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Plan your visit to the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art opening hours

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings are easily the best time of the day to visit The Met to avoid crowds and have a relaxed experience at the museum, giving you enough time to explore all the collections at your own pace.

If you visit during peak tourist season that falls in the summer months, the museum can be a cool respite from New York’s summer heat. But if you want to avoid the tourist season, visit during late spring (March to April) and winter (December to February) for a quieter experience.

Where is The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

In the heart of New York City, The Met Museum of Art has branches in two iconic locations—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters.

  • The Met Fifth Avenue

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located on the east side of Central Park. Facing the Upper East Side, it is located between 79th and 84th Street.

Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street New York, NY, 10028 | Find on Maps

Closest Landmark: Central Park

  • The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters is located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan overlooking the Hudson River.

Address: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY, 10040 | Find on Maps

Closest Landmark: Fort Tryon Park

How to get to The Met Fifth Avenue?

By public transport

  • Subway: 86th Street is the closest subway stop to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is a 13 minute walk away.
  • Train: Take the Hudson, Harlem, or New Haven Line to Grand Central. Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walk three blocks west to Fifth Avenue.
  • Bus: The closest bus stops to The Metropolitan Museum Of Art are 5 Av/E 84 St, E 84 St/5 Av, and 5 Av/W 85 St Traverse which are a two minute walk away.
  • Taxi: You can hail a local taxi or book an Uber or Lyft to get to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

By car or bike

  • Car: The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is easily accessible by car. Parking is available at The Museum parking garage, located at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Daily parking rates:

Up to 1 Hour - $25

Up to 3 Hours - $42

Up to 5 Hours - $50

Up to 10 Hours - $55

Up to 24 Hours - $60

  • Bike: You can alternatively ride a bike to The Met. The closest Citi Bike stations to The Metropolitan Museum Of Art are 5 Ave & E 78th St, E 77th St & Park Ave, E 81st St & Park Ave, and E 84th St & Park Ave.

How to get to The Met Cloisters?

By public transport

  • Subway/Bus: Take the A train to 190th Street and exit the station by elevator. Walk north along Margaret Corbin Drive for approximately 10 minutes or transfer to the M4 bus and ride north one stop.
  • Bus: If you are coming from The Met Fifth Avenue, you may also take the M4 bus directly from Madison Avenue/83rd Street to the last stop.

By car or bike

  • Car: Take Henry Hudson Parkway northbound to the first exit after George Washington Bridge (Fort Tryon Park & The Cloisters). This exit is only accessible from the northbound lane. If coming from the north, take Henry Hudson Parkway southbound to exit 14 & 15, make a U-turn, and travel north one mile to the exit marked Fort Tryon Park & The Cloisters.
  • Parking: You can access the free city parking available in Fort Tryon Park.
  • Bike: If you plan on riding a bike, the closest Citi Bike stations to The Met Cloisters are on Broadway & Ellwood Street, Riverside Drive & Broadway, and Sherman Avenue & Thayer Street.

Know before you go

Facilities
Accessibility
Visiting with family
Rules & regulations
Dining
Stay
Nearby
Entrance
  • Parking: Parking facilities are available at The Metropolitan Museum Of Art. The Museum parking garage is located at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street.
  • Restrooms: An all-gender, family restroom is present on the Ground Floor, and the Mothers’ Room on Floor 4. Most restrooms have changing stations. Accessible restrooms are also available across the Museum.
  • Gift shop: The Met Store is located at both The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. It is open from Sunday to Tuesday and on Thursday between 10am and 5pm. The timing extends to 8:45pm on Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Wednesday.
  • Elevator: There are several elevators that visitors can use across the Met. The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is accessible to wheelchair users and others who need to avoid stairs. 
  • Accessible entrances are located at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street and through the parking garage at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street.
  • Accessibility at The Met Cloisters is somewhat limited for wheelchair users and those who need step-free access.
  • Caregivers of persons with disabilities are admitted for free. You can find these tickets at a Museum ticket counter.
  • Wheelchairs are available at the coat checks on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • You can request an accommodation based on a medical condition or disability. Contact the venue in advance if you require additional assistance.
  • Strollers, with the exception of oversized and jogging strollers, are permitted in most galleries. Frontfacing baby carriers are welcome.
  • Most restrooms have changing stations.
  • Children are welcome at every restaurant in the museum. The Eatery has booster seats, high chairs, and a kids’ menu available.
  • Parents may bring plastic water bottles and baby bottles into the galleries.
  • First aid care is also available at The Met. In case you need first aid, request the same from the nearest security officer.
  • Children twelve and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Advance reservations are required for all groups of 10 or more, and for any third-party guided tours, regardless of size.
  • The Met permits photography and video for private, non-commercial use only at The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters.
  • Please do not touch the artwork, frames, platforms, labels, display cases, or anything used to protect the art.
  • Cellphones should be set on vibrate or silent.
  • Outside food and drink (other than water) are not permitted inside The Metropolitan Museum Of Art.

Budget:

  • Blue Angel Hotel NYC, Ascend Hotel Collection: This hotel is a 37 minute walk away from The Metropolitan Museum Of Art. Other landmarks in the vicinity include Central Park, the United Nations, Times Square, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

Mid-range:

  • Loews Regency New York: Two blocks away from Fifth Avenue, this hotel is a 26 minute walk from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is located on 540 Park Avenue, at 61st Street.

Luxury:

  • The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel: Located on the Upper East Side part of New York, this luxury hotel is an 8 minute walk away from The Metropolitan Museum Of Art. You can access massage services, restaurants and a fitness center at the property itself.

Entrance into The Metropolitan Museum Of Art’s galleries requires a ticket.

The main entrance to The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is located at 82nd Street. Apart from the main entrance, accessible entrances are located at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street, along with the entrance through the parking garage at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street.

Both visitors and members are required to undergo a security check so be prepared for lines at the entrances as part of the security process.

What to see at The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

The American Wing

Since its founding in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum Of Art has consistently added significant pieces to its American art collection. The establishment of the American Wing in 1924 provided a space to showcase this collection of approximately 20,000 works of art which includes paintings, sculptures, works on paper, decorative arts, historical interiors, and architectural fragments.

The Costume Institute

What originally began as the Museum of Costume Art, merged with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1946. It later became a curatorial department known as The Costume Institute in 1959.

The Costume Institute proudly houses a collection exceeding 33,000 objects, showcasing stylish attire and accessories spanning seven centuries.

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Established in 1907, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection reflects the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The 50,000 objects in the collection include Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Bacchanal and Houdon's portrait of his infant daughter, Sabine.

Asian Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Asian Art collection encompasses more than 35,000 objects that represent the artistic achievements of six major cultural traditions through 5,000 years of history. It covers more than twenty modern nations, and a vast region that ranges from Afghanistan, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia across the Himalayas to China, Korea, and Japan.

Greek and Roman Art

The Met’s collection of Greek and Roman art comprises more than 30,000 works representing geographic regions of Greece and Italy, but not as delimited by modern political frontiers.

It includes the art of many cultures and is among the most comprehensive in North America.

The objects range from small, engraved gemstones to black-figure and red-figure painted vases to over-lifesize statues.

Arms and Armor

Created within The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1912, the strength of the Arms and Armor collection lies in its diversity, depth, and quality. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years. The aim of this collection is to preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker.

European Paintings

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s European Paintings collection boasts of more than 2,500 works of art from the 13th through the early 20th century. Its galleries present works by Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent van Gogh, among others.

Modern and Contemporary Art

The Modern and Contemporary Art department is devoted to the study, collection and exhibition of art from 1890 to the present. The department’s holdings range from paintings and sculptures, to works on paper, augmented by substantial and growing collections of international decorative arts and design, installation art, and time-based media.

Visitor tips

  • Keep aside 3-5 hours to fully enjoy the permanent collection, taking advantage of the many resting spots available in almost every room.
  • Wheelchair escorts for visitors who borrow a Museum wheelchair are currently unavailable.
  • If you require a step-free entrance, head over to the ground-level entrance at 81st Street and Fifth Avenue.
  • Bring your camera along to capture your Met experience! Keep in mind that selfie sticks aren't allowed, so consider bringing a friend if you want to document your journey through The Met’s collections.
  • Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art, but you can have access to a wonderful range of restaurants and cafes within the museum’s premises.
  • Expect to spend some time in queues at the entrance as part of the security process as visitors are required to undergo a security check.



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Frequently asked questions about visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art

How do I visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

You can visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art by booking tickets online here to soak in art and culture from around the world.

Why should I visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to over 5,000 years of art from around the world including works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso.

Can I visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art for free?

You require tickets for entry to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can purchase tickets here.

How do I book tickets to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

You can book tickets online to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

How much does it cost to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Ticket prices to The Metropolitan Museum of Art start from $52.7.

What is the best time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Weekday mornings are the best time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art for a less rushed experience.

What are The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s opening hours?

The Met welcomes visitors from 10am to 5pm from Sunday to Tuesday, and on Thursday, extending its hours to 9pm on Friday and Saturday.

Can I visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art in a group?

Yes, you can book a group tour for small groups of 15 people or fewer here.

Can I visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art with the kids?

Yes, The Met is a great place to visit with your family.

Is The Met wheelchair friendly?

Yes, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has accessible entries and exits, elevators across the property and wheelchair friendly restrooms.

Can I buy food and drinks at The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

A variety of restaurants are there to choose from within The Met premises.

How long does it take to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

We suggest spending about three or five hours to make the most of your visit to The Met.

Is it worth visiting The Met?

Yes, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is worth paying a visit to if you are in New York. Apart from its art, it is popular for hosting the Met Gala.