The admission reality
The Met's admission is technically "pay-what-you-wish" for New York State residents and full-time students at New York schools. For everyone else — including all international visitors — the published admission price applies. This is a common point of confusion: the $30 suggested donation displayed prominently at the entrance is not, for out-of-state and international visitors, optional. The museum has clarified this in its signage, though the word "suggested" still appears in some contexts. Budget the full admission for a non-NY-resident visit.
How to use your time
The Met occupies a 300,000 square foot building with over two million objects. No single visit covers it. The visitors who leave most satisfied are those who choose two or three specific wings and spend real time in them, rather than walking through everything at walking speed.
Wings worth prioritising on a first visit
- Egyptian Art (Ground Floor) — the Temple of Dendur, a complete ancient Egyptian temple reconstructed inside a purpose-built glass hall, is one of the most extraordinary objects in any museum anywhere. Allow at least 30 minutes just for this room.
- European Paintings (Second Floor, Galleries 600s) — Vermeer, Rembrandt, Velázquez, El Greco. The density of masterworks per room is remarkable even by major museum standards.
- The American Wing (Ground Floor) — the period rooms (actual furnished interiors from significant American houses) and the Tiffany glass collection are both undervisited relative to the European galleries.
- Arms and Armor (Ground Floor) — consistently the most popular gallery with children, and worth the detour for adults: the scale and craftsmanship of the mounted knight display is genuinely impressive.
- The Roof Garden (seasonal, May–October) — contemporary art installations with panoramic Central Park and Manhattan skyline views. Separate from the main collection; reached by elevator.
Practical things
The Met opens at 10am; the building is largest in the early afternoon on weekends. Arriving at opening or after 3pm on weekdays gives the most space. The café inside is adequate; the dining options on the roof are better. The coat and bag check is near the main entrance and free.