The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, United States

The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially the Met, is the largest art museum in the United States. Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among 17 curatorial departments. The main building at 1000 Fifth Avenue, along the Museum Mile on the eastern edge of Central Park in Manhattan's Upper East Side, is by area one of the world's largest art galleries. A much smaller second location, The Cloisters at Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, contains an extensive collection of art, architecture, and artifacts from medieval Europe.

The museum's permanent collection consists of works of art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings, and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. The Met maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art. The museum is home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes, and accessories, as well as antique weapons and armor from around the world. Several notable interiors, ranging from 1st-century Rome through modern American design, are installed in its galleries.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 to bring art and art education to the American people. The Fifth Avenue building opened on February 20, 1872, at 681 Fifth Avenue.

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Founded: 1870
Category: Museums in United States

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Isabela (3 months ago)
I always visit the MET at least once when I visit NYC. Its the kind of museum which you loose yourself in it and then you have to start from the entrance again. The price is reasonable for the size of the collection and pristine care of things. I enjoyed every moment and it would take me many days of non stop visits to see the whole thing and learn about the pieces. It’s someplace I hope to come back to and explore more. Prepare yourself for a lot of walking but it's worth it. I stay there for at least 2-3 hours each visit.
Allison Beecher (3 months ago)
We went to The Met on Friday afternoon, and it was busy, but not packed. The museum was incredible!! It was a really immersive experience with several vignettes/rooms and life-size exhibits set up and countless beautiful artifacts and works of art. The museum flowed really well and had some really unique pieces. I would highly recommend a visit to The Met during your time in NYC.
Anastasia M (3 months ago)
Fantastic experience at the Met! I’m not always the biggest fan of museums because sometimes they can be a bit boring but the met was phenomenal. The Renoir paintings and the statues were definitely highlights for me. if you want to avoid the wait to get in, get a membership and go through the membership door. I believe the membership is $100 for the year.
Devin “Dev” (4 months ago)
I haven’t been here in a very long time. I didn’t know what to expect, but now that I’ve explored countless other museums at this point, I can say in the USA, The Met offers the most. There are countless wings, exhibits, and perfectly curated pieces of history all over. The price is reasonable for the size of the collection and pristine care of things. I enjoyed every moment and it would take me many days of non stop visits to see the whole thing and learn about the pieces. It’s someplace I hope to come back to and explore more. Art and history have always told the story of humanity’s plight, beauty, and ability to overcome hardship. There is something compelling to see people untied to see this beautiful art. Together we can reflect on ancient and newly historic reminders of what we have overcome as a species, what we’ve always struggled with, and where we need to continue to fight for what matters.
Kevin Ao (5 months ago)
I recently visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art and it's definitely the largest museum I have ever seen. The sheer size of the museum (2 million square feet!) can be overwhelming, so I definitely recommend doing your research before you go and knowing what you want to see. You will need multiple visits to appreciate everything the museum has to offer. I enjoyed the arms and armor section, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to explore the rest of the museum.
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