Metropolitan Museum of Art

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The Met and Cloisters museums are world renowned for their vast collection of medieval art

Entrance and Facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art cc licensed photo by mbarrison

Nestled on eastern edge of Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most visited sites along New York City's Museum Mile. Known to locals as "The Met", the museum was founded in 1870 by a group of wealthy financiers and artists as an educational institution to cultivate art appreciation. The halls of The Met contain over two million works of art representing cultures spanning the globe from the Stone Age to modern day.

Visitors to The Met could spend weeks exploring the vast collections housed in the museum's 250 rooms. To get the most out of your visit, plan to visit the special exhibitions and more popular collections (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, 19th Century European paintings) early and visit other areas during peak hours. Various tours and lectures in a variety of foreign languages are given free of cost.

Part of the collection of medieval art and architecture is housed uptown at The Cloisters. Located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive in Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River, The Cloisters has been constructed from sections of medieval French monasteries and houses approximately 3,000 works of European art dating from the third to ninth century. Be sure to take time to wander the beautiful gardens after a coffee or light lunch at Trie Cloisters or posh New Leaf Cafe.

In the Main Building, there are several eateries ranging from moderate to expensive within the museum. During the summer months, The Met opens its Roof Garden Cafe, offering al fresco dining with panoramic views of the New York City skyline. During extended hours on Friday and Saturday, the Met offers a quintessential New York experience with a string quartet above the Great Hall. Cocktails and appetizers are available by candlelight at the Balcony Bar or enjoy the summer night sky at the rooftop martini bar.

Facts For Your Visit

Official Website: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fee: Yes. See the official website for details.

Closed Now

Regular Hours:
Hours may be subject to change. Please verify on the official website.

Monday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Category: Art Museums

Address: 1000 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10028

Phone: (212) 535-7710

Reviews

Yelp Rating:
4.5 out of 5 4.5 Star Rating
Based on 3453 Reviews.

See all reviews on Yelp

If you're visiting New York, The Met is an absolute must-see without a doubt. I loved it so much I can count on the fact that I will be returning time and... Read More

Susan O. Sep-28-2023

This review is for the new 81st Street Studio Pros: - Beautiful space, love the musical instruments and light stations. Sadly my 4-year-old was not... Read More

Ann L. Sep-26-2023

I've wanted to come here for years, so it was a must-stop while in NYC. This museum and the true display of its art is absolutely incredible - it's hard to... Read More

Alyssa A. Sep-09-2023

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Directions

Subway and Bus Line	Nearest Station	Walking Time
4,5,6	86th Street	10 minutes
1 / M86	86th Street	5 minutes
C / M79	81st Street	2 minutes
A (To the Cloister Museum and Garden)	190th Street	10 minutes

How to get to Metropolitan Museum of Art by Subway and Bus

Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walk three blocks west to 5th Avenue. Alternatively, take the 1 train to 86th Street, then the M86 cross-town bus to 5th Avenue or take the C train to 81st Street, then the M79 bus to 5th Ave.

To get to the Cloisters Museum and Garden, ride the A train to 190th Street and exit via the elevator. Walk north on Margaret Corbin Drive .