best things to see at the met

Ever wonder how a 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple wound up chillin’ in the middle of NYC like it’s no big deal? Well honey, that’s one of the best things to see at the Met—the Temple of Dendur. Egypt straight-up gifted it to the U.S. back in ’65 (shoutout to the Aswan Dam saga), and now this sandstone stunner lives its best life in the Sackler Wing, sunbathing in natural light and reflecting in a peaceful little pool. It ain’t just for pics—it’s a full-on time warp. You can almost hear Augustus Caesar whispering sweet nothings while you sip your $8 museum latte. This spot? Total zen meets ancient drama. And c’mon—ain’t no Met trip complete without a mirror selfie here… or at least pretending you’re Cleopatra’s long-lost second cousin twice removed.

If your heart does a lil’ flip at starry swirls or girls rockin’ pearl earrings, congrats—you hit the jackpot. The best things to see at the Met definitely include its mind-blowing European Paintings wing. We’re talkin’ Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses, Vermeer’s Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, and Rembrandt gazin’ right into your soul like he knows your deepest secrets. Honestly, there’s more emotional baggage in one hallway than your entire group chat. Pro tip: Don’t just power-walk through like you’re late for avocado toast—slow ya roll. Let those brushstrokes tell ya a story. You’ll walk out feelin’ like you just attended a 17th-century salon… sans the powdered wigs (unless you’re extra).

Yo, wanna feel like you stepped into Game of Thrones—but, like, with indoor plumbing? March straight to the Arms and Armor Court. This is 100% one of the best things to see at the Met if you’re into knights, daggers, and horse armor so shiny it hurts your eyes. The collection’s got over 14,000 pieces, y’all! And they’re lit like a Broadway show. There’s even a full-on joustin’ display that’ll make your inner 10-year-old yell, “I want the sword!” Trust us—it ain’t just for history buffs; it’s for anyone who’s ever dreamed of slayin’ dragons… or at least slayin’ on the ‘gram.

Okay, fashion fam—gather ‘round. The Costume Institute ain’t always open (thanks, Met Gala VIP energy), but when it is? Buckle up, buttercup. It’s hands-down one of the best things to see at the Met for fashion + art + pure drama. Think McQueen’s ghostly gowns and Balenciaga silhouettes that look like they’re from the future. This place proves fashion ain’t just threads—it’s revolution, poetry, and sometimes straight-up chaos. Even if you miss the exhibit, check their online archives. You’ll find gems like a 1740s silk robe that looks like it was sewn by moon fairies. *chef’s kiss*

Right in the middle of NYC chaos, the American Wing Courtyard is like your cool grandma’s secret garden—but make it museum-level fancy. Marble statues, stained glass that actually works (shockin’ for this city), and a fountain that *gasp* flows. Total hidden gem and absolutely part of the best things to see at the Met, especially when your feet are screaming “why did I wear these shoes?!” Fun fact: that stained-glass window by John La Farge? One of the first big uses of opalescent glass in the U.S. So yeah—you’re not just sittin’; you’re chillin’ inside an art history chapter. Shh… don’t tell your Fitbit.

And hey, if you’re plannin’ your visit, peep the The Metropolitan Museum of Art Hours Operating Times so you don’t end up starin’ at locked doors like a confused tourist holdin’ a sad pretzel.

Okay, technically it’s not in the main building—but it’s 100% one of the best things to see at the Met. The Cloisters? Think of it as the Met’s mysterious older sibling who lives uptown, sips herbal tea, and quotes Dante. Tucked in Fort Tryon Park with insane Hudson River views, it’s all medieval Europe, baby. Stroll through real cloisters, chapels, and gardens that smell like rosemary and inner peace. Don’t sleep on the Unicorn Tapestries—they’re so legendary, even your crypto-bro would pause his trades to stare.

Plot twist: the Met ain’t just about old dudes in ruffled collars. Its Modern & Contemporary wing hits hard with Pollock’s drips, Rothko’s color zones, and a Cindy Sherman selfie that’ll make you question your entire existence. These works are core best things to see at the Met if you like art that watches you back. Less “pretty picture,” more “is this capitalism or am I just tired?” Perfect for flexin’ your existential thoughts on a bench while lookin’ deep.

Sure, the Temple of Dendur gets all the Insta love—but the rest of the Egyptian collection? Straight fire. We’re talkin’ sarcophagi that look like luxury coffins, canopic jars holdin’ ancient guts, and stelae covered in hieroglyphs that’ll have you Google-translatin’ like crazy. And of course—the mummies. They ain’t spooky; they’re sacred. This whole section? Undeniably one of the best things to see at the Met, especially if you’ve ever fantasized about bein’ Indiana Jones (minus the snakes, thank god).

From Japanese screens that glow like moonlight to Chinese porcelain so perfect it looks AI-generated—this is where the Met whispers instead of yells. The Asian Art galleries serve up some of the best things to see at the Met for when you need a mental reset. Pro move: find the Astor Court, a recreated Ming dynasty garden. Sit. Breathe. Pretend you’re a poet-scholar from 1400s Suzhou. Bonus points if you mutter something in Mandarin—even if it’s just “ni hao, I’m lost.”

Real talk—if you skip the Rooftop Garden, did you even *go* to the Met? Open seasonally (May through October), it’s 100% one of the best things to see at the Met for skyline views that slap, Central Park stretchin’ out below, and wild modern art that changes every year. Grab an $18 cocktail that tastes like regret but photographs like a dream. And don’t forget to tag Hong Seon Jang in your golden hour post—we stan museum magic!

Want more? Dive into our Museums section where history meets hype and every gallery’s got a story.

References

• https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/history
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art
• https://www.nytimes.com/topic/organization/metropolitan-museum-of-art
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/metropolitan-museum-art-must-see-works-180972482/
• https://www.timeout.com/newyork/museums/best-things-to-see-at-the-met