The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Art museum · Central Park
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028
Highlights
Vast art museum with Egyptian artifacts, El Greco, and rooftop views
Vast art museum with Egyptian artifacts, El Greco, and rooftop views
"Home to the annual gala—the hottest ticket in town held on the first Monday in May—this famed New York museum staged a paparazzi-packed arrival up a grand staircase and an inside feast prepared by James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi. Anna Wintour, the event's 'queen bee' and Vogue editor-in-chief, handed the Top Chef star one big quick-fire challenge: cook with no garlic, onions, or chives — saying these were 'three things I’m not particularly fond of,' she told the Today Show ahead of the 2024 gala. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion famously broke the no-cell phone policy and documented passed apps of caviar-topped cornbread on Instagram. The chef opted for a sleek black look complete with a jeweled crown by Ugo Mozie, and his résumé — a Time100 honoree, owner of the New York Times’ No. 1 restaurant in NYC, and with a newly announced Vegas project — was cited as part of why he was well-suited for the job. Tables for 10 started at $350,000, invite-only solo tickets were $75,000, and the gala raised a record $31 million for the Costume Institute; the newest exhibition unveiled that night explores dandyism through the ages. Notable hosts and guests included Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, ASAP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Teyana Taylor, who said she was the most excited to see him (and eat his food)." - Tierney Plumb
"One of the largest art museums in the world, occupying about 14 acres on Manhattan's Museum Mile and home to a permanent collection of more than 1.5 million pieces; highlights include famous works such as Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Crossing the Delaware' and Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' making it a must-visit for quantity and breadth of art across millennia." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A major cultural institution recommended as a day activity for couples in New York — 'roam the halls' before an evening Broadway show — providing expansive art collections and a classic museum experience for romantic itineraries." - Alex Schechter Alex Schechter Alex Schechter is a Los Angeles-based journalist who covers travel, food, and dining. His work has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, Monocle, and Afar, among others. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"NYC is a bustling metropolis with iconic skyscrapers, diverse neighborhoods, and world-class museums. Explore Central Park and enjoy the city's vibrant culture." - Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the
"One of the world's largest and finest art museums, showcasing thousands of years of art from across the globe." - Alison Fox Alison Fox Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and amNewYork. When she’s not in New York City, she can be found at the beach or on the slope
