Skip-the-Line Metropolitan Museum of Art Guided Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max New York City I set up a private tour of NYC's Metropolitan Museum through Babylon/Viator bc 9 family members visiting ages 86 - 19. About 1/2 enthusiastically embraced the opportunity for the private tour and 1/2 aren't "museum fans" and planned to "hop out" after an hour to stand on the coat line for the rest of us. Our tour guide Mark Venaglia texted me 24 hours in advance to set up the meeting location, greeted us with warmth, a big smile, helped us settle in and off we went. From the first moment Mark skillfully managed the group, shared secret nooks and crannies of the Met, its history, the fun human background on donors to the building and art collections, weaved us through the various rooms, and enlightened us with a fun, interesting dialogue of art history including history of the artists, the pieces and culture at the time of the painting. I watched our entire group smile, laugh, ask questions, and, before we knew it, 2 hours had elapsed!!! Our mixed group of 9 all agreed we need to meet with Mark on our next trip for another tour of a NYC landmark. What a fun afternoon!!! Thank you Mark!! I recommend Mark's tour for young and old. A testament to his exciting and interesting tour is we were followed by young and old trying to hear what he was saying bc other people at the museum who weren't on our tour were also intrigued by his insight. Highly recommend this tour. read more

I recently participated in one of Mark's guided walking tours called "Women of the Gilded Age" that took place in the flatiron district of NYC. This tour focused on women's influence on NYC architecture and economic development in the early 1900's. This was an AMAZING day. Mark was kind, animated, passionate, and dedicated to this tour. He made sure everyone felt comfortable speaking up and asking questions. For those of us newer to the city, he made us feel at home and that we belonged. This was not a generic, touristy centered tour. This was real and genuine and it felt more like making a new friend than meeting a tour guide. This was one of my favorite days since moving to NYC and I highly recommend designing or participating in a tour with Mark! I am currently working with him to put together a "Science in the Arts" tour through the city with my company as well as an Italian heritage tour to do with my family. Reach out to Mark and let him know what idea you have, he's very welcoming to new ideas and discussions! You will not regret it :) read more

I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the Met and met such a knowledgeable and personable man such as Mark! I just moved into the city and was excited to experience the Met for the first time. Mark gave me and my friends such a surreal experience as we looked at parts of the Met and many pieces of art work at a level that I would never imagine. I felt like I could "see" in the art and the building for what it was, instead of just reading about the art. I felt like I learned a lot about the secrets and history about the Met that I can share with others next time I visit the museum! I was talking about our experience the rest of the night! I am excited to go back again and would definitely recommend Mark if you are looking for a deeper look inside of the art world. read more

I went on one of Mark's tours of the Met and it was hands down the best museum experiences of my life. Mark is so knowledgeable about every aspect of the art world. He knows not only the history of every piece, but also knows stories, facts, and interesting tidbits about everything related to the specific art, as well as the history of the museum! Through passion of the subject, he takes you on a journey where you can actually FEEL like you are in the painting, or you are the artist of the work. Mark was keen on feedback from the tour group and it was so refreshing to get to share our thoughts on the work as well. It is safe to say that, because of Mark's tour, I will look at every exhibit in a more detailed and deep way. Mark is the best! read more

My group and I met Mark for an afternoon tour, beginning at Astor Place in the East Village. Mark was funny and full of energy; he started the tour right where we met him, pointing to architectural details on the buildings within eyesight which gave clues to their history. This happened again and again on the tour: Mark would stop our group and ask us to look in new ways at streets, alleys, and buildings that we, as residents of the city, had never given consideration. It was great to see New York with fresh eyes again. Mark is a trove of information, and he's passionate about art, architecture, and history. Bring coffee so you can keep up with him! Highly recommended. read more

Wow! What an experience. I had the pleasure of taking a Met tour with Mark. Mark's art knowledge is impressive without a hint of pretension; his energy infectious. I did not get to see his art until after the tour when I googled him, and I wasn't surprised his talent was congruent to his person: extraordinary. Although I know very little about art, my novice questions were graciously accepted. Mark led us on a Met adventure, taking us through not only its art, but its architecture, prowess, and infamy. I hope to have the pleasure of taking his tour again, it was a truly enjoyable experience. read more

I recently attended Mark's tour of the new American Wing of the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mark really knows the history of the interesting paintings -- he added so much intriguing background that I would never have gotten by staring at the portrait of good ole George Washington! I had no idea about the homoerotic nature of much of the early American art. I highly recommend one of his many tours and am signing up for his Beaux arts tour next! This is great for small groups who want to get a special perspective on New York that you won't get on one of the cheezy tour buses. read more

I took a group of friends on one of Mark's Met tours about a year ago and all of us had such an awesome time! Mark has an outstanding knowledge of artwork and history. His speciality is adding in secret tidbits and fascinating little know pieces of information that really inform the viewing experience. Mark kept the group entertained with his energetic personality and quirky sense of humor, and I think we all walked away feeling like we had learned something. I would say if you are looking to add depth, understanding, and fun to your tour he's your man in NY. Thanks Mark! read more

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."~ Degas If your looking for a traditional tour, full of lectures and stodgy viewpoints this tour is defiantly not for you. Mark is not a tour guide but a liaison between you and the art. While on a tour with Mark, nothing is as you might expect it to seem. He opens your eyes, introducing you to fact while challenging you to open you eyes and truly see. Full of history, scandal, and self awareness this tour will distort time leaving you with no option but to look at the world through a different set of eyes. read more

I was fortunate enough to be invited on a tour of the MET lead by Mark. Mark was warm, happy and genuinely excited about enlightening our group. He was patient and gave details about the history of MET and the artwork itself that I would have never learned without him. I walked away feeling intellectually and culturally enlightened. I would highly recommend Mark Venaglia's tours to locals (like myself) just as much as tourists. Side note: his beautiful artwork is something to check out too! read more

I went on one of Mark Venaglia's tours in Los Angeles before he moved to New York. The tour was a wonderful experience and changed the way that I look at museums and the way I look at art. The guy feels art in his bones and he helps you see art through his eyes. The tour I took with Mark was several years ago but I still have fond memories of the experience. All I can say is that LA's loss is New York's gain! New Yorkers, I urge to you jump on the opportunity to go on one of Mark's Tours! read more

Touring the Lower East Side with Mark was a very rewarding experience since he's such an knowledgable, enthusiastic and fun tour guide. His love of the city's history, art and architecture was a real pleasure to behold. An outstanding tour that I wished had never ended! Whether you're visiting NYC for the first time or a resident you couldn't ask for a better experience than a tour through the city sites with Mark. Prepare to look at the city in a whole new way. read more

I was on a small group tour of the Met with Mark in May 2013 .He has forever changed the way I will view a museum. I'll be looking at the architecture and art lay-out differently and wondering about the dirty little secrets the museum might hold. Mark's energy and knowledge is seemingly boundless. I thought i would last 3, maybe 4 hours but instead spent about 7 hours that flew by in one of my most memorable and enjoyable visits to the Met. read more

If you have the opportunity to take Mark Venaglia "Look and See NY" tours you will have a wonderful experience. I having grown up in New York as well as working here I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot that I didn't know about history and architecture. He brings everything to life with his enthusiasm and knowledge. As a resident it was fantastic and as a visitor it would even be more amazing! Don't miss it! read more

I was expecting Mark to tell my wife and I what all the art meant and what the artist was trying to say. Instead he lead us to making our own interpretations of the art and what it made us feel. Mark is very unlike many artists and made our tour of the museum a fun day as well as a learning experience. I only wish we had more time than we did. We will definitely do another tour with Mark at some point. read more

Mark's tours are an amazing experience. I had the good fortune to tour the MET with him and had a blast. He draws his audience's eyes to unusual aspects of the museum. He explains the history and political background of so much along the tour. This is truly a cannot miss experience I would definitely look into repeating the tour, or any others he offers, the next time I visit NYC read more

My last trip to New York City was elevated to a new level when I spent time with Mark at the Met.... What a day! I learned more about art, artists, NYC, and museum history during one of Mark's tours than I could have learned in an academic year at NYU! Bravo Mark! I will return to New York again, and book another informative, educational, and entertaining tour.. read more

Mark is exceptional. His knowledge and passion for New York City is unparalleled. Having been fortunate enough to have done many tours with him now, I can say that he brings the City alive in a way that is completely inspiring, captivating and downright fascinating. I cherish every minute I've spent walking New York City with Mark. read more

Spent a most enjoyable day at the Met with Mark learning new things about art and saw the Met in a way I never thought I could. Would highly recommend one of Mark's tours and look forward to taking another when I return to NYC. read more