# The Metropolitan Museum of Art — New York City, United States

> The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially 'the Met', is the largest art museum in the Americas. Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among 17 curatorial departments.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Sunday to Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
- Admission: $30 for adults; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents
- Free entry: Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents · Children under 12 always free
- Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, USA
- Time needed: 3–5 hours
- Official website: https://www.metmuseum.org/
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Washington Crossing the Delaware — Emanuel Leutze · 1851
- Cypresses — Vincent van Gogh · 1889
- Autumn Rhythm (Number 30) — Jackson Pollock · 1950
- Portrait of Juan de Pareja — Diego Velázquez · 1650
- Temple of Dendur — Ancient Egyptian · 15 BCE

## Famous works covered
- The Great Wave off Kanagawa (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/the-great-wave/)

## FAQ
**Is the Met Museum free?**
New York State residents and students from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut pay what they wish (any amount). All other visitors pay the full suggested admission of $30 for adults. Children under 12 are always free. The Met does not offer free public days beyond the pay-what-you-wish policy for NY-area residents.

**What are the must-see works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art?**
The Temple of Dendur — an intact ancient Egyptian temple (15 BCE) in its own glass-enclosed gallery; Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze; Madame X (Portrait of Madame X) by John Singer Sargent; Water Lilies by Claude Monet; the Arms and Armor galleries; and the American Wing period rooms, including the Frank Lloyd Wright 'Little Room'.

**What is the Temple of Dendur at the Met?**
The Temple of Dendur is an Egyptian temple built around 15 BCE by the Roman Emperor Augustus as a gift to the goddess Isis. It was given to the United States by Egypt in 1965 in gratitude for American assistance saving Nubian monuments from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam. The Met reconstructed it in the Sackler Wing, which opened in 1978.

**Does the Met have a rooftop garden?**
Yes — the Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar is open during warmer months (typically May to October), weather permitting. It offers stunning views over Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, and features rotating site-specific contemporary art commissions. Admission to the museum is required to access the rooftop.

**How long does a visit to the Met take?**
The Met's main building has 17 curatorial departments spread across 300,000 square metres. A focused visit to two or three departments takes 3–4 hours. A comprehensive visit requires multiple visits. The Met Cloisters (medieval art, in Fort Tryon Park) requires a separate trip but is included in the same-day ticket.

**How long should I spend at The Metropolitan Museum of Art?**
Plan 3–5 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/metropolitan-museum-of-art/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.