Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take the subway uptown and then stroll across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art — known to art lovers as the Met — for an introductory session with our art historian and get tips on navigating the galleries. The remainder of the morning will involve self-directed exploration to see what interests each of us most. Founded in 1870, the Met is one of the world’s greatest museums with a collection spanning more than 5,000 years of creativity. Its artistic treasury from every corner of the world includes paintings, arms and armor, costume, decorative arts, musical instruments, photography, works on paper, and much more. There are 26,000 objects from ancient Egypt, the largest collection outside Cairo; 2,500 European paintings, one of the most extensive collections anywhere; and the most comprehensive collection of American decorative arts, paintings, and sculpture in the American Wing. The Beaux-Arts façade and Great Hall of the iconic flagship building — designed by architect and founding museum trustee Richard Morris Hunt — opened in 1902. Today, tens of thousands of objects are on view at any given time. The Met has moved away from hand held audio guides and highly recommends use of their proprietary app 'The Met' for use in the galleries.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like at the Met. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The museum features several choices including a formal, sit-down restaurant; a cafeteria, and an informal café. Don’t forget the food carts out on 5th Avenue!
Afternoon:
Continue exploring The Met according to personal choice.
Dinner:
At a restaurant near the hotel.
Evening:
The Group Leader will take those who are interested on a walk to Rockefeller Center where we’ll consider the public art included as part of this iconic landmark. Those who prefer not to join will have the evening at leisure.