VIBE

When the Museum of Modern Art was started in the 1920s by John D. Rockefeller’s wife Abby and two friends, the idea that a modern art museum could “take off” was so dubious that Rockefeller resisted coughing up any cash for the endeavor. Fast forward only a decade, and the museum had expanded dramatically (requiring a move to a striking custom-built Midtown tower) and was immensely popular–even skeptical Rockefeller had to approve. The original 1939 structure (with breathtaking recent additions by Yoshio Taniguchi) still houses the museum’s outstanding modern and contemporary collections, which range from design and photography to sculpture and painting. When every piece is a masterpiece, it’s hard to pick highlights, but canvases that caught our eyes include Van Gogh's The Starry Night, Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, Matisse’s The Dance I, and Edward Hopper’s House by the Railroad.

GO HERE WITH

Art buffs; a date; friends; kids

WHY WE LIKE IT

Not only are the collections incredible, but they’re also super user-friendly, making MoMA as appealing to art snobs as it is to kids and modern art skeptics. Keep your eyes peeled at all times because they’ve got so many masterpieces that you can find extremely famous artworks tucked away in obscure corners. And in nice weather, the Sculpture Garden is a fave of ours–it’s a great place to sit and enjoy some fresh air among impressive works of art.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The long lines.

GOOD TO KNOW

Entrance tickets may be pricey, but they also include admission to any films being shown that day and to the more avant-garde MoMA PS1 in Queens. (Another way to get more than your money’s worth is to check out the Free Fridays from 4:00pm-8:00pm…but be prepared for crowds.) It’s also definitely worth scoping the funky gizmos in the MoMA Design and Book Store and stopping for a bite at The Modern, which features fine French dining, delicious cocktails, and a view of the Sculpture Garden.

CLOSEST COMPS

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York); MoMA PS1 (New York); Tate Modern (London); Centre Pompidou (Paris)