The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC: Tickets and Info

This website offers official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Skip The Line Ticket + Guided Tour

Highlights

Avoid waiting in the entrance queue for faster access.

Enjoy a guided walking tour led by an expert in English.

Explore a curated selection of iconic artworks and hidden treasures.

Small group size limited to 15 for a personalized experience.

Possibility of accessing VIP rooftop terraces if the upgrade is chosen, conditions permitting.

Good to Know Before Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Admission tickets are valid for entry to both The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters on the same day.

The museum is closed to the public every Wednesday, as well as on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Large bags, luggage, and musical instruments are not permitted inside the museum and cannot be checked at the coat rooms.

While photography for personal use is generally allowed, the use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is strictly prohibited in all galleries.

The Met is no longer “pay-as-you-wish” for out-of-state visitors; only New York State residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT can access suggested pricing with valid ID.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the galleries, though you may carry a plastic water bottle inside your bag.

Sketching is permitted with pencils only; the use of pens, markers, or paints is restricted to maintain the safety of the artwork.

Strollers are allowed in most areas of the museum, but they may be restricted in certain crowded special exhibitions or during peak hours.

Manual wheelchairs are available for free at the coat check on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors with mobility needs.

The museum is exceptionally large, so it is highly recommended to download the digital map or use the museum’s interactive website to plan your route in advance.

Essential Visitor Info

Timings
Address & Directions
Facilities
Accessibility

To make the most of your trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it is essential to note that the museum operates across two distinct locations with slightly different schedules.

Both sites are closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1, and the first Monday in May.

The Met Fifth Avenue

Located along Museum Mile, the main building houses the majority of the museum's expansive permanent collection and major rotating exhibitions.

Sunday - Tuesday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 10 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday - Saturday: 10 AM - 9 PM

The Met Cloisters

Situated in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, this location is dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe.

Thursday - Tuesday: 10 AM - 4:30 PM

Wednesday: Closed

Recommended Duration

Given the museum's immense scale - covering over two million square feet - it is impossible to see everything in a single day.

Most visitors find that three to five hours allows for a rewarding experience that covers a few specific departments (such as the Egyptian Wing or European Paintings) without causing significant "museum fatigue."

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located at two primary sites in Manhattan. While the Fifth Avenue location is situated in the heart of Museum Mile, the Cloisters is located in Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located at 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, at the intersection of 82nd Street.

By Subway: Take the 4, 5, or 6 trains to the 86th Street station. From there, it is approximately a 10-minute walk west toward Fifth Avenue. Alternatively, take the C train to 81st Street, then transfer to the M79 bus to cross Central Park to Fifth Avenue.

By Bus: The M1, M2, M3, and M4 buses run along Fifth Avenue (uptown) and Madison Avenue (downtown), stopping at or near 82nd Street. Cross-town bus options include the M79, M86, and M96, which provide access from the West Side.

By Car: The museum maintains an on-site parking garage at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street. Bicycle racks are available near the ground-floor entrance at 81st Street and inside the parking garage.

The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters is located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY 10040.

By Subway: Take the A train to 190th Street. Exit the station via the elevator and walk north along Margaret Corbin Drive for approximately 10 minutes. You may also take the 1 train to Dyckman Street, then walk west for roughly 15 minutes to reach the park entrance.

By Bus: The M4 bus provides direct service to the "Fort Tryon Park - The Cloisters" stop. In the summer months, this bus line connects the Fifth Avenue and Cloisters locations, though the journey can take over an hour.

By Car: Free public parking is available in Fort Tryon Park adjacent to the museum entrance. When driving from the south, take the Henry Hudson Parkway North to the first exit after the George Washington Bridge (Fort Tryon Park/The Cloisters).

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides a range of essential services designed to ensure a comfortable visit.

Upon entry, visitors have access to a coat check for umbrellas, backpacks, and large bags, all of which are prohibited in the galleries for the safety of the collection.

Strollers are permitted in most areas, though certain special exhibitions may have restrictions.

Large-print gallery plans and printed guides are available at the Great Hall Information Desk to help guests navigate the 17 curatorial departments.

For those requiring connectivity or a place to rest, free Wi-Fi is available throughout both the Fifth Avenue and Cloisters locations.

Restrooms are strategically placed on every floor of the main building, including family restrooms and nursing facilities.

If you are visiting with children, the 81st Street Studio offers a dedicated science and art play space designed specifically for families.

Lost and found services and first aid assistance are also managed through the security desks located in the Great Hall.

The Met is committed to providing full access to its collections and facilities for all visitors.

Both the Fifth Avenue and Cloisters locations are fully wheelchair accessible. At the Fifth Avenue building, a street-level accessible entrance is located at 81st Street. Manual wheelchairs are available free of charge at the coat checks on a first-come, first-served basis, and all public elevators are equipped with braille signage and lowered control panels.

For visitors who are blind or have low vision, the museum offers Audio Description tours via the museum’s digital guide. Large-print labels are available for major exhibitions, and Braille museum maps can be requested at the information desks. Guided "Picture This!" tours, which incorporate verbal descriptions and tactile components, are also held periodically to enhance the experience for the visually impaired community.

Guests who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing can access Assistive Listening Systems (FM and induction loop) for many gallery talks and programs. Sign Language interpretation is available for public tours and events upon request, provided the request is made at least two weeks in advance. Additionally, many of the videos featured in the galleries include open captioning.

For those with sensory sensitivities, the museum identifies "quiet zones" and provides sensory-friendly resources to help plan a comfortable route through the galleries.

About The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, founded in 1870, serves as a monumental repository of human achievement located on the edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile. Its vast permanent collection is organized into 17 curatorial departments, encompassing everything from classical antiquity and the ancient Near East to an exhaustive array of American and modern art. The museum is not merely a gallery but a sprawling architectural landmark, featuring famous installations such as the Temple of Dendur and the expansive American Wing, which provide immersive contexts for the artifacts they house.

Beyond its primary Fifth Avenue location, the institution extends its reach to The Met Cloisters in northern Manhattan, which is dedicated specifically to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The Met is globally recognized for its rigorous scholarship, world-class conservation efforts, and high-profile special exhibitions that draw millions of international visitors annually. By maintaining a collection that represents nearly every culture and era, the museum functions as a vital educational resource and a cornerstone of the New York City cultural landscape.

Area: 2,000,000 square feet (Main Building)

Galleries: Over 400

Permanent Collection: More than 2,000,000 objects

Annual Visitorship: Over 5.5 million

Why Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Global Artistic Diversity

The Met houses a collection that spans the entire globe, from the ancient Near East and Egypt to modern American masterpieces. Visitors can explore a vast array of cultures and eras within a single building, making it a definitive destination for understanding international heritage.

Architectural Marvels and Period Rooms

Beyond the framed paintings, the museum preserves entire historical environments, including an authentic Egyptian temple and ornate French drawing rooms. These immersive installations allow guests to step directly into different time periods and experience the architectural context of the past.

Iconic Masterpieces

The galleries are home to world-renowned works by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. Standing face-to-face with these original compositions provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the scale and detail that digital reproductions cannot capture.

The Roof Garden Commission

During the warmer months, the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden offers a rotating series of site-specific contemporary installations. This space provides a modern contrast to the historical galleries below, accompanied by panoramic views of the Central Park skyline.

A Center for Specialized Scholarship

Each department at the Met is curated by leading experts, ensuring that every display is backed by rigorous historical research. Whether you are interested in medieval armor or the evolution of musical instruments, the depth of information available makes every visit an educational experience.

The Met - Additional Info

Dining
Souvenir Store

Dining at the Met ranges from casual cafes to full-service seated experiences.

The The Met Dining Room at the Fifth Avenue location offers a sophisticated menu with views overlooking Central Park, making it a popular choice for a formal lunch or weekend brunch.

For a quicker, family-friendly option, the The Eatery on the ground floor provides a variety of seasonal soups, salads, and sandwiches in a spacious, self-service environment.

During the warmer months, the Cantor Rooftop Garden Bar serves cocktails and light snacks with an unmatched view of the Manhattan skyline.

At The Met Cloisters, the Trie Café offers an outdoor dining experience within the tranquil setting of the medieval-style gardens (seasonal). Regardless of where you choose to eat, the culinary offerings emphasize fresh, seasonal ingredients designed to complement a day of cultural exploration.

The Met Store offers an extensive selection of items inspired by 5,000 years of art history.

Visitors can find high-quality reproductions of jewelry, sculpture, and home decor that mirror specific pieces within the museum’s permanent collection.

The flagship store in the Great Hall also features an impressive array of art monographs, exhibition catalogues, and educational toys designed to foster an appreciation for art in younger audiences.

In addition to the main shop, several specialized satellite boutiques are located near major galleries, such as those dedicated to the American Wing or the Egyptian Art department.

These shops feature curated selections that reflect the specific themes of the surrounding exhibits. Whether you are looking for a simple postcard or a hand-crafted silk scarf, the store serves as a vital extension of the museum's mission to make art accessible to the public.

Interesting Facts about The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States and occupies over two million square feet in Central Park.

The museum’s permanent collection contains more than two million individual works of art divided across seventeen curatorial departments.

The Temple of Dendur, an ancient Egyptian monument from 15 B.C., was gifted by Egypt to the United States and is housed in a custom-built wing.

The Met Fifth Avenue was designed by several architects over time, but its famous Beaux-Arts facade was created by Richard Morris Hunt.

The museum’s European Paintings department holds approximately 2,500 works, including one of the world's most significant collections of Dutch masterpieces.

The Met Cloisters was constructed using architectural elements from five different medieval French abbeys transported to New York.

The museum maintains a professional conservation staff that uses advanced chemistry and imaging to preserve and restore fragile artifacts.

The institution was founded in 1870 by a group of American citizens who wanted to bring art and art education to the American public.

In the Arms and Armor department, the collection includes the ornate parade armor belonging to King Henry VIII of England.

The Met’s Costume Institute is the only curatorial department that must find outside funding for its exhibitions and operations.

The museum's rooftop garden features a new site-specific contemporary art installation every year between the months of April and October.

The Great Hall features four massive floral niches that are refreshed weekly with towering arrangements of seasonal flowers.

The Met’s collection of musical instruments includes the world’s oldest surviving piano, which dates back to the year 1720.

The American Wing features a glass-enclosed courtyard that houses the original 1823 facade of the United States Branch Bank.

The museum’s library system, known as the Thomas J. Watson Library, contains more than one million volumes and is one of the world's largest art research libraries.

The Met - Highlights in Pictures

FAQs about The Met

When was The Metropolitan Museum of Art founded?

The museum was founded in 1870 by a group of American citizens, including businessmen, artists, and thinkers.

Who designed the famous Fifth Avenue facade of the museum?

The iconic Beaux-Arts facade and Great Hall were designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1902.

What is the architectural significance of The Met Cloisters?

The building incorporates architectural elements from five different medieval French abbeys to create a harmonious historical setting.

How large is the museum's permanent collection?

The collection contains more than two million individual objects divided across seventeen distinct curatorial departments.

What is the Temple of Dendur?

It is an authentic ancient Egyptian temple from 15 B.C. that was gifted to the United States and reassembled inside the museum.

Where is the world’s oldest surviving piano located?

The instrument, dating back to 1720, is part of the museum's extensive collection of musical instruments.

Does the museum have multiple locations?

Yes, the institution operates two sites: the main building on Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters in northern Manhattan.

Are tickets valid for both museum locations?

Admission tickets grant entry to both The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters on the same day.

Is the museum open every day of the week?

Both locations are closed to the public every Wednesday and on major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What are the evening hours for the Fifth Avenue location?

The main building remains open until 9 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Can I bring a large backpack or luggage into the galleries?

Large bags and luggage are prohibited for safety reasons and cannot be stored in the museum's coat rooms.

Is photography allowed inside the museum?

Still photography for personal use is permitted, but the use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is strictly forbidden.

What is the policy for sketching in the galleries?

Visitors may sketch with pencils only, as pens and paints are restricted to protect the artwork.

Are wheelchairs available for visitors with mobility needs?

Manual wheelchairs are provided free of charge at the coat check on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are strollers permitted throughout the building?

Strollers are generally allowed, though they may be restricted in certain special exhibitions during peak hours.

Can I bring my own food into the museum?

Outside food and drinks are not allowed, but you may carry a plastic water bottle inside a bag.