Museum of Modern Art

The fifth floor of the MoMA contains the most concentrated collection of iconic art and modern masters in this hemisphere. Around every corner, there is a familiar work by a famous name. And while the legends like van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, and Duchamp bring you up here, there are plenty of lesser-known artists to discover and explore. If you have limited time, all of it should be spent here.

The museum's collection of photographs is far too large and diverse to have any on permanent display. Instead, the museum rotates through its collection frequently, with particular emphasis on new and emerging photographers, in themed exhibits covering a wide range of topics. If you do not love what you see on one visit, come back in three months and see something completely new.

The MoMA may be one of the pricier museums in the city (though well-worth the cost), but the beautiful sculpture garden in the museum's backyard can be visited with or without a ticket--at least during the multi-year expansion. Like the roof of the Met, this is one of the great outdoor spaces in New York City and, weather permitting, you can enjoy a rotating set of impressive installations.