The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA, is one of the world’s most famous museums for modern and contemporary art. It sits in Midtown Manhattan and draws visitors from all over the world. A visit here shows how art changed from the late 1800s to today. You will see key works and big names in art history. But to enjoy the visit, it’s helpful to know the museum’s rules. These rules cover admission, items you can bring, and how to behave inside. They also explain what can be left at the museum’s checkroom and when larger belongings should instead be stored at nearby MoMA storage points. Knowing these basics makes your visit smoother and more relaxed.
Inside MoMA, the galleries show a wide range of art. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, design pieces, photographs, films, and more. You will find works like Vincent van Gogh’s swirling night sky in The Starry Night and Pablo Picasso’s bold Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans sit alongside works by Salvador Dalí and Claude Monet. MoMA’s current curatorial departments include Architecture and Design, Drawings and Prints, Film, Media and Performance, Painting and Sculpture, and Photography. Each floor has different highlights, from design objects to important films and historic photos.
The museum is busy, especially on weekends and during special shows. So plan ahead. A little planning helps you avoid waits and focus on what you want to see. Keep your personal items small or use the checkroom for eligible belongings. Read the signs when you enter. The staff is helpful and can answer questions about where to go and what to expect. You will get more from the visit if you move slowly and give yourself time to look.
MoMA Bag Policy
MoMA has a bag policy to protect the art and make the galleries comfortable for everyone. All bags are inspected upon arrival, and visitors pass through security when entering. The museum reserves the right to prohibit items and require visitors to check certain belongings.
Knowing the rules before you go will speed up your entrance. MoMA does not have a clear-bag requirement, so the important points are the size and type of your belongings and how backpacks are carried.
Types of Bags Allowed
MoMA allows personal bags and backpacks that comply with its size restrictions. The museum prohibits any object larger than 11 × 17 × 5 inches (28 × 43 × 13 cm).
Contrary to some older guidance, backpacks are allowed. However, they must be worn on the front of your chest or carried by hand at your side to reduce the risk of accidentally touching artwork.
All permitted bags remain subject to inspection. Visitors who need to carry medical equipment should inform security staff; accommodations can be made when medically necessary, including for a bag larger than the standard limit.
Types of Bags Not Allowed
Luggage of any size or type is prohibited at MoMA. Any other object larger than 11 × 17 × 5 inches may also be refused entry.
Other prohibited bulky items include large umbrellas, sporting equipment, e-scooters, recreational scooters, skateboards, wagons, hoverboards, roller skates, roller blades, and other wheeled recreational items.
Large umbrellas cannot be brought into the museum, although they may be left in the museum’s umbrella rack. Musical instruments are also on MoMA’s prohibited-items list.
If you are arriving directly from an airport, train station, or hotel with travel luggage, arrange external storage before visiting.
MoMA Lockers
MoMA does not offer public self-service lockers. Instead, the museum has two coat checkrooms: one for general visitors and one for members. The checkroom is included with museum admission.
You can leave eligible coats, bags, and other accepted belongings there during your visit. All checked articles must be collected before the museum closes, and items cannot be left overnight.
However, the checkroom has capacity limits and may stop accepting additional items before closing if it becomes full or museum operations require it. It also should not be considered luggage storage: luggage of any size or type is prohibited at MoMA.
If the checkroom is unavailable or you are traveling with a suitcase or other prohibited item, you will need an off-site storage option.
MoMA Transportation
MoMA is at 11 West 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Manhattan. The main entrance is on 53rd Street, close to Sixth Avenue.
The subway is often the fastest option. The closest station is 5 Avenue–53 St, served by the E and M trains. The station is directly across the street from MoMA, with the museum entrance farther west along 53rd Street.
Another nearby option is 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center, served by the B, D, F, and M trains, followed by a short walk to the museum.
Several MTA buses also serve Midtown and the Fifth Avenue area. Because routes and service patterns can change, it is best to check the current MTA trip planner before traveling.
Driving in Midtown is usually slow and parking is expensive. MoMA does not have its own public parking garage, but several private garages operate nearby, and some currently offer discounted rates for MoMA visitors when parking tickets are properly validated at the museum.
MoMA Camera Policy
MoMA permits still photography and video for personal, non-commercial use, unless otherwise indicated in a particular gallery, exhibition, or artwork.
Flash photography is not allowed. Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, camera extension poles, and professional video equipment are also prohibited.
Some exhibitions or individual works may have additional photography restrictions. Always look for signs and follow instructions from museum staff.
Commercial or professional photography requires appropriate permission from the museum.
MoMA Food Policy
MoMA generally prohibits outside food and drinks, but its current visitor guidelines include exceptions for items that are sealed or needed for family or medical purposes. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all times.
Food and drinks should not be consumed in the galleries. If you need food or drink for a medical or family-related reason, speak with staff if you have questions about where it may be used.
MoMA has several dining options inside the building. Café 2, on the second floor, offers family-friendly Italian-style dishes. The Terrace Café, on the sixth floor, serves shareable plates, salads, sandwiches, and desserts and has outdoor terrace seating. The Espresso Bar offers coffee and pastries, while The Modern, next to MoMA, is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the Sculpture Garden.
Water fountains are available near restroom areas throughout the museum.
Other MoMA Rules & Information
Sketching and writing are allowed in the galleries, but only pencils may be used. Colored pencils, crayons, markers, paint, adhesives, and similar materials are prohibited. Sketchbooks used in the galleries should be no larger than 8.5 × 11 inches.
MoMA is wheelchair accessible. Elevators are available throughout the museum, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are provided. Adult, adult-wide, and child-size wheelchairs are available for visitors, as are rollators and other accessibility resources.
Families with young children are welcome. Strollers are permitted in the museum, although access may occasionally be limited in certain galleries, and strollers cannot be used on escalators.
The main rule in the galleries is simple: do not touch the art. Visitors should remain at least an arm’s length from artworks and respect any barriers or stanchions. Touching artworks, frames, platforms, labels, display cases, or projection equipment is prohibited unless an installation is specifically intended to be interactive.
Running, rough play, and disruptive behavior are prohibited. Visitors should keep their voices at a courteous volume and set phones to vibrate or silent.
Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is prohibited anywhere on MoMA property, including the outdoor Sculpture Garden.
MoMA also allows same-day re-entry. Keep your admission ticket with you if you leave the museum and plan to return later that day.
Tips for Visitors
The most important tip is to check the official museum website before you go. The museum’s site has the latest information on opening hours, exhibitions, events, tickets, and temporary changes. General admission includes access to MoMA’s galleries and special exhibitions.
Travel light. There is no clear-bag policy, and bringing a transparent bag does not allow you to skip security because all bags are subject to inspection. Instead, use a small bag that complies with the museum’s 11 × 17 × 5-inch maximum object size. If you bring a backpack, wear it on your chest or carry it by hand at your side.
If you come with luggage or other belongings that MoMA will not accept, use Qeepl luggage storage near MoMA. Storage costs US$7.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of US$1,000.
Remember that MoMA’s own coat check is useful for eligible items but has limited capacity and may stop accepting additional belongings. It cannot be relied on for travel luggage, which is prohibited at the museum.
Go early if you can, but keep in mind that the entrance line can sometimes be longest shortly before opening. Crowds vary depending on the day, exhibitions, and special programs.
Take breaks. Walking through a large museum can be tiring. Pause in Café 2, the Terrace Café, one of the museum lounges, or the Sculpture Garden. A short rest helps you look more closely at fewer works and can make a long visit more enjoyable.
Use the museum’s free digital visitor resources. MoMA offers a guide through Bloomberg Connects with audio, self-guided tours, highlights, and an interactive map. Free MoMA Wi-Fi is also available.
Be mindful with photography. Still photography and video for personal, non-commercial use are generally permitted unless otherwise noted, but turn off the flash and leave tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and extension poles at home.
Plan your time. Decide in advance what you most want to see. If you have limited time, focus on collection highlights or the current special exhibitions. If you have a full day, move more slowly and take advantage of the museum’s same-day re-entry policy if you want a break outside.
Finally, be curious. MoMA houses a wide variety of works, and some may surprise you. Pause in front of things you do not immediately understand. Read the labels, listen to the digital guide, or ask museum staff for context. Art is often more rewarding when you give it a bit of time.
FAQ
Can you take a bag into MoMA?
Yes. You can bring a bag into MoMA as long as it complies with the museum’s rules. Objects larger than 11 × 17 × 5 inches are prohibited, and all bags are inspected upon arrival. Luggage of any size or type is not allowed.
Do they check bags at museums?
At MoMA, all bags are inspected upon arrival. The museum also reserves the right to prohibit particular items or require permitted belongings to be left at the coat check.
Can I take a backpack into museums?
At MoMA, yes. Backpacks are permitted if they comply with the museum’s size rules, but they must be worn on the front of your chest or carried by hand at your side to help protect the artwork. Other museums may have different policies.
Why do museums restrict how backpacks are carried?
Museums restrict backpacks to reduce the risk of accidental contact with artwork and to make crowded galleries easier to navigate. At MoMA, backpacks do not have to be checked solely because they are backpacks, but they must be carried on the front or by hand at your side.
