American Museum of Natural History vs Museum of Modern Art: which should you visit?
Quick answer
Choose American Museum of Natural History for Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and Blue Whale Model — admission is $37 for adults from outside NY State. Choose Museum of Modern Art for The Starry Night and Les Demoiselles d'Avignon — admission is $30 for adults. American Museum of Natural History: $37 for adults from outside NY State, allow 3–4 hours; Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): $30, allow 2–4 hours.
New York City, United States
American Museum of Natural History
$37 for adults from outside NY State; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents (suggested $25)
⏱ 3–4 hours
New York City, United States
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
$30 for adults; children 16 and under free
⏱ 2–4 hours
Side by side
| American Museum of Natural History | Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | New York City, United States | New York City, United States |
| Museum type | Art Museum | Modern & Contemporary Art |
| Admission | $37 for adults from outside NY State; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents (suggested $25) | $30 for adults; children 16 and under free |
| Free entry | Pay-what-you-wish general admission for NY State residents with ID · Free entry in the last hour of the day · Children under 3 free · IDNYC members free · Free tickets still need to be reserved | UNIQLO Friday Nights: free for New York State residents every Friday, 5:30–8:30 PM (reserve ahead, proof of residency) · Children 16 and under free · SNAP/WIC recipients free plus up to 4 guests |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Closed | — | — |
| Standout works | Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton; Blue Whale Model | The Starry Night; Les Demoiselles d'Avignon |
| Good for | Families, History Enthusiasts, First-timers | Art Lovers, Contemporary Art, First-timers |
Facts from our verified data file (last verified 2026-09-25) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
Should I visit American Museum of Natural History or Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)?
Choose American Museum of Natural History if…
Choose American Museum of Natural History for Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and Blue Whale Model — admission is $37 for adults from outside NY State. Allow 3–4 hours.
Choose Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) if…
Choose Museum of Modern Art for The Starry Night and Les Demoiselles d'Avignon — admission is $30 for adults. Allow 2–4 hours.
Can you visit both American Museum of Natural History and Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in one day?
Both are in New York City. With 3–4 hours suggested for one and 2–4 hours for the other, combining both in a single day is ambitious — two days is more comfortable.
American Museum of Natural History guide → Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) guide →