The Museum of Modern Art
Move from familiar masterpieces to experiments that question what a museum object can be.
Artwork inspired by Helen Frankenthaler
MoMA rewards comparison rather than a march through famous names. Its painting and sculpture share a conversation with film, photography, architecture, and design. Choose a question—how artists represent a city, for example—and follow it across media. A chair, photograph, and canvas may reveal more together than a rushed tour of one floor. Displays change, so a remembered artwork may not be on view.
The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden provides a pause between galleries: step outside, look back at the museum’s architecture, and reconsider the works’ scale. General admission covers the garden when weather permits. Fridays stay open later, with a separate free-evening opportunity for qualifying New York State residents that requires advance reservation. Verify any must-see work before traveling.
- Entrance
- West 53rd Street
- Media
- Art, design, film, photography
- Garden
- Included when open
Quick guide
- Pick a question
- Follow one visual idea across painting, design, film, and photography.
- Pause outside
- Use the sculpture garden to reset before the next gallery floor.
Know before you go
- Choose two floors
- A selective route lets you actually look rather than count masterpieces.
- Check the collection
- Confirm whether a must-see work is on view before going.
- Use the garden
- Compare outdoor sculpture with the changing city around it.
- Book Friday wisely
- Resident free-evening entry needs advance reservation and proof of eligibility.
Good to know
MoMA PS1 in Queens is a different venue with its own admission and hours; this card covers the Midtown museum.
Notice these
- Sculpture Garden
- Modern collection
- Design and film