The Museum of Modern Art is located in Midtown Manhattan, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Since it is in a prime location, getting there is usually quite easy from most parts of the city.
Address: 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019, United States. Get Directions.
MoMA is well connected to every part of New York City, and you can get there easily by using any means of public transport, like a subway, bus, or taxi. As MoMA is located close to other popular attractions in NYC like the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and more, you can easily walk there if you are in the vicinity.
In this article, we will help you understand how to get to the Museum of Modern Art, NYC, by various means of transportation, explain the routes, and answer all frequently asked questions.
How to get to MoMA by Subway
The Museum of Modern Art is easy to reach by subway, and it’s one of the most commonly used ways to get there. Depending on the direction you travel, you can take the subway lines B, D, E, F, M, N, Q, or R. We recommend you take the subway line E or M to the Fifth Avenue/53rd Street station, which is a 2-minute walk from the museum and the closest option.
Other subway lines that take you to MoMA are the following:
- Take the B, D, F, or M train to the 47-50th Street Rockefeller Center station
- Take the B, D, or E train to 7th Avenue Station
- Take the N, Q, or R train to Fifth Avenue/59th Street station
The NYC subway costs $3 for a ride, making it the cheapest option to reach MoMA. The subway also helps avoid traffic, which makes a huge difference during busy hours.
Getting to MoMA by Bus
The Museum of Modern Art is quite easy to reach by bus. In most cases, bus routes such as M2, M3, M4, SIM 23, SIM 24, and SIM 25, running along 5th Avenue, are the most convenient option for visitors. The closest stop here is the 5 Ave/W 53 St.
You can take bus routes M5 and M7, which stop near 6th Ave, close to the museum. These buses usually stop between 50th and 55th streets, with the closest stop being 6th Ave & W 53rd St.
Visitors traveling from the west can take the M50 bus route to reach the E 50 St & 5 Av stop. If you are traveling towards Lower Manhattan or Soho, take the bus routes BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, or BM5 and drop off at the 5th Avenue & West 54th Street stop.
The Museum of Modern Art entrance located on 53rd Street is a 2 to 3-minute walk from all of the above-mentioned stops.
Visitors can use the NYC Metro Card or OMNY card to access public buses. Similar to the subway, a bus ride will cost you $3. While buses are cheap, you need to account for the additional time you might spend in traffic if you plan to reach the Museum of Modern Art by bus.
How to Reach MoMA by Taxi
If you do not prefer taking public transport or are not close to subway stations and bus stops, then taking a taxi is the next best and direct option available.
Taxis and ride services are available almost everywhere, so finding one usually doesn’t take much time. You can get off right next to the MoMA entrance on 53rd Street, making this a very convenient option.
You should also note that the museum doesn’t have its own parking. So it is advised that bringing your own car is not a great idea, especially when traffic and crowds are high. Hence, it is better to hail a taxi for convenience and comfort.
The local taxis are affordable but not as cheap as public transport. The base fare is $3, plus $0.70 per 1/5 mile or per 60 seconds of slow traffic. Additional costs include a $0.5 MTA tax, $1 to $1.25 rush hour/night surcharges, and a $0.75 congestion fee. All trips from JFK Airport to Manhattan charge a flat price of $70, excluding tolls and tips.
Driving to MoMA
Driving to the Museum of Modern Art is possible, but it requires additional planning due to traffic conditions in Midtown Manhattan. The museum is located in a central part of the city where roads remain busy throughout the day and especially during the peak hours.
There is no dedicated parking available at the museum. Visitors traveling by car need to park around the museum. While parking options are present, availability may vary depending on the time of visit. Due to traffic and parking limitations, driving is generally not the most preferred option for reaching the museum, especially when compared to public transport or taxi services.
MoMA offers discounted parking at ICON Parking at 1330 Sixth Avenue and the 1345 Garage at 1345 Sixth Avenue. The discounts are offered only for ticket holders. The charges range from $22 to $33 for 2 hours.
How to get to MoMA from popular locations in NYC
Due to its prime location in Midtown Manhattan, MoMA finds itself close to the city’s most popular attractions like Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the World Trade Center, and more. You can get to MoMA from these spots easily on foot or by public transport. Here is a detailed guide on how you can reach MoMA from popular locations in NYC.
How to get to MoMA from Times Square
Reaching MoMA from Times Square is very easy. Visitors can take the B, D, F, E, or M train from 42nd St Park Station and get off at 47 to 50 Street Rockefeller Center. The museum is a 5-minute walk from the station.
Walking from Times Square is also a good option. MoMA is 0.5 miles from Times Square and takes only 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your pace. This is also a nice opportunity to walk around Midtown Manhattan and explore the area.
How to get to MoMA from Central Park
Reaching MoMA from Central Park is very convenient, especially when you are on the southern side of the park. Many visitors usually walk to MoMA in around 10 to 15 minutes from Central Park. It can be a great option if the weather is good, and they would like to explore the area on the way.
Visitors who prefer public transport can use buses along 5th Avenue, including the M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5, which stop near the museum. From there it’s a short walk to the entrance.
Taxis and ride services are also very easy to find around Central Park, and they are the most comfortable and direct.
How to get to MoMA from Grand Central Terminal
Getting to MoMA from Grand Central Terminal is very easy. You can reach the Museum of Modern Art from the subway by taking the 7 train to 5th Avenue and then a short walk towards West 53rd St. It is a convenient option for those who usually prefer to use public transport.
Walking is also a good choice, especially when the weather is pleasant. The walk usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes, and you pass through the well-known Midtown streets, so visitors usually enjoy that route.
Taxis and ride services are also available outside the Grand Central Terminal. They offer a direct and comfortable journey, and they drop you at the entrance of the museum.
How to Get to MoMA PS1
Moma PS1 is located in Long Island City, Queens, and can be reached easily by subway, taxi, bus, or car. Since it is very close to Midtown, and the journey is usually very simple from most parts of New York City,
Address: 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101. Get Directions.
It is well-connected to different areas of the city through public transport. It is very convenient for visitors coming from Manhattan, Brooklyn, or nearby Queens, as most of the people choose the subway because it is one of the fastest and easiest ways to reach the museum.
Reaching MoMA PS1 by Subway
Visitors can take the G train to Court Square, which is a short walk from the MoMA PS1. Other subway lines include E, G, and M trains, which also stop at the Court Square station complex. Another alternative route is taking the R train to Queens Station, which is a 10-minute walk from the museum.
Getting to MoMA PS1 by Bus
For visitors coming from Queens or nearby regions, local bus routes such as Q32, Q39, Q60, Q67, Q69, Q100, Q101, and B62 are a convenient choice. Depending on the direction you are traveling, get off at either Jackson Avenue, Queens Plaza, or Court Square.
Bus travel can be a good option for those who want to avoid subways. It is always recommended to check the latest timings and details of the stops before starting your trip, as schedules may change during the day.
Taxi or Driving to MoMA PS1
Taking a taxi or ride service to MoMA PS1 allows visitors to travel directly to the museum without changing any means of transport. Taxis drop the passengers at the entrance, which is the most helpful option for families and visitors who have children or limited travel time.
If you are planning to drive to MoMA PS1, please note that the museum does not offer parking spots. You should plan to park at nearby paid parking areas available on Jackson Avenue and the Court Square Municipal Garage.
FAQs about getting to MoMA
1. How do I get to the MoMA Museum?
The easiest way is by subway lines B, D, E, F, or M, stopping close to the museum at 5th Ave and 53rd St or 47th to 50th St, Rockefeller Center. From there, it is a short walk of 2 to 5 minutes.
2. How do I reach MoMA by bus?
Buses M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5 run along 5th Ave. and stop close to the museum. After getting down, it’s a quick walk to reach the entrance on 53rd Street.
3. How do I get to MoMA from Grand Central
From Grand Central, take a short subway ride towards Midtown and get off near 5th Avenue. The remaining distance is very small and easily covered by walking.
4. Can I reach MoMA by taxi or cab?
Taxi and ride services are easily available across the city and drop off near 53rd Street. From there, the entrance is just a short walk
5. Is it easy to reach MoMA using public transport?
Yes, MoMA is well-connected by subway and buses, especially since it is in midtown Manhattan; most routes bring you very close, so the final walk is minimal
6. How do I get to MoMA PS1 Queens?
It is located in Long Island City. Visitors can use a subway, bus, taxi, or car. The subway line E, G and M are the best options to reach MoMA PS1.
7. How far is MoMA PS1 from MoMA 5th Avenue/53rd Street?
It is around 3 to 4 miles from the MoMA museum in Midtown Manhattan. The journey usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes by subway or taxi, depending on traffic and timings.
8. Which is the fastest way to get to MoMA?
The fastest way depends on where you are starting from; mostly, taxi or ride services are the quickest for direct travel. While the subway can be faster during heavy traffic hours.
9. Which is the cheapest way to get to MoMA?
The subway is usually the cheapest way to reach MoMA. It costs $3 for a ride to reach MoMA.
10. Which is the closest bus stop to MoMA?
Nearby bus stops are located along 5th Avenue, close to West 53rd Street.
11. Which is the closest metro station to MoMA?
The closest subway station to MAMA is the 5th Avenue 53rd Street Station, which is only a few steps away from the museum entrance.
12. Can I park at MoMA?
MoMA does not have its own parking garage, but nearby paid garages are available. The museum also offers discounted parking at selected partner garages for ticket holders.
13. Is there parking for disabled persons at MoMA?
MoMA does not have its own parking garage, but some nearby garages may offer accessible parking spaces.
14. Is free parking available near MoMA?
No, free parking near MoMA is very limited. Most nearby parking options are paid or metered street parking.
15. Is MoMA close to Central Park?
Yes, MoMA is 0.5 miles south of Central Park.
16. What is near MoMA NYC?
You can explore landmarks like Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Summit One Vanderbilt and more near MoMA NYC.