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MoMA vs Metropolitan Museum of Art

First-time in NYC and torn between MoMA and The Met? Both are world-class, but they deliver very different days: cutting-edge modern art in Midtown versus 5,000 years of global culture on Fifth Avenue. Below, we compare prices, hours, highlights, and logistics so you can pick the right museum- or fit in both.

Quick comparison – MoMA vs The Metropolitan Museum of Art

FeatureMoMAThe Met (Fifth Avenue)

Location

11 W 53rd St, Midtown (near Rockefeller Center).

1000 Fifth Ave on Museum Mile, Central Park’s edge.

Price

Adults $30; Seniors $22; Students $14; 16 & under free; UNIQLO Free Friday Nights (4–8 pm). Timed tickets recommended.

General Admission: Adults $30, Seniors $22, Students $17; 12 & under free. Pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents & NY/NJ/CT students with ID.

What is it?

Premier museum for modern & contemporary art.

Encyclopedic museum spanning 5,000+ years across the globe.

Built / Age

Founded 1929 (current campus extensively expanded).

Founded 1870; Fifth Ave building opened 1880s with many additions.

Size

Compact, multi-level galleries—easy to navigate in a few hours.

Vast campus (wings from Egypt to American art); can fill most of a day.

Timings

Generally daily 10:30 am–5:30 pm; closed Thanksgiving & Dec 25; Free Friday 4–8 pm.

Open most days; closed Thanksgiving Day, Dec 25, Jan 1, first Monday in May. Check current hours (often 10 am–5 pm; later Fri–Sat).

Duration needed

2–3 hours for highlights; longer for special shows.

3–5 hours for core collections; more with exhibitions/rooftop.

Queues / Average wait

Moderate; peak on free Friday evenings.

Variable; security/coat-check lines; rooftop may queue in season.

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings; or Friday 4–8 pm if you want free entry.

Weekday mornings; rooftop is seasonal and weather-dependent.

Accessibility

Elevators, step-free routes, resources for visitors with disabilities.

Extensive accessibility services and aids.

Kid-friendly

Good with teens; interactive elements vary by exhibit.

Excellent variety (Egypt, Arms & Armor) keeps kids engaged.

Highlights / Famous works

Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, Monet Water Lilies.

Temple of Dendur (Egypt), Arms & Armor, European Paintings, seasonal Roof Garden views.

Dining options

On-site cafés (hours vary).

Several cafés & restaurants; options vary by season/hour.

Nearby attractions

Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s, Fifth Ave shops.

Central Park, Museum Mile, Madison Ave shopping.

Rules

Standard museum etiquette; bag checks possible.

Visitor guidelines; coat check undergoing updates; some gallery closures.

Verdict – Which Should You Visit?

Short on time or love modern art? Choose MoMA- compact route, blockbuster icons, and a straightforward 2–3 hour visit.

Craving breadth and a “world tour” in one building? Pick The Met- Egypt to Impressionism to Arms & Armor, plus seasonal rooftop vistas.

Have a full day? Do both- MoMA in the morning, Central Park lunch, The Met afternoon.

See two sides of NYC art in one day

Pair MoMA’s modern masterpieces with The Met’s global collections for a complete culture fix. Timed entries keep waits low; book morning + afternoon slots back-to-back.

Check your options

Major differences between MoMA and The Met explained

History and architecture

MoMA: A purpose-built modern museum founded in 1929; sleek galleries optimized for 20th–21st-century art.

The Met: A 19th-century institution with monumental Beaux-Arts facades and wings that house 5,000 years of objects.

Experience highlights

MoMA: Stand before The Starry Night, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, and Pop-Art icons—dense, high-impact galleries ideal for a short visit.

The Met: Wander from the Temple of Dendur to European masters, then up to the Roof Garden for skyline views (seasonal, weather-dependent).

Atmosphere and audience

MoMA: Contemporary vibe; great for design lovers and modern-art fans; can feel busy on free Friday nights.

The Met: Grand, encyclopedic, and family-friendly—varied galleries keep kids and multi-generational groups engaged.

Location and surroundings

MoMA: Midtown, steps from Rockefeller Center—easy to combine with shopping or Top of the Rock.

The Met: Fifth Avenue at Central Park—pair with a stroll, Reservoir views, or nearby Museum Mile stops.

When to visit

MoMA: Arrive on weekday mornings for calmer galleries; UNIQLO Free Friday Nights offer free entry 4–8 pm but expect crowds.

The Met: Weekday mornings are gentler; the Roof Garden is a warm-weather treat that can close for heat or storms.

Other practicalities

MoMA: Timed tickets, coat-check/security; accessible routes/elevators.

The Met: Clear visitor guidelines; some gallery/coat-check changes; robust accessibility services.

What you’ll see at MoMA

Child viewing Van Gogh's "Starry Night" at MoMA exhibit.

The Starry Night (Van Gogh)

Iconic 1889 canvas; a cornerstone of modern art at MoMA.

Les Demoiselles d’Avignon painting by Picasso at MoMA, featuring abstract figures.
Andy Warhol's 'Campbell's Soup Cans' displayed at MoMA, New York City.
Visitors admiring Monet's Water Lilies at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
Visitors observing a bicycle wheel sculpture at NYC MoMA exhibition.

What you’ll see at The Met

Tour guide and visitors discuss ancient Egyptian reliefs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Temple of Dendur (Egyptian Wing)

A 10 BCE sandstone temple set in a reflecting pool with park views.

Knights in armor on horseback at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
Visitors and tour guide at the Metropolitan Museum of Art viewing Portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent.
Metropolitan Museum of Art skylit atrium with visitors and sculptures.
Grand interior court of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, with sculptures and visitors.

Visiting MoMA and The Met

Visitors viewing artwork at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City.

MoMA: Buy timed admission online. Adults $30; discounts for seniors/students; under-16 free. UNIQLO Free Friday Nights (4–8 pm) are free but crowded; reservations still apply. Audio guides and access services available.

The Met: General Admission $30 adults; reduced categories; kids under 12 free. Pay-what-you-wish applies to NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students with ID; one ticket covers same-day entry to The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters.

Seeing both in a day: Book MoMA morning, The Met afternoon. Build in transit and a Central Park lunch buffer to avoid rushing. Rooftop access at The Met is seasonal.

Independently vs tours: DIY is easy on subway/bus. Focused highlights tours (or audio guides) help if you want context and time-boxing.

Morning – MoMA (10:30 am–1:00 pm)

  • By subway: Arrive at 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Ctr or 5 Av/53 St.
  • Prioritize Starry Night, Picasso, Warhol; dip into Design.
  • Coffee break in the café before heading uptown.

Lunch (1:00–2:00 pm)

  • In transit: Subway or bus uptown; grab a quick bite near Central Park South.
  • By bus: Crosstown options if approaching the park.

Afternoon – The Met (2:30–6:00 pm)

  • Arrive: Fifth Ave at 82nd St.
  • See Temple of Dendur, Arms & Armor, and a European Paintings wing; end on the Roof Garden in season.

Evening (Optional)

Walk Central Park at golden hour; dine on Madison Ave or the Upper East Side.

MoMA (11 W 53rd St):

  • Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 | Find on Maps
  • By subway: Midtown near Rockefeller Center (B/D/F/M) and 5 Av/53 St (E/M).
  • By bus/car: Midtown routes and nearby garages.

​Directions to MoMA >

The Met (1000 Fifth Ave):

  • Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States | Find on Maps
  • By subway: 4/5/6 or Q to 86 St + crosstown bus M86 to Fifth Ave; M1/M2/M3/M4 run on Madison/Fifth.
  • By car: Limited street parking; garages nearby; see Directions & Parking.

​Directions to Met >

Visitors viewing modern art installations at MoMA, New York City.

MoMA

  • Usually open daily 10:30 am – 5:30 pm, with extended hours on some Saturdays and occasional holiday variations.
  • Closed or shortened hours on major US holidays; check before visiting.

​MoMA timings >

The Met

Typically open Sunday–Tuesday & Thursday 10 am – 5 pm, Friday–Saturday 10 am – 9 pm; closed Wednesdays and select holidays.

​The Met timings >

Duration needed & best time to visit

  • MoMA: Plan 2–3 hours; visit weekday mornings or late afternoons for fewer crowds.
  • The Met: Plan 3–4 hours; early mornings or Friday evenings are best to avoid tour groups and school crowds.
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  • MoMA fast track: Arrive at opening for serene galleries; save special exhibitions for last to avoid peak congestion.
  • Free Friday strategy: Enter MoMA after 4 pm, start on upper floors, and work down to dodge the densest crowds.
  • Met game-plan: Pick 3–4 areas (e.g., Egypt, Arms & Armor, European Paintings, American Wing) to avoid fatigue and backtracking.
  • Rooftop readiness: The Met’s Roof Garden is seasonal and can close for heat/storms-check same-day notices.
  • Pay-what-you-wish: NYC/NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students, bring ID to use The Met’s flexible admission.
  • Family focus: Short attention spans? The Met’s Temple of Dendur and Arms & Armor are reliable kid winners; MoMA resonates with teens into design/pop culture.
  • Logistics: Travel light, security/coat-check lines can add time; confirm any temporary gallery closures.

Frequently asked questions about MoMA vs The Met

Yes, MoMA in the morning and The Met in the afternoon works well if you prebook timed entries and keep a tight route. Expect a subway/bus transfer and build in a lunch buffer.