America’s Museum: Art and History of the Metropolitan

Originally founded in 1870 with 174 paintings, the Metropolitan Museum has grown to more than 2 million square feet – the same size as the Empire State Building! This tour, led by Big Onion guides, all of whom are PhD candidates in Art History, will take you through the Museum in a new and unique way. While discussing a diverse selection of the magnificent works of art, we will also explore the history of America’s most popular museum.

Our guides will explain the intricate world of museum design, collection and presentation, all while placing the institution in a context of New York’s cultural history. This tour could include: Perseus and Medusa, the Pompeii Cubiculum, some of New York’s most iconic civic sculptures, as well as the stories of Richard Morris Hunt, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, JP Morgan, first Met President “General” Luigi Palma Di Cesnola, and the only Met Benefactor to be eaten by cannibals.

Our tour is limited to 20 participants per guide. Reservations and pre-payment are required for this tour. Fee: $40 per adult; $34 for seniors; and $28 for full time students. Cost INCLUDES full Metropolitan Museum admission fee.
Please note: the Metropolitan Museum requires all backpacks and large bags to be checked.

Refund Policy: Walk can be cancelled up to 48 hours prior to the outing with an 85% refund. Within 48 hours all reservations are final and cannot be refunded unless we are able to fill your spots from our waiting list. Walks are held rain or shine, but may be cancelled for severe weather or if museum is closed. No shows are considered last-minute cancellations and are non-refundable. In the event of a Big Onion cancellation or museum closure, refunds or rescheduled tickets will be offered.

To make reservations for this tour please email seth.kamil@bigonion.com or telephone (212) 439-1090 ext. 4 or (888) 606-WALK ext 4.

America’s Museum is one of a variety of walks offered as public “twilight” tours. These tours are lead Thursday and Friday evenings at 6 p.m. & Saturday’s at 5 p.m. We rotate a variety of tours in these time slots. Please see our Schedule page for details for specific dates and times.