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Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

8.0Friend Score / 10

#7 of 11 Museums in New York City

Known formodern artcontemporary artstarry nightvan gogh
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The world's definitive modern art museum — Van Gogh's Starry Night, Monet's Water Lilies, Warhol, Picasso — in a sleek Midtown building. $30 at the door ($28 online), open daily 10:30am-5:30pm with late Friday hours, and New York State residents get in free Friday evenings. Caveat: the fifth-floor icons draw phone-camera scrums; go early or Friday night.

Key facts

Hours
Sat–Thu 10:30–17:30
Fri–Fri 10:30–20:30
Price$$
Phone
Website
Nearest transit5 Av/53 St (E/M) is half a block away; 47-50 Sts–Rockefeller Ctr (B/D/F/M) close by
Time needed2-3 hours
Best time to goWeekday at 10:30am opening, or Friday evening; avoid weekend afternoons
Last verifiedJuly 12, 2026

Friend Score

8.0/10
  • Value7.5
  • iconic9.0
  • Freshness9.2
  • Crowd level4.5
  • Authenticity8.5
  • Accessibility9.5
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Frequently asked questions

How much is MoMA admission?
$30 at the door or $28 booked online; seniors 65+ $22/$20, students $17/$15, and kids 16 and under free. Book online — it's cheaper and skips the ticket line.
What's the difference between MoMA and MoMA PS1?
PS1 is MoMA's scrappier contemporary-art outpost in a former Long Island City schoolhouse — more experimental, cheaper, worth a separate trip if you like new work. Your MoMA ticket has historically included PS1 admission perks; check current policy when you book.
Is MoMA worth it if I don't know modern art?
Yes — more than almost any art museum, it's full of images you already know from posters and t-shirts, seen at full scale. The wall texts are good, and watching art history unfold floor by floor needs no homework.
What are MoMA's hours?
Daily 10:30am to 5:30pm, with Friday evenings extended to 8:30pm. It's one of the few major NYC museums with no weekly closing day.
How does MoMA's free Friday night work?
New York State residents get free admission on Friday evenings (5:30-8:30pm) — reserve a timed slot online in advance with proof of residency. It gets busy but never Met-blockbuster busy.
Where is Starry Night at MoMA?
Fifth floor, in the collection galleries covering the 1880s-1940s — follow the crowd, honestly. There's a permanent semicircle of phones around it; go at opening for a clear look.
Does MoMA have good food?
There are casual cafes on 2 and 6, and The Modern — an actually excellent Michelin-starred restaurant — faces the sculpture garden at street level. The garden itself, with its Picasso goat and Matisse bronzes, is free with admission and a lovely place to sit.
How long do I need at MoMA?
Two to three hours is right for the collection highlights plus one special exhibition. It's far more manageable than the Met — you can actually finish it, which is part of its appeal.

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