The Metropolitan Museum of Art also referred to as the MET, is one of the world’s most famous art museums, located in New York City. The museum contains a world-class collection of art pieces dating back to ancient and contemporary times. Founded in 1870, the museum has undergone various transformations and expanded to become a huge museum The MET is home to over 5,000 years of artwork from all over the world. Thinking of visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Here’s a handy guide to help you plan your trip to the museum conveniently.
History of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Lawyer John Jay, along with a group of friends, gave the idea of establishing the famous museum. The museum was even established to be the home for the world’s famous antiquities including Roman and Greek art. In 1990, the Met was regarded to be the most famous art gallery in the world. The main building of the museum has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. It can also be related to its importance as a cultural institution.
Best Time to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Weekends are always busy in New York City. You should consider visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art during the weekdays to avoid the crowds. The Met conducts special events and serves cocktails along with light snacks on Fridays and Saturdays. Keep an eye on these events and plan your visit accordingly. Met also installs a new work on the rooftop every year by a contemporary artist. During this period, the visitors may be permitted to visit the rooftop and the bar. You can check the website for information on this and get access to some of the best views from the rooftop.
What Can I Bring to The Metropolitan Museum of Art?
If you are visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, you must follow their visitor guidelines. While entering the museum, the passengers will have to go through a security check. The mandatory check is done to see if you are not carrying any prohibited items to the museum.
Here are certain things that you can bring to The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
- Small backpacks
- Plastic or secure water bottles
- A sketch bad
- Camera
Here are certain things that you should avoid bringing to The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
- Large bags or luggage
- Musical instruments
- Electronic cigarettes
- Plants and flowers
- Dogs
- Glass containers or jars
- Aerosol cans
- Weapons and hazardous materials
- Any large object such as banners, frames, flags, shopping carts, or recreational equipment
What to See at The Metropolitan Museum of Art?
The museum has two main sections: the permanent collection and the rotating exhibits. The permanent collection has thousands of art pieces that depict art pieces from highly influential artists and contemporary times. Besides this, the rotating exhibitions showcase the evolution of art history in our modern society. Here are some of the exhibits that you must consider exploring if you are visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
- Greek and Roman Art
- Asian Art
- Medieval Art
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and The Americas
- The American Wing
- European Exhibits: European Painting, Sculpture, and Decorative Art
- The Rooftop
- Modern and Contemporary Art
- The Met Cloisters
- The Costume Exhibits
- Special exhibitions that are conducted at the museum
Tips for Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Here are certain things you must keep in mind if you are planning to visit the museum:
- Plan before visiting: The Met is huge and it may take hours to explore each artwork. You should consider planning which wing you would like to explore first and what you would like to visit.
- The Met allows visitors to stay for an extended period of time. Give your feet a break and visit it at your pace. You would probably need three to five hours for exploring the museum completely.
- Download the Met app: If you are not sure, you can also download the Met app. It also contains an audio section or audio guide which will help you go through the museum without pulling out the maps.
- You should consider exploring the Met Cloisters to learn more about the art and architecture of Medieval Europe.
- Children under 12 get free admission to the museum.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Operating Hours
Before planning a visit, you must also check The Metropolitan Museum of Art operating hours.
| Day | Timings of The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Timings of The Met Cloisters | Timings of The Met Dining Room |
| Monday | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 11:30 AM to 03:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 11:30 AM to 03:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 11:30 AM to 03:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM to 09:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 11:30 AM to 03:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM to 09:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | Closed |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM | Closed |
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Tickets
It will be ideal to buy and reserve the tickets in advance. Here are the prices for tickets to The Metropolitan Museum of Art:
| Category | Ticket Price |
| Child admission (under 12) | Free |
| Student admission (with valid ID) | $17.00 |
| Adult Admission | $30.00 |
| Seniors (Over 65) | $22 |
You can choose tickets for any of the two locations: The Met Fifth Avenue, or The Met Cloisters. You will have to buy two separate tickets if you want to explore both places. One can even consider taking a membership card to get free access to the museum.
Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Summing Up
Every museum in NYC has a distinctive appeal and collections which make it worth visiting. The Metropolitan Museum of Art focuses on contemporary art and collects artifacts across history. In the guide, we have answered all the questions that you must be aware of if you are visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Keep these things in mind and plan your trip to the Met conveniently. Stay tuned to Scott and Ben for more such guides and updates.