Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
display—from Egyptian mummies to Greek statuary to Islamic carv-
ings to Renaissance paintings to Native American masks to 20th-
century decorative arts—and masterpieces are the rule. You could go
once a week for a lifetime and still find something new on each visit.
So unless you plan on spending your entire vacation in the
museum (some do), you cannot see the entire collection. My rec-
ommendation is to give it a good day—or better yet, 2 half-days so
you don't burn out. One good way to get an overview is to take the
Museum Highlights Tour, offered every day at various times (usu-
ally between 10:15am and 3:15pm; tours also offered in Spanish,
Italian, German, and Korean). Visit the museum's website for a
schedule of this and subject-specific tours (Old Masters Paintings,
American Period Rooms, Arts of China, Islamic Art, and so on); you
can get a schedule of the day's tours at the Visitor Services desk when
you arrive. A daily schedule of Gallery Talks is also available.
The least overwhelming way to see the Met on your own is to pick
up a map at the round desk in the entry hall and concentrate on
what you like, whether it's 17th-century paintings, American furni-
ture, or the art of the South Pacific. Highlights include the Ameri-
can Wing's Garden Court, with its 19th-century sculpture; the
Costume Hall; and the Frank Lloyd Wright room. The beautifully
renovated Roman and Greek galleries are overwhelming, but in a
marvelous way, as are the collections of Byzantine Art and Chinese
art. The highlight of the Egyptian collection is the Temple of Den-
dur, in a dramatic, purpose-built glass-walled gallery with Central
Park views.
In response to the huge crowds, the Met now opens on “holiday
Mondays.” On those Mondays, such as Memorial Day or Labor
Day, the museum is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm.
To purchase tickets for concerts and lectures, call & 212/570-3949
(Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm). The museum contains several dining facili-
ties, including a full-service restaurant serving Continental cuisine
( & 212/570-3964 for reservations). The roof garden is worth visiting
if you're here from spring to autumn, offering peaceful views over Cen-
tral Park and the city.
The Met's medieval collections are housed in upper Manhattan at
The Cloisters ; see the full listing on p. 135.
Fifth Ave. at 82nd St. & 212/535-7710. www.metmuseum.org. Suggested admis-
sion (includes same-day entrance to the Cloisters) $20 adults, $15 seniors and $10
students, free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult. Sun, holiday
Mon (Memorial Day, Labor Day, and so forth), and Tues-Thurs 9:30am-5:30pm;
Fri-Sat 9:30am-9pm. Strollers are permitted in most areas—inquire at Information
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