How to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) is one of the most emblematic museums in the city of New York museums.
It is one of the world’s largest museums of art along with the British Museum in London. They almost have the same size, number of visitors and artworks.
In this article, I’ll present this museum and explain everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.

What is the history of the MET?

The MET opened in 1872, so it has more than 140 years. It was created by wealthy Americans to compete with European museums.
At first, I was not in the Upper East Side of town, but in Midtown on 5th Avenue. After an agreement with New York City, it was implemented in East Central Park.
The structure is neoclassical, the beginning of the 20th century gradually extensions were built, creating more rooms. There is no enough space to build more classrooms. However as measured 180,000 m2, has 2 million works for 250,000 exposed and receives over 5.2 million visitors each year.
The Cloisters is part of MET and recognized in these figures.

What are the works of the MET?

I will not give an exhausting list of 250,000 works of the MET, I will just tell you about which kind of arts are at the museum.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has 17 different parts:
– The American part: American art from the 17th century to 20.
– Arts of the Middle East
– Weapons and Armor European armor, Japanese, Sirian…
– The arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas: sculptures, fabrics…
– Asian art: paintings, calligraphy, sculptures…
– Egyptian art: 20,000 Articles of 5 millennia before Jesus Christ 400 years after Jesus Christ.
– European paintings from 1250 to 1800: artists like Van Eyck, Goya, Botticelli, Brueghel, Velázquez, Rembrandt…
– Drawings and prints: temporary exhibitions
– European sculpture and decorative arts: Italian Renaissance, Rodin…
– Greek and Roman Art: Greek antiquity, paintings, bonce…
– Art of Islam: ceramics, textiles…
– Robert Lehman Collection: European paintings, drawings and decorative arts from the 14th century to 20th century
– Medieval Art: Objects from the 4th century to the 16th century
– Modern and contemporary art: sculptures, paintings, and creations of Dali, Picasso, Magritte, Pollock, Warhol…
– Musical instruments: instruments from all regions of the world
– Paintings and sculptures from the 19th century and early 20th-century European paintings of Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh, Cézanne…
– Pictures: temporary exhibitions.
Here you can download the map of the museum.

Do you have to visit all the rooms?

Yes and no. Yes, if you have time and if you love all forms of art above. Note that to visit it all, it would take you two and a half days.
What you have to do is, once you have your entry, please contact the center of the main classroom to pick up a map. Once you have the map in hand, mark what you want to see. The rooms look small on the map, but they are massive!
With a visit of 2h30 – 3h, you will have seen the most interesting parts of the museum.

Which rooms do I recommend you visit?

It is very complicated and very subjective to recommend what to visit in a museum.
However, there are areas which, in my opinion, are a must.
The clearest example is the Egyptian art. It is an impressive room, if they are not interested this type of art, I assure you stay amazed to see the many mummies, sculptures and parts of Egyptian temples.

Also the rooms of Greek and Roman art is impressive you do not have to enter all the rooms.

You may be interested in seeing contemporary art with paintings that you have already seen on other occasions. It will be interesting to have them within inches;)

I like photography, so I like this room also, there are always temporary exhibitions.

I also love the European paintings, as this table … Did you recognized the artist? there is little known: D

Is it necessary to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

I think so, because it is very interesting. You have to go and spend at least 1-2 hours. Also as is included in the NY City Pass that way you will not have to spend more.

Now be careful and do not stay more than three hours because you might get tired.

It depends on each person, some can stay 4-5 hours without a problem;)

Is the MET a free museum?

No, starting May 1st, 2018, the general admission is $25 for adults, $17 for seniors and $12 for students.
The “pay-as-you-wish” principle is only for New York State residents and NY, NJ, CT students.
You may know that the MET is included in most of the Pass like the New York City Pass.

The best times to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Best of MET is between May and late October you can climb to the 5th floor of the museum, in the Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar because it has a breathtaking view over Central Park and Manhattan.
Open Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 4:30pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8:15.

The last thing you need to know about the MET

So you can better enjoy your visit you should know that:
– The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm and Friday and Saturday, till 7:00 pm.
– It is only closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, January 1, Monday, May 1st.
– The audio guide costs $7 for adults and $5 for children who are under the age of 12.
– You can take pictures without a flash.
– All backpacks and packages can be left in the cloakroom of the museum. If you want to avoid lines, it is best to leave your bellongings were you are staying.
– You can have a baby carrier in any showroom (unless otherwise indicated).
– Wheelchair are available in the wardrobe.

Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue (corner of 82nd Street), New York, NY 10028

Conclusion

You don’t need to be an art enthusiast to appreciate the visit of the MET. The rooms are beautiful, and you will always find an exposition of your interest. You can include the MET in your itinerary to visit New York in between Roosevelt Island and Central Park.