The Met in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the Met's essentials: the Egyptian Wing with the Temple of Dendur, Arms and Armor, European Paintings (Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh) and the American Wing with Washington Crossing the Delaware. Arrive at 10am and don't try to cover the other wings.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The route: 8 stops in 2 hours
The areas listed are the main wings and floors; museum signage and the free floor plan will take you to each. Some galleries may be closed for renovation, so check the list on the official site. Timings are approximate and include walking.
- 1
0:00 · Ground floor · Egyptian Wing
Tomb of Perneb and the Egyptian galleries
Start with ancient Egypt: the 24th-century BC mastaba of Perneb can be walked into, and the wooden models of daily life are very visual.
- 2
0:15 · Ground floor · Sackler Wing
Temple of Dendur
An Egyptian temple from 15 BC set under a vast glass wall beside Central Park. It is the best moment of the day to pause and take it in.
- 3
0:30 · Ground floor · Arms and Armor
Arms and Armor
The hall of mounted knights, with full suits of armor for riders and horses, a kids' favorite.
- 4
0:45 · Floor 2 · European Paintings
Vermeer and Rembrandt
Vermeer's Young Woman with a Water Pitcher is one of the few Vermeers outside Europe. A few steps away, Rembrandt's Aristotle with a Bust of Homer.
- 5
1:05 · Floor 2 · European Paintings
Caravaggio and Goya
Caravaggio's The Musicians and Goya's portrait of Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zúñiga, the boy in red with three cats eyeing a magpie.
- 6
1:20 · Floor 2 · Post-Impressionism
Van Gogh and the Impressionists
Van Gogh's Wheat Field with Cypresses and the galleries of Monet, Degas and Cézanne. Give them about 20 minutes.
- 7
1:40 · Floor 2 · American Wing
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Emanuel Leutze's enormous canvas (1851) and, nearby, Sargent's Madame X. The Tiffany-glass courtyard is a good final pause.
- 8
1:55 · Great Hall
Great Hall and exit
End in the Great Hall, where the staircase and domes give a sense of the building's scale.
Tips to make the most of it
- Enter at 10am: the first hour is the quietest in the Egyptian galleries and on floor 2.
- On Fridays and Saturdays the Met stays open until 9pm and empties out after 6pm.
- Leave coats and large backpacks at the coat check.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any artwork not on this route to hear its story without hunting for the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see The Met in 2 hours?
Yes, if you focus on a few wings. This route covers Egypt, armor, European paintings and American art in about 2 hours.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritize the Temple of Dendur, Vermeer, Van Gogh and Washington Crossing the Delaware. That's about 60 minutes including walking.
Which entrance should I use?
The 81st Street entrance, which usually has a shorter line than the Fifth Avenue one.
When is The Met least crowded?
Monday and Tuesday mornings and Friday after 5pm, according to visitor guides.