Visitor Guidelines

English

We look forward to welcoming you to The Met! Please review the guidelines below before you visit.

For more tips to make the most out of your visit, see the Plan Your Visit page. Still have questions? Visit our Contact page.

The Met reserves the right to refuse or revoke the admission of any visitor whose conduct violates these guidelines.

What can I bring with me?

  • Small backpacks are allowed but must be worn on your front or carried in your hand.
  • Water is allowed in a secure bottle. No other liquids are permitted.
  • Strollers and front-facing baby carriers are welcome. Please note that some exhibitions do not allow strollers. Jogging strollers and wagons are not allowed.
  • Mobility scooters are allowed.
  • Service dogs are welcome.

What should I leave at home?

The following items are not allowed in the building or at coat check:

  • Large bags, luggage, musical instruments, electronics, and oversize camera equipment
  • Glass containers, jars, aerosol cans, and liquids other than water
  • Food and drink (other than water in a secure bottle or for medical reasons). Explore food and drink options at The Met.
  • Any large objects, such as flags, banners, frames, artwork, shopping carts, sporting goods, and recreational equipment
  • Marking materials, paint, adhesives, epoxies, or glues (pencils are allowed)
  • Pets or emotional support animals
  • Firearms, weapons, or hazardous materials
  • Oversized strollers, jogging strollers, wagons, bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades, ice skates, helmets, and scooters
  • Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, drones, and professional video equipment, unless previously arranged and approved by the Communications Department. (See our Photo and Video Policy.)
  • Plants and flowers
  • Craft/utility knives, tools, screwdrivers
  • Costumes, including masks that cover the full face
  • Any other item that could put the art or visitors at risk, to be determined at the sole discretion of The Met security team.

Can I take photos/video?

  • Non-flash photography and video for personal use is allowed in most galleries unless otherwise noted.
  • Filming of guided tours is at the discretion of the individual guide.
  • Unauthorized photoshoots and staged photography (photo/film shoots, modeling shoots, engagement shoots) are not permitted.
  • Photographs and video taken at The Met cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. (See our Photo and Video Policy.)
  • 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 collections.

What should I know before entering the building?

  • Please retain your ticket. You may be asked to re-validate your ticket when exiting and re-entering the galleries. Entry is only guaranteed for the date printed on your ticket.
  • For everyone’s safety, all visitors and members must pass through a security check. Please plan for lines at the entrances.
  • Children twelve and under must be always accompanied by an adult.
  • Refund, resale, exchange, or transferal of Museum tickets or Membership benefits is not permitted.
  • Visitors to The Met may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. By visiting, visitors grant the Museum permission to use photographs and/or audiovisual recordings in which visitors appear for archival, documentary, publicity, advertising, or other purposes.

How can I ensure a safe experience for everyone?

  • The Met does not tolerate verbally abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening statements or behavior toward Met staff or other visitors.
  • The principles of diversity, inclusion, and equal access apply to all aspects of The Met’s operations, across all categories of individuals. Please see the Museum’s Institutional Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Access Policy Statement.
  • Conduct that poses any risk to other visitors, the Museum’s staff, or the Museum’s collection, such as running, rough play, and disruptive behavior is prohibited.
  • Leafleting, signature gathering, picketing, merchandise sales, and press conferences by visitors are not permitted.
  • Solicitation of business and unauthorized for-profit activity is not permitted.
  • The unauthorized playing of music and video, unauthorized performances, and sound amplification and noisemakers (except for assistive-listening devices) is prohibited.
  • Keep doorways, stairs, and hallways accessible to other visitors; do not sit on the floor.
  • Do not carry children or other guests on shoulders.
  • Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in the Museum or near the entrances.
  • Use of electrical outlets in the Museum is prohibited.
  • For health and safety reasons, shirts and shoes are required.

How can I help protect the art?

Please do not touch the artwork, frames, platforms, labels, display cases, or anything used to protect the art.

Can I draw/sketch?

Yes! Feel free to write, draw, or take notes with pencil. Other marking materials such as paint, charcoal, and markers are not allowed.

Are you an artist? Learn more about The Met's copyist program.