More about: MET Museum in New York: Tickets and Tours
The MET is undoubtedly one of the best museums in New York: you can travel across five continents in a single day. It's easy to be transported back in time with its collection of artworks spanning over 5,000 years of history, covering all cultures and eras.
You'll immerse yourself in ancient Egypt through the Egyptian temple of Dendur, whose construction was commissioned by Emperor Augustus and dates back to 15 BC. It's the oldest building in New York! You can also see a collection of costumes from different eras and take a selfie from its spectacular terrace, overlooking Central Park and the city's skyscrapers.
In this article, I explain how to get discounted tickets, the best works housed inside the museum, and all the tips you need to know to make the most of your visit and not miss a thing along the way. Keep reading!
New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) Small Group Guided Tour
Discover one of New York's most important museums with an expert guide
Learn about the works of Van Gogh or Velázquez, or take a journey through ancient Egypt on a 3-hour tour that will give you a greater appreciation of the art housed in this must-see museum.
It's not always possible to take a tour of more than 5,000 years of art history from around the world. So, if you've already decided to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, you won't want to leave your visit to one of the most important museums in the world half-finished and miss out on the details of the great works it houses by going on your own.
The best way to discover the MET is to take a guided tour that shows you the details, historical context, and legends behind each work of art, led by an expert guide.
Recommended if... You are someone who is not satisfied with just "strolling" through museums, but prefers to delve deeper and learn about the history of the works.
What is the guided tour of the MET like?
In a small group of no more than 15 people, this guided tour of the MET in New York takes you on a three-hour tour of all the museum's galleries. The expert art history guide will show you the best of this unique museum, which houses everything from an intact Egyptian temple to works by Picasso and Rembrandt.
This tour is designed to take you from the most ancient civilizations to modernity on a journey through all the cultures of the world. What's more, at the end of the tour you will have exclusive access to the museum's VIP rooftop terraces. Relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of Central Park from there!
Book your visit to the MET Museum in advance
Currently, the MET requires all visitors to make their reservations online before arriving at the museum. So, to avoid unnecessary hassle and queues, I suggest you buy your tickets in advance. With the guided tour of the MET at Hellotickets, you can secure a spot in the group by booking the day that suits you best.
It is best to buy your ticket online and in advance, due to the high demand for this temple of art. It is one of the most visited places in the Big Apple, along with the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, so you may not be able to get a ticket for the day you want.
However, if you prefer to visit at your own pace, you can buy individual tickets starting at €30 for adults. You can do this on their official website.
The other two MET museums: Fifth Avenue and The Cloisters
You can visit the three locations that make up the MET Museum on three consecutive days: the main one, The Met on Fifth Avenue; The MET Breuer, which specializes in modern and contemporary art, although it is currently closed; and The Met Cloisters, my favorite.
The latter, located in a medieval-style monastery, specializes in medieval European art and architecture. And it's magical! Did you know that it was built between 1934 and 1938 by transporting stone by stone from six French abbeys and a monastery in a village in Segovia?
An interesting fact! Take a look at its orchards and gardens: the plants and trees are the same as you would have found in a medieval abbey. Everything here is taken care of down to the last detail. It is also located in Fort Tryon Park, a wonderful green space full of trails with views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge, which is still a little-known corner of New York.
Nuria's Traveler Tip
The Cloisters is ideal for spring, summer, and fall walks surrounded by peace and quiet, far from the hustle and bustle of New York. You'll find some very mischievous squirrels!
Access the MET and save money with New York tourist cards
The MET Museum is a must-see in New York and is therefore included in the New York CityPASS, New York Pass, Explorer Pass, and New York Sightseeing Pass. These passes allow you to choose the attractions you want to visit at a fixed price.
Are you thinking of purchasing one of these options for the MET? In this article, I'll tell you everything you need to know to choose the best New York tourist card.
- New York Pass — from €101
- New York CityPass — from €118
- New York Explorer Pass — from €69
- :::link|text=New York Sightseeing Pass|element=sc-1-1527::: — from €122
How to get tickets for the MET Museum at the box office
Don't forget that the MET Museum does not currently allow purchases at the box office. All visitors must make an online reservation for the guided tour before arriving at the institution. Hurry, because they sell out quickly!
Box office prices
Museum prices for tourists and visitors from outside New York State:
- Adults: €21.70
- Seniors (65+): €14.70
- Students: €10
- Members and sponsors: free admission
- Children under 12: free admission
Opening hours of the MET Museum in New York
The guided tour of the MET, highly recommended for understanding the history of the important works housed in the museum, has a fixed schedule at 11:00 a.m. and runs almost daily except on the closing days listed below:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Wednesday: closed
- Like all other museums in New York , it is closed on December 25, January 1, and Thanksgiving Day
Winter hours
If you visit New York in winter, the Metropolitan Museum of Art closes quite early on weekdays (at 5 pm). So my advice is to get up early and make the most of the day to lose yourself in its endless rooms and, if you have time, in the green lung of the Big Apple, Central Park.
Nuria's Traveler Tip
Pay attention to the flowers decorating the Grand Hall of the MET. The museum is a pioneer in floral art and has Dutch expert Remco Van Vliet, who creates five floral arrangements every week. Pure joy!
How to get to the MET Museum
In New York, the subway will be your best friend. Here are some basic tips to help you find your way around and make the most of the Big Apple's fastest form of transport.
From the east side of Manhattan: you can get to the MET by subway onlines 4, 5, or 6 to 86th Street station, then walk three blocks west to Fifth Avenue. It's about an 800-meter walk, which will take you about 10 minutes.
To get there by bus, take the M1, M2, M3, or M4 along Fifth Avenue (from the north of the city) to 82nd Street or along Madison Avenue (from the south of the city) to 83rd Street.
From the west side of Manhattan: take subway line 1 to 86th Street station and, upon exiting, take the M86 bus that crosses Central Park to Fifth Avenue; or take subway line C, on the local track, to 81st Street station and, upon exiting, take the M79 bus, which also crosses Central Park, to Fifth Avenue.
- Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
Major works of art you can't miss at the MET Museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the best museums in the world and by far the largest in the United States. To give you an idea of its immensity, the permanent collection alone occupies seventeen departments.
Here is a list of the 10 essential works of art at the MET so you don't die trying to see everything:
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- Self-Portrait with Straw Hat (1887), by Vincent van Gogh
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- The Death of Socrates (1787), by Jacques-Louis David
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- Cow Skull: Red, White, and Blue (1931), by Georgia O'Keeffe
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- Sphinx of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BC)
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- The Water Lily Pond (1899), by Claude Monet
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- Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints (1504), by Raphael
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- Portrait of Madame X (1883-1884), by John Singer Sargent
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- Autumn Rhythm (1950), by Jackson Pollock
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- Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer (1653), by Rembrandt van Rijn
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- The Dance Class (1874), by Edgar Degas
The MET Museum houses the world's oldest piano, dating from 1720. You can discover it in its large collection of instruments with more than 5,000 objects!
The MET Gala: New York's biggest fashion event
The most important annual event organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1948 is the MET Gala, the most elegant celebration of fashion in New York, which welcomes the most relevant celebrities on the scene. So much so that tickets can cost from $35,000 per person to $220,000 for a full table.
Although it is more of a charity party than a gala, as all the money raised goes to the Costume Institute, which is located within the museum. This department of the MET has more than 8,000 costumes from all periods, including spectacular dresses that have marked the history of renowned fashion houses such as Versace and Chanel.
Can I visit the MET Museum with children? Will they get bored?
The MET Museum has created an original guide with the 10 favorite works for children and for visiting the art center as a family.
What do children prefer to see? So many people have asked this question that the institution went straight to the source and asked dozens of children for their opinion. Based on their answers and choices, they have put together this wonderful guide with the works they like best.
At the top of the list, as you might expect, is the Egyptian temple, built by the Roman emperor Augustus nearly two thousand years ago and dedicated to the goddess Isis. Children also love the knight's armor decorated with engravings of the sun, animals, and mythological beings, as well as a garden recreated from the courtyard of a scholar in China, with its rocks, water, seasonal plants, and the statue of the elephant god, a Hindu god, among others.
So now you know, if you visit New York with children, this is a great option for spending a day with the family while the little ones have fun too.
Where to eat and drink near the MET
If the weather is nice and you want to feel like a true New Yorker, you can organize a picnic in Central Park. You'll feel like you're in an American movie! But where can you buy food? Don't worry, because you'll find numerous cafes and supermarkets, such as Whole Foods Market, located at 10 Columbus Circle, which has a large buffet of salads, prepared dishes, hamburgers, and, above all, delicious juices!
On the other hand, if you want to treat yourself to a gastronomic feast after all that walking around the museum, my advice is to dine al fresco at the Trie Café at the Met Cloisters museum (remember that this gallery is also included with your ticket), where you'll feel like royalty surrounded by peaceful gardens and medieval architecture. The menu offers salads, sandwiches, and desserts, which can be accompanied by a glass of wine. The atmosphere is very romantic and ideal for couples!
- Location: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park.
- Open from: April to October
Other museums you should visit in New York
If after visiting the MET you are left wanting more, don't worry, because art lovers in New York can spend weeks visiting its museums. Some of them are very interesting. Here are some tips so you don't miss any of them:
- Practical guide to visiting the Guggenheim in New York
- Practical guide to visiting the Whitney Museum of American Art
- Practical guide to visiting the Museum of the City of New York
- Practical guide to visiting the Brooklyn Museum
- Fotografiska New York: Opening hours, prices, and what to see
Nuria's Traveler Tip
The Cloisters Museum sometimes organizes concerts and special events in the evening. Imagine dinner surrounded by nature, lights, and music in a medieval setting!