The Metropolitan Museum of Art is perhaps the most iconic art museum in New York City. Nestled among the greenery of Central Park, this enormous collection of art from around the world is a must-see. Due to the imposing size and breadth of its artwork, it’s best for visitors to pick one area, special exhibition, or event on which to focus. For locals, it’s a place to wander into again and again, whether you have an afternoon to let yourself get lost deep inside the permanent-collection galleries or you need a special place to duck into from the rain. With admission prices set at suggested amounts, this museum is open to anyone at a pay-what-you-can rate.
Programming for adults includes screenings of feature films and videos related to special exhibitions and the permanent collection, and the popular Concerts & Lectures series (in its 55th year), which present free lectures in conjunction with special exhibitions, the permanent collection, and other related topics.
Extensive programming for children and families includes family orientations (one-hour slide introductions to select special exhibitions), Story Time at the Met podcast episodes that present legends, myths, and other stories related to works of art in the museum’s collection, and thematic gallery tours and creative art activities.
Recent exhibitions have included a retrospective of the Italian painter Giorgio Morandi and a selection of work from the permanent collection titled Provocative Visions: Race and Identity, but don’t miss the rich permanent-collection galleries where the Egyptian, Greek and Roman, and Native American art are housed. In addition, the newly formed Young Members group is dedicated to the specific interests of members ages 21–35 from any membership level.
Metropolitan Museum Of Art (The Met) Information
- Public Transportation: Good (convenient to 4, 5, 6 subway lines at 86th Street and the M1–M4 buses at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street or Madison Avenue and 83rd Street)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good (accessible to wheelchair users via the street-level entrance at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street or the museum parking garage at Fifth and 80th)
- Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., closed Monday (except some Monday holidays)
- Admission: Suggested $20, seniors (65+) $15, students $10, members free, children under 12 free. Fee includes same-day admission to the main building and the Cloisters. No extra charge for entrance to special exhibitions. Group discounts on parties of 10 or more. School groups from within NYC are free
- Guided Tours: Free; gallery talks and guided tours do not require tickets or reservations. These programs usually last one hour and are geared toward an adult audience
- Audio Tours: General public $7, members $6, groups of 14 or fewer $6 each, groups of 15 or more $4 each, children under 12 $5. Audio guide players are free for visitors who are blind, partially sighted, or hard of hearing, and for New York City high school students with valid ID.
- Membership: Met Net is the basic level of membership for visitors who live within a 200-mile radius of the museum. $60/annual includes free admission, one-time use of the trustees’ dining room overlooking Central Park for Friday or Saturday dinner or weekend brunch, Met screen savers, online audio features for selected special exhibitions and the permanent collection, members-only offers in the online Met Store, 10% discount on museum merchandise, and discounts on audio guides.
- Other Benefits: Sustaining members ($500/annual) receive reciprocal membership to 14 other major art museums across the country. Individual members ($95/annual) get invitations for two to selected previews of two special exhibitions.
