The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as The Met, in New York City, is one of the most worthwhile museums to visit while in the city. With 5+ floors and hundreds of thousands of pieces, including paintings, sculptures, historical artifacts, and more, spanning over 5,000 years of art from around the world.

Before you go, read this article covering some of the most famous art, tour options, ticket prices, and must-know tips for your museum visit.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
• Where is the MET?
• What famous art is at the MET?
• How much are MET tickets?
• Does the MET offer tours?
• What to know before visiting the MET in NYC

Quick Links:

• Get your tickets to The Met ahead of time here
• Book a guided tour of The Met here

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What is the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Founded in 1870, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as The Met, presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world.

Today, tens of thousands of objects are on display at the museum’s two-million-square-foot building. The Met spans four full blocks and features over five floors of exhibitions, making it the largest art museum in the Americas and the third-largest in the world.

Where is the MET in NYC?

The Met is located on 5th Avenue from 80th Street to 84th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It’s the heart of what’s commonly referred to as Museum Mile, the most diverse art-viewing stretch of mile in the country.

What Famous Art is at the MET Museum?

With over 1.5 million total works in The Met’s archive, of which tens of thousands are currently on display, there is much to see at this renowned museum.

There are certainly experts with much more museum and art knowledge than we possess, but we want to highlight some of our personal favorite collections and works of art at The Met:

• Temple of Dendur
• Cloudy Mountains by Fang Congyi
• Rough Waves by Ogata Kōrin
• The Horse Fair by Rosa Bonheur
• Tapestry Room from Croome Court and any of the exhibitions with tapestries and rugs on display
• Autumn Rhythm by Jackson Pollock
• Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat by Vincent van Gogh
• Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies by Claude Monet
• Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze
• Bouquet of Sunflowers by Claude Monet
• Wheat Field with Cypresses by Vincent van Gogh
• Irises by Vincent van Gogh
• Egyptian Jewelry found in the Egyptian Art area
• Arms and armor collection
• Autumn Landscape by Tiffany Studios, and any of the Tiffany stained glass pieces
• Musical instruments

Recommendations by this episode’s guest and museum expert, Kylie Brooks:

• Temple of Dendur
• The entire American Wing
• Madame X and all of John Singer Sargent’s works
• Costume Institute

How Much are MET Museum Tickets?

Here is the full price breakdown:

• $30 for adults
• $22 for seniors
• $17 for students
• Kids 12 and under are free
• Pay as you wish for residents of NY, NJ, and CT

Does the MET Offer Tours?

If financially viable, taking a tour will provide you with the best possible experience at The Met.

See our full selection of tour options here.

Here are some things to know before visiting The Met in New York City:

• Either come at the very beginning of the day or near the end for fewer crowds
• Wear comfortable shoes

• Eat before going – See our Afternoon on the Upper East Side mini guide
• Most visitors will stay for 1-2 hours, but you could spend countless hours here
• Ideally, save a museum day for poor weather, although many others will also have that idea

• The Met store has some fantastic gift and souvenir options
• Download the Bloomberg Connects app and bring headphones to listen to the associated audio guide
• Do NOT try to see the whole museum in one day, it’s not possible 😁
• If possible, go to The Met on a weekday and not a weekend

Check out this episode's You'll Have to Check It Out - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir here.