The Metropolitan Museum of Art is part of Manhattan's "Museum Mile" along the eastern edge of Central Park. Founded by artists and wealthy donors in 1870, New York's most well-known museum opened its doors in 1872. Its permanent collection of art includes more than two million pieces broken down into 19 curatorial departments, making "The Met" one of the largest galleries in the world. Paintings and sculptures by well-known European masters, Islamic art, pieces from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and modern and American art all call the museum home.
Guests can explore the collection of musical instruments from around the world or the Arms and Armor Exhibit, which features suits of armor worn by kings, horses and soldiers from all over the world. The Egyptian art collection includes 36,000 private pieces, including the sandstone Temple of Dendur, while the collection of Asian art is argued to be the most comprehensive in the West. "The Cloisters," located near Fort Tryon Park, is the smaller second building of the museum dedicated to Medieval art and architecture. They also enclose botanical gardens that house species of plants, flowers and herbs found in medicinal remedies.
Group programs are available. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors ages 65 and older. Admission for children under 12 is free. For more information: 212-535-7710
