The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most important art museums in the world. It features a collection of over 200,000 works spanning from the late 19th century to modern and contemporary art. Spread across multiple floors, the museum showcases a range of paintings, sculptures, photography, and design, giving visitors a wide view of modern and contemporary art. The size and variety of collections can feel a bit too much and might get confusing for a first-time visitor.
If you are also visiting MoMA for the first time, instead of trying to cover everything, it’s better to focus on what you have an interest in. This guide highlights the most famous artworks so you can explore them in an organized way and help you to plan your visit in a simple and stress-free way.
Top Must-See Artworks at MoMA
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous paintings at the Museum of Modern Art and is displayed on the 5th floor. Painted in 1889, this art piece was created by Van Gogh while staying at a mental asylum in Saint-Rémy. Inspired by the view from his window, the artist has painted the night sky filled with swirling stars above a quiet village, which makes it even more personal.
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso
The Museum of Modern Art displays Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, one of Pablo Picasso’s most significant works, on the 5th floor. The painting was made in 1907. The painting shows five women whose bodies are made using sharp shapes, and their faces look like masks instead of real faces.
Picasso was inspired by an African mask and Iberian sculpture, which can be seen in the way the faces are drawn. The painting is known for starting a new style of art called cubism. Even today, this artwork stands out because of its bold composition and unusual look.
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí
Created in 1931, The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí is one of the most well-known artworks at the Museum of Modern Art and is usually displayed on the 4th floor. The first thing people notice and remember in the painting is the melting watch, which Dali described as a symbol of the camembert of time. It suggests that time loses its meaning. Ants can be seen on one of the watches and represent decay, a common idea in his work.
At the center, there is a strange soft form that the museum describes as a monstrous fleshy creature and an approximation of Dali’s own face. The background shows golden cliffs that come from the coast of Catalonia. Dali printed everything in a very clear and detailed way to create confusion and discredit the world of reality, which is an important idea in his work.
Campbell’s Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
Campbell’s Soup Cans by Andy Warhol is an artwork at the Museum of Modern Art and is displayed on the 5th floor. It was made in 1962 and is a synthetic polymer paint on canvas. The work includes 32 canvases, each showing a different variety of Campbell’s. The paintings are arranged together, and each one looks very similar except for the flavor written on it, which shows the idea of repeating the same image again and again. While looking at the painting, it looks like how simple objects like soup cans are shown in the same way across all the panels.
Water Lilies by Claude Monet
Water Lilies by Claude Monet is a large painting at the Museum of Modern Art and is displayed on the 5th floor. It is an oil-on-canvas work from Monet’s Garden series crafted between 1914 to 1926. The painting shows this pond with water, light, and reflection instead of a pure shape. It is renowned for its calm feeling and the way colors blend. People usually find it on the 5th floor in the painting and sculpture gallery. When you look at it, you can notice how there is no clear horizon and how the surface looks like it is moving with the light.
Broadway Boogie Woogie by Piet Mondrian
Broadway Boogie Woogie by Piet Mondrian is a painting at the Museum of Modern Art and is displayed on the 5th floor. It was made in 1942 to 43, and it is an oil on canvas work. The painting uses small blocks of yellow, red, blue, and white arranged in a grid. It is Mondrian’s final work and shows a more complex rhythm of colored lines compared to his earlier paintings.
Best Exhibits and Galleries to Explore in MoMA, NYC
The Museum of Modern Art has different sections that help you explore modern and contemporary art in an easy way. The museum is so large that these sections make it simpler to move from one type of art and its artist to another without any kind of problem or confusion.
One of the most popular areas in the museum is the paintings and sculpture section, as it includes many famous artists and well-known artworks. This section also shows how art uses colours, shapes, and different kinds of materials in different ways. You can see both older and modern artworks over here. Some of the most loved art in this area is The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, Water Lilies by Claude Monet, and Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso. Many visitors enjoy seeing these artworks because of their beauty and importance in the history of art.
The museum also has a contemporary art section. These areas focus on the new artworks and the current ideas. The artworks here may look different from traditional paintings and often include new styles and concepts. One famous example is Campbell’s soup cans by Andy, which many visitors look for because of its bold and modern style.
Another highlight of MoMA you should not miss is the department of photography and film. In the photography section, artists use images to capture moments and express ideas. The film area shows moving images and storytelling through videos.
There is also a department of architecture and design. The section features models, objects, and designs that people use in their daily lives. It also helps you to understand how art connects with building spaces and things around you. Visitors even enjoy seeing furniture designs, posters, and everyday objects that are displayed as art.
All these sections are spread across different kinds of galleries inside the museum. While you’re exploring them, you can see different types of art step by step. It also makes it easier so that you focus on one section at a time instead of seeing everything at once.
Hidden Gems at MoMA Most Visitors
Many visitors come to the Museum of Modern Art to see famous works such as The Starry Night and many iconic masterpieces, whereas while exploring the iconic masterpieces, the ones that are famous, people usually forget the ones that are not that popular.
Posters and modern designs show how art connects with everyday life; it is one of the most respected collections at the MoMA.
Another area that is worth exploring is the photography galleries, which have a major photography collection that features the historic and modern images from around the world. Most people skip these galleries.
Temporary exhibitions are another hidden gem, as they regularly change. Throughout the year, they often feature different artists, new themes, special collections, or unique art styles that many visitors do not plan in advance. From these exhibitions, the visit feels different every time you visit.
If you have extra time, it is a good idea to explore paintings that are not that famous. MoMA has a strong collection in design, photography, film, and media; all these sections can make your visit feel more interesting, complete, and memorable.
What to See at MoMA in 1 to 2 Hours
If you only have 1 to 2 hours at the Museum of Modern Art, it is very important to follow a proper route so you do not miss out on the important things. Instead of trying to see everything, focus on the most important artworks first and then move through the key sections.
Starting with the uppermost floor, where many iconic works are displayed. This includes the most famous paintings, like The Starry Night and Les Demoiselles. These are some of the most visited pieces, so it’s better to see them first before it gets crowded.
After that, you should visit the 4th floor, where you can see a mix of modern works, including pieces like Campbell’s Soup Cans and Broadway Boogie Woogie. Instead of stopping everywhere, you should stop only at the places where your attention gets caught and move at your own pace.
If you still have some time left, you can quickly go through all other sections, like photography and design; you don’t have to cover everything. Instead, you should just feel like you got to see different types of art.
What to See at MoMA Right Now
The Museum of Modern Art regularly presents a variety of current exhibitions that are shown with the main collection. These exhibitions include different kinds of artists, ideas, and themes; it gives visitors something new to explore every time they visit, and it’s not similar to the permanent collection, which remains the same the entire time.
As of August 2026, some exhibitions at MoMA include Frida and Diego: the last dream (March to September 2026), Peggy Weil: core memory (till October 2026), and Marcel Duchamp, a major upcoming exhibition opening later in 2026.
Many of these exhibitions are there for only a limited period of time, and throughout the year, the recent exhibitions include Naufus Ramirez Figueroa, Elizabeth Murray, Face Value, and Peggy Weil.
The exhibitions at the museum are changed regularly, so it depends on when you go. It is always advisable to check the official MoMA exhibition page in advance to see the latest listings, and you can plan your visit accordingly.
Tips for Exploring MoMA Efficiently
It is always advisable to start your visit a little earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. At that time, the museum is less crowded, and you can move around easily and explore at your own pace
Using the audio guide during your visit can make a big difference as it gives you simplified explanations about the artworks in many different languages, such as English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean. This makes it easier to follow along in a language you prefer.
There are many different floors and galleries. It is advisable to focus on one floor at a time instead of trying to see everything together. This will help you to have a more organized and less confusing visit.
The museum is very large, so it is important to take your time and do not rush through every section. You should move at a comfortable pace so that you do not feel tired and enjoy the experience properly.
FAQs About What to see in MoMA
1. What should you not miss at MoMA NYC?
Some of the most unmissable artworks at MoMA include The Starry Night, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Water Lilies, Burden Space, and Number 31, 1950. These works are often highlighted as the key pieces and are considered essential for first-time visitors exploring the museum’s collection.
2. What is the biggest attraction at MoMA?
One of the biggest attractions at MoMA is The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. It is widely known as one of the most famous paintings in the world, and many visitors come specially to see it during their visit to the museum.
3. What special exhibits are currently at MoMA?
MoMA regularly features installations and projects such as Hyundai Card First Look exhibitions, MoMA Teens Program Creativity Lab activities, and ongoing Art Lab experiences. These exhibitions change over time and include a mix of contemporary works, interactive projects, and creative displays across the museum
4. What is MoMA NYC known for?
It is known for its collection of modern and contemporary art. It includes some of its most famous artworks in the world, bringing together paintings, sculptures, and other creative works that have shaped the history of art and continue to influence artists today.
5. Where are Van Gogh and Starry Night located now?
The Starry Night is currently housed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It is one of the museum’s first and most famous pieces and remains a major highlight for visitors coming from all around the world
6. Is the Starry Night at MoMA or the Met?
The Starry Night is located at MoMA, not the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has been part of MoMA’s permanent collection since 1941 and continues to be one of the museum’s most visited and recognized artworks.
7. What is the best artwork at MoMA?
The Starry Night by Van Gogh is often considered the best and most popular artwork at MOMA. It is located on the 5th floor and has been part of the museum’s prominent collection since 1941, attracting thousands of visitors every year.