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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Place · Central Park: Bethesda Terrace to the Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The city's largest art museum on the park's east edge: pick two wings and stop, since the building will outlast your energy; a good indoor rest in heat or rain.

goadmission: unknownNot field-verified
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Key facts

Time on site
120–180 min
p95 240 min
Price
about US$30
adult, 2026 estimate
Hours
10:00–17:00
typical, check
Best time
10:00 or 16:00
desk crowd estimate
28″ bags
No
Central Park: Bethesda Terrace to the Met: forbidden
Getting there
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street (subway 4/5/6 to 86 St, then walk)
  • Egyptian Temple of Dendur
  • European and American collections
  • Air-conditioned rest
  • Crowded at peak
  • Works with kids
  • Mostly indoors

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…Subway stations have few lifts and many stairs
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
  • New York ↗Subway stations have few lifts and many stairs: with large suitcases, take a taxi or ride-hail car instead.
  • New York ↗Popular sights (the 9/11 Museum, the observation decks, some Broadway shows) sell timed tickets: book before you fix your day.
Usually 10:00–17:00
Map & directions
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Directions
From where I am

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Plan

Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes

Go now?

hours and prices: check on the day
Open
Usually 10:00–17:00
Crowds

Quietest around 10:00 or 16:00

Quietest Wed · busiest Sat, Sun · desk estimate

Tickets
  • Adult: about US$30 (2026 estimate, check)
  • Child: free (check)

free for under 12 (check)

Time to spend
120–180 min · up to 240 min if you linger
Directions Add to a day →

Know before you go

  • Buy your ticket online to skip the desk queue.
  • Check the weekly closing day before you go.
  • Pick two wings and stop; the building will outlast your energy.
  • Cafés are inside and prices are high; a picnic in the park costs less.

Best time of day

Plan 120–180 min inside.

quietlightbusyheavypacked· desk estimate for an ordinary weekday; weekends and holidays run one level higher

Weather here, next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Time on site

minutes

Minimum

90min

Worthwhile

120min

Typical

180min

p95

240min

Opening hours and the weekly closing day are not printed until verified.

Tickets & entry

2026 estimate · check the posted board
Where to buy
  • Buy at the entrance on the day.
  • Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.

Official site ↗

Queues
  • Buy your ticket online to skip the desk queue.
Free days

Free entry days in New York (pick New York in the tool; check)

Bags & lockers
  • Large bags and backpacks must be checked; a coat check is available.
Photos
  • Allowed in most galleries without flash; check signs.
What's closed
  • Weekly closingcheckUsually one weekday (often Wednesday); check the official calendar.
  • Public holidayscheckThanksgiving, Dec 25 and Jan 1.

“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.

TicketPriceNote
Adult ticket, non-New York residentabout US$30 (2026 estimate, check)—
Child under 12free (check)—
Special exhibitionsincluded in the ticket—

How to do it well

  1. 1Enter from Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street.
  2. 2Pick two wings and check the map.
  3. 3Rest in a café, then return to the park.

On the ground

Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work

Getting in

Stop
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street (subway 4/5/6 to 86 St, then walk)
Exit
—
Ticket
on site · official site
Stairs
none of note
Shoes
Shoes on.

Crowds and switching

Crowd clock
Long entry queues at weekends and holidays; weekday afternoons are calmer.
Sensory load
4/5
Exposure
low

Bailouts

  1. heat

    Metropolitan Museum entrance (AC, WC inside)

  2. fatigue

    Metropolitan Museum entrance (AC, WC inside)

Nearest rescue anchor: C — Metropolitan Museum entrance (AC, WC inside)

Step-free check

wheelchair: ok
  • Step-free entrance: yes · yesnone of note
  • Lifts: yes · yes
  • Accessible toilet: yes · yes
  • Ramps: yes · yesRamp at the accessible entrance, lifts and wheelchairs at the desk.
  • Wheelchair: yes · yes
  • Stroller: yes · yesok

Ramp at the accessible entrance, lifts and wheelchairs at the desk.

Combine with

nearest first
  1. 10 minCafé Sabarsky (Neue Galerie, check)
  2. 10 minGuggenheim Museum
  3. 15 minCentral Park Bethesda Terrace

Walk the Central Park: Bethesda Terrace to the Met area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes

Red lines

  • Large bags and backpacks may need to go to the cloakroom.
More on the groundWho it suits · Skip it if · Rules on site · With kids

Rules on site

enforced at the gate or by guards
silence
Quiet voices in the galleries.

With kids

kids: goodstroller: ok
with kids
Armour, mummies and the Temple of Dendur suit children.
child price
free for under 12 (check)

Who it suits

TravelerFitWhy
Art loversgoodOne of the largest collections.
Rainy daysgoodFully indoors.
FamiliesokArmour and Egypt.

Skip it if

  • You have one hour.

Deep dive

Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated
How long do I need?

Two hours for a focused visit; a full day is not enough to see everything.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Which wings first?

Choose two: Egyptian art and European paintings, or the American Wing.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Is the Met free?

Not for visitors from outside New York State; check the current price.

Is there a coat check?

Yes.

What is closest to Bethesda Terrace?

The museum is about 15 minutes' walk across the park.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Sources