I took a detour from my CT Art Passport adventure to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City two days before my birthday. According to the Met’s website, it was founded in 1870, and it has grown into one of the world’s great art centers; housing more than two million objects across nineteen departments. It is the kind of place where no matter how many times you visit, there is always something new to discover.
Front-view of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, NY
1. African Art (Michael C. Rockefeller Wing)
2. The American Wing
3. Ancient American Art (Michael C. Rockefeller Wing)
4. Ancient West Asian Art
5. Arms and Armor
6. Asian Art
7. The Costume Institute
8. Drawings and Prints
9. Egyptian Art
10. European Paintings
11. European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
12.Greek and Roman Art
13. Islamic Art
14. Art and The Cloisters
15. Modern and Contemporary Art
16. Musical Instruments
17. Oceanic Art (Michael C. Rockefeller Wing)
18. Photographs
19. The Robert Lehman Collection
The Great Hall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met is vast and can be overwhelming, so planning ahead is essential. Use the museum’s map or app to prioritize your visit.
My top recommendations are:
- European Paintings, featuring Monet, Serut, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt. (my personal favorite)
- Egyptian Art, especially the Temple of Dendur.
- The European Sculpture Hall, dramatic and unforgettable.
- The American Wing, home to Washington Crossing the Delaware and Thomas Cole’s The Oxbow.
- Greek and Roman Art, Islamic Art, and Asian Art, with highlights like the Japanese rock garden.
- Period Rooms and the British Gallery.
- Arms and Armor, a short but spectacular gallery.
Sasha Cubero taking a selfie with Vincent Van Gogh's Portrait
The museum also offers rotating temporary exhibits and seasonal rooftop installations. Plan to spend at least four to five hours, though a full day is even better. Weekdays are calmer, with mornings and late afternoons being the least crowded.
Practical tips:
- Bring a paper map or use the app (carry a charger).
- Check coats and bags to move comfortably.
- Skip the food trucks; Lexington Avenue delis are better.
- If visiting with friends, set a meeting point in case you split up.
Map of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Highlights for me included the Impressionism wing, especially Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings and the Degas room, where the textures and brushwork are striking in person. The Asian wing is underrated, with its temple roof and Japanese rock garden. Almost every gallery is world-class, spanning more than five thousand years of human creativity.
The Met operates on a pay-what-you-wish system for New York residents, making it one of the best cultural values in the city. To avoid long lines, use the side entrance. While MoMA excels in modern art, the Met’s breadth and depth are unmatched, covering everything from ancient treasures to contemporary works.
Japanese Rock Garden in Asian Art wing
Beyond the art, the patrons themselves add to the experience. Locals treat it like an extension of their living room, students sketch quietly in the galleries, children explore with their caregivers, and international visitors marvel at its treasures. Experiencing the art alongside such a diverse crowd adds another layer to every visit.
The Met is encyclopedic yet intimate, a place where history, culture, and people converge. A full survey of the collection would take multiple visits, but even one day makes clear why it is truly a national treasure.
Sasha Cubero posing in front of the stairs
