Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) houses one of the world’s most influential collections of modern and contemporary art—featuring iconic masterpieces like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies. Because MoMA attracts millions of international visitors annually, understanding its daily operating schedule, gallery entry windows, and specialty access hours is essential for navigating galleries without fighting dense crowds.
Whether planning a visit to the main Midtown location on 53rd Street or exploring contemporary installations at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, this operational guide outlines complete hours and admission rules.
Main Museum Operating Hours (53rd Street)
MoMA’s primary flagship building maintains a consistent 7-day operational schedule throughout the entire year:
- Sunday through Friday: Doors open to the public at 10:30 AM and galleries close at 5:30 PM.
- Saturday: Doors open at 10:30 AM and close at 7:00 PM (offering 1.5 hours of extended evening viewing).
- Member Early Hours: MoMA members enjoy exclusive early access to main galleries from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM daily, allowing quiet viewing 60 minutes before general public entry.
| Venue / Department | Standard Days | Operating Hours | Access Rules & Operational Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Museum Galleries | Sun – Fri Saturday |
10:30 AM – 5:30 PM 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM |
Timed-entry ticket required for non-members; 53rd Street entrance |
| Member Early Access | Daily | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Members Only (Exclusive 1-hour quiet access before public opening) |
| MoMA PS1 (Queens) | Thu – Mon Tue & Wed |
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM CLOSED |
Contemporary art center in Long Island City; Saturday open until 8:00 PM |
| MoMA Design Store | Mon – Sat Sunday |
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Street-level retail store located directly across from main museum entrance |
| The Modern Restaurant | Tue – Sat | 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
Reservations Required (Fine dining overlooks Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden) |
Specialty Access Windows & Gallery Rules
To manage visitor traffic and prevent floor overcrowding, MoMA implements structured timed-entry rules alongside independent schedules for restaurants and retail stores:
1. Timed-Entry Ticket Slots
General admission tickets are sold with timed-entry reservation slots (e.g., 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM). Visitors must arrive within 30 minutes of their selected time slot, though once inside, guests may remain in the museum until closing time.
2. Dining & Stores (The Modern & MoMA Design Store)
MoMA houses several distinct dining and retail venues:
- MoMA Design Store (53rd St): Opens at 10:00 AM Monday through Saturday and 11:00 AM on Sunday, closing at 7:00 PM.
- The Modern (Michelin-Starred Dining): Operates separate lunch and dinner seatings, generally running lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Reservations required).
- Café 2 & Terrace Café: Casual in-gallery cafes open at 11:00 AM and close 30 minutes prior to main museum closure.
3. MoMA PS1 (Long Island City, Queens)
MoMA’s contemporary art outpost in Queens operates on a shortened weekly schedule:
- Thursday through Monday: Open 12:00 PM (Noon) to 6:00 PM (Saturdays open until 8:00 PM).
- Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed completely for exhibition setup and gallery maintenance.
Annual Holiday Schedules & Closures
Unlike many public institutions, MoMA remains open on most major federal holidays, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day.
MoMA observes complete closures on only two specific holidays each year:
| Museum / Institution | Standard Weekly Schedule | Closed Days | Late Night Openings | Annual Holiday Closures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM Daily | None (Open 7 Days) | Saturdays (until 7:00 PM) | Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day |
| The Metropolitan Museum (Met) | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sun–Thu) | Wednesdays | Fri & Sat (until 9:00 PM) | Thanksgiving, Christmas, First Mon in May |
| Guggenheim Museum | 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Sun–Fri) | None (Open 7 Days) | Saturdays (Pay-What-You-Wish until 8:00 PM) | Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day |
| Whitney Museum of American Art | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun) | Tuesdays | Fridays (until 10:00 PM) | Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day |
Practical Visiting Strategies for MoMA Guests
To avoid long queue lines and maximize your time in the galleries:
- Book the 10:30 AM Opening Slot: Reserving the first public timed-entry slot allows direct access to the 5th floor (where The Starry Night is displayed) before crowds accumulate after 11:30 AM.
- Take Advantage of Saturday Evenings: Saturday evening hours run until 7:00 PM. Visiting between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM offers lighter gallery foot traffic.
- Use the 54th Street Entrance: General admission ticketholders can enter via 11 West 53rd Street or the secondary 18 West 54th Street lobby, which often maintains much shorter security lines.