Occupying an 11.5 acre footprint, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which opened in 1880, is impressive in terms both of quality and scale. However, this New York attraction is surprisingly easy to negotiate, particularly if you come early on a weekday to avoid the crowds. The institution is a favorite for many New Yorkers—while the suggested donation ($25, seniors $17, students $12) is well worth it for the treasures within, you can pay as little as a buck to hang out in an Egyptian temple, gawk at period costumes and take pictures on the gorgeous rooftop garden, showcasing views of Central Park and the city skyline.
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The impressive facade that characterizes the Met’s beautiful Fifth Avenue exterior was actually not part of the building’s original look: The museum was conceived by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould as a small, red-bricked building in the neo-Gothic style, complete with a steel-and-glass roof. As the museum’s collection expanded, so did its physical presence: In 1895, Richard Morris Hunt designed the splendid Beaux Arts entry wing, which runs along Fifth Avenue.
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