A visit to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is more than just a visit to an art gallery. With a repertoire of over 2 million works spread across 2,000,000 square feet of floor space, this museum is a must-visit. There’s a reason the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of New York City’s most visited attractions.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this popular museum in New York City and why it’s definitely worth a visit!
In short
Too much to read?
- Best time to visit: The museum is less crowded during the week, Closed on Wednesday.
- Plan your visit: The MET is large, so you could easily spend an entire day here. Plan in advance which exhibitions you want to see.
- Tickets: Buy your tickets online before you visit to avoid long lines.
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Permanent exhibitions include works of art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings and sculptures by many European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. Six million visitors visit this amazing collection every year. What is the magic behind the Met? Why is it so successful? We went there to check it out for you.
Great museum in Central Park
The museum is impressive from the outside too. The architecture of the museum is amazing. The grand staircase at the front of the building gives the internationally recognized museum a unique look. Founded in 1870, the famous Met continues to expand today, building an extensive collection of artifacts, paintings, and relics.
The Mets collection is so large that only 25% of it can currently be displayed. Our world-renowned collections include 17 curatorial departments, ranging from historical works from ancient Egypt and the majestic American Wing to inspiring treasures from the Greek and Roman worlds, beloved Impressionist paintings, and cutting-edge contemporary art. A world of great art awaits you at the Met. The museum’s renowned global collections and all special exhibitions are included in your admission ticket!
museum collection
The contents of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection represent a diversity of ages, media, and geographic sources. The Egyptian art collection includes works from 300,000 BC to the 4th century AD. Other elements of the permanent collection include musical instruments and modern art.
The biggest highlight is the Tembur temple. The temple was donated to the United States by the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1965, and was eventually awarded to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1967 (on the basis that an appropriate setting could be provided). The temple was stored on Elephantine Island before being dismantled from its original location. It was installed in a purpose-built Sackler Wing in 1978. The Met also offers 20 rooms, each celebrating a single era.
rooftop garden
When you visit The Met, you can enjoy amazing views from the rooftop garden terrace. This arts venue and restaurant is open at the Met during warmer months. It offers spectacular views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The garden was a gift to the Metropolitan Museum from philanthropist Iris and B. Gerald Cantor, founder and chairman of the securities firm Cantor Fitzgerald.
Please note: Roof Garden is currently closed for renovations. Scheduled to reopen in 2030!
Take an audio guide with you
The Met Audio Guide offers over 100 hours of informative audio commentary. Audio guides, developed by expert curators and educators, will teach you about the artworks in the museum’s collection and some of the special exhibitions. Portions of the audio guide are available in 9 additional languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
How much time do you need?
It is nearly impossible to see the entire Metropolitan Museum in one day. My advice is to read the museum map in advance and decide which exhibits you want to see. As soon as you enter the front door, you can find a map at the information desk.
To give you an idea of how big the museum is, the American Wing alone is large enough that you could spend an entire day there. The Met is divided into several sections, allowing you to jump directly to the part of the museum that interests you. If you want to see it all, I recommend planning a full day to visit the Met Museum during your stay in New York.
ticket
It’s easier to buy tickets online to avoid ticket queues. This will save you time and also help you organize your tickets in advance.
Conclusion: This museum is one of the best museums in New York City and you should not miss this experience. The Met is an impressive and unforgettable museum. At this museum, even non-art lovers can see art from a different perspective and enjoy a journey through history.
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