The Met Museum entrance with fountain and steps, New York City.
Met Museum interior with sculptures and visitors on the Pre-Orientation Tour.
Visitors exploring sculptures at The Met Museum during a pre-orientation tour.
Golden statue of Diana in the Met Museum's American Wing, New York City.
Visitors viewing paintings at The Met Museum during a pre-orientation tour.
Crowded entrance hall of The Met Museum with visitors exploring exhibits.
Three marble statues in The Met Museum's Leon Levy and Shelby White Court.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Pre-Orientation Tour with Skip-the-Line Access, New York

New York
Guided Tours
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Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Guided tour

Expert local tour guide

Audio guide

Access to multilingual audio guide

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Explore New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art with ease through this Pre-Orientation Tour, which offers skip-the-line access and a valuable 30-minute expert-led orientation. Your licensed NYC tour guide will meet you outside the main entrance to provide insights into The Met's layout, major exhibitions, and must-see artworks tailored to your interests. Gain deeper understanding of The Met’s rich history and architectural significance before enjoying the museum at your own pace.

Start your journey at The Met with skip-the-line entry and a 30-minute expert-led orientation, then explore 5,000 years of art at your own pace.

See iconic works like Van Gogh’s self-portraits, the Temple of Dendur, and luminous Tiffany glass, plus masterpieces by Rembrandt and Monet.

Get personalized recommendations to help you navigate the vast museum and tailor your visit to your interests.

Fun fact: The Met displays the original facade of a Wall Street bank—an architectural treasure now nestled inside a world-class art museum.

Skip-the-line entry to Metropolitan Museum of Art (Fifth Avenue)

30-minute Orientation by a NYC Licensed Tour Guide

Self-guided audio tour of The Met in English

The Met Museum entrance with fountain and steps, New York City.

The Met Museum entrance with fountain and steps, New York City.

Skip the line and enjoy a 30-minute expert-led orientation before exploring The Met’s vast art collection at your own pace.

Getting started

Meet your licensed NYC tour guide just outside the main entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to begin your experience with a 30-minute orientation. During this introduction, your guide will provide your admission ticket and walk you through the museum’s layout, highlight major exhibitions, and recommend must-see works of art based on your interests. You’ll also receive insights into The Met’s fascinating history, its architecture, and tips for navigating its vast galleries more efficiently.

Self-guided exploration

After a brief security check, enjoy skip-the-line access to the museum and begin your self-guided journey through its expansive and diverse collections. With your admission, you’ll receive access to an informative audio guide available in English, designed to enhance your visit with rich commentary and compelling stories that bring the artwork to life.

The audio guide highlights key pieces across various departments including the Temple of Dendur, the Arms and Armor Gallery, the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist rooms, and modern and contemporary art installations.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning art enthusiast, the pre-orientation and audio guide provide insightful context and recommendations to help you make the most of your time at the museum. Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace and revisit your favorite exhibits along the way.

Met Museum interior with sculptures and visitors on the Pre-Orientation Tour.

Met Museum interior with sculptures and visitors on the Pre-Orientation Tour.

Visitors exploring sculptures at The Met Museum during a pre-orientation tour.

Visitors exploring sculptures at The Met Museum during a pre-orientation tour.

Golden statue of Diana in the Met Museum's American Wing, New York City.

Golden statue of Diana in the Met Museum's American Wing, New York City.

What's not allowed

  • Children under the age of 2 years are not allowed on this experience.

Accessibility

  • This museum is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Additional Information

  • The galleries and artworks covered on the audio tour may vary based on gallery closures and artwork loans.

  • The time listed for the experience includes 30-minute orientation followed by self-guided audio exploration of the museum. Set aside 90 minutes for your visit and stay back longer if you want to continue your exploration.

Visitors viewing paintings at The Met Museum during a pre-orientation tour.

Visitors viewing paintings at The Met Museum during a pre-orientation tour.

Crowded entrance hall of The Met Museum with visitors exploring exhibits.

Crowded entrance hall of The Met Museum with visitors exploring exhibits.

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FAQs

During this introduction, you'll receive your admission ticket and learn about the museum’s layout from a licensed NYC guide. They will highlight major exhibitions and recommend must-see artworks based on your interests while sharing insights into The Met's history and architecture.
You'll start with skip-the-line entry and a 30-minute expert-led orientation, followed by self-guided exploration of The Met's extensive art collection spanning over 5,000 years. You can see iconic works like Van Gogh’s self-portraits, the Temple of Dendur, and pieces by Rembrandt and Monet.
Your licensed NYC tour guide will be waiting just outside the main entrance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art to begin your experience with an informative 30-minute orientation.
Yes, one interesting tidbit is that The Met displays the original facade of a Wall Street bank—an architectural treasure now housed within this world-class art museum.
The experience includes skip-the-line entry to The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue, a 30-minute orientation with an NYC licensed tour guide, and a self-guided audio tour in English. Personal expenses are not covered.
The time listed for this experience includes a 30-minute orientation followed by self-guided exploration of The Met's galleries. It's recommended that you set aside approximately 90 minutes for your visit in total.
Yes, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is both wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, making it convenient for visitors with mobility needs.
You'll have the chance to view masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s self-portraits, the Temple of Dendur, luminous Tiffany glass, and artworks by renowned artists like Rembrandt and Monet.
Children under the age of two years are not allowed to join this experience, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable orientation session for all participants.
The galleries and artworks covered on your self-guided audio tour may vary due to gallery closures or artwork loans, but you'll still receive a comprehensive overview of The Met's exhibitions.

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