When you step into The Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’re entering one of the most famous places in New York City. Known simply as “The Met,” this massive building on Fifth Avenue holds millions of objects that tell the story of human creativity across thousands of years. Since its start in 1870, it has grown into a top spot for anyone who enjoys art, history, or just seeing something new. You’ll find everything from ancient Egyptian tombs to paintings by artists you’ve heard of in school, all under one roof. This article takes you through its beginnings, its standout collections, and why it’s a place you need to visit if you’re in the city.
The Met isn’t just a building with old things—it’s a record of how people have lived, thought, and made things over centuries. With over two million square feet and more than two million items, it’s one of the biggest museums anywhere. You can spend hours there and still not see it all. Whether you’re into statues from Greece, colorful canvases from Europe, or tools from early America, there’s something here for you. Plus, it’s right in the middle of Manhattan, easy to get to and surrounded by other things to do.
Statues at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
How The Met Began: A Look Back at 1870
The Metropolitan Museum of Art started with a group of people who wanted to bring culture to New York. In 1870, the city was growing fast, full of new buildings and businesses, but it didn’t have a big public art collection like cities in Europe did. A bunch of wealthy folks—bankers, lawyers, and art collectors—decided to change that. They met in a restaurant on Fifth Avenue and agreed to create a museum that would show off works from all over the world. Their goal was simple: make art something everyone could see, not just the rich.
At first, The Met didn’t even have a building. It opened in a rented space on Fifth Avenue with a small collection—about 174 paintings donated by one of the founders. Back then, you wouldn’t have found much compared to today. But those early days set the stage for what was coming. By 1880, it moved to its current spot in Central Park, a huge building designed to hold way more. Over the years, people kept giving money and objects, and the museum got bigger and bigger. Today, you can see how that original idea turned into something massive, all because a few people wanted to share art with the public.
People walking through The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Building Itself: A Growing Giant on Fifth Avenue
If you walk up to The Met today, you’ll notice its size right away. The main building stretches along Fifth Avenue, with a wide set of steps leading up to the entrance. It’s been there since 1880, but it didn’t start out looking like it does now. The original structure was just one part of what you see today, and over time, they kept adding more sections. Every few decades, architects would design new wings to fit all the stuff people were donating. You can still spot some of the older parts if you look closely—red brick peeking out behind the newer stone.
Inside, it’s a maze of rooms and hallways. You’ve got over 2 million square feet to cover, with galleries stacked on top of each other. The big entrance hall, called the Great Hall, greets you with high ceilings and a buzz of visitors. From there, you pick a direction—left, right, or straight ahead—and start walking. Each wing has its own feel, depending on what’s inside. The Egyptian area has dim lights and stone walls, while the European painting rooms are bright with gold frames everywhere. It’s a lot to take in, but the layout makes it easy to find what you’re interested in.
The MET building lit up at night with a fountain in the front
Ancient Egypt: Walking Through Tombs and Temples
One of the first places you might want to head to is the Egyptian collection. This part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art takes up a whole wing, and for good reason—it’s packed with stuff from thousands of years ago. You’ll see mummies wrapped in cloth, lying in cases that show how they were buried. There are also statues of pharaohs, some taller than you, carved out of stone with faces that haven’t changed in centuries. The star of the show is the Temple of Dendur, a real Egyptian temple moved here in the 1960s. You can walk around it, look at the carvings on the walls, and picture what it was like when it sat by the Nile River.
The collection started growing big in the early 1900s when museum teams went to Egypt and brought back tons of items. You’ve got jewelry, pots, and even tools people used every day, all laid out in glass cases. Labels tell you where each piece came from and how old it is—some go back to 3000 BC. It’s not just about the fancy stuff either; you’ll see things like a kid’s toy or a worker’s sandal, giving you a peek at regular life back then. If you’re into history, this section alone could keep you busy for hours.
Old statues and figures in the MET
European Paintings: Famous Names on Every Wall
When you move into the European painting galleries, you’re in for a treat if you know your art history. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has rooms full of works by names like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Monet. These aren’t small pieces either—some canvases are huge, covering entire walls with colors and details. You’ll spot Rembrandt’s serious-looking portraits, where the people seem to stare right at you. Then there’s Van Gogh’s swirling brushstrokes, like in his painting of wheat fields, which you’ve probably seen in books or online.
This collection goes back to the Middle Ages and runs up to the 1900s, so you get a mix of styles. The older stuff has lots of religious scenes—think Mary and Jesus in gold frames. By the time you hit the 1800s, it’s more about everyday life, like Monet’s water lilies or Degas’s dancers. You can walk through and see how painting changed over hundreds of years, all in one place. The museum got a lot of these works from rich donors who wanted their collections to stay in New York, so you’re looking at pieces that have been here for decades.
American Art: From Colonial Days to Now
The Met doesn’t just focus on far-off places—it’s got a big section for American art too. You’ll find this in the American Wing, where they’ve set up rooms to show how people lived here long ago. There are old furniture pieces, like wooden chairs from the 1700s, and silver dishes from colonial times. But the paintings are what grab you most. You’ve got portraits of George Washington and other early leaders, done by artists who wanted to capture the new country’s spirit.
Then there’s the newer stuff—think Winslow Homer’s ocean scenes or John Singer Sargent’s fancy portraits of rich folks from the 1900s. You can see how American art went from copying Europe to doing its own thing. One cool part is the stained glass by Tiffany, with colors that light up the room. They’ve even got a whole courtyard with statues and a fountain, making it feel like you’re stepping into an old American town. This section shows you the country’s past in a way textbooks can’t.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Modern and Contemporary Art: The 20th Century and Beyond
If older stuff isn’t your thing, head to the modern and contemporary galleries. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a bunch of works from the 1900s and later, showing how art changed with the times. You’ll see Picasso’s blocky figures and Jackson Pollock’s paint splashes, both big names that shook up the art world. These pieces are different from the neat portraits upstairs—here, it’s about breaking rules and trying new ideas.
The collection covers paintings, sculptures, and even some weird objects, like a chair made of metal pipes. You’ve got artists from all over—America, Europe, Asia—showing what was happening in their parts of the world. The Met started grabbing these works in the mid-1900s, and they keep adding more as new artists pop up. You might not get every piece right away, but that’s part of the fun—figuring out what they were going for. It’s a nice switch if you’ve been looking at mummies and old canvases all day.
The Costume Institute: Fashion Through the Ages
One spot you might not expect at The Met is the Costume Institute. This section is all about clothes—how people dressed from way back to now. You’ll see gowns from the 1700s, with big skirts and tight waists, next to suits from the 1920s that look sharp enough for a movie. They’ve got over 35,000 items, from everyday outfits to wild designs you’d never wear. Each piece shows what was going on at the time—wars, parties, new inventions—all through fabric and stitches.
Every year, they put on a big show with a theme, like fashion and technology or clothes from old religions. You might recognize it from the Met Gala, where famous people wear outfits tied to that year’s idea. The displays change often, so you’re always seeing something fresh. If you like style or just want a break from paintings, this part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art gives you a different angle on history.
European medieval pillars near a garden
Visiting The Met: What You Need to Know
Ready to go? The Metropolitan Museum of Art is at 1000 Fifth Avenue, right by Central Park. You can get there by subway—take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walk a few blocks. It’s open every day except Wednesday, usually from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with longer hours on Friday and Saturday. You’ll want to check the website for exact times since they can change. Admission is pay-what-you-wish if you live in New York State, but out-of-towners have a set fee—still worth it for what you get.
Once you’re in, grab a map at the desk. The place is huge, so pick a few areas you want to see most—Egypt, European paintings, whatever—and start there. You can rent an audio guide or join a free tour if you want someone to explain things. Bring comfy shoes; you’ll be walking a lot. There’s a cafeteria and a couple of cafes inside if you need a break, plus a gift shop with books and replicas. Plan for at least half a day—you won’t cover it all, but you’ll see plenty.
Why The Met Stands Out Among Museums
What makes The Metropolitan Museum of Art different from other big museums? It’s the range. You’ve got items from 5000 BC up to last year, from every continent. Most places stick to one time or area—think just paintings or just ancient stuff—but The Met mixes it all. You can go from an Egyptian coffin to a Picasso sketch in 10 minutes. That variety keeps you interested, no matter what you’re into. Plus, it’s right in New York, so you’re already in a city full of things to do after.
The size helps too. With so much space, they can show off full setups—like that temple or a whole room from an old American house. You’re not just looking at objects; you’re stepping into where they came from. And the museum keeps growing. They’re always adding new pieces or fixing up galleries, so even if you’ve been before, there’s something different next time. It’s a place that stays relevant, pulling in art fans and casual visitors alike.
Roman statues in a museum
Your Next Stop at The Met
After you visit, there’s more to see in the city. Pick up a New York City travel guide to plan your next steps, or grab last minute Broadway tickets in NYC for a show that night.
If you’re into hidden gems in Manhattan, you’ll find plenty nearby to keep your trip going. Check out VisitNYC.com for all the details you need to make it happen.
