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![]()
What a gorgeous experience.
The Met Museum — Brief Review
The Met is breathtaking in scale and richness, but it can get extremely crowded, even in winter. Popular galleries draw dense crowds, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed if you’re not prepared. Go in with a plan, arrive early if possible, and focus on a few sections rather than trying to see everything. Despite the crowds, the museum’s grandeur and world-class collections make it absolutely worth the visit—just allow time, patience, and comfortable shoes.
Shashank Kumar - a week ago
Definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Booking tickets was very convenient, especially with the help of our local friend in New York. Getting there was easy via Uber, but we highly recommend planning your visit in advance since the museum is massive. Having a map (if available) is extremely helpful.
Once inside, it feels like an endless journey through history—you can learn so much just walking through the exhibits. There are also spots inside where you can buy souvenirs.
We visited during peak hours in winter (December 2024), so it was very jam-packed. Because of that, we chose to eat at nearby restaurants instead. That said, they do have a canteen inside the museum, which is convenient. Even during busy times, there are plenty of food options just outside the museum as well.
Overall, it was a wonderful and enriching experience.
Franchesca Brianna De Guzman - a month ago
The Divine Egypt Exhibit at the Met was fabulous. If you have even a slight interest in archaeology and history, you must visit. Located on the second floor, there was so much to take in. The artifacts, sculptures, and scrolls were fascinating. I enjoyed learning about the ancient Egyptian world and how humans interacted with their gods and goddesses. One thing I would suggest is having a tour guide, as it would have helped us to take in the information more deeply.
This is not a one-day trip unless you’re ready to wear yourself out. The museum is huge and like a maze, where you could easily get lost without a map. Although we passed through various sections of the museum, we didn't get to see everything. So make sure to plan your visit accordingly, especially if you’re visiting from out of town.
Looking forward to returning to see what other works of art they have on display.
Tonya Ballard - 2 weeks ago
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was an incredible experience—like walking through the history of the world in one place, from Sudan to Chile and everywhere in between. If you’re planning a visit, set aside at least five hours; the museum is vast, and rushing it would be a mistake. Beyond the classical and historical collections, there are also some delightfully “funny” and abstract works that really stretch your imagination—pieces like I Dreamt I Saw Figure 5 in Gold demand creativity and patience to truly appreciate. It’s the kind of museum that challenges how you see art, culture, and time itself.
George W. Kajjumba - 2 weeks ago
Visiting the Met was pure joy! I truly left my heart there. The Greek, Persian, Egyptian, African and Native Americans sections were exceptional and deeply inspiring, making the experience feel immersive and timeless.
Even during the busy end-of-year rush, the coat-check system was well organized and helpful, which I truly appreciated. An unforgettable museum and one I will gladly return to.
Tina S - 3 weeks ago
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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 .
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Metropolitan Museum of Art:
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: 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

