5 must-see areas of the Met in New York

In the 1700s this was considered a form of sightseeing – rooms set up in a 360° setting which made it seem as if you were actually there. This view of Versailles by John Vanderlyn was painted in New York using the sketches that he had made at Versailles in 1814. The artist toured with his masterpiece and included a self-portrait, pointing (on the right of the Basin de Latone).

The spacious living room from one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s grandest prairie houses is meticulously recreated to the very last detail. The house was owned by the Little family, a member wanting a smaller house on the land chose to sell it to the Met, who have honored the original intentions of the designer, including daylight coming in through the wall of windows.

Shady Ladies Tours points out the museum’s artwork depicting courtesans, mistresses, and professional beauties throughout history – complete with their accompanying scandalous backstories, led by scholar and professor Andrew Lear, an expert on Greek and Roman erotic art. They also have a Gay Secrets of the Met and a Sexy Secrets of the Met Tours.

View those American fine art and decorative art objects that are not currently on display in the museum. Called ‘visible art storage’ this back room of the museum is open to all visitors. Meticulously arranged by material, form and chronology, the collection includes oil paintings, sculpture, furniture and woodwork, glass, ceramics, and metalwork.

This rooftop garden on top of the MET has changing art installations combined with great views of the Upper East Side and the Manhattan skyline and a small outside bar. Fatigued from discovering all the wonders at the MET, here you can have a seat, enjoy a drink/snack while overlooking the treetops of Central Park.