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WHAT IS IT?America’s 2 million square foot answer to the great museums of Europe: Paris’ Louvre, Madrid’s Museo del Prado, St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, etc…
BEAUTY (10/10)
There are so many examples of absolute aesthetic perfection that even the most demanding beholder will be ethereally satisfied.
HISTORICAL INTEREST (10/10)
14th Century Danish tapestries, Grecian statues and urns, Japanese armor and swords, triptychs enshrining slivers of wood thought to be from The Cross, works from pretty much every artist of note from the past 3 centuries, oh yes, and an Egyptian temple – not replicas, the real deal. This is just the part of the Museum that we saw over the course of two afternoons. There is much, much more.
CROWDS (5/10)
The Museum was crowded with school tours and families. Too many running children for Gab’s tastes or for the comfort of the Museum guards for that matter. If your primary destinations at the Met are the big ticket items like the collections of Van Goghs, Monets and Degas, then you’re going to find things a little tight, with little room or time for introspection before having to move on to the next piece of art. However, the Met is so vast that at times we would turn a corner and find ourselves the sole viewers of lesser-known exhibits.
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (2/5)
The Museum was accessible to individuals with disabilities and those who have difficulty walking. However, like the other New York City locations, it gets a low rating here due to the need to use public transit. Michael and I enjoyed using the subways but they could be a little harrowing with young children, older adults, or a large group in tow. There is an underground parking lot for the Museum, but it was full both days we were there.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (5/5)
Excellent. Simply excellent. In addition to the main store, there are kiosks near every special exhibit with books, souvenirs and postcards specific to the art in that area.
COSTS (2/5)The Museum asks for a $12 donation for each adult but will accept less (or more). We made a donation late in the afternoon on Wednesday and came back the next day for no additional cost, other than what it cost to get back into the city.
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (1/5)
There is a large circular Information Desk at the entrance of the Museum. There are security guards in each room who can assist with directions and general orientation of the Museum, but no one is available to answer contextual questions.
TOURS/CLASSES (9/10)
Descriptions and interpretations of displays, exhibits and individuals pieces of art were excellent, particularly in the American Art section of the Museum. Explanations usually gave some historical background, information about the artist, school or style and then a few sentences about the subject of the piece. They were well written and not without humor.
One can also purchase an audio tour of the Museum. You receive a set of headphones and what looks to be a small remote worn around the neck. Hundreds in not thousands of displays around the museum have a number located at the bottom of their description. Punch the number into your “remote” and more detailed information will be given to you in the language of your choice.
FUN (9/10)
We had a great time, but there is only so much your brain and feet can take. Mental and physical fatigue set in after hours walking the halls and taking in the wondrous things around us. Our own exhaustion is the only reason this is not a perfect score.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (10/10)
Absolutely.
TOTAL 63/80
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