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- Planning A Trip To The Met? This Is How Much You’ll Need To Pay
- Here’s How You Can Get In The Met Museum For Free
- Other Ways To Get Free Admission To New York’s Met Museum
While Paris might be the museum capital of the world, New York City also ranks in the top ten cities with the highest number of museums. Although Paris has a mind-boggling 297 museums, way higher than New York, the Big Apple also boasts quite a respectable 140, the second-highest in the United States. This is no mean feat. Chula Vista in San Diego has only seven museums.
New York’s many museums capture the identity of the Big Apple as the cultural capital of the world. And with more than 800 languages spoken within its five boroughs, New York City is easily the most linguistically diverse city on the planet. While there are many cultural centers where one can appreciate New York’s rich heritage, the city’s Metropolitan Museum is arguably its true cultural hotbed and The Met is free for many people. In this article, we disclose how much The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City or simply "The Met" costs and how to get in there.
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UPDATE: 2023/05/03 11:34 EST BY AARON SPRAY
More Information About Free Admission To The Met
Unfortunately, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (The Met) is not free admission for most people outside of the state. Regardless, The Met is one of the leading museums in NYC and everyone should visit - New Yorkers get to go in for free. This article was updated and expanded with more information about how to visit the Met for free. Check the requirements and visit The Met for free.
Planning A Trip To The Met? This Is How Much You’ll Need To Pay
Suggested Admission Tier Admission (The Met Free Admission):
Here’s the thing. Since March 2018, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has adopted an admission policy that’s based on a visitor's demographics. As a result of the new policy, admission to one of the world's greatest Art Centers is based on a two-tier admission arrangement. The first tier is called “Suggested Admission.” On the flip side, the second and last are known as “General Admission.”
Suggested Admission Tier Admission:
- Entry Fee: Free
- Who: NY Residents, Students In NY, NJ, & Connecticut
Required ID For Suggested Admission:
- New York State driver’s license
- New York State identification card
- IDNYC
- Current bill or statement with a New York State address
- Student ID
- New York library card
Tourists exploring exhibitions atThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
The first tier of admission—referred to as “Suggested Admission,” takes in residents of New York State. Aside from residents of New York State, students in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut—are also grouped in the “Suggested Admission” category. So at least the Met has free admission for students in the Tri-State area.
Here’s why belonging to the “Suggested Admissions” category is a dollar-saver. Admission is free to those in the “Suggested Admissions” Category. Well, not exactly free, but it's more like it. The correct payment policy is “Pay As You Wish.” So that means it's entirely up to an individual to decide the amount he or she would want to part with.
General Admission Tier Admission (The Met Paid Admission):
On the other side of the pay-policy spectrum is what the museum describes as General Admission. This second-tier admission category includes all visitors who are not eligible for the first-tier category of “Suggested Admission.” Naturally, this includes those who are not residents of the Empire State—as well as those who are not students in either the states of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Visitors who belong to the “General Admission” category will pay an admission fee that’s graduated according to age.
General Admission Tier Admission:
- Cost: Adult $30.00, Students $17.00, Children Free (Under 12 Years Old
- Who: None NY Residents & Students Outside The Tri-State Area
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York at Night
Consequently, adults will be required to pay $30 on admission. Students who are not in the “Suggested Admission” category will part with $17. However, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is free to children less than 12 years of age. It’s also free for members and patrons. Seniors get to pay a slightly discounted price—compared to adults—of $22. For proper identification, seniors are those above 65 years of age.
Related: 10 Lesser-Known Museums In NYC That Are Worth Visiting.
Here’s How You Can Get In The Met Museum For Free
It’s good to know ways that one can save some cash, even if it’s only a penny. Fortunately, for those planning to visit New York’s Met Museum, there are a few free options. Most of these fall under the “Complimentary Admission” Category which also applies to children under 12. Aside from kids under 12, caregivers accompanying a visitor with a disability also qualify for the free “Complimentary Admission.”
In addition, those with IDNYC, the free government-issued photo ID card for New Yorkers who are at least ten years old—can also get into the Met for free. The other cardholders who’ll smile their way to the Met are AAM (The American Alliance of Museums), ICOM (The International Council of Museums), and the Museum Council of NYC members. But there are other lucky individuals and groups.
Those who hold a reciprocal membership from a participating institution, those who can present a valid employee ID from one of Met’s corporate sponsors, and those who have a valid press ID—benefit from “Complimentary Admission” and therefore can gain entry for free. And since the Met is a Blue Star Museum, it offers free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel. This takes in their family members also.
Knights and armour room in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Where Is The New York Metropolitan Museum? The physical address of this museum is 1000 Fifth Avenue and 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, New York, NY 10028 U.S.
Also, since the Bank of America supports several cultural centers financially, some museums (including the Met) have entered into a working relationship with the bank that grants the bank’s cardholders the benefit of free admission to selected museums—subject to some conditions.
Related: New York's Museum Of Illusions Will Turn Your World Upside Down.
Other Ways To Get Free Admission To New York’s Met Museum
Aside from the avenues we’ve mentioned, a staff member of another museum within the country can get free admission to the Met. This applies to all workers, including volunteers. Also, students from certain universities can gain entry into the Met for free. This includes students from Columbia University, among others. In case someone cannot legitimately use any of these free avenues, the best cost-saving approach would be to visit the Met as part of a group. By this approach, one is able to get a slight discount.
At the end of the day, New York’s Met Museum is worth more than the admission ticket of $30 for adults. Therefore, price should not stand in the way of what will be quite a rewarding experience. It’s an attraction that one should find a way of fitting into a trip to the Big Apple.
While many museums in New York City have special free entry days, the Met Museum does not appear to have any special free entry days. So those who do not qualify for suggested admission will have no choice but to pay.
There are plenty of other excellent museums to visit while in New York City, take the time to visit the NYC Tenement Museum and learn about the lives of generations of immigrants, , and learn about the naval and space history of the nation at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
FAQs
Who gets into The Met for free? ›
Free for Members, Patrons, and children under 12. To purchase general admission tickets in advance, choose one of the The Met locations. Admission is free for a caregiver accompanying a visitor with a disability.
Is The Met free on Tuesdays? ›When is it Free? Free on Tuesdays from 5pm to close. Last admission two hours prior to closing. Free Admission Tuesday tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the Museum starting at 4 p.m.
Can someone else use my Met membership card? ›All Memberships at The Met are issued to individual persons and are non-transferable. We do not offer Library or Gallery Memberships, as each Membership card must be issued to a person and not an institution.
Can I go to The Met without a reservation? ›One ticket per person is needed for admission to the Museum. You can either buy a General Admission ticket or make a reservation for entry prior to your visit.
Does anyone go to Met Gala for free? ›The only way to attend the Met Gala for free is to be chosen by a designer who has a table and whose work will be featured at the event.
Is the Met free on Fridays? ›The first Friday of every month from 4 to 8pm (reserve online in advance). Free admission is also offered to staff and students of various universities as well as certain government employees.
How to get into NYC museums for free? ›Explore local museums & attractions with Culture Pass! If you have a library card from the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, or New York Public Library (serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island), you can reserve free passes to 80+ cultural institutions across NYC.
How much are tickets to the Met? › Is the Met rooftop free? ›To visit the Met rooftop garden you must purchase a ticket to the museum.
Is The Met still pay what you want? ›Unlike the museums in DC, the Met is not government funded. It does however sit on property that is part of Central Park, which is free and open to the public, hence the pay what you wish policy.
Is The Met NYC worth it? ›
Good Value. The Met has so much to see and lots of interesting tidbits to learn. When you explore this space with a guide, you'll not only see so much more in your three hours but you'll understand what it is you're looking at and why it's so significant to the art world. Plus, you have your ticket for the entire day.
What are the benefits of being a member of The Met? ›Membership at The Met offers a rich variety of specialized benefits that give you a deeper connection with the art in our galleries. From free admission and guest passes on every visit, to Member Preview Days for new exhibitions and discounts on dining and shopping, it's all waiting for you as a Member.
How do you skip the line at The Met? ›Skip the long lines for tickets at the door with the day pass. You'll have priority entrance to all three museums for an entire day.
Can you bring water into The Met? ›Visitors may bring water in plastic and secure bottles into the Museum.
When did The Met start charging? ›After some couple of years of "semantical nudging" between "suggested" and "recommended" admission fees, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art decided to start charging a mandatory $25 (€ 20.75) fee, starting March 1.
Do celebrities get to keep their Met Gala outfits? ›Most of the times, the expensive outfits that are loaned to the celebrities are given back to the designers, as the clothes do not fetch anything more beyond the event. Many celebrity stylists who have worked with several stars have mentioned that there is a budget, which is set while making the designer outfit.
Can a normal person attend Met Gala? ›So, can anyone who can afford a ticket go? Unfortunately not. Unlike other charity events, the Met Gala is invitation only and there is a waiting list to get a ticket. According to The New York Times, invitations are typically based on a person's status.
How much does a seat at Met Gala cost? ›Seemingly due to inflation, the Met Gala saw a major price increase this year. According to Page Six, the cost of an individual ticket jumped from $30,000 to $50,000 for the 2023 event. Despite the hefty price, individuals invited seem to have no hesitation in paying for a ticket.
What is the best day of the week to visit the Met? ›The best day to visit the MET is on Fridays and Saturdays when you have the most flexibility in your visit since the museum is open until 9:00 pm. However: Generally speaking, the MET has the fewest visitors on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.
Do people pay to go to the Met? ›Unfortunately, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City (The Met) is not free admission for most people outside of the state.
How long should you spend at the Met? ›
You'll probably need 3-5 hours just to see the permanent collection, so take advantage of the many resting spots – found in just about every room – which can give your feet a break and let you take in the surrounding atmosphere.
How can I park for free in NYC? ›- Check for Designated Manhattan Free Parking. ...
- Look Up Parking Regulations for Your Exact Destination. ...
- Park for Free Outside the City (and Take Public Transport) ...
- Give Up and Use an App to Reserve Parking and Pre-Pay. ...
- Stay at a Hotel Offering Free Parking in New York.
There are many ways to get into Manhattan without paying tolls. Entering Manhattan on a bicycle, by walking, or on a bus, subway, or commuter train are toll-free.
Which museum in NY is free? ›- ALWAYS FREE MUSEUMS - PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH.
- American Museum of Natural History.
- New York Public Library Tours.
- Museum of the City of New York.
- National Museum of the American Indian.
- The Bushwick Collective.
- El Museo del Barrio.
- Federal Reserve Bank.
For one flat fee, the New York CityPASS will grant you admission into 3 iconic New York City destinations: the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art—better known simply as The Met.
How long is a tour of the Met? ›A two-hour trip exploring some of the most important exhibits in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Is the Met ticket good for 3 days? ›The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This booking provides 2 tickets valid for consecutive 3-Day General Admission to all three Met locations: The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters. Check hours and addresses at metmuseum.org. Reservation is for 1 adult (retail price $25). Children under 12 are free.
Smart Casual
Smart casual always works fine, and is the safe bet when planning a visit to a rooftop NYC.
The Met collection is particularly weighted toward works on paper, but its percentage on display, about 4 percent, is in rough parity with other museums on the list. Collections have ballooned in the past 50 years.
Does The Met have a rooftop bar? ›The Cantor Roof Garden Bar, Floor 5.
Do celebrities get invited to the Met? ›
The annual Met Gala has become a coveted invite for celebrities, with the who's who of Hollywood strutting their stuff on the NYC museum's iconic steps. The pricey tickets and selective guest list make the event both expensive and exclusive, with last year's Met Gala raising $17 million for the Costume Institute.
Do you get invited to the Met Gala or do you have to pay? ›So, can anyone who can afford a ticket go? Unfortunately not. Unlike other charity events, the Met Gala is invitation only and there is a waiting list to get a ticket. According to The New York Times, invitations are typically based on a person's status.
Do you have to check bags at the Met? ›All bags are subject to search upon entry. Guests have the right to refuse a bag search and the venue has the right to refuse entry. If you have any items that are not allowed into the venue, please return them to your vehicle.
Do you have to dress nice for the Met? ›There is no dress code at the Met, but a night at the opera can be a great excuse to get dressed up. If you need inspiration, check out some of our favorite looks from Last Night at the Met, our curated fashion Instagram account.
What is the most famous part of the Met? ›However, some of the most famous pieces of art at the Met include The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David, Washington Crossing the Delaware (1851) by Emmanuel Leutze, Perseus with the Head of Medusa (1545) by Benvenuto Cellini, Venus Italica (1802) by Antonio Canova, and Ugolino and his sons (1865-1867) by ...
Which one is better met or MoMA? ›As far as the art compared directly to the MET, both the MET and the MoMA have modern art, but the MoMA's collection is definitely better. So if that's what you're after, the MoMA is definitely your pick.
How much do people at The Met make? ›Average The Metropolitan Museum of Art hourly pay ranges from approximately $13.42 per hour for Customer Service Associate / Cashier to $37.68 per hour for Maintenance Engineer.
What are the evening hours for members at The Met Museum? ›The Met After Hours (1 in the Fall and 1 in the Spring) is an evening, from 6-9pm, in which we give $210-level Members and above special access to explore select areas of The Met after public hours.
Why is The Met so important? ›The Metropolitan Museum of Art collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across time and cultures in order to connect all people to creativity, knowledge, ideas, and one another.
Can New Yorkers go to The Met for free? ›Free for Members, Patrons, and children under 12. To purchase general admission tickets in advance, choose one of the The Met locations. Admission is free for a caregiver accompanying a visitor with a disability.
What is the best subway stop for The Met? ›
By Metro-North Railroad
Subway: Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street and walk three blocks west to Fifth Avenue. This walk is about a half mile and takes approximately 10 minutes.
Consider layers and comfortable footwear, but stick to elevated classics. You might be tempted to hit the cultural institution in your most casual outfits, but it's worth paying a little respect to the greats you've gone to visit, dressing in a way that might pay proper homage to the artwork you see on the walls.
Do i have to be vaccinated to go to the met Museum? ›Reservations for Museum admission do not guarantee program admission. Per New York City's “Key to NYC” requirement, all people 12 and older are required to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the Museum.
Can I bring a guest to the Met? ›Free admission for you and one guest at all times during Museum hours at all of our locations, The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters. Free admission for you and one guest to special exhibitions where an advance ticket is not required.
Is the Met air conditioned? ›Though any museum would be a welcome escape, the Met's enormous size makes it easy to spend an entire day inside its cool, air-conditioned embrace.
Do Met tickets expire? ›A valid admission ticket can be purchased at a register or kiosk or in advance online. An admission ticket purchased in advance shall become invalid upon the expiration of the time or period stated on the ticket. All ticket recipients must be present during purchase.
Do celebrities pay to attend Met Gala? ›How much does it cost to attend the Met Gala? Just because you receive an invitation does not mean you don't have to pay to get in. Tickets are more than $52,000 (US$32,000). Many celebrities who attend don't pay for their own ticket.
Do celebrities have to pay for The Met? ›Do celebrities pay for the tickets? Celebrities typically attend for free as designers or the brands themselves buy the tickets and invite their stars from there. But even if a label shells out hundreds of thousands for a table, who they seat at that table still has to be approved by Wintour.
Can anyone enter the Met Gala? ›So, can anyone who can afford a ticket go? Unfortunately not. Unlike other charity events, the Met Gala is invitation only and there is a waiting list to get a ticket. According to The New York Times, invitations are typically based on a person's status.
Do celebrities get invited to The Met? ›The annual Met Gala has become a coveted invite for celebrities, with the who's who of Hollywood strutting their stuff on the NYC museum's iconic steps. The pricey tickets and selective guest list make the event both expensive and exclusive, with last year's Met Gala raising $17 million for the Costume Institute.
How much is a ticket to Met Gala? ›
How much does a ticket to the Met Gala cost? According to PageSix, inflation has really come for the Met Gala as the price for a ticket in 2023 is $50,000, which is up from the 2022 price of just $30,000 per person (what a steal!)
Do celebrities pick their own clothes for Met Gala? ›"A celebrity can be as involved or uninvolved as they want in choosing and designing their Met Gala looks," Jordan explained. "Celebrities, for the most part though, hire stylists to spearhead the project and put their trust in them.
Do celebrities have to pay for clothes? ›They're not bought. You'd think all the clothes they wear, they buy. BUT, that's usually hardly ever true. Even if they can afford it, mostly all celebrities and influencers have their clothes sourced by their stylists or styling team.
Where does the money from the Met Gala go? ›The Met Gala or Met Ball, formally called the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit, is an annual fundraising gala held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City.
How much do people pay to go to the Met? ›| Adults | $30 |
|---|---|
| Seniors (65 and over) | $22 |
| Students | $17 |
| Children (under 12) | Free |
| Members and patrons | Free |
The guest list handed out to reporters was more than seven pages long — but there were some big names missing. NEW YORK — The Met Gala, known for its extravagant themes and outfits, has a highly secretive guest list exclusively picked by Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Are phones allowed at the Met Gala? ›“The use of phones for photography and social media will not be permitted inside the gala,” a notice sent to all guests stated. The apparent ban at the Met Gala has been flouted by numerous guests in the past, with beauty mogul and reality TV star star Kylie Jenner taking a large bathroom selfie at the event in 2017.
Who has never been invited to the Met Gala? ›Over the years, some A-list stars surprisingly haven't been invited or have declined. Ryan Gosling, Dolly Parton, and Sam Smith haven't walked the Met Gala red carpet.
How are guests chosen for Met Gala? ›Instead, you must receive an invitation from the one and only Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue and the chair of the Met Gala since 1995. Anna Wintour is renowned for her discerning eye and impeccable taste in fashion, and it's known that she personally approves each and every guest.
How do you get an invite to the Met? ›- 1 / 12. Be An 'It' Celebrity. ...
- 2 / 12. Perform At The Event. ...
- 3 / 12. Date And/Or Marry Someone Super Famous. ...
- 4 / 12. Date A Performer Or High Profile Attendee. ...
- 5 / 12. Be Extremely Rich And Make A Donation. ...
- 6 / 12. Work At Vogue. ...
- 7 / 12. Be Related To Anna Wintour. ...
- 8 / 12.
Is there food at the Met Gala? ›
Despite its stellar fashion moments and opulence, the food at the Met Gala dinner has a bad rep for being unimpressive. This year, the menu was based on legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld's food preferences and aimed to replicate the feeling of “dinner at his home”.