The locals call the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City as the Met is located along the Museum mile. Art lovers visiting the museum have the opportunity to explore as many as 2 million exhibits displayed in 19 curatorial departments. The main building of the museum which is more popular as "the Met" is among the world's largest art galleries.

The permanent collections at the museum represent a very wide range of art drawn from across the globe. These exhibits include Ancient Egyptian Art, classical antiquity, sculptures from almost every European master, an extensive collection of modern art and American Art, and more.

Visitors can also explore a wide range of Asian, African, Oceanic,, Byzantine, and Islamic Art. The museum also houses an encyclopedic collection of musical instruments, accessories, and costumes. Antique armor and weapons from around the globe are also on display at the museum.

The history of the museum dates back to 1870 when a group of leading American citizens decided on opening the museum to bring art education and art to the people of America. The museum opened in 1872 and 681, Fifth Avenue was originally home for the museum.

In modern times, the sheer size of the museum is indeed overwhelming. It measures nearly a quarter mile and occupies over 2,000,000 square foot making it one among the largest museums in the world. A single day is often inadequate to take on all that the museum has on offer for her visitors.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Met is one of the greatest art museums of the world and has a huge and impressive collection of art. Met is a popular tourist attraction and has over 5 million visitors every year as it gives an opportunity to explore the world of art and culture. Here is a step by step guide to plan a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

You will find the Met at 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, New York. You can reach the Met by a taxi, bus or train. The museum is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 5.30pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 9pm. It is closed on Mondays. The admission fee for adults, students and seniors are $20, $10 and $15, respectively. It is free for members and children under 12. The parking garage is open 24/7.

Following are some helpful tips for first time visitors:

- Luggage is not allowed inside the museum.

- Mobile phones are only allowed in the Great Hall.

- Food and Drink not allowed.

- Video cameras and flash cannot be used.

- Pens and markers cannot be used.

- Baby carriers and wheelchairs are available

Gallery talks presented by curators, educators or scholars take place and are free of cost. Guided tours also take place and are done by museum trained volunteers. Other events and programs include lectures, concerts, films, family programs, teen programs and many more.

Met Guided Tour info

http://www.metmuseum.org/events/talkstours

Some of the dining options at Met are The Cafeteria, Petrie Court Cafe and Wine Bar, The New American Wing Cafe etc.

Dining Info

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/dining/

Met is a huge reservoir of eye catching and attention grabbing collections. Therefore you need to plan your visit accordingly and decide on the attractions of NYC you want to visit first. For your assistance and convenience maps are available at the Met's Information Desks. For further information call: 212-535-7710

Official Met website

http://www.metmuseum.org/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the New York City or The Met has one of the world's largest collections of art. Promising artists and kids enjoy a visit to the Met because it provides a wide range of activities and family programs. These programs and activities aim to inculcate love for art and culture.

Following are some of the main attractions for kids in The Met:

1. The Egyptian Wing - All kids are mesmerized by mummies and tombs which hits the bull's eye every time with the children.

2. Children's Reading Room holds a panorama of books and DVD's for the kids to enjoy.

3. Museum's Family Greeters wearing red aprons can be spotted all around giving out information.

4. The Gift Shop is a hit both amongst the kids and parents because it of the enlightening books and toys collection.

5. The Public Cafeteria has a special children's menu and high chairs for the convenience of kids IN New York City.

Weekdays and Weekend Family Programs:

1. Start with Art: A fun schedule including storytelling, sketching etc for families with kids below 7 years on the weekdays and weekends.

2. Art Trek: A weekend program where families with kids between 5 and 12 years explore the world of art.

3. Look Again!: Kids up to the age of 12yrs can engage in sketching and talks on art and culture.

4. El Premier Contacto con el Arte: A Spanish language program for kids between 6 to 12 years.

5. Hello, Met! : In this program, new families get to know about the masterpieces through discussions and sketching methods.

Kids' Activities and Programs

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/attraction/metropolitan-museum-of-art-1000-fifth-avenue-new-york-ny-10028-us

Summer Semesters provide an opportunity for non members to participate in art classes. Paid workshops for members and non-members are also organized during the duration of the entire semester. Individuals with disabilities can attend the weekend programs, gallery tours and workshops for free.

Summer Semesters and membership info

http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/museumkids.asp

The Met Family Circle, a membership group offers certain privileges for families with children, for an annual fee of $3500.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is indeed an excellent platform for kids to learn about art and culture through various fun activities. So visit the museum today and get your child enrolled into these programs!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is more popularly known as The Met. It is located on the eastern side of the Central Park, New York City.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is generally closed on Mondays unless they coincide with other public holidays. On Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the Museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays the Museum is open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.

Working Hours

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/general_information/

The Museum's own parking garage is open for service twenty four hours a day all throughout the week. This garage is located at the juncture of the 5th Avenue and 80th Street. In order to avail discounts on the parking fees, the visitors at the Museum must validate their Museum entrance ticket at the Uris Center Information Desk.

There are sufficient arrangements available for the disabled persons often travelling in big vans. Parking space is provided even for bicycles. However, because of the fact that bicycles are easy to lift, the Museum authorities hold no responsibility regarding the security of the bicycles.

Parking Info

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/general_information/

Price of ticket for adults is $20. Seniors and students get concession. Seniors are required to pay $15 and the students are required to pay $10. Members avail free entry and so does the children less than 12 years of age.

Admission

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/general_information/

Due to security measures and according to standard protocols, there are certain rules and regulations that the visitors are required to follow viz. prohibition of carrying food and drinks, restricted use of mobile phones, prohibition of carrying video and still cameras inside the Museum.

Large Backpacks, luggage and other heavy bags are prohibited from taking inside the Museum. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts permits only pencil sketches of the figures and artifacts on display. Use of inks, markers and pens are prohibited completely.

Visitor Tips

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/tips/

Metropolitan museum of art is located in New York, United States of America. It has one of the finest collections of American paintings and is one of the largest art galleries in the world. Metropolitan Museum of Art is truly a paradise for connoisseur of paintings. There is a lot to explore in this museum as it has a wide collection of Asian, European, Ocieanic and African paintings belonging to medieval times.

Besides paintings the Metropolitan Museum of Art also houses American decorative arts, American sculptures and various other different forms of eastern art. The museum has an expert team of professionals for the maintenance and development of the museum and its contents.

Along with artistic paintings and sculptures, the Metropolitan Museum of Art also preserves the arms and armors belonging to medieval times and pre-medieval times. But the most attracting and appealing part of the museum is its collection of Egyptian art, paintings and sculptures. Most of the paintings, sculptures and wooden crafts came from the private collections and archaeological excavations.

There is also a separate department of costumes at Metropolitan Museum of Art which collects and preserves the costumes and accessories worn by the people in ancient and medieval times. This section of the museum is of great interest to historians, history students, fashion designers and film makers who are making films on different periods of history.

The Museum also houses a wide collection of European drawings, handicrafts belonging to middle ages. At present there are more than 10000 pieces of European art works. On the whole the museum provides a wholesome experience to those who have great interest in art.

Link to Metropolitan Museum of Art's collections

http://www.metmuseum.org/collections

Metropolitan Museum of Art's Wikipedia profile

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art

Metropolitan Museum of Art's official website

http://www.metmuseum.org/

Metropolitan Museum of Art on nyctourist.com

http://www.nyctourist.com/topten_met