The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Plan Your Visit

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.

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.