MoMA PS1

The Basics

MoMA PS1 is a New York beacon of the arts, with rotating exhibits and site-specific works by celebrated artists like James Turrel. Expect busy galleries, and crowds for special events such as the Sunday Sessions performances and the summer electronic music series, Warm Up. To skip the line, buy tickets online in advance.

Things to Know Before You Go

• If you purchase a ticket to the affiliated Museum of Modern Art, admission to MoMA PS1 is free.

• New York City residents always enjoy free admission to MoMA PS1.

How to Get There

Because of its Long Island City location—at 22-25 Jackson Avenue—MoMA PS1 is well-connected by subway, and convenient to access from Manhattan. Take the 7 train to the Court Square station, the E train to the Court Square-23rd Street station, or the G train to the 21 Street-Van Alst station.

When to Get There

MoMa PS1 is open Thursday through Monday, except on major holidays. Weekends tend to be crowded, and the museum often has more visitors before evening events. For fewer people, visit midweek or early in the day. Check the MoMA website for hours and events.

Art Along the Waterfront

Make the most of your art-filled day in Queens with a visit to Socrates Sculpture Park, located on the water in nearby Astoria. Pack a picnic lunch, and check out sculptures, multimedia installations, and views of Manhattan’s skyline. This free attraction is open daily till sundown, and is easiest to access via subway (take the N or W train to Broadway station) or quick taxi ride from PS1.

What's the difference between MoMA and MoMA PS1?

MoMa PS1 is a community-focused arts center affiliate of MoMA located in Long Island City, Queens (MoMa is in Midtown Manhattan), where you're more likely to encounter experimental art and avant-garde ideas. While MoMa features famous modern art, the smaller MoMA PS1 provides space for innovative up-and-coming artists.

Does a MoMA ticket include admission to MoMA PS1?

Yes, MoMA admission tickets include access to all galleries and special exhibitions at the museum and free admission to MoMA PS1 within 14 days of purchase. When visiting, remember that MoMA PS1 is in Queens's Long Island City neighborhood and focuses on new experimental art.

How much does admission to MoMA PS1 cost?

Admission to MoMA PS1 is free for members and New Yorkers—everyone else pays a suggested US$5–10. Tickets to MoMA in Midtown Manhattan are free for members and children and cost between US$17–30 (slightly less online) for everyone else. They include admission to MoMA PS1 for 14 days after purchase.

How long does it take to go through MoMA PS1?

Plan on spending about 1–1.5 hours to see all the exhibits at MoMA PS1. Tickets to MoMA include admission to MoMA PS1, so it is possible to see both the museum and MoMA PS1 in one day—remember that MoMA is in Manhattan while MoMA PS1 is in Queens.

Is MoMA PS1 good for kids?

MoMA PS1 is not a particularly good destination for kids. The space is in a former school building, but the exhibitions cater to contemporary artists and their followers rather than families. If you want to visit with kids, search the MoMA PS1 calendar for a rare youth-friendly event.

Is visiting MoMA PS1 worth it?

Visiting MoMA PS1 is worth it if you love experimental contemporary art—consider the exhibition space MoMA's younger progressive cousin. It also depends on whether you want to trek to Queens and when visiting—on weekends, PS1 hosts social events like Warm Up, a party-type gathering with bands, music experiments, and DJs.

Ways to explore

MoMA PS1 is a New York beacon of the arts, featuring rotating exhibits and site-specific works by celebrated artists, such as James Turrell. Expect busy galleries and crowds for special events such as the summer electronic music series, Warm Up. You can buy tickets online in advance or on the day at the gallery; free admission is offered to New York residents, MoMA members, and children aged 16 and under. The museum also hosts special events to introduce kids to the arts, including craft workshops and a family festival.

Accessibility

The museum is wheelchair accessible, and loan wheelchairs can be borrowed from the gallery entrance. Wheelchair-accessible outdoor seating and lockers are also available. A digital guide includes voice over, image zoom, and font size adjustment. Service animals are welcome.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, sketch pad and pencils (not colored pencils), camera

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes and layers or a sun hat, as some of the exhibits are outdoors.

Not allowed

Outside food and drink, tripods, luggage, umbrellas, selfie sticks, scooters, paints, colored pencils, crayons, markers

Amenities

Restrooms, Wi-Fi, lockers, umbrella rack, cloakroom, café, family activity guides, bookstore

Address

MoMA PS1 is in Long Island City, located within the borough of Queens. It’s best to travel by public transportation if possible—there are multiple options by subway or bus—or there are bike racks in front of the museum if you can cycle.

Driving

If driving, metered parking can be found nearby on Jackson Avenue. Alternatively, head to the Court Square Municipal Garage, a 5-minute walk away.

Public transportation

The nearest subway stations to the gallery are 21st Street–Van Alst, Court Square–23rd Street, and Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue; all stations are within a 10-minute walk and are served by multiple lines. Bus routes B32, B62, and Q67 all stop locally. Alternatively, take a ferry and disembark at Hunters Point South, then walk for 10 minutes.

Best times to visit

Don’t arrive too early in the morning, as the gallery typically opens from 12pm to 6pm. It opens slightly earlier at 10am on Saturdays.

Best days to visit

The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mondays and Thursdays tend to have fewer visitors than the weekends, although more events take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Best months to visit

The museum hosts a variety of special events during the summer months, which is a fun time to visit.

Special events

An annual Pride party is held in June. The Warm Up summer music series is in July and August.