The Museum of Modern Art is New York’s landmark museum of modern and contemporary art at 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, in Midtown Manhattan between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Founded in 1929 by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Lillie P. Bliss, and Mary Quinn Sullivan, MoMA draws travelers for defining works by van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol, plus consequential collections of photography, film, architecture, and design.
What to Expect at The Museum of Modern Art
MoMA’s chronological collection is arranged across several floors of its expanded 53rd Street building, making it possible to trace modernism from late-19th-century painting through abstraction, Pop, Minimalism, and work made today. Begin on the fifth floor for Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Henri Matisse’s The Dance I, Paul Cézanne’s The Bather, and Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Continue downward through the fourth-floor galleries for Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory, Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, and Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans.
The 2019 expansion by Diller Scofidio + Renfro broadened the museum’s gallery space and circulation around the earlier Yoshio Taniguchi-designed atrium. The collection is not limited to canvases: expect Eames furniture, graphic design, architecture models, experimental film, and rotating exhibitions that change the pace of a visit. The granite-walled Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden provides an outdoor pause among works by artists including Aristide Maillol and Pablo Picasso. Personal-use photography is generally permitted in collection galleries without flash; observe gallery-specific restrictions and do not use tripods or selfie sticks.
- Fifth-floor masterpieces: See The Starry Night, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Matisse’s The Dance I, and other foundational works of European modernism.
- Warhol’s soup cans: The 32-panel Campbell’s Soup Cans is a central Pop Art encounter, displayed alongside postwar American art.
- Architecture and design: Explore influential objects and drawings, from modern furniture to industrial design and architectural thinking.
- Film and media: MoMA’s moving-image program presents screenings and installations, extending the museum beyond conventional galleries.
- Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden: Step outside into Philip Johnson’s garden for sculpture, seasonal greenery, and a quieter view of the museum complex.
The Museum of Modern Art at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Midtown Manhattan, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Fri and Sun 10:30am–5:30pm; Sat 10:30am–7pm |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$; paid admission, with timed tickets recommended. See the official site for current ticket categories and exhibition access. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 3 to 5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | E/M to Fifth Avenue–53 Street; B/D/F/M to 47–50 Streets–Rockefeller Center. Paid garages are available around Midtown. |
| Official Website & Phone | moma.org · +1 212-708-9400 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Book timed admission through MoMA’s official website, especially for weekends, school breaks, and major temporary exhibitions. Arrive close to the 10:30am opening and take an elevator directly to the fifth floor; working downward puts the most sought-after paintings first, before organized groups gather. A focused highlights visit can take two hours, but art-minded travelers should reserve most of a day. The museum has dining options and a substantial design-focused shop, useful breaks between gallery floors.
MoMA is designed for wheelchair and stroller use, with accessible entrances, elevators linking public floors, accessible restrooms, and wheelchairs available on request. Take the E or M to Fifth Avenue–53 Street for the closest subway arrival, or use the B, D, F, or M at Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall are five minutes away on foot; St. Thomas Church is just east on Fifth Avenue, while the Fifth Avenue entrance to Central Park and the Museum of Arts and Design at Columbus Circle are within roughly 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are MoMA’s hours and when is the best time to go?
MoMA opens at 10:30am daily, closing at 5:30pm Monday through Friday and Sunday, and at 7pm Saturday. Weekday opening time is the calmest window for the fifth-floor masterworks and the Sculpture Garden.
Do I need to reserve tickets for The Museum of Modern Art?
Timed tickets are strongly recommended, particularly on weekends and when a major special exhibition is on view. Admission is paid and falls in the $$$ range; buy directly from MoMA for current prices, member access, and any free-entry programs.
How long should I budget for MoMA?
Allow three to five hours for a satisfying visit spanning the permanent collection, design galleries, and sculpture garden. Two hours works for a tightly planned route focused on the fifth- and fourth-floor highlights.
Is MoMA accessible and suitable for families?
Yes. Elevators, accessible facilities, and wheelchair access make the multilevel museum manageable for visitors with mobility needs and for strollers. Families can keep the visit engaging by selecting a few galleries, using the sculpture garden as a reset, and avoiding an overly ambitious full-collection route.
When planning your New York travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in New York, pair this stop with standout local spots including Intrepid Museum, City Hall Park, Rubin Museum of Art, and 75 Rockefeller Plaza (0.2 km away).
