Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Entrance and Facade of the Metropolitan Museum of 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 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 4.8 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating I can see why this museum is world-famous. I recently watched a movie called The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan that was said to have taken place here. Looks very similar. There's no way to see everything in one sitting. I focused on the areas I wanted to see most. There's so many art sections, something for everyone. You need to decide what's best for you.
Dave Cameron - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Wonderful place, but book at least 3-5hours, or half a day, there is sooooo much to see. Its crazy how many things and sections they have. But recommend to book tickets online, we did it and came in immediately, and to the till was long lane. Honest recommendation! Not expensive for what u get.
Aleksandra - a month ago

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5 Star Rating This Museum has something for everyone. Everything from Impressionist masterpieces - Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas - to the abstract impressionist painting of Jackson Pollock. The Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie House Room reconstruction is a must see for any architecture fan. The Egyptian collection is superb - and extensive. There are many rooms dedicated to sculpture from early Roman/Greek to ancient Cambodian treasures. My only complaints about the museum are the unexpected gallery closures ( the Jackson Pollock was unavailable on the day I went) and the lack of a 2-day ticket option ( with discount for a second day). It is impossible to see this whole museum in a day ( without your feet complaining bitterly) - so a second day is highly recommend or plan your itinerary before you go - so you make it to the exhibitions/ galleries you want to see. Line ups can be huge - but it is a huge gallery with plenty of space - so you will get in.... Eventually. Great disabled access, with large doors & lots of elevators. This is a Must-do.
Stephanie K - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating We took the subway to 86th St station (4, 5 or 6 train) for The Met museum followed by a short walk down 4 blocks to 82nd St and 5th Ave. A day is not enough to view this museum even if you are not a fan of museums. I could spend days observing the great sculptures and such a diverse collection of art and historic artifacts ranging from ancient era a few thousand years ago to modern contemporary as recent as 2026, if I had the energy to walk that long. But most parts can be covered typically within 3-4 hours, and those having additional interest can plan their next visit according. Becoming museum members offers great advantage to keep coming again and again and get discounts at the gift shop. NYC residents have the "pay what you want" option which sounds great. We bought tickets in the line which barely took 5-10 mins on a busy Saturday. They also offer to buy tickets online right at the venue to skip long queues, or even in advance. There's a nice cafeteria with great food and drinks if you need a refreshment break. Very nice and well maintained restrooms. And last but not least the souvenir shop is a must visit. They have a separate gift shop for the Vogue collection. There are even hearing aids available to listen to the description of all the artifacts at the front desk, for anyone with special needs upon request. Totally worth it and now you know what makes NYC so great!
Dukes Tango - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating This might be the best museum in New York I’ve ever been to. What I love about the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the Victorian style paintings, and also the Victorian rooms, filled with furniture and paintings from that era, which feels like you are immediately transported back to the 1800s. There are also millions of Egyptian paintings and tombs, which I find quite fascinating, and you probably will too. Overall, This museum is probably the best one out there, tickets priced at 30 dollars, which is quite affordable in my opinion. If you are visiting New York City and are looking for something fun to do, visit this museum.
Kyle Yeung - 5 months ago

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Directions

Subway and Bus Line Nearest Station Walking Time
4,5,686th Street10 minutes
1 / M8686th Street5 minutes
C / M7981st Street2 minutes
A (To the Cloister Museum and Garden)190th Street10 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 .

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