Social Access Guide

Welcome to The Museum of Modern Art

About this guide 🔍

We’re happy that you’re thinking of visiting The Museum of Modern Art, also known as MoMA.

This guide is designed to assist you in preparing for a visit to MoMA, whether you come on your own or with others. You might find this guide particularly helpful if you feel anxious or overwhelmed by the idea of visiting a large art museum. You can use the links on the left to jump to different sections of this guide.

You will find information about getting to MoMA and navigating the Museum once you’re here. You’ll also learn about what you might experience, the people who work here, and resources that will help you make the most of your time at the Museum.

Planning your visit

Once you’ve decided when you want to visit, you can purchase a ticket. You can plan ahead to visit or decide at the last minute that you’d like to come to MoMA. The Museum has many types of discounted tickets, including for visitors with disabilities.

Tip: Consider buying your ticket online and browsing Frequently Asked Questions before your visit.

Getting to MoMA 🚆 🚲 🚌 🦽 🚶

The Museum of Modern Art is located in midtown Manhattan at 11 West 53rd Street. There are several subway stations nearby, including the 5th Avenue-53rd Street station across the street, where you can find the E and M subway lines.

The entrance to MoMA is midway between Fifth and Sixth avenues, on the opposite side of the street as the 5th Avenue-53rd Street subway station.

Arriving at MoMA

When you arrive at the entrance to MoMA, you’ll notice the name of the Museum above the glass doors.

There may be a line to get in that begins at the entrance and extends down West 53rd Street toward Sixth Avenue. You will need to get into this line to enter MoMA. The line is often longest right before the Museum opens, but it typically moves quickly.

MoMA staff will be outside of the Museum to provide information and answer questions. They will be wearing a MoMA ID on a green lanyard.

Before going inside the Museum, you may find it helpful to pause outside briefly to look around and take a few deep breaths.

Safety and security 👮

To get into MoMA, you’ll enter through revolving or power-assist doors. Once inside MoMA, the first thing you will encounter is a security checkpoint and a metal detector. A security officer may ask to check what’s inside your bag. Our security officers are there to keep everyone safe.

Let security officers know if you need to bring medical equipment with you, as that will help make the security check-in more efficient. If that is the case, you will be allowed to bring a bag bigger than what’s shown in our visitor guidelines.

Tip: You can review this list of prohibited items in our visitor guidelines.

Helpful people

Once you’ve gone through the security checkpoint you will see other staff around the lobby helping to direct visitors and answer questions, including guest assistants and security officers. Security officers are also located on every floor and in most galleries. You can identify them by the dark suits and MoMA ID badges.

Lobby

Depending on the day and time you come to MoMA, the lobby might be quiet or crowded and noisy. If you need to sit down when you first enter, you’ll find seating to the left of the entrance, near the ticketing kiosks and MoMA Store.

Tip: You can locate calm spaces on this sensory map.

Ticketing 🎟️

If you didn’t purchase a ticket before your visit, you can purchase one at the main ticketing desk. When you get to the front of the line a staff member will help you and can answer any questions you have.

You can also purchase a ticket at a self-serve kiosk or on the website.

Tip: You can locate calm spaces on this sensory map.

Coat check 🧥

If you don’t want to carry your coat or belongings, you can leave them at the lobby coat check for free during your visit.

You will be given a coat check ticket when you drop off your belongings. Keep your ticket so that you can exchange it for your belongings at the end of your visit.

Please note, if you visit on a day when the coat check is closed you will need to keep all your belongings with you, so only bring what you absolutely need.

Tip: Take a photo of your coat check ticket so that you can show the photo if you lose your ticket.

Scanning your ticket 🎟️

Your ticket will be scanned by a staff person before you can enter the galleries. Keep your ticket throughout your visit. If you exit the galleries or Museum, it will be scanned again for same-day reentry.

Getting around

Elevators, restrooms, water fountains, and more 🚾 👶 🛗 🚽

Once your ticket is scanned, you can go to the galleries using an elevator, escalator, or stairs.

There are wheelchair-accessible restrooms with baby changing stations on all floors near the escalator. There are all-gender restrooms located on floors 1, 3W, 5 and T1.

Water fountains are located just outside most restrooms.

A Mamava lactation pod is located under the escalators on Floor 1.

Restaurants and cafés 🍽️

MoMA has several dining options. If you have dietary restrictions or concerns, please share those with your servers.

You cannot eat or drink in the galleries, but you are welcome to eat a small snack or have some water on one of the benches in the halls outside the galleries or in designated areas of the Sculpture Garden.

Charging stations 📱

There are charging stations at the Espresso Bar on Floor 2.

Exploring the galleries

Where should I start?

There’s a large digital screen in the lobby that shows all the exhibitions, collection galleries, and other things to see and do at MoMA. You might find it helpful to look at this screen to figure out what interests you and where things are located.

You can scan a QR code on this screen to access MoMA’s visitor guide or download the free Bloomberg Connects app to access MoMA Guide and listen to audio tours.

Experiencing art 🎨 🖼️

At MoMA you will see a range of art made over the last 150 years, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, prints, drawings, architecture, design, and media and performance works. You may notice that artists use many different materials and processes and depict a wide range of subjects and ideas in their art.

Everyone experiences art differently. You don’t need to know about modern and contemporary art to come to MoMA, and however you feel about a work of art is okay. Sometimes it can leave you with more questions than answers. We invite you to stay curious about the art and the reactions you have.

Take care of yourself if anything feels too loud, too bright, or overwhelming. Some galleries may have sensory or content advisories, but since everyone reacts differently it’s best to gauge how you’re feeling and give yourself a break when needed.

Free audio guide 🎧

You can learn more about the art on view, hearing perspectives of artists, curators, and more. Access MoMA’s free audio guide on the Museum’s website or on the free Bloomberg Connects app. Scan the QR code on the label or enter the audio number you see on the label to listen.

Tip: Bring your own headphones or earbuds to listen more closely.

Programs and events

Visit the events page on the Museum’s website to see if there is a program, workshop, performance, or film you want to experience.

Taking photos 📷

Taking photos can be a fun way to explore the Museum, engage socially online, and remember your visit. If you enjoy taking photos you are welcome to take photographs in most galleries at MoMA, but please do not use a flash.

Interactive spaces

At MoMA there are opportunities to make or engage with art in different ways. You can visit the Crown Creativity Lab on Floor 2 for a more participatory experience with art.

If you are visiting with children, check out the Heyman Family Art Lab. It’s in the building on the other side of the Sculpture Garden from the Museum, accessible through a hallway on Floor 2.

You’ll be greeted by a staff member who can orient you to the space and activities and answer any questions you may have.

Taking a break 🪑

Experiencing art and navigating the Museum can be tiring. There are many places to sit at the Museum, from benches in the galleries to chairs in the Sculpture Garden to couches in the Espresso Bar.

You are welcome to leave the Museum and come back later on the same day. Keep your ticket with you if you want to re-enter after taking a break outside of the Museum.

Additional tips for your visit

📍 If you are visiting with others and decide to split up, decide on a time and location to meet, such as a specific spot in the lobby or atrium. If you get separated and can’t locate them, you can ask a security officer to help.

⏳ The galleries can be crowded so walking slowly will reduce the chances of bumping into another person or a work of art. Try exploring art more closely with this Slow Looking itinerary.

Some art works may look like everyday objects, others might have unusual or inviting textures, and some are open to the elements in the Sculpture Garden. But it’s important to never touch any art unless there’s a sign that invites you to touch.

🧘 If at any point in your visit you feel disoriented or overwhelmed, ask a staff member for help. Other things that might help are: going to the restroom to run cold water over your hands or splashing your face, sitting down to have a drink or snack, finding a quieter location in the Museum, or going outside to the Sculpture Garden to get some fresh air

🕙 Go at your own pace. Some people like spending the whole day at MoMA, others spend under an hour, and everything in between. How much time you spend is up to you and all options are good. The most important thing is to check in to see how you feel and decide when you want to leave. Paying attention to how you feel helps you get the most out of your visit, so you can have fun and enjoy the art.

Leaving the Museum

When you are ready to leave, go to the main lobby. Don’t forget to pick up anything you may have left at coat check. You can either exit onto 53rd or 54th Street.

Thank you for visiting!

After your visit

After visiting a museum it can be nice to take some time to reflect on your experience, look at photos you took, browse the website for more information on your favorite art and artists, or discuss your visit with friends or family. What was your favorite part of the visit? What surprised you? What would have made your experience at MoMA better?

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any feedback about your visit, or any questions or concerns, please email [email protected]