket online in advance to skip the line.
• Start on floor 5, where the most famous works hang, as early as you can.
• Floor 4 has Abstract Expressionism and Pop; floors 2 and 3 (contemporary, photography, design) are often calmer.
• Large bags and umbrellas go to the coat check, which can be slow on busy days.
• With the AnyArt app you can point at any artwork and hear its story, an alternative to an audio guide.

Combine it with the rest of Midtown

MoMA is a few minutes' walk from Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. The Met is on Museum Mile, about 25 minutes by transit. With one day for art, MoMA in the morning and The Met in the afternoon (or the reverse) works well.