VIBE

When it first opened its doors in 1870, the Met’s collections totaled just one Roman sarcophagus (and it stayed that way until a year later, when 174 paintings were added). Fortunately, thanks to a series of savvy directors, its holdings expanded rapidly, and it’s grown into one of the world’s greatest museums, an august institution housing over two million artworks spanning 5,000 years of history. The collections are so encyclopedic–and the imposing Beaux-Arts premises so massive–that there’s no way to take in everything in one visit. Fortunately, every corner is packed with masterpieces, so it’s impossible to leave without seeing one. Highlights include rare prehistoric artifacts, a European painting gallery (Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Goya, Degas, and Renoir are all represented), impressive selections of Greek and Roman statuary, annual exhibitions of clothing from around the world by the Costume Institute, and sculpture exhibitions and Central Park views on the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden.

GO HERE WITH

Art buffs; a date; friends; family; kids

WHY WE LIKE IT

We love it. Sure, it’s tricky to navigate, and overwhelmingly humongous, but that’s all part of the Met’s charm. We love losing ourselves in the miles of corridors and ogling whichever of the many world famous treasures we happen to stumble across. There’s way too much to see in one visit, so (when we’re not just adventurously wandering wherever we feel like it) we like to pick one or two small sections and focus on those. (Don’t worry that you’ll miss out on the famous stuff by doing that–every section has at least one or two world-class treasures. But if you really want a “highlight tour” of sorts, the Met organizes guided tours that either show highlights of the collection as a whole or specific departments and themes.) And when we're determined to take things at our own pace, we come on a Friday or Saturday evening because the museum’s open until 9:00pm, but the crowds usually clear out much earlier.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

Not much!

GOOD TO KNOW

As at many museums in the city, ticket prices are only suggested–you may pay what you wish. Many of the Met’s concerts, film screenings, and lectures are free, but if they’re not, you can purchase tickets at the box office at the main entrance. Before heading over, check the Met calendar online as the museum regularly organizes events ranging from talks by curators to specially organized family programs. If you’ve got kids in tow, check out the host of family-friendly activities available, like scavenger hunts and art classes. If you want to get the most of the collections, try the excellent audio guides (Adults: USD 7; Members: USD 6; Children (Under 12): USD 5). If you really want to take things up a notch, consider investing in a membership (there are even special memberships for those from out of town), which will win you exclusive access to many exhibitions and entrance to the posh Members Dining Room. If you want to branch out, the Met also runs The Cloisters (in Fort Tryon Park, in northern Manhattan), a museum devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Leave any large bags at home, because backpacks and carry-on sized bags are not allowed in, and there’s no place to check them. Finally, the Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar is a good spot for an after-museum cocktail or two.

CLOSEST COMPS

Musée du Louvre (Paris); The British Museum (London); Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Los Angeles); Getty Center (Los Angeles)