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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteChoose The Met for the widest sweep of art and history, MoMA for modern and contemporary work, and the Guggenheim for exhibitions experienced inside one of New York’s most distinctive buildings. Your best choice also depends on the date, neighborhood, admission eligibility, and what is actually on view.
Choose by the kind of art you want to see
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met is the strongest choice when you want breadth: collections spanning regions, media, and roughly 5,000 years of human history. Its visitor materials highlight areas including ancient Egypt, European paintings, arms and armor, Greek and Roman art, Japanese art, and fashion. Free guided tours are advertised in nine languages.
MoMA
MoMA is the focused choice for modern and contemporary art. The museum describes its collection as covering the 1880s to today, making it a natural fit for visitors seeking landmark painting, sculpture, photography, film, design, and newer work in one tightly defined artistic context.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim suits visitors who want current exhibitions and collection highlights in a building that is itself central to the experience. Its spiral architecture changes how galleries are encountered, so the museum is as much an architectural destination as a place to see art.
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At a glance
| Factor | The Met Fifth Avenue | MoMA | Guggenheim New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Global art and historical range | Modern and contemporary art | Architecture-centered visit and exhibitions |
| Address | 1000 Fifth Avenue, near 82nd Street | 11 West 53 Street | 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 88th Street |
| General adult admission shown | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Regular schedule shown | Sun–Tue and Thu, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri–Sat until 9 p.m.; closed Wednesday | Daily, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday until 8:30 p.m. | Daily, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. |
| Planning tools | Interactive map, Bloomberg Connects guide, artwork audio | Digital guide with map, audio, and self-guided tours | Digital Guide for exhibitions and selected artworks |
These prices and schedules were displayed on official museum pages checked September 30, 2026. They can change for holidays, special events, or policy updates, so verify the museum’s visit page before traveling.
Cost and admission differences
All three museums listed $30 general admission on the pages checked, but the headline price does not tell every visitor’s actual cost.
- The Met: New York State residents are listed as eligible for pay-what-you-wish admission. Children 12 and under are listed as free.
- MoMA: Children 16 and under are listed as free. New York State residents can receive free admission on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with advance reservation.
- Guggenheim: Children under 12 are listed as free, with discounts listed for students, seniors, and visitors with disabilities.
MoMA says advance online purchase is required to guarantee entry, although limited on-site tickets may be available. The Guggenheim recommends advance online reservations. The Met offers online ticketing; review its current rules before buying. MoMA and the Guggenheim also mention CityPASS, but whether a pass saves money depends on the rest of your itinerary.
Hours, location, and one-day planning
If you are staying in Midtown
MoMA, on West 53rd Street, is the most central of the three for a Midtown itinerary. The Met and Guggenheim are both on Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, but at different cross streets. Use a current map to plan the day’s route rather than assuming the museums are close together.
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If Wednesday is your only day
The Met is closed Wednesdays. MoMA and the Guggenheim list daily regular hours, subject to holiday exceptions and special schedules.
If Friday evening is available
The Met lists hours until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. MoMA lists Friday hours until 8:30 p.m. The Guggenheim’s regular schedule shown ends at 5:30 p.m., so it is less suitable for a late museum visit.
Can you visit The Met and MoMA in one day?
It is possible, but it is a demanding two-museum day. The museums are in different parts of Manhattan, and each can occupy several hours. Make it workable by choosing a short list of galleries at The Met, reserving a timed MoMA entry, and allowing travel and meal time. If either museum is a priority rather than a checkbox, give it a full visit instead.
Which museum fits your group?
Families with children
Compare the age policies before booking: the listed free-entry cutoff is 12 and under at The Met and the Guggenheim, and 16 and under at MoMA. The collection style matters too: MoMA’s concentrated modern-art presentation can be easier to frame around a few artists, while The Met offers more varied subjects and periods.
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The Met’s pay-what-you-wish policy and MoMA’s Friday-evening free-admission program are the key differences. MoMA’s free Friday program requires an advance reservation, so check availability before relying on it.
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Visitors carrying bags
The Met says small backpacks must be carried or worn on the front and that large bags or luggage are not allowed. Rules at any museum can change; check the current visitor policy, especially if you are arriving with travel baggage.
Visitors with a specific exhibition in mind
Start with the exhibition schedule, then choose the museum. A temporary exhibition can outweigh the general collection distinctions, particularly when your visit window is short.
A practical decision checklist
- Define your priority: choose broad historical coverage at The Met, modern and contemporary art at MoMA, or architecture plus exhibitions at the Guggenheim.
- Check what is open: review current exhibitions, galleries, and any timed-entry requirements for your exact date.
- Apply your eligibility: compare resident, child, student, senior, disability, and free-evening rules.
- Fit the route: match the museum’s neighborhood and closing time to the rest of your day.
- Reserve when needed: buy or reserve online where the museum says advance planning guarantees entry.
So, which one should you visit?
Pick The Met when you want the broadest possible journey through art and history. Pick MoMA when modern and contemporary art is the reason for the trip. Pick the Guggenheim when the building and its exhibition experience are part of what you want to see. There is no universal winner: the right museum is the one whose collection, hours, price rules, and location match your visit date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Guggenheim worth visiting if I am mainly interested in the building?
Yes. The architecture is a central part of the Guggenheim experience, alongside its exhibitions and collection highlights. Check the current exhibition schedule before you go.
Which museum is best for a first-time New York art visit?
Choose based on your interest rather than a universal ranking: The Met for maximum range, MoMA for modern and contemporary art, and the Guggenheim for architecture-led exhibitions.
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