MetFest—Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Saturday, October 2, 2021
The Met Fifth Avenue
Go behind the scenes and experience The Met as never before. These unique tours reveal parts of the building you’ve never seen: conservation studios, hidden stairways, special building features, and more.
Capacity is limited, and advance registration is required. For more information see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Drawing Connections: The Study Room for Drawings and Prints
Take a close look at highlights from The Met collection of works on paper—one of the most comprehensive and distinguished in the world—during this insider presentation in the study room. Notable for its exceptional breadth and depth, the collection comprises more than twenty-one thousand drawings, 1.2 million prints, and twelve thousand illustrated books created in Western Europe and America from the 15th century to the present.
Low activity: Expect to move around a little. You may stand or sit, and the room is accessible to wheelchair users and visitors who need to avoid stairs.
Terms and conditions: Masks are required. For the safety of objects and visitors, no touching or handling objects. Participants must leave coats, bags, and large objects in a designated, secured space in the study room. Pens and markers are not permitted, but visitors are welcome to use pencils. Photography without flash is permitted, though we ask visitors to photograph artworks only and be mindful that staff members and other visitors should not appear in their photographs. Videography of any kind is not permitted.
Times: 11–11:45 am; 12–12:45 pm; 2–2:45 pm
Stairway to History: Architecture Tour
The Museum’s 150-year history has produced a maze of intricately interlocking public and private spaces. Explore The Met’s stairways and in-between spaces that form bridges between architectural styles and eras as well as departments. Enjoy access to areas normally off-limits to the public.
High activity: Expect to climb the many stairways you explore on this tour. It includes strenuous activity while covering lots of ground throughout the Museum. Visitors should be comfortable with heights and tight, enclosed spaces. Comfortable, close-toed shoes are required. Pants are recommended.
Terms and conditions: Masks are required. The Museum is not offering coat or bag check, so please plan to leave coats, bags, and any unnecessary items at home. No photography allowed.
Times: 2–2:45 pm; 4–4:45 pm
A Knight in Shining Armor: Arms and Armor Conservation
Hear firsthand how this specialized conservation team cares for a unique aspect of art history and material culture, which includes a wide range of martial and ceremonial objects from virtually all cultures over thousands of years. Learn about this versatile studio’s tools and techniques and details from past and upcoming projects.
Medium activity: Expect to move around a bit and stand during the tour.
Terms and conditions: Masks are required. For the safety of objects and visitors, no touching or handling objects. No photography allowed. The Museum is not offering coat or bag check, so please plan to leave coats, bags, and unnecessary items at home.
Tour Times: 11:30 am–12:30 pm; 1–2 pm; 2:30–3:30 pm
Under the Microscope: The Department of Scientific Research
Visit one of the most advanced facilities in the world for cultural heritage science. Meet Met scientists in the laboratories to see how they use advanced analytical technology to study authenticity, provenance, and attribution issues and investigate artists' materials and techniques.
Low activity: Expect to move around a little. You may stand or sit.
Terms and conditions: Masks are required. For the safety of objects and visitors, no touching or handling objects. No photography allowed. The Museum is not offering coat or bag check, so please plan to leave coats, bags, and any unnecessary items at home.
Times: 1:30–2:15 pm; 3:30–4:15 pm
Secrets of the Stacks: Thomas J. Watson Library
Mirroring the Museum’s expansive collection, The Met’s art library is one of the largest in the world—home to over one million books on art. Explore the mysteries of the closed stacks, find hidden gems in the high-security book cage, and view highlights from the past year’s acquisitions. Photos are welcome—tag @metlibrary!
Medium activity: Expect to move around a bit and stand for most of the tour.
Terms and conditions: Masks are required. Photography is welcome. The Museum is not offering coat or bag check, so please plan to leave coats, bags, and unnecessary items at home.
Times: 12–12:45 pm; 1:30–2:15 pm; 3–3:45 pm
Presented as part of MetFest.
Per New York City’s “Key to NYC” requirement, all people 12 and older are required to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the Museum. Attendees must show proof of receipt of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use or licensed for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization. Acceptable forms of proof include the following: a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or an official immunization record from the jurisdiction, state, or country where the vaccine was administered or a digital or physical photo of such a card or record, reflecting the person's name, vaccine brand, and date administered; a New York City COVID Safe Pass; or a New York State Excelsior Pass. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. The Museum also requires that all visitors continue to wear proper face coverings while on the premises. Please review The Met's Visitor Guidelines webpage prior to your visit.
MetFest is made possible by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, MetLife Foundation, and Dale and Robert Burch.