Planning a trip to New York City? The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a must-see destination for any art enthusiast. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to make the most of your MoMA experience, from navigating the museum efficiently to discovering must-see artworks and nearby attractions.

Getting to MoMA: Easy as Pie

MoMA is located on 53rd Street, making it incredibly accessible. By subway, you can take the B, D, F, or M lines (the orange lines) to the Rockefeller Center station, which is just a 5-minute walk away. Alternatively, you can take the F train (orange line) to the 57th St station, or the B, D (orange lines) and E (blue line) to the 7th Ave station, or the V (orange line) and E (blue line) to the 5th Ave/53rd St station—all within a 5-7 minute walking distance of the museum.

Given its prime location near Fifth Avenue, MoMA is easy to find. If you’re still having trouble, a quick search on Google Maps will get you there in no time.

Scoring Discounted Tickets

General admission to MoMA is $30 for adults at the door. To save some money, consider purchasing discounted tickets through platforms like WAUG.

While students with valid IDs from major universities like NYU and Parsons get free admission, everyone else will need a ticket.

[Purchase MoMA Tickets Here]

Making the Most of Your Visit

First things first: absolutely do not bring a backpack. While small crossbody bags are permitted, backpacks are not allowed inside the museum. Not only will you be denied entry with a backpack, but checking it at the coat check can take upwards of 40 minutes, which is valuable time you could be spending exploring the art.

If you only have about two hours to spare, head straight to the 4th and 5th floors. This is where you'll find iconic works by renowned artists like Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Picasso, Chagall, and Klimt. Exploring these two floors alone can easily take two hours, so it's best to prioritize them.

Have more time to explore? Then I highly recommend visiting in the morning, ideally around 10:00 AM, when the museum is typically less crowded. This is the perfect time to explore the 4th and 5th floors at your own pace. Afterwards, be sure to visit the sculpture garden. It's a tranquil and beautiful space filled with fascinating sculptures.