We lost our Saturday to the MOMA Rain Room.
This Instagram was taken barely halfway through our arduous wait. At the two hour point, we decided to just commit to waiting however long to enter the most talked about exhibit this Summer. Well it took 5 hours dude. FIVE RIDICULOUS HOURS.
The 10-15 minutes we spent inside was glorious though. The exhibit is unique and really fun but I admit the photo ops are the main drawcard than the actual special effects of the exhibit.
1. Go early AND get membership
There are two lines at the entrance located on the 54th street side - the members' line is within the exhibit compound while the general admission (GA) line starts on the sidewalk outside the compound. Members not only get to visit early (from 9.30am), priority will continue to be given to members to join the inside line even after the general opening time of 10.30am. (When we joined the GA line around 9.45am, there were barely 20 people ahead of us, alas we did get to join the inside Members line until 2 hours later, around 11.30am)
Even with membership, the inside line is long - snaking around a number of times, the wait at the tail end of that queue is approximately 3 hours.
Museum membership is paramount to ensure that your wait does not exceed those three hours. With membership, you bypass all those waiting in the GA line regardless of what time you get there. Meaning your wait time at worst is only about three hours (Yes, I know how silly that sounds). The silver lining is that members can bring guests (so split that membership fee amongst friends and enemies alike).
There are also plenty of MOMA staff available for information - ask as to how long either lines are before devoting your time to any one of them.
2. Wear weather appropriate clothing (and prepare for the worst)
It rained during the the final hour of our wait. Ahh the irony. It was also far windier and colder than expected and I was glad that I had on warmer than necessary clothing. Also, wear appropriate footwear that will provide cushion for the hours you may be on your feet. I presume a foldable chair might be handy too.
3. Bring reading material, snacks, playing cards etc
Have with you anything that will make the time pass. You could also converse with your companion if that is your sort of thing. Luckily, this is no "NYE in Times Square" situation so leaving the line for more food or to go to the loo within the actual museum is perfectly allowed.
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| Mango top, Current/Elliot Stilettos in yellow polka dot (sim), Repetto red ballet flats |
4. Leave the kids at home
This one is obvious - that long weekend queue is no place for anyone under 15, no matter how fun a room full of rain might be.
After your visit, grab some famous chicken and rice from any of the carts on 53rd and Sixth - though if you are anything like me, you would probably want to punch someone before joining yet another line.
Yikes! But your pictures are pretty awesome! They're definitely worth it- great use of silhouette and light!
ReplyDeleteAnd forewarned is better- I thought it would be a cool aunt thing to take my nephew to see the artist from his fave book series. We ended up being in line for about 3 1/2 hours which is an eternity for a 9 year-old. He kinda suggested he wasn't sure it was worth it about 2 hours in and I felt terrible! He was pretty thrilled afterwards though, to have a drawing signed to him alone, and not shared with his older brother. he will forget the huge wait eventually, right? right?!
Oh goodness I don't know how you managed! I didn't know how to entertain MYSELF after a couple hours let alone a kid!
DeleteYou are such an awesome aunt though I am sure the wait is but a distant memory :)
5 HOURS? That's crazy. I've never waited in line for 5 hours before. The pictures are gorgeous though...for that I would say it was worth it.
ReplyDeleteI know Lisa - I am still so torn about whether it's worth it or not. In hindsight I would have not done 5 had I known in advance. 3 hours though? THAT I can manage!
DeleteThat's the kicker- once you've waited more than 2 hours you can't possibly give up! :)
DeleteOh I really want to check out this exhibit! It just looks beyond cool and it seems like I'll need to in line nice and early, battling the other tourists ;)
ReplyDeleteDea I hope you can visit on a weekday! Though I bet you will be battling fellow New Yorkers more than tourists!
DeleteThis looks so cool! I hope this is still going on in September. I'm thinking about visiting NYC for Labor Day Weekend and going to the U.S. Tennis Open. It has been on my list for years and now I want to cross it off!
ReplyDeleteOh Michelle - alas the rain room wraps up in late July! Hope you can make it here before September!
DeleteFIVE HOURS?!?! THAT'S BLOODY RIDICULOUS!!! Well, thanks for sharing the photos! I would definitely not be able to wait that long! 2 hours is the longest I've waited for an exhibition at the Grand Palais - I think it was the enormous Picasso one 2 years ago. But kudos to you for 5 hours! That wins the prize!
ReplyDeletex Milsters
Swear to God I don't know how we did it. I think not knowing how long it was going to be kept us going. I would NEVER have gone had I known it would be 5 hours. I did have my kindle though so lots of reading was accomplished
Delete5 hours is crazy. WOW! I'm just running through my head how much one could get done in 5 hours! I have a really dumb question to ask...what's the appeal of going into a room to get rained on? I guess I'll have to Google search this, I'm sure there is more to it, right? Thanks for braving the long line to report back for all of us! : )
ReplyDeleteWhat did we do for 5 hours? Reading - lots and lots of reading..
DeleteThere is possible no reason for this exhibit except for the photo ops - had I known it would have taken that long I would have said screw it
Did you take your pictures with an iphone or a real camera?? i want the best pictures possible if i'm going to wait in line for HOURS! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Alice - thanks for visiting. Definitely bring your real camera! Though you certainly want to take a couple of photos for Instagram!
DeleteI've heard that even though it doesn't rain on you, you do get a little bit wet? Would this hurt my camera at all or is it barely anything? Thanks for all of your help!
DeleteOh yes you do! But they are only drops of water - you don't get heavily rained on! That's the concept of the Rain Room after all - the rain stops when it senses you are there. If you are wary, don't open your lens cap until you know the rain has stopped for you. Have lots of fun :)
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