Is It Free to Go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Art|Art Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located in New York City, is one of the most renowned art museums in the world. Filled with art from all over the globe, the Met is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. But one question that often arises is – Is it free to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art?

Admission Prices

The answer to this question is a bit complicated.

The Met does not have a straightforward admission fee; instead, they use what’s called a “Suggested Admission” policy. This means that visitors are encouraged to pay an admission fee, but there is no strict requirement and visitors can choose how much they would like to pay (or not pay) when they enter. The suggested amount for adults is $25 USD and children under 12 are free. However, if you’d like to pay less (or nothing at all), you are welcome to do so as there is no one checking tickets or enforcing a certain amount.

Special Days

The Met also offers special days where admission is free for everyone. These days include select dates during the year such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as well as some Mondays throughout the year when the museum sponsors “Pay-As-You-Wish” days. On these days, visitors can choose how much (if anything) they would like to pay for their entry into the museum.

Membership

The best way to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art for free (or almost free) is by becoming a Member. Memberships start at $85 USD per year and include benefits such as unlimited free admission, discounts on special exhibitions and events, priority access during busy times, and more. It’s important to note that memberships are only available for individuals – not families or groups – so if you plan on visiting with more than one person it may be more cost effective just to purchase tickets or take advantage of Pay-As-You-Wish days.

Conclusion

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an incredible place with something for everyone – whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something fun and different to do on a day off. Luckily, there are several ways you can visit without breaking your budget: by taking advantage of Pay-As-You-Wish days or purchasing an individual membership.

So while it isn’t technically “free” to go to the Met, there are plenty of ways you can save money and still get all that this amazing museum has to offer!

Conclusion: All in all, although it isn’t technically ‘free’ to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art since visitors must still pay some sort of admission fee on most days, there are many ways that visitors can save money such as taking advantage of special “Pay As You Wish” days or becoming an individual member in order to visit without breaking their budget.