You can lose yourself in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Every hallway, every staircase, and every corner leads to something wondrous. Journeying through the Met is like traveling through time. Civilization unfolds before your eyes as you take in stone reliefs and precious metals from the Neolithic Era. From there, make your way to the armory that houses ancient pieces from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Before your trip is complete, check out the museum’s unrivaled collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by masters including Matisse and Vermeer. You can easily spend a day in a single section of the Met, whether you are viewing pieces from the permanent collection or a special exhibit such as the designs of Chanel or the Max Ernst retrospective. Both guided and audio tours are offered for specific wings of the museum, so you can gain a better understanding of the events and times that led to the masterpieces. The tour of the Cloisters (one of the museum’s most popular) offers a breathtaking sojourn into medieval Europe, where you can take in illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and metal works from an age that never ceases to fascinate.

The rooftop of the Met is the perfect combination of art and entertainment. You can view a sight-specific exhibition while imbibing in a cocktail from the Martini Bar. The rooftop is a perfect spot to mingle and to take in a stunning panoramic view of the city. The Met has been a staple of New York culture since the 1870s. From its inception, it has stood out as one of the finest museums in the world. It houses the most comprehensive collection of American art in the world, and the collection only continues to grow. Visiting the Met and viewing its astonishing exhibits enables you to trace man’s development over thousands of years, which can be a life-changing experience even if you are not an art lover.