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
Google Verified Seller

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

Get your booking confirmed instantly

Begin your journey at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art with this Pre-Orientation Tour, featuring Skip-the-Line Access for an efficient start to exploring one of America’s premier art institutions. Your licensed NYC tour guide will meet you outside the main entrance and provide a 30-minute orientation highlighting key exhibitions and must-see artworks tailored to your interests. This introduction also offers insights into The Met's intriguing history and architectural design, setting the stage for your self-guided exploration.

Enjoy skip-the-line access at The Metropolitan Museum with an expert-led orientation lasting 30 minutes before you begin your self-guided exploration through five millennia of artistic history.

Discover iconic masterpieces such as Van Gogh’s self-portraits, the Temple of Dendur, and radiant Tiffany glass alongside celebrated works by Rembrandt and Monet at The Met in New York City.

Receive personalized recommendations to navigate the expansive Metropolitan Museum efficiently, allowing you to tailor your visit according to your interests with ease.

An architectural gem: originally a Wall Street bank facade now resides within The Met, adding an intriguing historical layer to this excellent art museum.

Entry with skip-the-line access at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue

Use of a licensed New York City tour guide for a 30-minute orientation session

Access to an audio self-guided tour in English within The Met

Individual Spending

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

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

Your Experience

Bypass lines for a 30-minute expert-led orientation before delving into The Met’s extensive art collection on your terms.

Getting Started

  • Gather just outside the main entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to meet your licensed NYC tour guide. Your experience kicks off with a complete 30-minute introduction, where you'll receive an admission ticket and learn about The Met’s layout, major exhibitions, and recommended must-see artworks tailored to your interests.
  • Discover insights into The Met's fascinating history, its architectural marvels, and strategies for navigating the expansive galleries efficiently during this orientation.

Self-Guided Exploration

A quick security check later, you’ll have skip-the-line access to explore the museum’s vast collections. With your admission comes an English audio guide packed with informative commentary and engaging stories that enliven the artwork for a more enriching experience.

  • The audio guide shines light on significant pieces across various departments, including the Temple of Dendur, the Arms and Armor Gallery, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist rooms, as well as modern and contemporary art displays.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning with a passion for art, this pre-orientation coupled with an audio guide offers insightful context and recommendations to maximize your visit. Relish in the freedom to explore on your own schedule and revisit beloved exhibits whenever desired.

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

    No children under 2 years of age are permitted on this experience.

    Accessibility

      The museum is accessible for wheelchairs and prams/strollers.

      Additional Information

      • Galleries and artworks included in the audio tour may change due to gallery closures or artwork loans.

      Your visit will consist of a 30-minute orientation, followed by self-guided exploration with an audio guide. Plan for at least 90 minutes; you can extend your time if desired.

      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.

      Book your skip-the-line entry in advance to ensure a smooth start at The Met without waiting in long lines.

      If you plan to explore multiple attractions around New York City, consider starting with the Metropolitan Museum of Art since it offers direct access and orientation assistance upon arrival.

      To make the most of your visit, take advantage of the 30-minute expert-led orientation for personalized recommendations on must-see artworks based on your interests.

      Customer Reviews

      Discover what our customers are saying about their experiences

      4.3

      Loading reviews...

      5
      -
      4
      -
      3
      -
      2
      -
      1
      -

      By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

      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.

      You might also like ...

      Explore more experiences in New York.

      From
      5,400per person
      1

      Were Online

      How may

      Why travellers trust Staybook

      We've served 50 million+ guests and are here to serve you better

      Premium support, curated experiences, and trusted reviews so every trip feels effortless.

      Guests hosted
      50 million+

      Happy travellers across 12,000+ carefully curated experiences worldwide.

      In the media
      Featured brands

      Recognised and recommended by leading travel and lifestyle publishers.

      Support
      24×7 help center

      Live chat with local experts before, during, and after your experience.