The New York Met Unveiled: Semi-Private Tour

Dive into NYC's largest museum to see modernism, impressionism, Renaissance art, and so much more

Travel Flexibly 5 / 5 See All 34 Reviews · 2.50h · New York, United States

Does a 600,000-square-foot museum sound a little overwhelming? Whether you’re a first time visitor or a lifelong New Yorker, seeing the best of the Met in few hours is a real challenge. But with our engaging art historian guides and a precisely planned itinerary, you can make it happen! Skip the line to see all the top works and hidden gems of the museum, from Washington Crossing the Delaware to the famous paintings of Van Gogh and Monet, and the entire ancient Egyptian temple found inside!

  • Skip the line at the Met
  • Ancient Greek and Roman Statues
  • Artifacts of Antiquity
  • Washington Crossing the Delaware
  • Le Brun's eye-catching Looking in a Mirror
  • Cezanne
  • Van Gogh
  • Jackson Pollock
  • The New American Wing
  • 2,000 year old Egyptian temple

After meeting your expert local guide near the Met main entrance, you'll join a semi-private group and head straight into the museum with skip-the-line tickets. For the next few hours, you're in the capable hands of an NYC guide who knows the Met like a second home. They'll make sure you reach those must-see masterpieces and epic installations, and you'll learn the fascinating stories behind the artworks and their creators along the way

Did you know that the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the fourth largest museum in the world? What do Jackie Kennedy, Central Park penthouses and an ancient Egyptian temple have to do with each other? Is there really an ancient biblical figure that moves around and "haunts" the Met? Your guide will explain all!

NYC Met Tour Description

Your 3-hour museum tour includes:

  • Skip-the-line Metropolitan Museum of Art Tickets (valid for the whole day)

  • Small group tour of the Met's famous artwork and installations

  • Washington Crossing the Delaware, The Death Of Socrates, and more!

  • An expert English-speaking art guide

  • Semi-private group size of 10

Early Civilizations

One of the first galleries your guide will take you through is a grand hall full of ancient Greek and Roman statues. You'll learn how to tell if a statue was made by Romans or Greeks in a very simple way, and you'll also explore a special area that the vast majority skip right past. After about 20 minutes, you'll set off to see the museums more modern artworks, but don't worry, you will be back in the Ancient world when you visit the Egyptian exhibits later on in the tour. The Met's most valuable piece is the complete Egyptian Temple that you'll see, and you'll learn the crazy history of how it got to New York City.

American Art

At the Met you'll see some of the most important works in the history of the United States. Home to pieces by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keefe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and many more, the MET has the ultimate collection of 20th Century American Art.

Your guide will also show you the iconic Washington Crossing the Delaware. This 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze is over 20 feet long and wide representing the most famous event of the American Revolutionary War on Christmas night 1776. Often seen as the turning point in the US' War of Independence, once George Washington and his troops landed in Trenton, New Jersey, they led a surprise attack on British and Hessian soldiers. This rout of a victory raised all spirits and led to the the establishment of an independent United States of America. You'll get to see this classic American painting up close as your guide tells you the background of its meaning and the story of its creator.

Impressionist Works

Not all great impressionist work is found in Paris. Right in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you'll see an incredible collection of 19th and 20th century Parisian works by Monet, Manet, Cezanne, and more. These paintings include works from Monet's Water Lillies collection as well as Manet's famous Boating and The Young Lady.

It won't only be French artists on display here, there are also many works by Van Gogh, Picasso, and incredible female artists like Rosa Bonheur, whose lesser known masterpiece The Horse Fair is found in the impressionist wing.

Explore More of the Met

As your tour comes to an end after three fascinating hours with you expert guide, you'll have seen all the main highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It doesn't have to be over though—your ticket is valid all day, so if you're keen for a second look at any of the masterpieces you've covered, or if you want to visit any particular exhibits you wish you'd had more time with, then you're free to explore independently for as long as you like!

What you get with this tour
Skip-the-line Metropolitan Museum of Art Tickets (valid for the whole day)
Small group tour of the Met's famous artwork and installations
Washington Crossing the Delaware, The Death Of Socrates, and more!
An expert English-speaking art guide
Maximum group size of 15
Tripadvisor Logo

See what people are saying

34 total reviews

Leave a review
5.0/5 (based on 34 reviews)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 stars
Tour with Robin
25 November 2023
L
Reviewed by
Laura McCorkle

Robin provided a wonderful tour! She has a wealth of art history knowledge. She was extremely helpful in getting us into the met and customized the tour to our interests. I highly recommend Robin!

21 November 2023
K
Reviewed by
Kelley Nobles

Stellar introductory tour of the Met Museum
15 October 2023
C
Reviewed by
Charles Joseph Carter

Superb guide. Great introduction to the the Met Museum collection and history. Highly recommend

show more reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Just some comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a sense of curiosity!

Can I re-enter after the tour?

Yes! The tickets into the Met are valid for the entire day.

What to bring?

Just some comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a sense of curiosity!

Can I bring my kids on this tour?

Of course! Kids can join at a slightly reduced price, and infants under 2 can come along for free.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

You'll be on your feet for the vast majority of this 3-hour tour so there's a fair amount of walking involved, although you will be stopping regularly to admire the artworks of course. Please water comfortable shoes.

Start From: $110.00

available days discounted days

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

Reserve Now $110.00 / per person
$110.00 / per person
You may also like
Day Trip

Day Trip

Niagara Falls Day Trip from New York City

Book a hassle-free trip to the mighty falls, with round-trip travel and Maid of the Mist boat tour

Day Trip

Day Trip

Boston in a Day Trip from New York City

Journey through American history from the Boston Massacre to Harvard University

Guided Tour

Guided Tour

Greenwich Village Local Food Tour in New York City

Eat your way through NYC’s most beloved neighborhood and feast on pizza, cannoli, sandwiches & more

guided tour

guided tour

Best of NYC Half Day Electric Bike Tour

From Central Park to Brooklyn Bridge, pedal through the city with electric ease and a fun NYC guide

Guided Tour

Guided Tour

Central Park Highlights Small Group Bike Tour

Ride through Manhattan’s world-famous park by bike with a friendly NYC guide

Guided Tour

Guided Tour

Hell's Kitchen Local Food Tour in New York City

Taste the world New York-style in Manhattan's eclectic culinary neighborhood with a foodie guide

New Tour

New Tour

Private NYC Helicopter Ride for Two

View Manhattan the ultra-exclusive way as you soar from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty

New Tour

New Tour

Iconic New York City Highlights Tour by Bus

Take in views of the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and more on this half-day guided bus tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Before the Crowds Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

See Lady Liberty up close and get in touch with your roots at the gateway to New York City

New Tour

New Tour

NYC Speakeasy and Prohibition History Tour

Step back to the Roaring '20s as you sip cocktails in New York’s coolest hidden pubs and bars

New Tour

New Tour

Private Group Helicopter Tour of New York City

Fly the skies with family or friends over Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium and more

New Tour

New Tour

Helicopter Flying Lessons Near NYC

Pilot your own R44 Raven II chopper on an exhilarating training flight. No experience required!