The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) charges $30 for adults, $22 for seniors (65+), and $17 for students. Children under 12 enter free. New York State residents and NY/NJ/CT students can pay what they wish. The Met is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM. It is closed on Wednesdays. Guided tours cost $59 (2 hours) or $74 (3 hours) and include skip-the-line access. Your ticket includes same-day entry to both The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art — known simply as The Met — is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the most visited museums in the world. Located on the eastern edge of Central Park at 1000 Fifth Avenue, The Met attracts millions of visitors each year with a breathtaking collection spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity.
With more than two million works housed across two million square feet, The Met takes you on a journey through global art and culture — from ancient Egyptian temples and medieval European armor to Impressionist masterpieces, American decorative arts, Asian textiles, and contemporary installations.
Founded in 1870 by a group of American citizens — businessmen, financiers, artists, and thinkers — who wanted to bring art and art education to the American people, The Met has grown into one of the most comprehensive and encyclopedic art museums anywhere on Earth.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to plan your visit in 2026: ticket options and pricing, guided tour details, operating hours, top exhibits, family activities, and essential visitor tips.
Top Tickets
You can buy Metropolitan Museum of Art tickets online through The Met’s official website or authorized partners like GetYourGuide and Tiqets. Buying online lets you skip the ticket counter line and go directly to the galleries. Your e-ticket is delivered by email and can be shown on your smartphone — no printout needed.
Met Museum tickets are available online and at the museum’s ticket counters. Booking online is recommended because it lets you skip the ticket line and proceed directly to the galleries.
After purchasing, you receive your e-ticket by email. Show it on your smartphone at the entrance — no printout is required. All tickets include same-day access to both The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters (the medieval art branch in Upper Manhattan).
| Category | Price |
| Adult (13+) | $30 |
| Senior (65+) | $22 |
| Student (with valid ID) | $17 |
| Child (under 12) | Free |
| NY State residents | Pay what you wish |
| NY/NJ/CT students | Pay what you wish |
Pay-what-you-wish admission is available for New York State residents and students from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. You must present a valid ID at the ticket counter. The minimum is $0.01 per ticket. Online pay-what-you-wish tickets require a New York State billing address.
This is the most popular guided experience at The Met and the best option for first-time visitors. A knowledgeable guide leads a small group (max 15 people) through the museum’s highlights, including the Egyptian galleries, European paintings, and iconic American wing.
The tour includes skip-the-line access and museum donation (admission), so you do not need to purchase a separate ticket.
| Category | Price |
| Adult (15+) | $59 |
| Child (2–14) | $49 |
| Infant (under 2) | Free |
For a deeper experience, this 3-hour private tour covers art from five continents across 5,000 years. The guide shares stories, context, and connections — not just facts — making the art come alive.
This tour includes rooftop terrace access (May to October) and museum donation. It is ideal for serious art enthusiasts or visitors who want a more personalized, in-depth experience.
| Category | Price |
| Adult (15+) | $74 |
| Child (2–14) | $64 |
| Infant (under 2) | Free |
You can also access The Met using one of these discount city passes:
• NYC Explorer Pass — Choose from dozens of attractions, including The Met
• New York Pass — Includes The Met and 100+ other attractions
• Big Apple Pass — Bundles The Met with the Statue of Liberty Cruise and Empire State Building
These passes can save you up to 40% compared to buying individual tickets.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Friday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM. The Met is closed every Wednesday. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. The extended Friday and Saturday hours make evening visits a great option for a quieter, more relaxed experience.
| Day | Hours |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
The best time to visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art is on a weekday morning, especially Thursday or Monday, right when it opens at 10 AM. Friday and Saturday evenings (after 5 PM) are also relatively quiet. The busiest times are weekend afternoons and holidays.
The Met attracts large crowds, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Weekday mornings (10 AM) are the least crowded option. Thursday and Monday mornings tend to be particularly calm.
Friday and Saturday evenings: After 5 PM, many daytime visitors leave, and the museum becomes noticeably quieter. Avoid Saturday and Sunday afternoons — these are consistently the most crowded times.
Need help with which art museum to visit? Check out which is better – The Met Museum or MOMA.
Most first-time visitors spend 3 to 4 hours at The Met. However, art enthusiasts and those wanting to explore multiple departments in depth can easily spend a full day (6–8 hours).
The Met’s collection is so vast that seeing everything in a single visit is virtually impossible. If you have limited time, focus on 3–4 departments that interest you most.
If you are debating whether to visit The Met or MoMA, or how to fit both into your trip, read our detailed MoMA or The Met comparison guide.
The Met’s top must-see exhibits include the Temple of Dendur (an ancient Egyptian temple from 10 BC), Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat, the Arms and Armor galleries, the American Wing with its period rooms, and the Impressionist gallery featuring works by Degas, Monet, and Renoir. The rooftop garden (open May–October) offers stunning Central Park views alongside rotating art installations.
1. The Temple of Dendur (10 BC) — An entire ancient Egyptian temple, rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and reassembled inside The Met’s soaring glass-walled gallery.
2. Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851) — Emanuel Leutze’s monumental patriotic painting, measuring 12 by 21 feet.
3. Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat (1887) — An early Vincent van Gogh self-portrait showcasing his experiments with pointillist techniques.
4. The Dance Class (1874) — Edgar Degas captures the everyday reality of ballet life in this beloved Impressionist work.
5. Aristotle with a Bust of Homer (1653) — Rembrandt’s contemplative masterpiece reflecting on knowledge, legacy, and artistic ambition.
6. Arms and Armor Galleries — One of the world’s finest collections of medieval and Renaissance arms and armor.
7. The American Wing Period Rooms — Fully furnished rooms from different eras of American history.
8. Relief Panel from Nimrud (ca. 883–859 BC) — Assyrian history carved in stone.
9. Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints (ca. 1504) — Raphael’s only altarpiece in the United States.
10. The Rooftop Garden (Seasonal) — Open May through October, featuring rotating art installations and panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
Virtual access: Google Arts & Culture offers virtual tours of The Met’s most visited galleries.
81st Street Studio: A dedicated family play space where kids can engage with art through hands-on activities and creative play.
Audio Guide for Kids: 13 themed audio tours designed for children ages 6–12, available free through The Met’s app.
Nolen Library: A family-friendly library where kids and parents can explore books about art, history, and culture.
Children’s Art Classes: Creative workshops led by professional educators and teaching artists throughout the year.
Family Guides: Free printed guides offering scavenger hunts and themed trails through the galleries.
The Met offers one of the most comprehensive audio guide programs of any museum in the world: over 3,000 recordings covering artworks across the collection, available in 10 languages (English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish). Accessible through The Met’s free mobile app — bring your phone and headphones.
Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street), New York, NY 10028, USA. Get Directions.
By Subway: Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to the 86 Street station, then walk west three blocks to Fifth Avenue and south to 82nd Street (about 10 minutes).
By Bus: The M1, M2, M3, and M4 buses stop along 5 Ave/E 80 St near the museum. The M79 crosstown bus also connects the East and West sides.
By Car: Limited street parking is available. Bags will be inspected on entry, and large backpacks and luggage must be checked at the coat check near the 81st Street entrance.
Your Met ticket also includes same-day admission to The Met Cloisters, a branch museum in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan. The Cloisters is dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe and is built from elements of four actual French medieval cloisters.
It is a peaceful, atmospheric experience that feels worlds away from the bustle of midtown Manhattan. If you are interested in medieval art, illuminated manuscripts, and tranquil gardens, set aside 2–3 hours for a visit.
General admission is $30 for adults, $22 for seniors (65+), and $17 for students with valid ID. Children under 12 enter free. New York State residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT can pay what they wish.
The Met houses more than two million objects spanning 5,000 years. Most visitors consider the $30 admission excellent value for the scale and quality of the experience. New York residents can pay what they wish, making it even more accessible.
The Met is an encyclopedic museum covering 5,000+ years of world art, while MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) focuses specifically on modern and contemporary art from the 1880s onward. The Met is much larger and requires more time. Read our full MoMA vs The Met comparison.
Yes. Photography is permitted throughout the museum for personal, non-commercial use. Flash photography is prohibited.
Yes. The museum is fully accessible. Manual wheelchairs are available at the 81st Street entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Mobility devices are permitted throughout all public areas.
Yes. The Guggenheim Museum is just a few blocks north on Fifth Avenue. The Whitney Museum of American Art is downtown. MoMA is about 2 miles south in Midtown. For immersive digital art, check out ARTECHOUSE New York in Chelsea.
Yes. The Met offers both private guided tours led by expert art historians (starting at $59 for 2 hours) and free self-guided audio tours through the mobile app.
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