The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest museum in the United States! In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you have to know to visit the MET from hours, how to get tickets, where it is located, a brief history, and what to see. This way you are prepared for a solo visit, or ideally, a guided tour of the MET.
Pro Tip: Planning your trip to the Met in New York City? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to NYC and the Met for more planning resources and find out if a tour of the Met is worth it.
The Met: What We’ll Cover
- Opening Hours and Tickets
- How Long to Budget for your Visit
- Famous Paintings & Works of Art
- Tour Options
- Places to Eat Inside and Nearby
- Facts & History of the MET
The MET Opening Hours & Tickets
Hours
Before you plan anything else, you need to know the MET’s hours. Luckily for you, the MET is open nearly every day of the year from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., except on Tuesdays & Wednesdays– when the museum is closed.
- Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Keep in mind that the MET is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25.
Tickets
- Adults: $25
- Seniors: $17
- Students: $12
- Children under 12: Free
Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a guided tour of the Met is worth it.
How Much Time to Budget for the MET
Short answer: 3 hours inside
Here’s what to expect for how long you should plan to spend during your visit to The Met. The museum is massive—the largest in the US—so that should be something to take into consideration. It also has a dense collection of paintings and sculptures. You could easily spend the entire day or more inside but that really depends on why you are headed to NYC.
I can tell you from experience that 3 hours tends to be the limit for most people. After that, the eyes start to glaze over a bit, unless art is a deep passion for them. Personally, I stick by that same rule. Your mind can only absorb so much beauty at one time! If you are an avid museum goer and really want to spend longer than that, then I highly recommend taking a break every 75 minutes or so.
A break means having a seat somewhere, usually in one of the cafés, and letting your mind rest. If you come in the afternoon, then a break means a cocktail!
Famous Works Of Art At The MET
- Burghers of Calais
- Gertrude Stein
- Paddy Flannigan
- The Death of Socrates
- The Gulf Stream
- The Lacemaker
- Venus Italica
- Washington Crossing the Delaware
- Study of a Young Woman
- The Musicians by Caravaggio
Read our article on the highlights of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for more in-depth descriptions, location, maps, and photos of each of the above-listed artwork.
MET Tour Options
Unless you are planning a trip to NYC on a shoestring budget, you should highly consider a guided tour of the MET. Aside from the line-skipping benefits of going with a knowledgeable guide, the museum is filled with masterpieces that span five millennia. It is a much better and more memorable experience with a guide. We offer Met tours with experience guides who can help you experience the best that The Met has to offer.
Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a guided tour of the Met is worth it.
Places To Eat Inside The Met and Nearby
There are two cafés inside the MET if you get famished or need a refreshing drink. They mostly sell coffee, pastries, and light eats. Outside the MET, you have endless food options since the museum is right in the middle of the city in Central Park.
Inside the MET
The American Wing Café $ | Charles Englehard Court | First floor
- Here you can enjoy coffee and other beverages. They also serve light snacks.
The Eatery $$ | Ground floor
- This is my favorite spot if I’m going to stop and eat something here. They cook a variety of seasonal dishes that they source from local farms and ranches, which means the meals are fresh and made from scratch. Kid-friendly options as well!
Outside the MET
Food Trucks: Quick and easy for eating like locals. They have a variety of different foods to try. Personally, I always love the classic hotdog trucks.
Address: Right in front of The Met
Dos Toros Taqueria: Great taco place. No frills, just great food.
Address: 1111 Lexington Ave
Vinnies Pizzeria: If you are looking for the old-school NYC pizza joint, then pop on over here for a slice.
Address: 1603 2nd Ave
Facts & History Of The Met
- The MET was founded on April 13th, 1870
- Today, there are more than 2 million pieces of artwork
- The artwork represents a period of over 5 millenia from pre-history to the present
- There is a section of musical instruments with over 4,000 items. The largest of its kind outside of Europe.
- In 2019 more than 4.5 million art lovers visited the MET
- There is actually a 2nd MET, called MET Cloisters and is dedicated exclusively to art & architecture of the Middle Ages
Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a guided tour of the Met is worth it.
Where to Stay in NYC
New York City is the center of the universe to those who adore this iconic city. Choose the best neighborhood to stay in as you plan your upcoming trip to the Big Apple.
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