A visit to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York

It’s true that the price of a ticket to the Museum of Modern Art in New York is expensive, so we ask: Is it really worth it to visit MoMA?

The Museum of Modern Art, better known as MoMA is one of the quintessential New York City Museums. Here you can find some of the most famous works of modern art. The permanent collection boasts the work of Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Evard Munch, Claude Monet among others. What’s more, the temporary exhibits are usually really interesting, as well. Every week they show independent movies and documentaries that are both relevant and engaging. Now the big question: Is it worth paying the 25 dollar admission fee?

Visiting MoMA in New York with a friend — Photo (by-nc-nd) by El Boquerón Viajero

Before answering that question, I should mention that with the New York Pass, it’s free admission…so if you already have the New York Pass, then there’s no worry of whether or not the experience of the museum will be worth the price. Another option is buying your tickets early and then you can forget about the lines. Now, if you are one of the people who did not buy any of the special passes and you don’t want to buy in advance, and you find yourself waiting outside the door with a long line wondering if it’s really worth the price of admission, I’ll try to give you a bit of a summary of what you might find inside so you can decide for yourselves.

The sculpture garden is a great place to take a rest when you visit MoMA in New York — Photo (by-nc-nd) by El Boquerón Viajero

The lobby of MoMA is really quite impressive. It takes up the whole first floor of the museum, and while it might seem overwhelming, the design actually helps to give a very modern air to the museum from the first moment you step inside. First thing is buying your tickets (for the general collection, the temporary exhibits or films, depending on what you’d like to see.) Then you can leave your coat in the coat check, which is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. Just thinking about how many coats are rotating around in that huge closet is impressive. Now you should be ready to begin your visit.

There is something for everyone in MoMA. For example, in this gallery you can see modern furniture — Photo (by-nc-nd) by El Boquerón Viajero

MoMA is one of the few museums that I always want to go back and visit. The permanent collection has so many gems that are like “friends” and I always want to go back and see them another time. My favorite room is the one with the work of Jackson Pollock. I love to sit in front of his gigantic paintings with colors splattered all over the canvas and get lost in the designs that seem to be there accidentally and the dancing lines. Another must for me is the room with the Fauve artists. Matisse is my favorite and there are some really interesting works at MoMA. Of course, if you try to see all the galleries, you will probably get tired out before making it through the whole museum, so it’s important to decide what you want to see before beginning your visit.

The work of Jackson Pollock in MoMA in New York — Photo (by-nc-nd) by El Boquerón Viajero

If it’s nice outside, the sculpture garden provides a great opportunity to sit among the sculptures and the plants as you take a bit of a rest in the fresh air. There is also a little bar where you can order a coffee and a bite to eat while you rest and chat about the art. It’s also neat because you can see the people inside the museum through the big glass walls.

A gallery talk about the work of Pablo Picasso in MoMA in New York — Photo (by-nc-nd) by El Boquerón Viajero

It’s also a good idea to take a look at the temporary exhibits before deciding what kind of ticket you’d like to buy. There are some very interesting temporary exhibits with the work of international artists that are usually quite well known. I remember really enjoying an exhibit of Dada art, and another exhibit of the Cut Outs by Matisse. The temporary exhibits are always impressive and give you something to think about, so definitely take a look at what will be on during the month you’re planning to visit.

Pedro enjoying the famous work of Van Gogh in MoMA — Photo (by-nc-nd) by El Boquerón Viajero

I think that what I like most about MoMA is the fact that there is really something for everyone. One gallery has different chairs and furniture, while a second has abstract paintings and a third shows the famous impressionist paintings that everyone has studied in High School. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t found SOMETHING that they enjoy in MoMA. Of course, depending on your budget and how long you’ll be staying in New York, you’ll have to be the judge of whether or not the visit is worth the money. (But I will say this in closing; MoMA has never let me down. In fact, it’s one of my favorite museums that I’ve seen to date!)