Best things to see at the MET museums in New York City

Post Overview: Roundup of the best things to see at The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) in New York CIty

One of my favorite things about living in New York City is having daily access to world-class museums. In fact, I start every Sunday morning at the Met and have visited 40+ times over the past year. Even then, I feel I’ve barely scratched the surface.

With more than 2 million pieces of art spanning 5,000+ years, the Met is the largest museum in the country and the fifth largest museum in the world. Averaging 6 million visitors per year, it’s considered the most visited museum in New York City.

Suffice it to say: there’s no way you can see everything during your first visit to the Met, so don’t rush the experience! But there are some notable “must see” art pieces at the Met you should make an effort to see.

To that end, allow me to share the best things to see at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the exact list I share with my own family and friends when they visit because it covers all of the famous art at the Met. Let’s get to it!

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

Tips for Visiting The Met

Don’t rush the experience

As mentioned, this is the fifth largest museum in the world and there’s no way you’re going to scratch the surface during your first visit to the Met. Enjoy your time slowly, read the signs, learn about the artist and study the art. Allow your visit to The Met to act as an escape from the fast pace of the Big Apple.

Crowds are guaranteed

Remember when I mentioned that the Met gets more than 6 million visitors per year? That means crowds are all but guaranteed, especially during rainy days. My best advice is to show up around opening time and have a game plan for the things you must see at The Met (simply follow the list below).

The layout of the museum

The Met spans four floors and includes a rooftop terrace that offers one of the best views of New York City. This handy interactive map will make it easier to get a lay of the land.

You are allowed to take photos at The MET

Visitors are allowed to take photos at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, but videos are prohibited.

Love museums? You may enjoy: 15 EXCITING Museums in New York City (& What to See at Each)

Best Things to See at The MET

If I had to choose a single destination where I’d be held captive for the rest of my time in New York, I’d choose the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Tim Gunn

Most Famous Paintings at the MET

A common mistake some people make when visiting the Met for the first time is assuming the museum is mostly comprised of paintings. But that is not so! On the contrary, paintings are only half of the things you must see at The Met. You’ll find everything from vintage shoes, rare books, fascinating furniture, Egyptian relics and actual armor, among other things.

Let’s cover the most famous paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art first, before going over the other incredible items you must see at The Met.

Self Portrait with a Straw Hat

Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait with a Straw Hat is easily one of the most famous paintings at The MET, as evidenced by the crowds. Marked by van Gogh’s signature Neo-Impressionist technique and mastery of color, the vivid colors make the painting feel lively.

Van Gogh was notoriously poor and produced more than twenty self-portraits during his time in Paris. The reason? He hoped to perfect his skills as a portrait painter and used himself as a model because the price was right.

“I purposely bought a good enough mirror to work from myself, for want of a model.”
Vincent Van Gogh

Take your time admiring this famous painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art before walking around to the other side. On the reverse side you’ll find The Potato Peeler, a painting done during van Gogh’s studies of peasants. Unlike Self Portrait with a Straw Hat, The Potato Peeler dons dark and heavy tones and feels dispirited.

You might be wondering why there’s two painting on one frame, right? Well, van Gogh was so broke that he re-used frames. It might be hard to believe this now, but van Gogh wasn’t appreciated in his lifetime and died poor. If only he could know what would happen to his art!

famous paintings at the MET — Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait with a Straw Hat | Famous Art at The Met

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Emanuel Leutze was a German-American history painter best known for his 1851 painting called Washington Crossing the Delaware. The painting is massive and takes center stage in a room full of breathtaking art.

The scene commemorates the night of December 25-26, 1776 when General George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War.

This was the first surprise attack and subsequent victory against Hessian forces (German soldiers serving as auxiliaries to the British Army) at the Battle of Trenton. It was a huge victory towards America’s fight for independence.

Leutze produced three versions of this famous painting at the Met. The first version was damaged in a studio fire before being promptly restored only to be completely destroyed during a bombing raid during World War II. Thankfully the other two versions of this remarkable painting survived.

One is housed at The Met and the other was displayed in the West Wing of the White House, before being moved to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in 2015.

Considering the historic significance of this painting (and sheer size alone), this this epic painting is a must see at The Met, no two ways about it.

The Death of Socrates

The story of Socrates is taught in schools across the world, but as with all things, it’s easy to forget the details. As such, here’s a quick refresher:

Socrates (470-390 BC) was a venerable philosopher beloved by some and despised by others. He shared his wisdom with those that had the ears to hear it but was later accused of corrupting the youth and usurping the gods.

As punishment, he was given two options: renounce his ideologies or die by hemlock. Socrates said something along the lines of “no takesy backsies” and pointed to the hemlock.

French artist Jacques Louis David painted the profound scene in a piece he aptly titled The Death of Socrates. The painting is based on Plato’s somber record of the event. The portrait illustrates Socrates’ determined final moments, as he reaches for the hemlock while his disciples watch on in despair and anguish.

The painting is one of the most famous art pieces at The Met and it’s not hard to see why. Expertly painted, it looks lifelike enough to be mistaken for a photo. The play on light is also worth calling out, it’s a masterpiece.

best things to see at the MET NYC
The Death of Socrates painting at the Met — The Death of Socrates | Famous Art at The Met

The Dance Class & Little Dancer

You may have seen photos of The Dance Class in your school textbooks. This famous portrait at The Metropolitan Museum depicts a group of ballerinas alongside their mothers, awaiting the completion of a ballerina’s examination while the instructor watches.

The ballerinas are housed in the old Paris Opéra which burned down a year before the painting was complete. This painting, and its companion piece housed at the Musée d’Orsay, are considered Edgar Degas’ most ambitious works on the theme of ballet.

Not only was Edgar Degas a talented painter, but he was also a remarkable sculptor. You’ll find a beautiful statue of a ballerina called Little Dancer of Fourteen Years in the same room as The Dance Class. Take some time to admire the sculpture because the facial expression is fascinating.

Rembrandt Self-Portrait

I think it’s safe to say that Rembrandt needs no introduction. This world-class Dutch painter is well known even among folks that don’t know much about art (myself included). His mastery of portraits is undisputed, and he spent a large portion of his life perfecting the self-portrait.

It’s estimated that only forty of Rembrandt’s self portraits have survived and The Met is lucky to have one. This famous Met painting was produced in 1660, when Rembrandt was 54 years old. The wrinkled brow and sorrowed eyes give away the artist’s mature age and allude to the condition of his mind at the time.

I find it fascinating that Rembrandt didn’t romanticize his appearance in a narcissistic fashion, but chose to be honest about his aging features. This is one of my favorite paintings at the museum and I consider it a must see at The Met.

The Met MUST SEE — Rembrandt Self Portrait | Must See Art at The Met

Aristotle with a Bust of Homer

Sticking to the theme of Rembrandt masterpieces, Aristotle with a Bust of Homer is also a must see at The Met. Thankfully it’s located a few steps from Rembrandt Self Portrait, making it a natural next stop.

This iconic painting is considered one of the most celebrated and famous paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reason alone to visit.

The portrait depicts a pensive Aristotle resting his hand on a bust of Homer, the legendary poet that achieved literary immortality through his writing of Iliad and Odyssey. Aristotle looks contemplative, which leads historians to assume that perhaps Rembrandt was meditating on his own role in history and the meaning of fame.

This is a large piece of work and it stays true to Rembrandt’s classic style of thick strokes and dark shades. It’s a piece of art that demands careful attention, the details are striking and the facial expression relays palpable emotions. But I guess you can’t expect anything less from Rembrandt.

Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies

The French artist Monet was a man of several passions, most evident were art and horticulture. His world-famous paintings depict his adoration for nature and Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies is no exception.

Monet purchased land near his property in Giverny, France that included a pond “for the pleasure of the eye and also for motifs to paint.” From this little slice of heaven he painted his famous collection of water lilies.

Today Monet’s paintings can be viewed throughout various museums around the world and some folks made an effort to see as many as they can. As such, don’t miss an opportunity to see Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies, one of the most famous pieces of art at the Met.

best things to see at the MET NYC — Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies | Famous Art at The Met

Study for A Sunday on La Grande Jatte

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte is often considered Georges Seurat’s finest work. It depicts a peaceful scene of Parisians at leisure along the Seine River. What makes this famous Met painting unique is the technique used. Look closely and you will notice the entire painting is comprised of tiny dots, which give the illusion of blending together when viewed from a distance.

This technique was invented by Seurat and came to be known as Pointillism (from the French word for dot, point). Seurat himself preferred the term Divisionism because he saw the method as separating colors into small touches that when placed side-by-side would appear to blend together.

As you can imagine, this famous painting at The Met took a lot of work! However, the effort paid off because this is often considered the most remarkable painting of the 19th century. A Sunday on La Grande Jatte is hung to the left of van Gogh’s Self Portrait with a Straw Hat — two birds, one stone.

Something to note: Seurat completed several “trials runs” at creating the painting. The official masterpiece is located at the Art Institute of Chicago. Luckily one of the best things to see at the MET is this smaller but still complete painting of A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.

Vermeer’s paintings

Vermeer was not well known during his lifetime and only 34 surviving paintings are confirmed to be his. It seems that Vermeer fell into obscurity and wasn’t appreciated until the end of the 19th century. Now there’s a newfound appreciation for the artist and art enthusiasts make an effort to seek out his paintings.

The Met is home to five Vermeer paintings, more than any other museum in the world. All five pieces are displayed side by side and demands undivided attention. Vemeer’s mastery of light is astonishing and the daily scenes he depicts appear astonishingly lifelike.

Must See at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Not Paintings)

Now that we’ve wrapped the most famous art at the Met, let’s take a look at the other must see things at the Met.

The Temple of Dendur

The Temple of Dendur is one of the best things to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Why? Because it’s the only complete Egyptian temple in the Western Hemisphere.

The structure was built on the banks of the Nile River more than 2,000 years ago. But when the area was flooded by a dam project an effort perused to save the temple. The Temple of Dendur was disassembled brick-by-brick and brought over to the United States.

The room the temple is housed in was specifically built to accommodate the structure. The water running alongside the temple is meant to portray the Nile River and adds to the overall experience. I consider the Temple of Dendur a must see at The Met and can’t resist visiting whenever I’m at the museum.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Must See — We take all of our friends to the epic Temple of Dendur because it’s one of the best things to see at The Met.

The Greek and Roman Sculpture Court

Swing by the Greek and Roman Sculpture Court to find yourself engulfed in a sea of breathtaking Greek and Italian marble sculptures. Home to more than 30,000 works dating between 4500 B.C. TO A.D. 312, the sculpture court is a must see at The Met.

Notable statues include:

Marble statue of a wounded warrior
Marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis
Marble Statue Group of the Three Graces

Best things to see at the Metropolitan Museum of art — The Greek and Roman Sculpture Court | Must See at The Met

Arms and Armor

The Arms and Armor room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is my husband’s favorite place to be on a rainy Sunday morning. Exploring the impressive armor feels like stepping foot into a time long forgotten, which is downright inspiring.

The objective of the the Arms and Armor department is to preserve, research and exhibit the art of the armor, swordsmith and gunmaker. Lest we forget, armor and weapons were a source of pride. They required great technical capabilities and showed immense artistry in an effort to impress royalty.

Make sure to visit the musket room, the details on the guns is nothing short of amazing.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Must See — Arms and Armor | Best Things to See at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ugolino and His Sons

Ugolino and His Sons is a marble sculpture that evokes a palpable sense of despair. Produced by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, the subject is derived from Dante’s Inferno, describing Ugolino’s imprisonment in 1288. Ugolino was deemed a traitor and sentenced to die of hunger in a tower alongside his two sons and two grandsons.

It’s unclear if Ugolino actually subjected himself to cannibalism but some argue the statue depicts the exact moment Ugolino contemplated the notion. His anguished eyes look into a distant void, ignoring the youth that cling to his feet.

Morbid, to be sure, but there’s no denying that Carpeaux depicts the desperation flawlessly. Inspired by Michelangelo, the artist’s obsession with anatomical realism is hard to ignore. In fact, the expressive detail in this notable artwork are credited for launching Carpeaux’s career.

The Met Must See artwork — Ugolino and His Sons | Must See at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The French rooms from the Hôtel de Varengeville

One of the best things to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are the period-specific reconstructed rooms. My favorite collection consists of the French rooms originally used as private residences in 18th century Paris. The rooms were located within the opulent Hôtel de Varengeville.

The detail is striking and I find myself absorbed by the mesmerizing beauty regardless of how often I visit. I highly recommend swinging by, especially for Francophiles, because this is one of the most enjoyable things to see at The Met.

Plus, these rooms are located right next to the sculpture of Ugolino and His Sons, making it a natural next stop.

what to see at the metropolitan museum of art
French rooms at The Met — Rooms from the Hôtel de Varengeville | Best Things to See at The Met

Human-Headed Winged Lion

Better known as lamassu, these human-headed winged lions are a sight to behold. Dating back to the 9th century, they used to guard the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II (r. 883–859 B.C.) of Assyria. Lamassu were used to protect important doorways in Assyrian palaces.

The statues were sculpted with five legs to give the appearance of walking when viewed from the side (yet resolutely standing when viewed head on).

Extra time? More Great Things to See at The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is unsurpassed at presenting more than 50 centuries of work. I go there constantly, seeing things over and over, better than I’ve ever seen them before.
Jerry Saltz

The portraits by Lily Martin Spencer

Spencer was a talented painter that portrayed the reality of male-female relationships in a patriarchal society. The Met is home to one particularly fascinating collection of her paintings:

Young Husband: First Marketing
Young Wife: First Stew

These two famous paintings at the Met hang side-by-side and depict the early years of marriage in a humorous and playful way.

The husband is asked to procure groceries from the market, something he has clearly never done before. He’s embarrassed and attracts gazes from amused onlookers.

The second portrait is equally amusing and picks up where the last portrait left off. The wife attempts to make a stew from the random jumble of groceries her husband brought home (excuse me, is that a pineapple?). The wife wearily peels an onion while her perplexed helper looks on.

Spencer sought to illuminate the social anxiety at the time — running a household efficiently — and does so flawlessly.

In my opinion, these are some of the most beautiful paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spencer was a masterful painter and these specific paintings were singled out for their technical expertise when she debuted them in 1856.

Young Mother Sewing

Mary Cassatt was an American painter that befriended and learned from Edgar Degas (The Dance Class & Little Dancer). Cassatt’s focus was portraying the domestic life of women, mainly the intimate bond between mothers and children.

Her portrait of Young Mother Sewing is a must see at the Met. The painting is vivid, inviting and calm. The child’s tranquil gaze pierces the observer, while the mother continues to sew undisturbed.

There’s no denying that Cassatt has a way of making mundane daily tasks feel romantic. Her expertise in pausing time to digest the importance of childhood makes her paintings so special.

The MET NYC Must See — Young Mother Sewing | Famous Paintings at the Met

Garden at Sainte-Adresse

I’ve mentioned Monet’s most famous painting at The Met: Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies, but allow me to share my personal favorite painting by the man, Garden at Sainte-Adresse.

Monet spent the summer of 1867 in the resort town of Sainte-Addresse alongside his family. It was here that he produced this sunny scene of leisurely French life using family members as models. His father, Adolphe, wears the panama hat.

This painting feels vastly different from Monet’s typical work and speaks to his adoration for Japanese art. The colors are more vivid, the scene feels obnoxiously cheery even though the reality was not. Monet’s relationship with his father was tense, as he disproved of Monet’s fiance. But alas, you wouldn’t know it based on this beautiful Met painting.

The Denial of Saint Peter

The biblical story of Saint Peter is riddled with deceit and betrayal. Peter betrayed Jesus three times, and his denial is depicted in this famous painting by Italian painter Caravaggio. Carvaggio’s style is unique due to his mastery of light mixed with heavy shadows. As such, the eyes direct exactly where they’re meant to.

The profound painting evokes strong emotions and is full of symbolism. You may notice the three fingers pointing at Peter, this alludes to the three times he betrayed Jesus. You need not be an art connoisseur nor religious to appreciate this famous painting at the Met.

Portrait of Gertrude Stein by Pablo Picasso

Famous American author Gertrude Stein was an early adopter of European art and would often host world-renowned European artists in her Parisian apartment. She personally befriended Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse among others.

Picasso’s success is often partially attributed to Stein’s friendship because she encouraged his craft by purchasing three of his painting while he was living in poverty. Picasso’s portrait of Stein is a touching affair, his adoration and respect for the subject is obvious.

The portrait of Gertrude Stein is special for two reason: It’s one of Picasso’s final paintings during his Rose Period (before he transitioned to Cubism) and Stein so cherished the portrait that she held onto it until her death.

The portrait was bequeathed to the Museum of Modern Art before being transferred to The Met. Today, it’s considered one of the most famous paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.