How to Visit the MET in 2022: Tickets, Hours, Tours & More!
Brandon Shaw
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 Travel Tip: Ever read something helpful only to lose track of the article? Bookmark this article in your browser so you can circle back to it when you’re ready to book.
What We’ll Cover
Opening Hours & MET Tickets/Admissions
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 & Admissions
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 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Keep in mind that the MET is closed on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25.
Admissions
Adults- $25
Seniors- $17
Students- $12
Children under 12- Free
How Long Time to Budget for the MET
Short Answer: 3 hours inside
If you are going to the MET and wondering how long to stay inside you came to the right place. 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 if not days inside but that really depends on why you are headed to NYC.
As an authorized tour guide, I can tell you from experience that 3 hours tends to be the limit for most people. After that their eyes start to glaze over a bit. 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.
A break means having a seat somewhere usually in one of the cafes and letting your mind rest. If you are going in the afternoon then a break means a cocktail!
Unless you are planning a trip to NYC on a shoestring, you should highly consider a guided tour of the MET. Aside from the line-skipping benefits of going with a guide, the museum is filled with masterpieces that span 5 millennia. It is a much better and more memorable experience with a guide. Visit the E-commerce side of our site and see a full list of our MET tours.
There are two cafes inside the MET if you plan if you get famished or need a refreshing drink. They mostly sell coffee, pastries, and light eats. Nearby the MET you have endless food options since the Museum is right in the middle of the city. See a shortlist below or our full article on where to eat near the MET.
Inside the MET
The American Wing Café– $ | Charles Englehard Court | 1st 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 & Easy and eat like the locals. They have a variety of different foods to try. Personally I stay with the classic hotdog trucks. Go for it!
Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.
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