Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York, NY, United States

The Metropolitan Museum of Art—affectionately known as The Met—is a cultural titan nestled along Fifth Avenue in New York City, where art from across millennia converges under one roof. Founded in 1870, it has grown into the largest art museum in the Americas and one of the most visited in the world, drawing over 5 million visitors annually.

Its main building, The Met Fifth Avenue, houses a staggering collection of over 1.5 million works spanning 5,000 years—from ancient Egyptian artifacts and classical antiquities to European masterpieces, Islamic art, and contemporary installations. Highlights include Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat, the Temple of Dendur, and the Arms and Armor galleries that feel like stepping into a knight’s tale. The museum also includes The Met Cloisters in Upper Manhattan, dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, set within a serene garden overlooking the Hudson River.

Beyond its galleries, The Met is a hub for research, conservation, and education, offering lectures, performances, and family programs that make art accessible and alive.