Whether it is the annual MET Gala organised by fashion stalwart Anna Wintour, the museum’s cameos in acclaimed TV shows (Project Runway, 2004 and Gossip Girl, 2007-2012), or the fact that it’s the holy grail for students of art and history, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has seamlessly percolated bucket-lists of individuals from all walks of life. And even if you’ve only just heard about it, we’re here to convince you why the expansive Metropolitan Museum deserves to be on your New York itinerary.
From prolific works by the French Impressionists to the well-represented European sculptures, here’s everything you need to know about the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A Parisian dream: Brief history of The Met
The origins of the world-famous museum date back to a visionary idea born in Paris in 1866. A group of Americans, including lawyer Jon Jay, proposed creating a “national institution and gallery of art” to bring art education to the United States. Upon returning home to the US, Jon Jay took on the project with much zeal. Under his leadership, New York’s Union League Club brought together businessmen, artists, civic leaders, art collectors and philanthropists to support this ambitious cause.
Their efforts resulted in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s grand opening on April 13, 1870, housed within the Dodworth Building on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. A few months later, on November 20, the museum acquired its first piece – a Roman sarcophagus. As its collection grew, the museum also grew in size and scope, eventually moving to its current location on Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street.
Today, this encyclopedic institution is the largest art museum in the Americas and the fourth largest in the world. The Met greets visitors at two iconic locations: The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. People can also witness the magnificence of the museum through The Met Experience online.
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Things to do at The Met
Check out the collection areas within the museum
The museum features a wide range of collections spanning fashion, art and armoury. The complete list of collection areas that you can explore at the Metropolitan Museum includes African Art in the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, Arms and Armor, The Costume Institute, European Paintings, Islamic Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, Photographs, The American Wing, Ancient American Art in The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, Drawings and Prints, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Robert Lehman Collection, Musical Instruments, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Asian Art, Egyptian Art, Greek and Roman Art, Medieval Art and The Cloisters, and. Oceanic Art in The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing.
For detailed information about each collection, visit the museum’s official website.
Visit The Dutch Masters
The museum has an outstanding collection of paintings by 16th-17th century Dutch painters such as Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer. Ardent followers of art will be delighted to learn that The Met houses five paintings by Vermeer as part of its European Paintings collection, more than any other museum in the world.
The Temple of Dendur
Gifted to the USA by Egypt, this Egyptian temple from the Roman Period is festooned with intricate carvings of deities, royals, and lotus blossoms. Housed in a light-filled room on the first-floor gallery, this temple is a sight to behold.
Sign up for the workshops and activities
Attend one of the many workshops and sessions conducted regularly at The Met, such as Storytime at The Met – Threads of Friendship, and Ikebana Demonstration, among others. To check out the upcoming workshops and activities, visit their online calendar. You can also join talks, and art-making programmes, or visit the Racial Justice Library.
The Met: Timings, tickets, and entry
The Met Fifth Avenue is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday to Tuesday, and Thursday. The museum remains open from 10 am to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Wednesdays.
The Met Cloisters is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Thursday to Tuesday and is closed every Wednesday.
For tourists, the general admission tickets cost USD 30 (INR 2,504.73) for adults, USD 22 (INR 1836.80) for seniors, and USD 17 (INR 1419.35) for students. Entry is free for members, patrons, children under 12, and caregivers accompanying persons with disability.
The ticket gives access to both museum locations and any exhibitions hosted by them for the date mentioned on the ticket.
Location and how to reach
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located in New York City’s Central Park on Fifth Avenue (from 80th to 84th Street). The Met Cloisters is located on Margaret Corbin Drive.
How to reach The Met Fifth Avenue
Planning to take the bus/subway? If you’re coming from the East side of Manhattan, take train 4, 5 or 6 to 86th Street. Alternatively, take bus M1, M2, M3, or M4 along Fifth Avenue to 82nd Street or along Madison Avenue to 83rd Street.
Those coming from the West side of Manhattan should take train 1 to 86th Street, followed by crosstown bus M86 to Fifth Avenue. Alternatively, you can take train C to 81st Street, followed by crosstown bus M79 to Fifth Avenue.
If you’re coming from the Penn Station, take bus M4 to 83rd Street and Madison Avenue. You can also take the local train C to 81st Street, followed by crosstown bus M79 to Fifth Avenue.
Lastly, if travelling from The Met Cloisters, take the direct bus M4 to 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue. Alternatively, you can take train A to 125th Street, transfer to local train B or C, exit at 81st Street, and take crosstown bus M79 to Fifth Avenue.
How to reach The Met Cloisters
The best way to reach The Met Cloisters is by taking Train A to 190th Street and then walking along Margaret Corbin Drive for roughly 10 minutes. Upon exiting the station, you can also take bus M4 and ride North instead of walking.
If you’re travelling from The Met Fifth Avenue, take bus M4 directly from Madison Avenue on 83rd Street.
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Around The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Nearby attractions
While The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses plenty of art and inspiration for a fun-filled day, its convenient location ensures plenty to explore nearby if you get done in time.
Places to visit near The Met Fifth Avenue: Central Park (1.28 km), Neue Galerie (roughly 640 m), Café Sabarsky (roughly 640 m), Gagosian Gallery (about 6.76 km), Park Avenue Christian Church (about 640 m), and The Met Cloisters (12.5 km).
Places to visit near The Met Cloisters: Fort Tryon Park (480 m), Inwood Hill Park (1.77 km), Edgar Allan Poe Cottage (4.82 km), Dyckman Farmhouse Museum (1.93 km), and George Washington Bridge (about 4 km)
Prepare for a feast: The best restaurants near the iconic museums
Whether you’re planning on indulging in a hearty breakfast before visiting the museum or looking to unwind with some crackling cocktails and speciality cuisine after a day of immersing in art and culture at the museum, there are plenty of dining options nearby to count on.
Bars and restaurants near The Met Fifth Avenue: Harry Cipriani (1.93 km), ILILI (about 4.35 km), Aquavit (2.57 km), Astor Court in the St. Regis Hotel (2.57 km), and BG Restaurant at Bergdof Goodman (1.93 km).
Bars and restaurants near The Met Cloisters: Tryon Public House (2.09 km), The Hudson (1.6 km), The Uptown Garrison (2.09 km), Bocaditos Bistro (1.77 km) and Sistina (14.6 km).
(Feature Image Credit: Spiroview Inc/Shutterstock)
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