The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, is a world-famous art museum in New York City that you should not miss if you love art and culture. The museum has a vast collection of artworks from different periods and regions, from ancient Egypt to modern America. You can explore the museum’s 17 departments, each with its theme and style, and admire the masterpieces of artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, and more. You can also enjoy the museum’s special exhibitions, events, and programs that showcase the diversity and richness of art history.
We will guide you on Transportation Availability at the Met, including the best timings, hours, and tickets, what to see, and Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Collection. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular fan, you will find something new and exciting at the Met.
Best Timings, Hours, and Tickets: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The museum is open seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1, and the first Monday in May. The regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Fridays and Saturdays when the museum stays open until 9 p.m. The museum also has extended hours on some holidays and special occasions.
The admission fee for the museum is $25 for adults, $17 for seniors (65 and over), and $12 for students (with valid ID). No charge for kids under 12 who come with an adult. The admission fee includes access to both the main building and The Cloisters (a branch of the museum dedicated to medieval art and architecture in northern Manhattan). The admission fee is valid for three consecutive days.
If you are a New York State resident or a student from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, you can pay what you wish at the museum’s ticket counters. You can also purchase tickets online or at a kiosk outside the museum. If you buy tickets online, you can skip the line at the entrance.
The best time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art depends on your preference and availability. Generally speaking, weekdays are less crowded than weekends, and mornings are less crowded than afternoons. Some exhibitions may have long lines or require reservations. You can check the museum’s website for current information on shows and events.
Transportation Availability at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The museum is easily accessible by public transportation or car. You can take the subway (lines 4, 5, or 6) to 86th Street station or the bus (M1, M2, M3, M4) to Fifth Avenue. You can also take a taxi or a ride-sharing service to the museum’s address: 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street.
If you drive to the museum, you can park at one of the nearby garages or use the metered parking on the streets. This area has scarce and expensive parking options. You can also use a bike-sharing service like Citi Bike to visit the museum.
The museum has three entrances: the main one on Fifth Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets), the south one on 81st Street (near Madison Avenue), and the north one on 83rd Street (near Fifth Avenue). You can enter through any of them with your ticket.
Once inside the museum, you can use various tools and resources to enhance your visit. You can use the free audio guides that are available at several locations in the museum. Download the Met app on your smartphone or tablet to access maps, audio tours, highlights, and more. You can also join guided tours that are offered daily by trained volunteers or staff members. You can find more information about these options at the information desks or on the museum’s website.
What to See in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The museum has so much to offer that it is impossible to see everything in one visit. You can choose some of the most popular and important exhibits and galleries that suit your interests and tastes.
The Egyptian Temple of Dendur:
This is one of the most iconic and impressive exhibits in the museum. It is an ancient temple that was built around 15 BC by the Roman emperor Augustus in honor of the goddess Isis and two local deities. The temple was initially located in Nubia, near the Nile River, but it was dismantled and moved to New York in 1965 as a gift from Egypt to the United States. The temple is now displayed in a large glass-walled room that simulates its original setting by the water. You can admire the temple’s architecture, reliefs, and inscriptions, as well as other artifacts from ancient Egypt.
The European Paintings:
This is one of the most comprehensive and renowned collections of European paintings in the world. It spans from the 13th to the early 20th century and includes works by masters such as Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez, Goya, Turner, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Picasso, and many more. You can see some of the most famous and influential paintings in history, such as The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David, and Madame X by John Singer Sargent, Two artworks are The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh and Water Lilies by Claude Monet.
The American Wing:
This is one of the largest and most diverse collections of American art in the world. It covers from the colonial period to the early 20th century and includes paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, glassware, silverware, textiles, and more. You can see works by artists such as John Singleton Copley, Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, Winslow Homer, James McNeill Whistler, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Eakins, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, and many more. You can also see some of the most iconic symbols of American culture and history, such as Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, The Statue of Liberty by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (a model), and The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Grant Wood.
The Costume Institute:
This is one of the most popular and glamorous departments in the museum. It showcases the history and evolution of fashion and style from the 18th century to the present day. The Costume Institute has a collection of over 35,000 costumes and accessories from different countries and cultures. It also hosts special exhibitions that feature contemporary designers and celebrities. You can see some of the most stunning and influential creations in fashion history, such as dresses by Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Highlights of the Met, NYC
Here are some more Highlights of the Met, NYC you might want to know about the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC:
The Cloisters:
This is a branch of the museum that is located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan. It is dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, especially from the 12th to the 15th century. The Cloisters have a collection of over 2,000 artworks, including sculptures, paintings, stained glass, tapestries, manuscripts, and more. It also has four cloisters (courtyards) that are reconstructed from parts of medieval monasteries and churches. You can see some of the most remarkable and rare examples of medieval art, such as the Unicorn Tapestries, the Merode Altarpiece, and the Belles Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry.
The Roof Garden:
This is a seasonal outdoor space that is open from May to October on the roof of the museum’s main building. It offers spectacular views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. It also features a rotating series of contemporary art installations by various artists. You can enjoy some fresh air and sunshine while admiring some of the most innovative and creative artworks in the museum.
The Met Breuer:
This is another branch of the museum that is located on Madison Avenue at 75th Street. It is housed in a former building of the Whitney Museum of American Art that was designed by the architect Marcel Breuer. It focuses on modern and contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The Met Breuer has a collection of over 5,000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, videos, and more. It also hosts temporary exhibitions that explore various themes and topics in modern and contemporary art. You can see works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Louise Bourgeois, Cindy Sherman, and many more.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a treasure trove of art and culture that you should not miss when you visit New York City. It is a place where you can learn, enjoy, and be inspired by the beauty and diversity of human creativity. We hope you have a wonderful time at the Met!
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