The Met New York: a practical visitor guide
Quick answer
The Met on Fifth Avenue is open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am–5pm, Friday and Saturday 10am–9pm, and closed Wednesdays. General admission is $30, $22 for over 65s and free for children under 12. Two hours covers the highlights; allow a full day for a relaxed visit.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
More The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) guides
- The Met in 2 hoursWhat to see at The Met in 2 hours: a route through the Temple of Dendur, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Arms and Armor and the American Wing, with timings and tips.
- Hours & ticketsMet Museum opening hours, ticket prices, pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and the best time to visit to avoid crowds. Checked in 2026.
- Must-see artThe 12 key works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, their wing and why they matter: Dendur, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Washington Crossing the Delaware and more.
- The Met with kidsHow to visit the Met Museum in New York with kids: a 75-minute route, looking games, free entry for under 12s, strollers and the quietest times to go.
Point your camera at any artwork
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AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Why The Met is a must
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the biggest museums in the world, with over two million works spanning five thousand years of art from every continent: the Temple of Dendur and Egyptian tombs, European paintings by Vermeer and Van Gogh, arms and armor, American art, Islamic and Asian art and a huge costume collection. Don't try to see everything: pick three or four wings and skip the rest.
How to plan your visit
- Buy your ticket on the official website; it is valid for the printed date and for The Met Cloisters.
- The 81st Street entrance usually has a shorter line than the main Fifth Avenue one.
- Arrive at 10am and start in the Egyptian Wing, before school groups arrive.
- Check the official list of closed galleries before you go; some rooms close temporarily for renovation.
- There are several coat checks; the one near the American Wing is often calmer.
- With the AnyArt app you can point at an artwork and hear its story, an alternative to an audio guide.
Combine it with Museum Mile
The Met sits on Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, beside Central Park. The Guggenheim and El Museo del Barrio are a short walk away. With a single day, do The Met in the morning and walk through Central Park in the afternoon. MoMA is in Midtown, about 25 minutes away by transit.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need at The Met?
Two hours covers the highlights. For a relaxed visit, plan a full day; the building is enormous.
How much does The Met cost?
$30 for adults, $22 for seniors, $17 for students and free for children under 12. New York State residents pay what they wish.
Is The Met open every day?
No: it is closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, 25 December, 1 January and the first Monday in May.
Do I need to book Met tickets in advance?
Buying online on the official site is recommended so you skip the ticket-office line, especially on weekends.
Can you take photos at The Met?
Generally yes, for personal use and without flash, though some temporary exhibitions don't allow it. Follow the signs in each gallery.