How to Visit the Met: Tips from a Local- The Adventuring Millennial

How to Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art-The Adventuring Millennial

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2020

The Met Museum on NYC’s 5th Ave (AKA Museum Mile) is one of the most visited museums in the world. Almost 7.5 million people visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 3 locations in 2018.

This museum is overwhelming, amazing, and down-right unbelievable, really. If you haven’t been, think of the Louvre, Vatican Museum, or British Museum. The Met is on the scale of those other impressive international collections.

2020 marked the 150th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of course, 2020 has also been a year of…a lot of changes. On March 13, 2020 the Met closed its doors due to the pandemic.

Now, more than five months later the Met has reopened. On August 29, 2020, the doors reopened with tons of safety measures in place. But it is still the incredible museum that the city knows and loves.

If you are planning a trip to NYC, you won’t want to miss a visit to the Met. Even if you’ve been to the city before, there is always something new to see. Plus, with almost 2 million pieces in the permanent collection, it would be impossible to cover everything in one visit.

Living in NYC, I am very fortunate to be a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I visit the Met often and I know, it can be a lot to take in. Each time I go I experience something new.

In this post, I will give you some background on this museum and everything you need to know to make the most of your trip in 2020. I’ve updated this post to include all of the pandemic-induced changes. If you are considering going to the Met during the pandemic-keep reading! I’ve been twice so far and will give you a full report of what to expect during a social distancing trip to the museum.

Oh, and we will even look at some of the best restaurants and other activities in the surrounding area. Because why not make a day of it?

Ready to explore the largest art museum in America? Here we go!

Everything You Need to Know Before Planning Your Visit to the Met Museum in 2020

History

In 1870, the New York State Legislature granted the Met permission to incorporate and create a museum that would help bring art to the public. Two years later, the museum opened at its original location in the Dodworth Building at 681 Fifth Avenue.

On March 30, 1880, the collection moved to the location where the museum still stands today. However, expansions now completely surround the original museum building.

The Met’s collection grew substantially throughout the 20th century. Today, you can see tens of thousands of the almost 2-million piece collection on display during your visit to the two-million-square-foot building.

The Basics

Before we dive any deeper, let’s make sure we are all on the same page. The Met (a shortened name for the Metropolitan Museum of Art) is the largest art museum in the United States. This museum is the crown jewel of museum mile in New York City. You could easily spend days exploring this museum. There are so many different exhibits, including Egyptian artifacts, suits of armor, and Van Gogh paintings.

But that short description really doesn’t even begin to cover it. The Met actually has two locations: The Met Fifth Avenue (the main location) and The Met Cloisters.

Location

The Met Fifth Avenue is located at 1000 5th Ave New York, New York. You can get here by taking the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walking west towards 5th Avenue. Or, take the 1 train to 86th Street, then the M86 crosstown bus across Central Park to Fifth Avenue. Another option is to take the C train to 81st Street, then the M79 bus across Central Park to Fifth Avenue.

Cost

If you visited the Met years ago, you might remember that it used to be a pay-what-you-wish museum. Unfortunately, the museum is now only pay-what-you-wish for New York residents and students in NJ, NY, and CT.

Otherwise, Met tickets cost $25 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), and $12 for students. Members, patrons, and children under 12 get in for free.

We will cover this a bit later, but visitors now need to reserve a visiting time slot online in advance. You can also purchase your tickets online to skip the line at the ticket desk. Or, if you are eligble for pay-what-you-wish tickets, you should reserve your time slot online and pay when you arrive.

Hours

The Met is open:

Thursday and Friday: 12 pm – 7 pm
Saturday–Monday: 10 am – 5 pm

The Met is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1, and the first Monday in May.

What to Expect When Visiting During the Pandemic

Don’t worry- this picture is from 2019. But I had to include this picture because it is wild to see now. Also, look at what I originally wrote when I published this blog post in 2019:

“Crowds. Seriously, expect crowds. But don’t let that scare you away. This is one of the best museums in the world so obviously, you are not the only person who wants to check out this place.”

Alright, when you visit the Met during the pandemic you don’t need to worry about crowds. Instead, you can expect a socially distanced line outside, temperature checks, masks, hand sanitizing stations everywhere, and a limited number of guests allowed in each gallery.

See, this is from 2020. It’s way emptier now!

Here are the main things you need to prepare for when visiting the Met during the pandemic:

Reserve your time to visit online in advance. Head to the website, select the location (either The Met 5th Avenue or The Met Cloisters), select the date you want to visit and then select the time. You will then be able to purchase your tickets. If you are a member or qualify for pay-what-you-wish, you should still reserve a time to visit but you won’t pay anything online.
Safety measures are enforced. Wear a mask, stay 6ft away from any other guest, and use the hand sanitizing stations around the museum.
You will get your temperature taken. Before entering the museum, you will get your temperature taken as a safety precaution.
Coat-check isn’t available. For now, coat and bag check isn’t available. So don’t bring large bags or anything you wouldn’t be able to carry with you throughout the museum.
Paper maps aren’t available. While paper maps aren’t available during the pandemic, you can view a digital map here.

When you arrive, you will see a socially-distanced line outside the iconic stairs that lead up to the entrance. Get in line and be prepared to show your reservation time on your phone or printed off. You will get your temperature taken and then enter the museum. If you have a bag, you will need to wait for bag inspection. Everyone passes through a metal detector before entering.

Once inside the lobby, you will be greeted by a Met staff member who will direct you where to go if you still need to purchase tickets. After getting your tickets, it’s time to explore. There are three main gallery entrances, so pick one and have fun.

Top 10 Can’t-Miss Items for a First Visit

If wandering aimlessly in the museum isn’t your time, I get it. I’ve already said this, but the Met is overwhelming. Not in a bad way, but it is just large and hard to take in.

So, if this is your first visit to the Met, here are the 10 things you shouldn’t miss

The Temple of Dendur (Gallery 131)- This authentic Egyptian temple was created in 10 BC and gifted to the Met to help preserve the historic ruins.
Washington Crossing the Delaware (Gallery 760)- If you grew up in America, you likely saw this iconic painting in a history textbook at some point.
Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat (Gallery 825)- One of Van Gogh’s famous self-portraits.
Madonna with Child and Enthroned Saints (Gallery 962)- Raphael’s only altarpiece on display in America.
Human-Headed Winged Lion (Gallery 401) – Also known as a lamassu, these sculptures were built in the 9th century BC to guard the palace of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II.
The Dance Class (Gallery 899)- One of Edgar Degas’s most ambitious pieces.
Ugolino and His Sons (Gallery 548)- Sculpture by the French artist Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux that shows his admiration for Michaelangelo’s style.
Armor Garniture (Gallery 371)- This armor is said to have been made for King Henry VIII.
Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora (Gallery 153)- An incredibly well-preserved jar awarded to the winner of a race held in a 6th century BC Panathenaic festival in Athens
Cow’s Skull: Red, White, and Blue (Gallery 899)- Georgia O’Keeffe piece that showcases the New Mexican influences in her art.

Rotating Exhibits

In addition to permanent exhibits, the Met often features temporary exhibitions. Visit the website to see what is currently on display.

One of the best rotating exhibits to check out is the new exhibit that opens each year after the Met Gala. The Met Gala is a well-attended fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. When I say well-attended, I mean you have to be on the “who’s who” A-list to even be considered for an invite. Shortly after the Met Gala (which takes place in early May), the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit opens. Although the 2020 Gala was canceled, the exhibit About Time will be on display from October 29, 2020-February 7, 2021.

Food & Drink Options

Unfortunately, the Met’s food and drink options are pretty limited during the pandemic. For now, the only option is grab and go from the American Wing Cafe.

The following information is about the remaining dining options that are normally available. Hopefully these return after the pandemic:

The Met has a rooftop garden (and bar). It is easy to miss the rooftop, but if you are here when it is open, don’t skip it!

I have an entire blog post dedicated to the Met Rooftop Garden Bar, which you can check out for more details. But here is a quick rundown: Take an elevator to the 4th floor then walk up a flight of stairs to the 5th-floor rooftop. You can find an elevator in the European Sculpture and Decoratives Arts exhibit. Once you are on the rooftop, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park. Plus, there is a bar on the rooftop where you can purchase snacks, wine, and cocktails.

The Met Rooftop Garden Bar is open from mid–April through October on Sunday-Thursday from 11:00 am- 4:30 pm and Friday & Saturday from 11:00 am- 10:00 pm (but you must enter the museum by 8:45 pm).

You could easily spend an entire day exploring the Met, so you are probably gonna need to take a break for a snack or meal. There are 9 different dining locations in the Met, but here are the highlights:

Ground Floor Cafeteria– No-frills cafe offering a little something for everyone.
The Bookstore Cafe– Great spot to discuss the art over coffee and a pastry.
The Great Hall Balcony Cafe– Gelato, wine, and small plates.
The American Wing Café– American fare in a cafe surrounded by American sculptures.
Cantor Rooftop Garden Bar– This is the rooftop bar I mentioned earlier. Enjoy wine, cocktails, and small bites with a view.

Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters is a branch of the Met Museum. You can visit this beautiful museum in Fort Tyron Park in Washington Heights.

Just like for the Met Fifth Avenue, you will need to reserve a time to visit online in advance.

The museum showcases European medieval architecture, sculpture and decorative arts, which are housed in authentic European cloisters. These were dismantled in Europe in the 1900s and sent to NYC to be used for the museum.

The Met Cloisters are located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive (Fort Tryon Park) New York, NY 10040.

The Met Cloisters are open as of September 12, 2020:

Open Thursday–Monday
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

March–October: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
November – February: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Met Breuer

The Met Breuer was the third branch of the Met Museum. The Met Breuer opened in 2016 and focused on modern and contemporary art. As of 2020, the Met Breuer permanently closed its doors.

Things to Do Near the Metropolitan Museum of Art

After you finish a visit to the Met, check out some of the other great things to do nearby.

Things to Do Near the Metropolitan Museum of Art (5th Ave):

The Frick Collection– Art museum located in the former mansion of Henry Clay Frick. Reopening in early 2021.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum– Art museum housed in the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building. Reopening October 3, 2020.
Cooper Hewit Smithsonian Design Museum– Design museum dedicated to historical and modern aesthetics. Reopening date not yet announced.
Central Park- The Met rooftop garden overlooks Central Park. Spend some time relaxing in the grass, riding a bike, admiring the Alice in Wonderland Statue, or following a self-guided walking tour.
Levain Bakery– Soft-ball sized cookies that are my personal favorite in the city!
Variety Coffee– Seriously just the best coffee on the Upper East Side!
Hutch + Waldo– Australian cafe with some healthy lunch options.