If you visit only one museum in New York, this is the one. The entire museum covers 5,000 years of art and culture from all over the world, with more than 3 million works of art. The Egyptian art rivals any collection outside of Cairo (the Temple of Dendur, built about 15 BC, is among the museum's most-visited sites), and the Greco-Roman galleries contain some of the most important sculpture in the world. You can see such wonderful treasures as a Rembrandt sketch of Da Vinci's Last Supper; Botticelli's painting of The Annunciation; and fabulous works by Vermeer, Monet, Renoir, Manet, Degas, Gauguin and Van Gogh. The Met's arms and armor collection, which includes some 15,000 pieces from around the world, fascinates children and adults alike. The Cantor Roof Garden displays modern sculpture and offers wonderful views of Central Park and the surrounding skyline. Cafeteria, cafes, and a bookstore and gift shop. Open Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:30 am-9 pm. Galleries are cleared 15 minutes before closing times; some galleries may not open before 11 am on Sunday. Suggested donation US$20 adults, US$15 seniors and US$10 students, free for children younger than 12 but you may pay what you want. Admission includes same-day admission to the main building at The Cloisters in the Bronx. 1000 Fifth Ave., at 82nd Street (subway line 4, 5 or 6 to 86th Street), Manhattan, New York City. Phone 212-535-7710. http://www.metmuseum.org.
