Met vs MoMA
Quick answer
New York's defining art museums: 5,000 years of global art on Fifth Avenue versus modern and contemporary on 53rd Street. World Museum Guide compares admission, highlights, and time needed side by side — both The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) have full visitor guides below.
New York City, United States
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
$30 for adults; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents
⏱ 3–5 hours
New York City, United States
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
$25 standard admission
⏱ 2–4 hours
Side by side
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | New York City, United States | New York City, United States |
| Museum type | Art Museum | Modern & Contemporary Art |
| Admission | $30 for adults; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents | $25 standard admission |
| Free entry | Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents · Children under 12 always free | First Friday evening of each month (5–9 PM) · Members always free · Under 16 free |
| Time needed | 3–5 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Closed | Wednesdays | — |
| Standout works | Washington Crossing the Delaware; Cypresses | The Starry Night; Les Demoiselles d'Avignon |
| Good for | Art Lovers, History Enthusiasts, Families, First-timers | Art Lovers, Contemporary Art, First-timers |
Facts from our verified data file (last verified 2026-06-30) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
Choose The Metropolitan Museum of Art if…
Choose the Met for Egyptian Temple of Dendur, European Masters, and American Wing — allow 3–5 hours.
Choose Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) if…
Choose MoMA for Picasso, Van Gogh Starry Night, Warhol, and contemporary — 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Visiting both
Not realistic same-day for both at depth; pick by era interest or split across two days.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art guide → Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) guide →