‌

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

MoMA PS1 building with New York City skyline in the background.

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).

Guests viewing Egyptian sculptures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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

Van Gogh's The Starry Night painting at Orsay Museum, swirling night sky over village.

The Starry Night (Van Gogh)

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

Visiting MoMA and The Met

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 >

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.
  • 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

Can you visit both in one day?

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.

Which is more budget-friendly?

Both list $30 adult General Admission, but The Met offers pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents and NY/NJ/CT students with ID; MoMA offers free Friday evenings (4–8 pm).

Which is better for first-time visitors to NYC?

For the broadest “only in New York” museum experience, choose The Met. If you love modern masters and want a shorter, concentrated visit, MoMA fits beautifully.

Which is better for kids?

The Met’s variety (Egypt, Arms & Armor) usually clicks with children. MoMA can be great for teens, especially those into design and Pop Art.

How far apart are they?

Roughly 2 miles. Subway/bus takes about 20–30 minutes depending on transfers; a cab can be similar in light traffic.

What if I only have time for one?

Pick based on interest: modern icons (MoMA) vs global, time-spanning collections (The Met). If undecided, go with The Met for breadth.

Which has the better skyline view?

The Met’s Roof Garden offers seasonal rooftop vistas over Central Park and Midtown; MoMA is indoors with no observation deck.

Are they covered by city passes?

Availability changes; many passes include one or both. Always check each pass’s current inclusion list and any reservation rules before purchase.

How long do you need at each?

Plan 2–3 hours for MoMA highlights; 3–5 hours for The Met, more if you’re deep-diving exhibitions or the rooftop.

Which is bigger?

The Met is significantly larger and encyclopedic; MoMA is more compact and focused on modern and contemporary art.