With over two million works in the permanent collection spanning over 5000 years of history from around the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art brings the past alive through its visual displays that are evocative and thought-provoking. In one place, you can travel the globe, encountering many cultures spanning human history. It is a treasure that should not be missed when visiting New York City; but the museum can be overwhelming for visitors, which is why I recommend a tour with an experienced guide.
A tour provides you with an experienced guide and skip-the-line tickets to navigate through the 600,000 square foot museum—the world’s fourth largest! You are guaranteed a maximum group size of 15 people so you won’t get lost in the crowd either. Throughout your three-hour tour, your expert guide will take you through the various wings of the mammoth institution traversing eras and regions from Ancient Egypt to Ancient Greece to the 20th Century.
Here are some highlights of what you will see:
- Ancient Greek and Roman statues
- A 2000-year-old Egyptian Temple
- “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze
- “Looking in a Mirror” by Julie Le Brun
- Impressionist and post-Impressionist works by Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and more
- Modern art by the likes of Jackson Pollack
I’ve been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art many times on my own and often wished I had a guide to help me navigate throughout.
Looking for Metropolitan Museum of Art Tickets and Tours?
Viator Met Tours: https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
GetYourGuide Met Tours: https://www.getyourguide.com/metropolitan-museum-of-art-l2609/?adults=1&searchSource=8&partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
New York City Pass: https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/New-York-CityPass/d687-2640NYC?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
New York Viator: https://www.viator.com/New-York-City/d687-ttd?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
New York GetYourGuide also has a variety of experiences, tickets, and tours at various prices: https://www.getyourguide.com/new-york-city-l59/?adults=1&searchSource=8&partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
For more information about visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see my blog: https://roaminghistorian.com/2020/02/23/things-to-do-in-nyc-metropolitan-museum-of-art/
I hope you have a great time in the Big Apple; it’s one of my favorite cities in the world and I could get lost for hours (or days) when visiting the Met. It’s one of the best things to do in New York.
Do You Need Travel Insurance for a Trip to New York City?
I would say yes in order to protect your financial investment in the trip. Due to the high costs of US medical care, non-refundable tickets/tours, flight delays, weather interruptions, and lost or stolen luggage or belongings, I strongly recommend travel insurance for NYC travel. For maximum protection—including coverage for pre-existing conditions—it is best to secure a policy within 7-10 days of making your first trip deposit (such as flight or hotel bookings). Our favorite booking site is Travel Insurance.com. They provide a list of policies to choose from, so you can get exactly what you need for the lowest cost. Then, book on the Travel Insurance.Com website and the company will email you your policy. No mark up and extremely easy. https://www.travelinsurance.com/?utm_source=pap&a_aid=65590b3a60c44
Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.
Traveling Soon? Trusted Tour & Travel Partners
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https://www.travelinsurance.com/?utm_source=pap&a_aid=65590b3a60c44
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Roaming Historian may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the research and storytelling that go into every article. All opinions are always our own.