One of the BEST places to spend time in New York City is the Metropolitan Museum, hands down. No matter what your mood, entering the Met is like opening a book. Or many books as each area takes you on a different journey around the world. It’s so easy to get lost within the galleries as you immerse yourself in history and culture.

The building is magnificent sitting alone inside Central Park on the Fifth Avenue side between 81st and 85th Streets.

For those visitors who cannot climb the grand staircase outside, there is a handicapped entrance to the left or southside of the building.  This entrance gives you access to the underground parking garage as well.  It’s an excellent place to start your visit as there are restrooms, a coat check, and a gift shop all nearby. 

From here take the elevator upstairs and depending on your tastes and interests, pick your galleries and begin your tour.   On the first floor the elevators here open to the Greek and Roman Art Galleries.

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, which is just beyond, is currently closed for renovation so instead make your way toward the center of the building and The Great Hall. After you take in the splendor of the Great Hall, continue into Egyptian Art with the Temple of Dendur.

There are ramps at the back of the Temple to take you up to the Temple for closer inspection. Near the small gift shop behind the Temple you will see restrooms and a glass elevator. I review the restrooms toward the end of this piece, but it will be a tight fit for most scooters and wheelchairs here. The elevator will take you only to the mezzanine above the American Wing Courtyard.

If you stay on the 1st floor in this area you will find yourself in the American Wing with a collection of period rooms filled with exceptional furnishings from our nation’s 350+ year history. Using a scooter or wheelchair you’ll need to ask a docent or security guard to unlock the lift, (tucked away behind the gift shop) so just know there is a way to get to that level.

The other option is to go through the American Wing Cafe and near the windows there is a ramp that will take you down to the Frank Lloyd Wright house. From there you will be able to tour the rest of the galleries. Among the many beautiful items in this collection you will find some striking stained glass—both windows and lamp shades, made not only by Tiffany but other accomplished stained glass artisans of the day.

When you are finished here, head toward Medieval Art. If it’s December, enjoy the museum’s Christmas tree. A must see when you are in the museum. You’ll see the Robert Lehman wing just past the tree. There are elevators off to the left, which will take you down to better restrooms for scooters and wheelchair users as well as deliver you to The Eatery.

That’s the Great Hall Balcony Cafe under the windows. The elevators that you took from the ground floor to the first floor at the very beginning of your tour will bring you to this level. Other elevators throughout the building can be found with directions from security. Not all the elevators on the map work every day. It is worth checking out the view here of the Great Hall as well as the Grand Staircase behind where I’m standing.

Just off to the left of the Grand Hall Balcony begins Asian Art. You can access the first large gallery without an elevator, but to see the rest of the exhibit follow signs for a lift as there is much to see in this area.

Be sure to check out the Costume Institute if it’s open. We have had some spectacular fashion events at the Met over the years. From the first floor, there is a large elevator just past the restrooms in the Egyptian art area that will take you down to the Institute.

Between April and October, weather permitting check out the changing art and enjoy the view on Cantor Roof Garden and Bar.

Location:

1000 Fifth Avenue (between 81st and 85th Streets), New York, NY  10029

Telephone: 212 535-7751

Hours:

Thursday – Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Closed Wednesday

Accessibility:

Handicapped entrance on the southside of the building near 81st Street.

Restrooms:

Ground Level

There are two sets of restrooms on the ground level.  The best restrooms are the ones in the children’s area also known as the Carson Family Hall.  They have the widest doors and more elbowroom once inside the restroom.  But by no means are they spacious.  The handicapped stall with bars is at the very end of the row of water closets, which means you have to get past all the people at the sinks.  Sinks are easily reachable.

There is another set of restrooms on the ground floor directly across from the ticketing desk.  They are about the same in size and design.  If either restroom is busy, it will be challenging navigating in and out with either a scooter or a wheelchair, but it is doable.  The gender-neutral restroom is large enough for a scooter or wheelchair so if the line isn’t long, that would be the one to use.  None of the doors are automatic however so you will need to open them yourself or have someone help.

Across from The Eatery

There are two women’s restrooms right across from the cafeteria.  I was able to ride my scooter into both of them and ride into the handicapped stall although if the museum is busy this will be harder to do.  But both are good options.  The men’s restroom is up the ramp and off to the right.  I believe it is the same design, I have not had my friends confirm that as of this writing.

1st Floor

In the Egyptian area on the first floor there is another set of restrooms, but these are very small.  I managed the “S” curve entry and proceeded down to the one handicapped stall at the end but realized that there was no way to turn the scooter around; I would have to back out.  So I did back out and the line of women behind me all had to step aside while I did this.  They were most gracious, but it was annoying.  It might be a little easier with a wheelchair, but I would skip this set of restrooms altogether.  There is no gender-neutral restroom here either.

The next set of restrooms is in the hallway just past the Temple of Dendur.  The Women’s Room was nicely renovated several years ago with marble counters and elegant private stalls.  But again, there just isn’t room for a mobility scooter and only a small wheelchair could get down the aisle inside.  The Men’s room is closed and there is no Gender-Neutral option at this location.

Heading south again past Medieval Art there is another set of restrooms, but these are all about the same very narrow with little if any room to maneuver a scooter.  Here you can leave the scooter outside the restrooms and walk in, but I would suggest using the restrooms downstairs across from the Eatery or back by the entrance on the ground floor.  The next set of restrooms on the first floor are just past the elevators that take you to the roof.  They are similar in size and design.

2nd Floor

Just across from the Met Store on the second floor there is a set of bathrooms—small and not able to accommodate a scooter but possibly a small wheelchair.  Heading north through European Paintings, past the American Wing and Musical Instruments into Asian Art there is another set of restrooms.  I did not check these out as I was approaching them from the balcony and there are only stairs at that point.  I doubt these are any larger, however, I will check them out on my next visit to the museum. 

Dining:

American Wing Café:  There is plenty of room in the café.  My friends and I often stop here for a light lunch or just coffee.  There is plenty of room for my scooter and it is easy to get in and out. 

The Petrie Court Café:  only open Friday and Saturday evenings.  Roomy and you can fit a scooter here.

The Eatery:  on the lower level is open and spacious and you can get a scooter or wheelchair easily.

Great Hall Balcony Café: over the main entrance, the hall serves light food and beverages every day and is particularly enjoyable Friday and Saturday nights while chamber music is played.  It is a delightful place to meet with friends.  Space is a little tight, but you can take your scooter and wheelchair.  This area is reachable by the elevators on the southside of the building and then traveling through various galleries to get to the center of the building.

Met Dining Room:  reservations are required here.  I have not dined here and do not know its true accessibility.

Balcony Lounge:   reservations are required, and I have not dined here.

Cantor Roof Garden Bar:  Only beverages are served here and it is open seasonally.  It is often very crowded, but you can bring a scooter or wheelchair up here and it’s worth it.  The view of Central Park is wonderful!

Outlets for Recharging your scooter/phone: 

Can be found in the Carson Family Hall on the ground floor.  This is probably the best place to charge your scooter if you need it.  There are open outlets along the east wall and there are plenty of benches if other people are waiting with you.  I asked where I could charge the scooter, and this is where I was directed.  There are also outlets and benches on both ends of the Great Hall under the large screens.  Easy to find and always one or two people charging phones can be found there.

How to Get There:

Subway:

The only subway line with an elevator that gets you remotely close is the Q train which stops at 86th Street and Second Avenue.  From there you could transfer to the Crosstown 86th Street bus or ride your scooter to the Museum. 

I live on the Upper West Side so I put my scooter on the bus at West 96th Street and ride to Fifth Avenue.   If the weather is good and I’m not in a rush, I ride to the Museum from there.  Otherwise I transfer to one of the many downtown buses that stop at 96th Street. It’s a little over a half a mile.  Going home, if my battery is still good, I most often ride through Central Park at 86th Street and then wander north either on Central Park West or Columbus. 

Bus:

M1, M 3, M4, M5.  These buses go south on Fifth Avenue and make stops within the 84th to 79thStreet blocks.  All good for the museum. These same buses travel north on Madison Avenue one block away so if you are coming from downtown, it will take time, but put your scooter or wheelchair on one of these four buses and get off anywhere between 79th and 84th and ride one block over to Fifth.  There are outer borough buses that also stop here.  I do not have that list as of this writing.