Entrance
The main staircase on 82nd street is the well-known entrance but the easiest and fastest way to get inside the museum is the 80th street ground floor entrance. Walk 2 blocks south along 5th avenue and you will see the ground floor entrance with the sign for 81 street studio– that’s the new space for kids. The entrance to that is also from the ground floor.
Met Membership
The Met membership card is magical. It literally opens all doors. The lines are not for you. You don’t need tickets, they scan your card at the entrance. More than that, being invited to previews and having discounts in all the stores is great but nothing beats priority tickets and beating long lines, especially for popular exhibits. The card allows you to walk right in, with your guests in tow. Click here for more details on everything the membership has to offer. Even if you only visit twice a year, it’s worth it and you get to support new exciting programming at this amazing institution.
Tickets
The membership is well worth it. But if you need to purchase tickets, take care not to overpay. There’re a lot of online vendors and tour guide companies charging for tickets. The only official site will have “metmuseum.org” in the url. For NY, NJ and CT resident, the tickets are pay what you wish. To purchase online click here.
To purchase in the museum
Your best bet is the ground floor, the lines are always shorter here then upstairs by the main entrance. Another tip for avoiding the ticket lines is to use the machines or to purchase tickets online ahead of time. But again, the most convenient card that will open all the doors, is the Met Membership.
What to wear
There’s also a bag check but the only coat check is on the first floor and is always crowded. Wear light and comfy clothes and definitely comfy shoes, preferably sneakers. This will require a lot of walking, the museum is enormous and just getting to your desired exhibition will require footwork.
Plan on seeing one thing only
Golden statue of Diana by Augustus Saint-Gaudens – Goddess of Hunting, was brought to the American wing from her high perch on top of the Madison Square Garden. While being a part of NY Skyline until 1925, now she’s upclose and personal with us, mortals, still on a pedestal but grounded.
Do not try to cover ground, check things off the list, running around this space will leave you drained and exhausted. The best bet is to plan on seeing one thing or just keep an open mind and see where the day takes you. Don’t try to run to see “everything” its 2 million sq feet, it’s impossible. If you plan ahead and find an exhibit that might interest you, you will still have to walk to that space and will walk through history and different time periods and modes of representation. Paintings, sculptures, porcelain, period rooms replete with furniture and wall decor, its 5,000 years of human history. There’s always something to learn and to explore and to dive deeper.
Click here to view the Museum’s live map
Audio Guide available on your phone
https://www.metmuseum.org/audio-guide
- Exhibition playlists – can listen before you visit and during the visit. Curate your own experience and explore the collections on your time.
- Art work numbers – once inside the museums, enter the number listed with the headphone symbol
Log into Museum Wi-Fi
As soon as you get into the vicinity of the museum, you can find the Met WiFi on your phone and join for free, this will allow you to use the audio guide on your phone while inside the museum.
I hope the above was helpful. More posts to come on Met exhibits, I absolutely love this incredible place and never get tired of exploring it. Enjoy your visit, keep an open mind, be present to enjoy these incredible galleries and share your experiences with others.
Reach out for any questions 🙂
Leave a Reply