Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met and Cloisters museums are world renowned for their vast collection of medieval art
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 at The Met Cloister Museum in Upper Manhattan. 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
Fee: Yes. See the official website for details.Metropolitan Museum of Art Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: Closed
- 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
Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Phone: (212) 535-7710
Official Website: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art Reviews
Rated out of 5
After viewing the Manhattan skyline from the Cantor Roof Garden Bar at the Met, my daughter and I took advantage of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's late Friday evening hours to view the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibit.
A superb collection of twelve different aspects of Black male dandyism spanning several hundred years.
I love seeing the personal belongings of W.E.B. Du Bois (his passport), André Leon Talley’s personalized 2007 Louis Vuitton luggage, and photographer Art Kane’s 1958 photo of 57 Jazz musicians on a Harlem brownstone, called “A Great Day in Harlem.” Those were some of my favorites, but if you love Bkavk history and culture, you need to get to the Met before the exhibit closes on the last Sunday in October.
Eugenia Russell Hargrove - a week ago
Wonderful, huge, so nice collections. A must see.
The museum was huge, and while taking a break, I took the chance to keep reading my thriller Honesty Bar (found it on Amazon — available in both English and French). It’s a gripping story that’s great for the whole family, taking me on a journey from Paris to Warsaw to the Seychelles. Absolutely loving it!
Stephane R. - 2 weeks ago
Many people had called it the greatest museum of their lives, so my expectations were high — yet it did not disappoint me in the slightest.
The Egyptian antiquities displayed on the first floor were pure awe. I was stunned by the exceptionally high-quality artworks that seemed impossible to have been created thousands of years ago. If I had had more time, I would have loved to spend about 12 hours exploring every detail.
I’m even considering coming back to New York solely to visit the Metropolitan Museum again.
안주영 (안주영 변호사) - 2 weeks ago
It was my very first time at The MET and the experience was absolutely incredible! The staff at the reception were welcoming and attentive, and the ticket entry was smooth with no lines at all. Security was also very friendly, which made everything even more pleasant. Every gallery is breathtaking, and the history behind each piece makes it even more fascinating. You could easily spend hours and hours exploring without ever getting bored. Truly unforgettable!
Ana Beatriz Costa - a month ago
Definitely worth the stop. We went right when they opened to beat the crowds, and it filled up fast as the day went on. Plan your time wisely. We spent five hours there and could have easily stayed twice as long.
Zach - in the last week
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 .
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Photo Gallery
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Medieval Carving ats the Cloisters cc licensed photo by miss_millions -
Photo Credit: Mary P Madigan - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: museado - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: museado - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: museado - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: museado - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: museado - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: New York National Guard - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: New York National Guard - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: New York National Guard - cc license via Flickr
