The very first thing that hit me was the size of this place. Huge doesn't even begin to describe…read moreit. From the moment the car pulled up on 81st Street and Fifth Avenue, I knew I was in for something special. As a New Yorker, I instantly recognized the iconic staircase, but once I stepped inside, the museum completely drew me in. The Great Hall is breathtaking, and from there it just feels like the museum goes on forever.
I'd read plenty of reviews beforehand, and everyone said the same thing: don't even think about trying to see the whole museum in one visit. Smart advice. So I picked three things I really wanted to see--Musical Bodies, Costume as Art, and the Temple of Dendur--and figured I'd spend about an hour in each.
Before I got started, one thing immediately stood out: The Met takes accessibility seriously. As a wheelchair user, that's something I notice right away, and I couldn't have been more impressed. If there was a staircase, there was almost always a ramp or an elevator just a few feet away. I never had to wonder how I was going to reach the next gallery.
The staff made the whole experience even better. Everyone I encountered was welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely happy to help. No matter who I asked, they seemed to know exactly where everything was, and I watched staff members effortlessly assist visitors in multiple languages. Even the security guards impressed me. At one point, I heard one politely tell a visitor, "Please step back. You're too close to the exhibit." It wasn't harsh or embarrassing, just a calm, friendly reminder. I actually smiled because it was such a simple but thoughtful way to protect the artwork while making visitors feel respected.
Accessibility continued throughout the museum. During my entire visit, I only came across two areas that weren't accessible to wheelchairs, the inside of a pyramid and a long, narrow pyramid passage. Everything else was easy to navigate. Even at the Temple of Dendur, where visitors need to go up to the temple level, there was a portable lift so wheelchair users could experience the exhibit from the same vantage point as everyone else. That kind of attention to inclusion deserves recognition.
Well...my carefully planned itinerary lasted about five minutes.
I started in Gallery 199 with Musical Bodies, and wow. It was fascinating, thought-provoking, and honestly one of the coolest exhibits I've seen. I had no idea the relationship between music and the human body could be interpreted in so many creative ways throughout history. Every display made me stop and think, and before I knew it, 45 minutes had disappeared.
Next, I rolled over to Costume Art. It was packed, and since much of the exhibit is displayed overhead, it wasn't the easiest thing to see from my wheelchair while weaving through the crowds. Even so, it was absolutely worth it. The designs were stunning, the creativity was off the charts, and I loved seeing how fashion has evolved over the years. More than once I caught myself laughing and thinking, "So this is where Ballroom got that idea!"
After about an hour, I finally pulled myself away.
My next stop wasn't even on my itinerary. The Egyptian galleries were right there, so I figured I'd take a quick look.
Yeah...there's no such thing as a quick look.
That exhibit completely pulled me in. The sarcophagi, the jewelry, the incredible stone carvings--it just kept getting better the deeper I went. Oddly enough, I found the galleries leading up to the Temple of Dendur even more captivating than the temple itself. I should probably confess that I once dreamed of becoming an Egyptologist, so this entire section had me hooked from start to finish.
From there I wandered into the American Wing, which honestly could be its own museum. One side is filled with magnificent furniture, while the other showcases an incredible collection of paintings. It's another area that deserves an entire visit all by itself.
Somehow, three hours disappeared in what felt like minutes.
As I headed toward the exit, I was already planning my next visit...or three. I still haven't seen the Sculpture Garden, the Greek and Roman galleries, or dozens of other rooms that deserve their own day. Between the museum's unbelievable size, the crowds, and the endless galleries, there's simply no way to see everything.
That's exactly what makes The Met so incredible. It's not a museum you finish. It's one you keep coming back to.
The only thing that brought me back to reality was walking outside. The line of food vendors immediately reminded me I was standing in one of New York City's biggest tourist magnets. I nearly laughed when I saw the prices--$9 for a hot dog and $12 for a sandwich. Really? Then again, this is Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side, not a Brooklyn street corner. I guess that's the price you pay for lunch in one of the city's most famous neighborhoods. don't try to conquer The Met in one day.