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Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Your must-see list of masterpieces
By Lindsay Eagan

The Met is a New York institution! It will take you on a journey of art through thousands of years of civilization. Here's our guide to what you should see during your visit.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art – or the Met – is one of the world’s most famous art museums, containing a world-class collection of art from ancient to contemporary times. The Met’s permanent collection is always on view, and visitors can take a trip through time by walking through the architecturally impressive rooms.

Surrounded by the stunning location of Central Park, the Met is both easy to access and majestic to behold. Check out our helpful guide for visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, packed full of tips for visiting, places to eat nearby, and ways to save on a bunch of other popular area attractions.

Tips for visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met exterior

 

  • Make a plan: The Met is large, and it's easy to get lost or off track when exploring. If you’re trying to take in the whole place in one visit, start with one of the side wings (Greco-Roman off to the left, or Egyptian off to the right.) Not only will this lead you through to other rooms, but you’ll also experience a historical timeline of cultural production from around the world.
     
  • Stick around: The Met makes it easy for visitors to stay for an extended period of time, so don’t try and rush through. You’ll probably need 3-5 hours just to see the permanent collection, so take advantage of the resting spots –  in just about every room – which can give your feet a break and let you take in the atmosphere.
     
  • Download the app: The Met’s app is a handy way to make sure you see everything you want to without having to pull out your map every few steps. You can also access the audio tour for free on a smartphone by visiting the museum’s site and clicking on “Audio Guide.” Visitors can still rent devices at the museum if they wish.
     
  • See the Cloisters: Further uptown, the Cloisters are all about the art and architecture of Medieval Europe. With a ticket to the Met, you’ll also be able to visit the Cloisters on the same day.
     
  • Children under 12 receive free admission.

When's the best time to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Inside the Met

Weekends are always a busy time for NYC museums, so if you can, try and visit the Met during the week to cut down on crowds. For a special treat, on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Met serves cocktails with light snacks and live music on the Great Hall Balcony Bar, which overlooks the majestic lobby entrance.

Every year the Met installs a new work by a contemporary artist on the rooftop, which during the warmer months provides incredible views of Central Park, Midtown, and Upper Manhattan. Visitors during these seasons will have access to a rooftop cafe and bar.

What should I bring to the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
 

  • Camera: You’ll see some of the world’s most famous works of art, from ancient times to the Renaissance to modern masters. There are ample opportunities for memorable photos, particularly with interactive exhibitions like the Temple of Dendur. The Met won’t let you use selfie sticks, so bring a friend if you’re looking to document your trip in portraits.
     
  • A bottle of water: You can’t bring outside food and drink into the museum, but you can bring bottles of water. You’ll be spending a lot of time inside, so you’ll appreciate not having to track down a water fountain.
     
  • A sketch pad: For the creatively inclined, sitting in one of the galleries and sketching the artwork can be a truly unique way to remember your trip. The Met frowns on materials that can make a mess or potentially harm the artwork (no pens) and asks visitors to use pencils.

And that's it! With the Met’s security procedures, you won’t be able to bring much else with you. Visitors with backpacks or large bags will be required to check them, although purses are okay to be carried around. You’re better off not taking large items to avoid the long bag check lines.

What to see and do at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

There's so much to see, you could spend your entire day here. We've highlighted some of the best and most famous exhibits to help you create a game plan for your visit.

Greek and Roman art

Sculpture at the Met

Here, visitors can take in ancient Greek and Roman pottery, sculptures, and artifacts like jewelry and furniture. There are more than 17,000 works in this exhibition hall, dating from the Neolithic Era (4500 B.C.) to the time of Constantine's Roman Empire (312 A.D.). As you peruse the works, you'll be able to follow along with somewhat of a timeline and history told by these unique and expertly preserved artifacts.

Egyptian art

Egyptian art at the Met

You'll find 26,000 different artifacts and artworks in the Egyptian wing. In addition to the paintings, sculptures, and jewelry of the ancient Egyptians, the Met also houses the Temple of Dendur, a structure dating to before 10 BC. The Sackler Wing, the new home of the Temple, has an incredible installation with an indoor river, trees, and other related elements. Arguably one of the best exhibits in the museum.

It also features giant ceiling-to-floor windows that give visitors a bonus look out onto NYC's bustling streets.

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

This area covers an extensive history of tribal cultures from around the world. Visitors can view ancient artifacts like masks, ritual accessories, and a significant amount of textile work. With over 11,000 pieces, you'll get a better idea of cultures including ancient South America, sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and more.

East and Southeast Asian art

This is a huge area of the museum, as it contains examples of ancient work from all over Asia, including China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The oldest artifact in the building dates back to the third millennium BC. This is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Asian artwork in the entire Western Hemisphere.

Medieval art

The Met’s collection is home to a number of medieval pieces of art, both religious and secular. For those who want an extra dose of the era, a visit to the Met’s uptown Cloisters will be memorable for history buffs.

European exhibits

Sculpture and decorative art

Sculpture at the Met

For those looking for classic examples of Renaissance sculptures, this wing is home to famous sculptors such as Rodin and Bernini. Visitors can also experience rooms that are dedicated to certain periods and styles, fully furnished in their original manner.

Whether you are an art lover or not, the Met’s European paintings wing contains some of the world’s most recognizable artworks and artists from history. Rembrandt, Vermeer, Botticelli and others are represented in these strikingly designed rooms.

To continue through Europe's art history, more recent masters such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, Matisse and many more are represented in this area. Some of the most famous artists, such as Monet and Cézanne, have galleries dedicated to solo presentations of their work.

The American Wing

These rooms pay homage to American artwork, design, and architecture spanning from the 17th century to the early 20th century. Walk through staged rooms, halls of sculptures, and important examples of domestic art by artists of the past and present.

Modern and contemporary art

While the Met’s galleries are home to important artwork throughout history, they also have a wing dedicated to modern and contemporary works. Today, the exhibit hall holds 12,000 paintings dated from 1900 to the present day. You can see masterpieces by Dalí, Pollock and Warhol, and works by contemporary artists such as Kiki Smith and George Condo.

Van Gogh at the Met Museum

While the Met’s galleries are home to important artwork throughout history, they also have a wing dedicated to modern and contemporary works. Today, the exhibit hall holds 12,000 paintings dated from 1900 to the present day. You can see masterpieces by Dalí, Pollock and Warhol, and works by contemporary artists such as Kiki Smith and George Condo.

The Costume Institute

The Met’s annual celebrity-filled gala supports the Costume Institute, which brings temporary exhibits celebrating some of the world’s most important historical and contemporary fashion. Items from the permanent collection are also displayed throughout the year and include pieces dating back to the 15th century. For any fashion-lover, this is a can't miss.

Special exhibits

The Met hosts special exhibitions that rotate throughout the year, each exploring a medium or artist in depth. Consult the website before your visit to see which special exhibits you'd like to catch.

Rooftop

The Met inside view

If you visit during the summer, be sure to head up to the roof to take in views of Central Park and a rotating installation by contemporary artists. It's an awesome place to grab a drink, a quick bite, or just enjoy the view.

Attractions near the Met

Uptown Manhattan is home to some of New York’s top cultural destinations.

The Met Breuer

If the main building of the Metropolitan Museum of Art hasn't satiated all your art desires, head over to the Met Breuer, a satellite location just a few blocks away. This museum covers mediums from painting to sculpture, photography, textiles, and prints.

American Museum of Natural History

To take in even more history, a walk through Central Park will put visitors right at the American Museum of Natural History, one of New York’s most famous landmarks. This museum is one of the largest of its kind and is most famous for its collection of dinosaur fossils and the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.

From a 563-carat Star of India sapphire to a planet-eating dinosaur that roamed the earth 65 million years ago, there's so much to see here.

Guggenheim Museum

Guggenheim

If you haven’t seen enough art after the Met, a trip to nearby Guggenheim can give you a completely different experience of contemporary art. Housed in a landmark structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, visitors can walk the museum’s circular path to see exquisite examples of contemporary works.

Central Park Bike Rentals

Central Park in fall

Since you're at the park, you might as well explore it. Rent a bike and conquer all the paths, trails, and green spaces of the largest public city park with Central Park Full Day Bike Rentals.

Where to eat near the Metropolitan Museum of Art

There are three dining areas in the Museum itself, as well as the seasonal café on the rooftop during the summer. However, there are also several places to eat close to the Museum.

Grazie (Italian) 26 East 84th Street. For diners looking for a sit-down meal outside of the museum, Grazie is a favorite for locals, and their brunch is one of the Upper East Side’s best.

Nectar Café (Diner) 1090 Madison Ave. For a more casual option, Nectar gives a classic New York diner experience, with ample offerings for breakfast and lunch.

Le Pain Quotidien (Café) 1131 Madison Ave. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a coffee boost before or after the museum, or just want some light fare, Le Pain Quotidien always has a selection of pastries, salads, and sandwiches. Visitors can decide whether to take the items to go or to eat in.

Need to know details

The Met lion

Main Building Hours
 

  • Sunday–Thursday, 10am – 5:30pm
  • Friday and Saturday, 10am – 9pm
  • Galleries are cleared 15 minutes before closing
  • Closing: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and the first Monday in May

Directions & Address

1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street New York, NY 10024

Driving: From Lake Shore Drive, exit at 18th Street. Follow Museum Campus Drive around Soldier Field. Signs will indicate visitor parking.

Public Transportation: The closest subway stop is 86th Street. 

Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of New York attractions including The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observatory, the Statue of Liberty, and more.  

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.    

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 

Please note: the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is NOT on our passes.

Lindsay Eagan
Go City Travel Expert

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