The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in NYC is more than just a gallery—it’s a time machine. Spanning over 5,000 years of history across 17 curatorial departments, its 2 million+ permanent collections make it impossible to see in a single day.
Whether you’re coming for famous masterpieces like Washington Crossing the Delaware or Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses, or you’re a first-timer looking for the best entrance, this guide covers the “must-knows” that even the locals miss.
1. The Met has a resident florist who creates 20 feet tall bouquets!
Walking into the Met Great Hall, the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the stone. It’s the scent. The museum’s resident florist, Remco van Vliet, produces five massive arrangements (10–12 feet tall) every single week. In the Egyptian wing, these floral masterpieces can reach an incredible 20 feet.
2. It’s home to the world’s oldest piano
Think the Met is just for painters? Music lovers can find over 5,000 instruments here. The crown jewel is the world’s oldest surviving piano, built in 1720 by Bartolomeo Cristofori.
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Pro Tip: If you prefer metal to melody, head to the Arms and Armor department to see Henry VIII’s battle gear or the Costume Institute for 33,000 pieces of high-fashion history.
3. Blair and Serena of “Gossip Girl” would gossip on the steps of the Met
The iconic front steps of the Met are arguably the most famous seats in Manhattan, thanks to Blair and Serena from Gossip Girl. But the cinema history goes deeper:
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When Harry Met Sally (1989): Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan stroll through the Egyptian galleries.
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The Thomas Crown Affair: A famous (fictional) heist takes place right here.
4. The Met wasn’t born in today’s Fifth Avenue
The highlight of Fifth Avenue actually started elsewhere. Founded in 1870 by a group of financiers and philanthropists, the museum first opened at 681 Fifth Avenue in a much smaller building. Its very first acquisition, a Roman sarcophagus, is still on display today! It moved to its current Central Park home in 1880.
5. It has a high-stakes history of burglary
When you house billions in art, you attract interest from the wrong people. In 1979, a 23-pound marble sculpture of Hermes (worth $150,000) was stolen. For more “thievery tales,” check out Stealing the Show by John Barelli, the Met’s chief security officer until 2016.
6. Insider Hack: Take the “Smarter Entrance” to skip lines
The Great Hall entrance is iconic but often has soul-crushing security lines.
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The Secret: Enter through the 81st Street (Uris Center for Education). It typically has shorter lines, direct elevator access, and a faster route to the heart of the museum.
7. The magnanimous museum and its adorable tiny mascot
His name is William, and he’s a small, blue Egyptian hippopotamus. Found in a tomb in Upper Egypt, William was a “threat” in the afterlife—ancient Egyptians believed hippos could hamper a soul’s journey, so three of his legs were broken (and later repaired) to keep him still. He’s been the official mascot since 1931.
8. An artist once slept in the Met for 9 days straight
Artist Nikhil Chopra took “Museum Night” to the extreme. During his 2019–2020 residency, he lived inside the museum for nine days for his performance Lands, Waters, Skies. He traveled through the Temple of Dendur and the Medieval Sculpture Hall, creating art and sleeping among the treasures.
9. There are “hidden buildings” within the museum
The Met is a literal architectural jigsaw puzzle. As it expanded into Central Park, architects added over 20 structures over 150 years. If you look closely at the Robert Lehman Wing, you can actually see the brickwork of the original 1880 Gothic-Revival building encased inside the modern glass walls.
10. It’s surprisingly kid-friendly (The Family Circle)
If you’re visiting with kids under 12, check out the Family Circle program. The Met offers interactive “educational tours” that make ancient history feel like an adventure.
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Fun Fact: Kids under 12 often get in free with an adult ticket!
11. Don’t forget the Met’s “Siblings”
Your Met ticket often includes same-day entry to The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park. While the Met Breuer has closed, the Cloisters remains a must-see for its medieval European architecture and famous Unicorn Tapestries.
| Feature | Insider Tip / Fact |
| Best Entrance | 81st Street (Uris Center) to skip the crowds. |
| Oldest Artifact | A Roman Sarcophagus (the museum’s very first piece). |
| Hidden Secret | 20 “hidden” buildings are contained within the main structure. |
| Best Photo Op | The Temple of Dendur (especially at sunset through the glass). |
| Must-See Mascot | “William” the Blue Hippopotamus (found in the Egyptian Wing). |
Planning a NYC Museum Crawl? You may also enjoy 17 Guggenheim Museum Facts that will amaze you!
A: Avoid the main Fifth Avenue entrance and enter through the 81st Street (Uris Center for Education). This “secret” entrance usually has significantly shorter security lines and offers a faster route to the Egyptian galleries and the Great Hall.
A: While the museum has over 2 million works, the most famous include “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze, “Wheat Field with Cypresses” by Vincent van Gogh, and the ancient Temple of Dendur in the Sackler Wing.
A: Yes! The Met is very family-friendly, offering a Family Circle program for children under 12. Kids love the “William” hippo mascot, the Egyptian mummies, and the massive suits of armor in the Arms and Armor department.
A: As of 2026, “Pay What You Wish” admission is available exclusively to New York State residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT with a valid ID. For all other visitors, a fixed-price general admission ticket is required, which includes same-day entry to The Met Cloisters.
