How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art-The Adventuring Millennial

*UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2020*

The Met Museum on NYC's fifth Ave (AKA Museum Mile) is one of the most visited museums in the world. About 7.5 one thousand thousand people visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art'due south three locations in 2018.

This museum is overwhelming, amazing, and downwards-right unbelievable, really. If yous haven't been, think of the Louvre, Vatican Museum, or British Museum. The Met is on the scale of those other impressive international collections.

2020 marked the 150th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of grade, 2020 has also been a year of…a lot of changes. On March 13, 2020 the Met closed its doors due to the pandemic.

Now, more than than 5 months later on the Met has reopened. On August 29, 2020, the doors reopened with tons of condom measures in identify. Merely it is withal the incredible museum that the urban center knows and loves.

If you lot are planning a trip to NYC, y'all won't desire to miss a visit to the Met. Even if you've been to the urban center earlier, there is e'er something new to encounter. Plus, with virtually 2 one thousand thousand pieces in the permanent collection, it would exist impossible to cover everything in one visit.

Living in NYC, I am very fortunate to be a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I visit the Met oftentimes and I know, information technology tin exist a lot to take in. Each time I get I experience something new.

In this post, I will give yous some groundwork on this museum and everything you lot demand to know to make the nearly of your trip in 2020. I've updated this post to include all of the pandemic-induced changes. If you are considering going to the Met during the pandemic-keep reading! I've been twice so far and volition requite you a full study of what to expect during a social distancing trip to the museum.

Oh, and we will even look at some of the best restaurants and other activities in the surrounding expanse. Considering why not make a day of it?

Ready to explore the largest art museum in America? Hither nosotros go!

Everything You lot Need to Know Before Planning Your Visit to the Met Museum in 2020

History

In 1870, the New York Country Legislature granted the Met permission to incorporate and create a museum that would help bring art to the public. 2 years afterward, the museum opened at its original location in the Dodworth Building at 681 Fifth Avenue.

On March thirty, 1880, the collection moved to the location where the museum nonetheless stands today. However, expansions now completely surroundings the original museum building.

The Met'due south collection grew substantially throughout the 20th century. Today, you tin see tens of thousands of the nearly two-million piece collection on brandish during your visit to the two-one thousand thousand-square-foot building.

The Basics

How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art-The Adventuring Millennial

Before nosotros dive any deeper, allow'south make certain we are all on the same page. The Met (a shortened name for the Metropolitan Museum of Art) is the largest art museum in the United States. This museum is the crown jewel of museum mile in New York Urban center. You could hands spend days exploring this museum. At that place are so many dissimilar exhibits, including Egyptian artifacts, suits of armor, and Van Gogh paintings.

But that short description really doesn't even brainstorm to cover information technology. The Met actually has two locations: The Met Fifth Artery (the main location) and The Met Cloisters.

Location

The Met Fifth Avenue is located at 1000 5th Ave New York, New York. You tin get here by taking the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walking westward towards 5th Avenue. Or, take the 1 train to 86th Street, and so the M86 crosstown bus across Cardinal Park to Fifth Artery. Another option is to take the C railroad train to 81st Street, and so the M79 coach across Central Park to Fifth Avenue.

Cost

If you visited the Met years ago, you might remember that it used to be a pay-what-y'all-wish museum. Unfortunately, the museum is now but pay-what-you-wish for New York residents and students in NJ, NY, and CT.

Otherwise, Met tickets cost $25 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), and $12 for students. Members, patrons, and children under 12 get in for free.

We will comprehend this a bit later, only visitors now need to reserve a visiting time slot online in advance. You tin also purchase your tickets online to skip the line at the ticket desk. Or, if you are eligble for pay-what-you-wish tickets, you should reserve your time slot online and pay when you lot arrive.

Hours

The Met is open:

Thursday and Friday: 12 pm – vii pm
Saturday–Monday: 10 am – five pm

The Met is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, and the offset Monday in May.

What to Expect When Visiting During the Pandemic

How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art-The Adventuring Millennial

Don't worry- this moving picture is from 2019. But I had to include this picture because it is wild to come across at present. Too, look at what I originally wrote when I published this blog post in 2019:

"Crowds. Seriously, expect crowds. But don't let that scare you abroad. This is one of the best museums in the earth and then obviously, yous are not the only person who wants to check out this identify."

Alright, when you visit the Met during the pandemic you don't need to worry most crowds. Instead, yous tin can await a socially distanced line outside, temperature checks, masks, manus sanitizing stations everywhere, and a limited number of guests allowed in each gallery.

See, this is from 2020. It'southward style emptier now!

Here are the main things you need to prepare for when visiting the Met during the pandemic:

  • Reserve your time to visit online in advance. Caput to the website, select the location (either The Met fifth Avenue or The Met Cloisters), select the date you want to visit and then select the fourth dimension. You will then be able to purchase your tickets. If you are a member or qualify for pay-what-you-wish, you should still reserve a time to visit but you won't pay anything online.
  • Condom measures are enforced. Wear a mask, stay 6ft away from whatever other guest, and use the hand sanitizing stations around the museum.
  • Y'all volition get your temperature taken. Before entering the museum, yous will go your temperature taken equally a safe precaution.
  • Coat-check isn't available. For now, coat and bag check isn't available. So don't bring large numberless or anything you wouldn't exist able to acquit with yous throughout the museum.
  • Paper maps aren't available. While newspaper maps aren't available during the pandemic, you tin view a digital map hither.

When yous arrive, you will see a socially-distanced line outside the iconic stairs that lead upwardly to the entrance. Get in line and be prepared to show your reservation time on your phone or printed off. You will get your temperature taken and then enter the museum. If you have a bag, y'all volition need to look for bag inspection. Everyone passes through a metal detector before entering.

Once inside the lobby, you lot will be greeted by a Met staff member who volition direct you where to become if you however need to purchase tickets. Afterward getting your tickets, it'southward time to explore. At that place are three main gallery entrances, then selection one and accept fun.

Top 10 Can't-Miss Items for a First Visit

How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art-The Adventuring Millennial

If wandering aimlessly in the museum isn't your time, I get it. I've already said this, but the Met is overwhelming. Not in a bad way, just it is just large and hard to accept in.

So, if this is your first visit to the Met, here are the ten things you shouldn't miss

  1. The Temple of Dendur (Gallery 131)- This accurate Egyptian temple was created in ten BC and gifted to the Met to assist preserve the historic ruins.
  2. Washington Crossing the Delaware (Gallery 760)- If you lot grew up in America, you lot likely saw this iconic painting in a history textbook at some point.
  3. Self-Portrait with a Straw Chapeau (Gallery 825)- 1 of Van Gogh'south famous self-portraits.
  4. Madonna with Child and Enthroned Saints (Gallery 962)- Raphael'southward only altarpiece on display in America.
  5. Homo-Headed Winged Lion (Gallery 401) – Also known equally a lamassu, these sculptures were built in the 9th century BC to guard the palace of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II.
  6. The Dance Grade (Gallery 899)- One of Edgar Degas'south most ambitious pieces.
  7. Ugolino and His Sons (Gallery 548)- Sculpture by the French artist Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux that shows his admiration for Michaelangelo'southward style.
  8. Armor Garniture (Gallery 371)- This armor is said to take been made for King Henry VIII.
  9. Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora (Gallery 153)- An incredibly well-preserved jar awarded to the winner of a race held in a 6th century BC Panathenaic festival in Athens
  10. Moo-cow'southward Skull: Cherry-red, White, and Blue (Gallery 899)- Georgia O'Keeffe slice that showcases the New Mexican influences in her art.

Rotating Exhibits

In improver to permanent exhibits, the Met often features temporary exhibitions. Visit the website to see what is currently on display.

I of the all-time rotating exhibits to check out is the new exhibit that opens each yr subsequently the Met Gala. The Met Gala is a well-attended fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. When I say well-attended, I mean you lot accept to be on the "who's who" A-list to even be considered for an invite. Presently later on the Met Gala (which takes identify in early May), the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit opens. Although the 2020 Gala was canceled, the exhibit Well-nigh Fourth dimension will be on display from October 29, 2020-February seven, 2021.

Food & Drink Options

Unfortunately, the Met's nutrient and potable options are pretty limited during the pandemic. For at present, the only option is take hold of and go from the American Wing Cafe.

The following information is about the remaining dining options that are ordinarily available. Hopefully these return afterwards the pandemic:

The Met has a rooftop garden (and bar). It is easy to miss the rooftop, merely if you are here when information technology is open, don't skip it!

I have an unabridged blog post dedicated to the Met Rooftop Garden Bar, which you can cheque out for more details. Only here is a quick rundown: Accept an elevator to the fourth floor then walk upward a flight of stairs to the 5th-floor rooftop. You tin can detect an elevator in the European Sculpture and Decoratives Arts exhibit. Once you are on the rooftop, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park. Plus, there is a bar on the rooftop where you lot tin purchase snacks, vino, and cocktails.

The Met Rooftop Garden Bar is open frommid–April through October onLord's day-Thursday from 11:00 am- 4:thirty pm andFriday & Sabbatum from eleven:00 am- x:00 pm (only you lot must enter the museum by 8:45 pm).

You lot could easily spend an unabridged day exploring the Met, so you are probably gonna need to accept a break for a snack or meal. There are 9 dissimilar dining locations in the Met, but hither are the highlights:

  • Ground Floor Cafeteria– No-frills cafe offering a niggling something for everyone.
  • The Bookstore Cafe– Great spot to discuss the fine art over coffee and a pastry.
  • The Keen Hall Balcony Cafe– Gelato, vino, and small plates.
  • The American Wing Café– American fare in a buffet surrounded by American sculptures.
  • Cantor Rooftop Garden Bar– This is the rooftop bar I mentioned earlier. Enjoy vino, cocktails, and small bites with a view.

Met Cloisters

How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art-The Adventuring Millennial

The Met Cloisters is a branch of the Met Museum. You can visit this beautiful museum in Fort Tyron Park in Washington Heights.

Just like for the Met Fifth Avenue, you will need to reserve a time to visit online in advance.

The museum showcases European medieval architecture, sculpture and decorative arts, which are housed in authentic European cloisters. These were dismantled in Europe in the 1900s and sent to NYC to be used for the museum.

The Met Cloisters are located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive (Fort Tryon Park) New York, NY 10040.

The Met Cloisters are open as of September 12, 2020:

Open up Thursday–Monday
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

March–October: x a.m. – v p.one thousand.
November – February: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.one thousand.

Met Breuer

The Met Breuer was the 3rd co-operative of the Met Museum. The Met Breuer opened in 2016 and focused on modern and contemporary fine art. Every bit of 2020, the Met Breuer permanently closed its doors.

Things to Exercise Most the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Afterwards you finish a visit to the Met, check out some of the other great things to practice nearby.

Things to Practise Near the Metropolitan Museum of Art (5th Ave):
  • The Frick Collection– Art museum located in the former mansion of Henry Clay Frick. Reopening in early 2021.
  • Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum– Art museum housed in the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building. Reopening Oct 3, 2020.
    Cooper Hewit Smithsonian Design Museum– Blueprint museum dedicated to historical and modern aesthetics. Reopening date not nevertheless announced.
  • Central Park- The Met rooftop garden overlooks Central Park. Spend some fourth dimension relaxing in the grass, riding a bike, admiring the Alice in Wonderland Statue, or following a self-guided walking tour.
  • Levain Baker– Soft-ball sized cookies that are my personal favorite in the urban center!
  • Variety Coffee– Seriously simply the best java on the Upper East Side!
  • Hutch + Waldo– Australian cafe with some healthy lunch options.

Are yous set up to programme your visit to the Met? I hope these tips helped. This museum is amazing and shouldn't be missed during a trip to NYC!

If yous are looking for more, check out these NYC guides:

How to visit the High Line in 2020

The Best Water ice Cream Shops in NYC

xx Things to do on Coney Island

If you liked this mail, experience gratuitous to share it or pin it!