The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) are iconic New York City museums.
MoMA boasts over 200,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art, while the Met houses around two million pieces spanning multiple centuries and genres.
Situated just two miles apart or a 35-minute walk through Central Park, these two museums are top attractions for art lovers.
Many New York City tourists often need help choosing between MoMA and the Met.
This article provides all the information to help you decide which museum is better, MoMA or MET.
MoMA vs The MET – Our Recommendation:
Both MoMA and The Met are classic stops for art enthusiasts in New York City.
If time and budget permit, we recommend visiting both to explore ancient, contemporary, and modern art in one tour.
You can choose a guided tour covering both museums for a comprehensive experience.
However, if you need more time and can only visit one museum, choose the one that best fits your preferences.
Plan your visit to the MET to explore classic masterpieces and various collections, from antiques to modern art.
Visitors who want to enjoy modern and contemporary art should choose MoMA.
If you are still trying to decide which museum to visit, read on as we compare both museums on various parameters.
MoMA vs. The MET- Ticket Prices
Both MoMA and MET general admission tickets come with variations in age-based discounts.
MoMA tickets cost $30 for adults between 17 and 64 years old, $20 for seniors over 65, and students above 18 with a valid ID pay $17 for entry.
The MoMA’s Before The Hours Tour costs $130.
The Met’s Skip The Line Ticket with Guided Tour costs $60 for all visitors between 12 and 99 years old.
Children below 17 get free entry to MoMA, while only children below 12 get free admission to MET.
MoMA vs The Met – Which is More Popular
The MoMA and The Met are among the top visited attractions in New York and the most famous museums in the United States.
But which one is more popular? Let’s find out!
MoMA attracts over two million people annually, so naturally, you might face crowds during your visit.
On the other hand, The Met emerges as a winner in the popularity segment, with over five million visitors exploring the museum annually.
MoMA vs The Met – Which Museum is Bigger
The MoMA NYC and The Met are two of the world’s most reputed and notable museums, but which one is bigger?
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is spread over 708,000 square feet, which gives this humongous museum ample space to display its vast collection of Modern Art.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, on the other hand, is spread over a sprawling two million square feet, making it the largest museum in not just NYC but the United States.
So, considering the size of the Modern Art museums, the Met emerges as a clear winner as it is more than twice the size of the Museum of Modern Art.
MoMA vs The Met – Art Collection
MoMA houses over 200,000 pieces of famous modern and contemporary art, while the MET boasts a diverse collection spanning centuries and genres.
MoMA’s collection is a treasure trove of modern art, featuring works by Jean Dubuffet, Max Ernst, Edward Hopper, Henri Matisse, Helen Frankenthaler, and Vincent van Gogh.
MoMA stands out for its extensive collection of modern and contemporary artworks by renowned artists like Monet, Picasso, and Warhol.
In contrast, the Met offers a diverse array of classic global artworks alongside modern pieces, albeit with less emphasis on contemporary art.
The Met’s collection spans various eras and genres, including an entire Egyptian temple, an armor gallery, and works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Jackson Pollock.
The Met also has a branch in Fort Tryon Park dedicated to European medieval art and architecture, the Met Cloisters.
It offers a more comprehensive spectrum of art spanning various periods and cultures and is the preferred choice for those seeking a diverse art experience.
MoMA vs The Met – Highlights
At MoMA, highlights include The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair by Frida Kahlo, and Campbell’s Soup Cans by Andy Warhol.
The Met’s notable exhibits include indigenous art, Egyptian artifacts, Asian art, and European masterpieces by artists like Vermeer, Peter Paul Rubens, and Paul Cézanne.
MoMA vs The Met – Exhibitions
Apart from their permanent exhibits, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art also have temporary exhibitions.
MoMA has one of the best temporary exhibition schedules.
The exhibitions in MoMA focus on modern and contemporary art from 20th and 21st-century artists.
These exhibitions celebrate renowned artists and also set the stage for new emerging artists.
You can also find new media and interactive installations in the temporary exhibitions of MoMA.
On the other hand, MET explores historical and cultural themes to educate visitors and hosts multiple exhibitions throughout the year and global institutions.
MoMA vs MET – The Buildings
MoMA’s building blends with the New York Cityscape, while the MET’s grand structure stands out as a landmark destination.
The MoMA’s building exudes modernity even in its structure and appearance with subtle greyish-black colors and sets the tone for what is inside.
The MoMA building opened in 2004 and merges with the Midtown Manhattan architecture.
On the other hand, the Met’s building is a classic white and does not automatically blend with the rest of the city.
In contrast, the Met’s historic building has been a New York landmark since it opened in 1880.
This iconic structure spans almost two million square feet and has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows, including Hitch and Gossip Girl.
It also hosts the star-studded Met Gala each year.
Both museums also offer serene outdoor areas, with MoMA’s sculpture garden and the Met’s rooftop garden providing tranquil settings to complement the art viewing experience.
Met vs The Met – Opening Hours
While MoMA extends its summer hours, the Met maintains consistent opening hours throughout the year, offering visitors ample flexibility to plan their visits.
The MoMA, or Museum of Modern Art, is open from 10.30 am to 5.30 am, except on Saturdays.
The MoMA offers extended hours on Saturdays and remains open from 10.30 am to 7 pm. MoMa remains closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
The Met remains open from 10 am to 5.30 pm Sunday through Thursday and 10 am to 9 pm Friday and Saturday.
The Met Cloisters remain open from 10 am to 5.15 pm every day between March and October and 10 am to 4.45 pm every day between November and February.
The Met remains closed on special occasions like 1 January, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
MoMA vs The Met – Location and How to Reach
The location of attractions can be crucial, but in this case, we’re lucky, considering both the MoMA NYC and The Met are conveniently located.
The museums are easily accessible by several modes of transportation, which makes visiting them accessible for all visitors.
The MoMA’s address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA. Get Directions.
MoMa is located near the 53rd Street stop on the E and M subway line; MoMA is a convenient 15-minute walk from Times Square or Grand Central.
On the other hand, The Met is situated on the Upper East Side near Central Park. It is accessible via the 4, 5, or 6 subway to 86th Street, followed by a 15-minute walk.
The Met Cloisters is a little away from the MoMA NYC and The MEt 5th Avenue, but considering visitors can explore it with the same Met ticket, it is worth a trip.
The Met’s Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA. Get Directions.
The Met Cloisters’ Address: 99 Margaret Corbin Dr, New York, NY 10040, United States. Get Directions.
Alternatively, you can take the bus to nearby 5th Avenue/East 84th Street or East 79th Street/5th Avenue stops.
Distance Between MoMA and The MET
Conveniently located just 2 miles apart, you can easily travel between MoMA and The Met 5th Avenue and explore both museums in a single trip. Get Directions.
MoMA vs The Met – Expected Crowds
Considering the MoMA and The Met’s popularity, both museums remain busy on most days of the week, especially with special exhibitions and shows.
However, since The Met attracts a significantly higher number of annual visitors than MoMA, The Met tends to be more crowded than MoMA NYC in general.
The best way to avoid crowds at MoMA and The Met is to visit the museums early in the morning, right after they open on weekdays.
MET Museum or MoMA – Final Verdict
Choosing between MoMA and the Met depends on your interests.
If you prefer avant-garde and modern art, MoMA’s extensive collection of contemporary works might appeal more.
However, the Met’s diverse collection is unmatched if you’re interested in a broader range of art spanning various periods and cultures.
Consider your interests, time constraints, and budget to decide between these iconic institutions.
Contents
FAQs About MoMA vs. The Met
1. Which is more popular, the Met or the MoMA?
Both museums are top-rated in the United States and are among the city’s top attractions. However, The Met attracts twice as many visitors as MoMA.
MoMA attracts around three million visitors annually, whereas The Met attracts around six million yearly, making it the most famous museum.
2. Is the Met the biggest museum in the United States of America?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, is America’s biggest museum.
3. Which is better, the Met or MoMA NYC?
Both Museums have amazing collections that are worth exploring, so it is difficult to pick one over the other.
To explore over 200000 pieces dedicated to modern and contemporary art, head to MoMA. The Met offers a more varied collection spanning over centuries.
Suggested Articles:
