The Museum of Modern Art is one of the world’s most famous museums, and it has only been open to visitors since 1929. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the museum highlights modern artworks, including paintings, sculptures, installations and photography. Discerning visitors always come away from a visit inspired by the breadth of works on display at this must-see institution.
The Museum of Modern Art is a highly popular attraction for New Yorkers and tourists who are looking to discover something new or expand their knowledge of modern art. It also features some fascinating hidden gems that might be overlooked by first-time visitors or those who aren’t very familiar with modern art.
What to expect on your visit to the Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is the most visited art museum in the United States and it has been described as the “Sistine Chapel of the art world”. The museum attracts around three million visitors every year and around 600,000 of them are from overseas. The museum itself is split into seven galleries, each dedicated to a different period in the history of modern art.
You can also find special exhibitions, a rooftop garden and a cinema. The galleries are organized chronologically, starting in the 19th century and ending in the present day. The architecture of the galleries is Neoclassical and, together with the artwork on display, it makes for a beautiful sight.
Visitors may wish to come with an open mind, but they will likely be most interested in the first two galleries, the first devoted to early-modern art and the second to late-modern art.
Save time by pre-planning your trip to the Museum of Modern Art
The museum of modern art is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays in January and February. For those traveling to New York, there is a huge advantage in being able to visit the museum during off-peak hours. During peak times, you will need to get in line, queue to get tickets, and then queue to enter the museum. During off-peak times, there are usually hardly any queues.
Visitors to the museum will want to plan their visit during off-peak hours, preferably during the early part of the day. The museum is often very busy in the afternoon, when tens of thousands of visitors come to see the same pieces of artwork. During peak times, visitors will need to contend with extremely long lines and crowds. In order to enjoy the museum to the fullest and see all of the pieces on display, visitors should come during off-peak hours.
Use your visit to understand more about the history of modern art and its development
Many people visit the Museum of Modern Art to see the art and have a bit of an insight into the history of art. The museum is the home of the MoMA collection, which contains over 32,000 works of art. Visitors can learn about the history of modern art through various exhibits on display, including “The Story of Modern Art”, “Man and Machine”, “Modern Design”, and “The King of Cool”.
The museum also has a series of lectures that take visitors through different aspects of the history of modern art. Visitors can choose the lecture they wish to attend and the museum offers a variety of topics, such as how the museum was designed and how modern art has influenced society.
Visitors can also learn more about the artists featured in the museum through the museum’s education department. The department offers both group tours and individualized learning programs for school-aged children.
See what inspires you with a self-guided tour or an audio guide
As well as the usual sights, the Museum of Modern Art also offers an immersive, self-guided tour that will take visitors through aspects of the museum they might not normally see. The tour begins in the museum entrance gallery, which is designed to look like a highly stylized apartment. In the apartment, visitors can find various pieces of modern art, such as a Roy Lichtenstein painting, a Frank Stella work, and a Richard Serra sculpture.
The tour continues through the museum, highlighting the various aspects of modern art that visitors might otherwise miss. The tour ends in the gallery devoted to the history of art, where visitors can find a timeline of modern art and an interactive art history map that can be used to trace the development of major artists and movements.
Visitors can also take advantage of the museum’s audio guides, which can be used to provide an audio tour of the museum. These guides are available in a variety of languages and are available for purchase at the museum’s gift shop.
Visit the gift shop to find great souvenirs
The Museum of Modern Art is famous for its extensive gift shop, which is one of the best in New York. Visitors can find a vast array of souvenirs, including posters, books, t-shirts, mugs, magnets, art prints and much more. The shop is located in the lobby of the museum and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is cash-only.
In addition to the usual souvenirs, the shop also sells some unusual items, such as a tote bag decorated with a piece of modern art, a Post-it note magnet, and a pair of art-inspired socks. The shop is run by MoMA curators who can guide visitors through the selection, offering suggestions and advice on which items are worth purchasing.
Many visitors to New York visit the Museum of Modern Art and then spend their final day exploring the city. There are so many things to do in New York and so many places to visit that it is worth spending a day or two exploring the city from a different perspective.
New York is home to many museums, but the Museum of Modern Art is an essential part of the city’s cultural scene, illustrating the development of modern art. It is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting New York and is well worth a visit, even if you are not planning to spend your final day exploring the city.
