New York’s Museum of Modern Art Has a New Look

In 2004, MoMA reopened its doors after undergoing a two-year renovation. Since then, rave reviews and strong word of mouth have encouraged more than one million visitors to flock to the new space designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. Here are a few tips to avoid crowds and confusion on your visit.

Time Management
Mid-week mornings are the least crowded time to explore MoMA. On most days, MoMA is open from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and has extended hours on Friday evenings. Each week an average of 7,000 visitors take advantage of the “Free Fridays” sponsored by Target. Entrance is free from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. While this is a bargain (normal admission is $20), be warned, the museum gets jam-packed.

The museum has six floors (see sidebar 1) of art plus an outdoor sculpture garden. To save time once inside the museum, avoid the unwieldy bag check line and leave your backpacks and large parcels at the hotel (items larger than 11X14 inches must be checked).

Most visitors start at the lower levels and work their way up. Usually a bottleneck forms at Monet’s Water Lilies (1920) on the second floor; give this monumental triptych a moment of deference and then keep going up to the sixth floor. Work your way back down against the flow of traffic.

Expressionist lovers will want to head directly to the fifth floor to see Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night (1889). Keep an eye out for Matisse’s The Dance (1909) tucked into a stairwell on the fourth floor and don’t miss Jackson Pollack’s One (Number 31) (1950) on the fourth floor – a wonderful example of the Abstract Expressionist movement and the artist’s revolutionary “drip” method.

A Pit Stop
MoMA has two retail stores located on 53rd Street. The Design and Book Store is adjacent to the museum and features books, postcards, art reproductions and design objects. The Design Store across the street at 44 West 53rd offers jewelry, tabletop items, furniture and lighting. Both stores are open from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Here are a few unique souvenir suggestions.
âÂ?¢For big spenders, there’s the Isamu Noguchi coffee table. The contemporary piece consists of two interlocking walnut legs and a free-form glass top. $1000.
âÂ?¢The 10″ “Finlandia” vase by Alva Aalto is an elegant memento. The undulating shape of this vase allows for easy flower arranging. $130.
âÂ?¢A less expensive option is the iconic New York coffee cup. The ceramic piece is a replica of the cups first introduced in 1963 at many of New York’s Asian restaurants. $10.

If you can’t make up your mind while in New York don’t fret, MoMA offers its extensive collection at www.momastore.org.

Refueling
The museum houses more than 150,000 objects spread over 630,000 square feet. Trying to view even a portion of this collection can be exhausting. To re-energize, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the three museum restaurants: Terrace 5, Caf�© 2 and The Modern.

Terrace 5 is located on the museum’s 5th floor overlooking the sculpture garden. This full service cafÃ?© is a perfect spot for an afternoon treat. Try the “Taste of Terrace 5.” For $21, enjoy a savory bite, a dessert and beverage or coffee.

On the second floor, CafÃ?© 2 offers open seating. Guests order their meals at a counter and then grab any available table (servers bring the food to the table when it’s ready). A favorite selection is the mozzarella, tomato and pesto panini ($7.50).

For something more formal, The Modern restaurant offers a refined dining experience. Guests are advised to make reservations at this popular spot (212) 333-1220. By contrast, Terrace 5 or Caf�© 2 offer more flexibility for a midday meal.

Prep Work
Buy the book MoMA Highlights ($19.95 available at the gift shop or online) prior to your visit and earmark your personal “must-see” list.

MoMA offers an array of special programs for visitors including lectures, gallery talks, films and children’s programs. Check online to see what events will be offered during your visit at: www.moma.org/events. For current listings at the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters call 212.708.9480.

Whether you’re planning a full day of contemporary contemplation or a quick culture fix, MoMA is the most comprehensive place in New York to sample 20th century art. With a bit of planning, you can see the museum like a local.

MoMA Floor by Floor
1. Lobby, Sculpture Garden, The Modern
2. Contemporary Galleries, Media Gallery, Caf�© 2, MoMA Book Shop
3. Architecture and Design, Drawings, Photography, Special Exhibits
4. Painting and Sculpture II (1950s-1970s)
5. Painting and Sculpture I (1880s-1940s), Terrace 5
6. Special Exhibits.

Sidebar 2

Getting There
MoMA is located at 11 West 53rd Street. Via subway: take either the orange lines (B,D,V or F) to 50th/Rockefeller Center or the blue line (E) to Fifth Avenue/53rd Street. Via bus: ride the M1, M2, M3, M4, or M5 buses to 53rd Street (the buses run South along Fifth Avenue and North along Madison Avenue). Drivers should use the 1345 Parking Garage located at 101 West 54th St. (between 6th and 7th Avenues). Validate your parking stub at the museum’s Information Desk to receive the MoMA discount (rates start at $17 for two hours).