Visitor Tips

WHILE YOU ARE HERE

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Helpful Hints:

Food and drink cannot be brought into the Museum and may not be checked at the coat checks.
Water in plastic bottles may be brought into the Museum.
Mobile phone use is only allowed in the Great Hall.
Flash photography and video cameras cannot be used inside the Museum.
Only pencils may be used in the galleries; the use of pens and markers is prohibited.
Baby carriers are available at the coat checks and strollers are allowed in all galleries, unless otherwise noted.
Wheelchairs are available at the coat checks.

Save Time by Traveling Light:

All backpacks and packages must be checked in at the coat-check facilities. Avoid waiting in long lines by leaving backpacks and packages at home.
Luggage, carry-on bags, and oversize backpacks are not allowed in the Museum and cannot be checked in at the coat-check facilities.
Coats and small umbrellas may be carried into the galleries. Large umbrellas must be checked.

Museum Policies

Strollers

Back carriers are available at coat-check areas at 81st Street and 82nd Street entrances. Strollers are permitted in most areas—inquire at Information Desks for gallery limitations. Oversize and jogging strollers are prohibited.

Luggage and Coat Check

Luggage is not allowed into the Museum and cannot be checked in at the Museum's coat-check facilities. This includes small carry-ons and oversize backpacks. All backpacks, large bags, and large umbrellas must be checked in at the coat-check facilities. To ensure the safety of the collection, the Museum does not permit visitors to carry bags on their backs in the galleries. Food and drink are not allowed in the Museum and may not be checked in at the coat-check facilities. The Museum reserves the right to decide what can and cannot be checked in at the coat-check facilities. Questions about the Museum's luggage or coat-check policy can be referred to the Security Office at 212-570-3781.

Lost and Found

If you have left something behind at the Museum, call the Lost and Found office at 212-570-3981.

First Aid

Inform the nearest Security Officer if you require first aid in the galleries.

Photography

Still photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only in the Museum's galleries devoted to the permanent collection. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions or areas designated as "No Photography"; works of art on loan from private collections or other institutions may not be photographed. The use of flash is prohibited at all times and in all galleries. Movie and video cameras are prohibited. Tripods are allowed Wednesday through Friday, and only with a permit issued by the Information Desk in the Great Hall.

For press and other special photography, including film and videotape projects, please contact the Communications Department during business hours by phone (212-879-5500, ext. 3441) or fax (212-472-2764). See The Image Library for more information about requests regarding photographs of works of art owned by the Museum for any purpose other than private and noncommercial.

The Museum reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph on its premises or to reproduce photographs of objects in its collection.

Sketching and Copying

Sketching, in pencil only, is permitted in all the permanent collection galleries of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sketching is also permitted in most special exhibitions; please inquire at the Information Desk in the Great Hall about current exhibitions and guidelines.

The use of ballpoint pens, ink, markers, fountain pens, or watercolors is not permitted at any time. Crayon, pastel, and charcoal are permitted only on Museum-supervised tours that specifically authorize their use.

While sketching, please do not hinder visitor traffic flow in the galleries.

During periods of high attendance, the Museum reserves the right to make any necessary adjustments to this sketching policy.

Hours

Museum Hours
Monday: Closed (Except Holiday Mondays)
Tuesday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Address

1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
Information: 212-535-7710
TTY: 212-570-3828
Directions