Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

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…New York City’s #1 Attraction

The Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC (aka The MET) contains more than 2 million works spanning 5,000 years and is the Number One attraction in New York City, counting over 5 million visitors annually. Even those who think art or Museums are not their thing can spend days here and still not experience a small portion of their art collections, famous exhibits, special events, multiple restaurants, rooftop garden, live music, museum tours and much more!

Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC

The Met is home to classical antiquity, ancient Egyptian art, paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, an extensive collection of American and modern art, African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art; musical instruments, costumes, accessories, antique weapons and armor and so much more!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art also hosts amazing special exhibits and events (sports, fashion, movies, celebrities), live music, free guided tours, multiple restaurants and cafés, a rooftop garden and martini bar, fantastic views of Central Park…and I’m just getting started. The Met spreads over 1.6 million square feet and is the largest museum in the Western Hemisphere.

1000 Fifth Ave (at 82nd St – part of Museum Mile New York City)

Manhattan, NY 10028, Upper East Side

As of 2018, the Met Suggested Contribution policy only applies to NY State residents as well as NY, NJ & CT students. For everyone else, General Admission fees applies.

General Admission: $30 for adults; $22 for seniors; $17 for students. General admission tickets include exhibitions and are valid for three consecutive days at The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer and The Met Cloisters.

Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday: 10 am–5 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am–9 pm
Closed Wednesday

Which New York City Attractions Pass is BEST for The Met?

The Met admission fee is no longer covered by any NYC Attractions Passes.

NYC Insider Tip
Suggested Donation vs. Admission Price

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a non-profit organization. Their goal is to make art and culture affordable to everyone. They ask for a “suggested donation” or contribution to access the museum for NY State residents as well as NY, NJ, CT students, rather than an admission price. Pay attention when evaluating sightseeing passes, if the “price” is suggested donation or an actual admission cost. Please do donate, as these Museums are priceless, and the money donated goes back into the NYC Museums, so we can all enjoy them.

Weekend Evening Cocktails in the Great Hall

Met Friday’s are truly one of my all-time favorite things to do in New York City. The atmosphere is magical and it doesn’t get more quintessential New York.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Met remains open late, not only for art viewing, but also for cocktails in the Great Hall Balcony Bar (5-9pm) and classical music from a string ensemble. The restaurant at Petrie Court Café and Wine Bar stays open until 10:30pm (last reservation at 8:30pm), and dinner is usually accompanied by piano music.

You can purchase cocktails and appetizers at the Balcony Bar, and if you get there early enough, grab one of the little tables with candles. You still get to see some beautiful art and no ticket purchase is necessary. A slate of after-hours programs (gallery talks, walking tours, family programs) changes by the week; call for the current schedule.

Summer Martini Bar on the Roof Garden Café

Skyline Views, Art and Cocktails – what more could you want?

April 15 – October 19, 2025 (Exhibition)
April 24, 2025. (Rooftop Bar Reopens)
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden

Every summer, the Metropolitan Museum of Art opens the Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar, an 8,000-square-foot, informal, outdoor setting with breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park.

The Roof Garden Café serves sandwiches, snacks, desserts, and beverage service—including espresso, cappuccino, iced tea, soft drinks, wine, and beer— daily 10 a.m. until closing, as weather permits.

The Martini Bar is open Friday and Saturday evenings (5-8:30 pm).

Cantor Roof Garden Bar:

Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday: 11 am–4:15 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am–8:15 pm
Closed Wednesday
Enter on the Fifth floor via the elevator in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts galleries
More info: The Met Rooftop Café

The Met Current Exhibits – Highlights

Van Gogh’s Cypresses

May 22-August 27, 2023

With a focus on the trees, The Met has on view iconic pictures, such as Wheat Field with Cypresses and The Starry Night, as the centerpiece in a presentation that affords an unprecedented perspective on the Dutch artist’s fiercely original power of expression.

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

May 5-July 16, 2023

The MET Costume Institute’s spring 2023 exhibition examines the work of Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019). Focusing on the designer’s stylistic vocabulary as expressed in aesthetic themes that appear time and again in his fashions from the 1950s to his final collection in 2019.

Past Exhibits

The Roof Garden Commission: Héctor Zamora, Lattice Detour will be on view from August 29–December 7, 2020

Roof Garden Commission 2019

Alicja Kwade, ParaPivot will be on view from April 16 through October 27, 2019

Hotels Near the Met

Luxury Hotels Upper East Side

If your dreams of a NYC vacation conjure images of strolling Museum Mile, views of Central Park, shopping along the famed Fifth Avenue, rubbing elbows with socialites and celebrities and dining at some of New York’s best restaurants, then Luxury Hotels Upper East Side are exactly where you want to book.

The Surrey – private rooftop garden, Café Boulud (photo)
The Pierre – favorite of the Vanderbilts, Astors, Chryslers and E.F. Hutton
The Carlyle – Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotel

See More: Premier Luxury Hotels Upper East Side

More Hotels: Upper East Side Museum Mile Hotels

Metropolitan Museum New York Hours and Info

1000 Fifth Ave. (at 82nd St)
Manhattan, NY 10028
Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St, walk West from Lex
www.metmuseum.org

Metropolitan Museum of Art Hours

Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and the first Monday in May

Metropolitan Museum of Art Map

Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC Photo Gallery

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Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC \| Temple of Dendur

The Met Special Events

Coming Soon

New York City Museum Guides

Best New York City Museum for Kids

Best NYC Attractions Pass for Museums

	Sightseeing Pass	New York Pass	Go City New York	CityPASS

9/11 Museum	✔	✔	✔	✔ 9/11 or Intrepid
Natural History	✔ Admission	✔ Admission	✔ Admission	✔ Admission ✔ Planetarium
Guggenheim	✔	✔	✔	✔ TOTR or Guggenheim
Intrepid	✔	✔	✔	✔ 9/11 or Intrepid
MET	X	X	X	X
MoMA	✔	✔	✔
Liberty/ Ellis	✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration ✔ Secret Tour	✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration	✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration ✔ Secret Tour	✔ Ferry/Grounds or Circle Line
Whitney	✔	✔	✔