The MET: the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is a major museum comparable to the Louvre and the British Museum. The MET's collection is invaluable.
What You Need to Know About the MET, the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art is New York‘s most prestigious museum. This enormous museum opened to the public in 1872 and is commonly known by its nickname: the MET. The museum sits along the eastern edge of Central Park, in the Upper East Side neighborhood.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collections include more than two million artworks from around the world. You’ll find antiquities, Islamic art, American and European paintings, and photography. The MET also has a modern art collection. The museum holds an impressive selection of Impressionist paintings as well.
- Among the works on display at the MET are paintings by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Nicolas Poussin, Vermeer, Velázquez, and Veronese. An extraordinary collection of masterpieces.
Guided Tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Want to explore the MET with a guide? Book our guided tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art — 2.5 hours. Your tour price includes museum admission, and you can stay as long as you like after the tour ends.
What to See at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Given the size of the MET’s collections, you’ll need to be selective: it’s impossible to see everything in just a few hours. Focus on the periods and types of art that interest you most. You’d need entire days to explore it all.
- Between galleries, take a break on the rooftop terrace. You’ll enjoy beautiful views over Central Park and the Midtown skyline. The terrace is easy to reach, yet few visitors make the effort to go there. It’s a great spot.
- Beyond its Fifth Avenue location, the MET operates a second building in the northwest part of Manhattan, in Fort Tryon Park. The Cloisters is a remarkable gallery devoted to medieval art. You’ll find pieces from European abbeys, including sections from the Abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in southern France, which were moved stone by stone to New York.
Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York. The MET faces East 82nd Street, next to Central Park.
- Subway: 86 St (lines 4, 5, N, R, and Q).
- Hours: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is open daily except Wednesdays, from 10 am to 5 pm. Until 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, and the first Monday in May (Memorial Day).
- Admission: $30 for adults, $22 for seniors (65+), and $17 for students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York free?
No, admission to the Metropolitan Museum in New York is required. The MET once offered pay-what-you-wish hours, but that option is now reserved for New York residents only. If you don’t live in New York, you’ll need to pay for admission.
Is the Metropolitan Museum of New York the most visited museum in the city?
Yes, the Metropolitan Museum of New York is the most visited museum in the city, far ahead of other New York museums. The MET welcomed nearly 5.5 million visitors in 2024. It’s also the most visited museum in the United States.
What is the minimum age to visit the Metropolitan Museum of New York?
The Metropolitan Museum of New York welcomes visitors of all ages. That said, the museum works best for children starting around age 6. This allows them to discover art by exploring the museum’s highlights. The Egyptian galleries and medieval sections are especially popular with children, particularly the medieval knight armor.
Reviews of the Metropolitan Museum of New York
Reviews of the Metropolitan Museum from our Destination New York Facebook group
- Aline S.: “The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is a magnificent museum. A must-visit!”
- Géraldine P.: “Fascinating. The MET is one of the world’s greatest art museums.”
- Isabelle R.: “I didn’t have enough time, unfortunately. But it’s magnificent, and I recommend it. The challenge is that you’d need two days, and I’m not sure that’s even enough. It’s enormous — you can easily lose your bearings. But I saw incredible paintings of great beauty!”
- Ki Tsune: “Truly one of the finest museums I’ve visited, right up there with the MoMA.”
- Pascale O.: “Excellent museum — you need time to explore it properly, just like the Louvre.”
- Micheline C.: “The rooftop with its 360-degree views is a must. Don’t miss the artificial lawn and the curved glass window that creates an amazing optical illusion.”
The MET — Metropolitan Museum of Art in Photos
