HOW TO VISIT THE MET IN 2025
Welcome! In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to prepare yourself for a visit to The MET, including a brief history, hours, tours, and what exhibits are available.
MET MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS 2025
2025
- The Genesis Facade Commission: Lee Bul, Long Tail Halo: Through May 27, 2025
- The New Art: American Photography, 1839-1910: April 11-July 20, 2025
- Sargent and Paris: April 27-August 3, 2025
- Celebrating the Year of the Snake: Through February 10, 2026
- Caspar David Friedrich: The Sould of Nature: Through May 11, 2026
- The Magical City: George Morrison’s New York: July 17, 2025- May 31, 2026
ONGOING
- Look Again: European Paintings 1300-1800
- Embracing Color: Enamel in Chinese Decorative Arts, 1300–1900
- Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room
- Layered Narrative: The Northern Renaissance Gallery
- Fabergé from the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection
THE MET MUSEUM HOURS & TICKETS
| Monday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM – 5 PM |
The MET museum is closed on:
- Thanksgiving Day
- December 25
- January 1
- First Monday in May.
MET MUSEUM TICKETS
- New York State residents – pay what you wish.
- New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut students – pay what you wish.
General Admission Tickets:
- $30 for adults
- $22 for seniors (65 and over)
- $17 for students
- Free for children under 12
The Met offers complimentary admission tickets to current students from:
- Columbia University
- Macaulay Honors College – CUNY
- New York City High School students
- NYU Institute of Fine Arts
- NYU Institute for the Study of the Ancient World
- Bard Graduate Center
- Barnard College
HOW LONG TO SPEND AT THE MET
At a minimum: 3-4 hours. The museum is the largest in the United States, so you would need at least a week to admire all the beautiful art, sculptures, and paintings!
Most people spend 3 hours at the met. I can do the same, but if we go with my husband, the time will be reduced to 2 hours!
If you have limited time or want to focus on the must-see artworks, I suggest you see my Guide To The Top Art Pieces at The MET.
MET MUSEUM LOCATIONS
- The MET Fifth Avenue: 1000 Fifth Avenue, at 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028
- The MET Cloisters: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY 10040
Note: Each admission ticket provides same-day entry to both locations.
WHY I LOVE THE MET IN NYC AND YOU WILL TOO
I LOVE THE MET. If you plan a trip to New York, add The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) to the list of things you need to see during your visit.
The Metropolitan Museum – Interesting Facts
- The MET was founded on April 13, 1870, to encourage and develop the study of the fine arts, and is now the largest art museum in the United States.
- The massive building (see the image that I shared at the start of this post) is perched on the edge of Central Park on Fifth Avenue in the Upper East Side.
- The museum’s permanent collection contains over two million works, that are enjoyed by more than 6 million visitors per year.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit The MET many times over the years, and I can’t help but gasp each time I enter the Greek and Roman art wing. The way that bodies used to be carved out of marble is mesmerizing, I highly recommend spending some time checking out the sculptures in the gallery. I could sit and look at paintings or sculptures all day long.
We checked out two exhibitions at The MET: Dutch Masterpieces & A New Look at Old Masters. Both were a total dream, and I got to see paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and François Boucher.
If you appreciate seeing the work of great artists of former times, I highly recommend seeing those exhibits. Visiting museums during chilly Fall or Winter days is one of my favorite things to do in NYC.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLE: A Guide to the Top Art Pieces at The MET!
MET TOUR OPTIONS
If you’re looking for a guided tour of The MET, here are two popular tours with great reviews:
- Highlights of The MET Museum Tour (2.5 hours)
- Skip-The-Line Met Museum – Exclusive Guided Tour (2.5 hours)
MET MUSEUM STORE
Next time you visit the museum, you can visit the gift shop where you can find around 300 art-infused gifts for just about everyone! Books, stationary, jewelry, clothing, accessories, and home décor, The MET store has it all. Also, shop below!
SHOP MET MUSEUM OF ART NEW YORK CITY:
MET MUSEUM MAP
Take a quick look at the map below, so that you can familiarize yourself with the museum’s layout before you visit The MET.
A final note!
Whether you have 2, 4, or 5 hours to spend at The MET, see my guide to getting the most out of your visit, with a useful list that includes the top masterpieces, objects, and sculptures you should see at this museum.
RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA
Here are the spots that I love and recommend:
- For a quick bite: Ralph’s Coffee
- For lunch: Café Sabarsky or The Mark
- For dinner: Sistina
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST OF NEW YORK CITY
See more of my New York guides below:
- Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms in New York
- Famous Paintings at the MoMA New York
- Christmas in New York Guide
- Top Art Pieces at The MET Museum
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral Midnight Mass
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