Overall Impression When the Whitney Museum of American Art opened its new location in the edgy Manhattan neighborhood of the Meatpacking District in May of 2015, we were immediately intrigued. The area was home to the High Line (a lovely park built on top of an abandoned train track which is another great New York City attraction), and a host of nightclubs, restaurants and high-end boutiques.

From the outside, it was an impressive structure. With staircases and terraces along the façade, we saw streams of people walking up and down the side of the building and lounging outside on the terraces. There was also a long admission line so we recommend getting tickets in advance.

The lobby was vast and modern, with a gift shop and visitor desks all sharing an open space. Once we picked up our tickets, it was easy to enter the exhibition area and ascend the building into the galleries.

The galleries themselves felt spacious, despite the crowds. We never had to wait to see a painting nor were we frustrated walking around. When we needed a rest, we found two outdoor terraces with chairs, and two indoor lounges with couches facing a tall glass wall. We sat on the comfortable couches and enjoyed a spectacular view of lower Manhattan.

The collection was astounding. We saw famous paintings by contemporary artists such as Edward Hopper, Willem De Kooning, Barbara Kruger, and Jean-Michel Basquiat among others.

While the works on display were a delight to see, the building itself was also a work of art. It had a modern vibe and was easy to navigate. It offered many ways to traverse the museum and to enjoy its unique location near the Hudson River.

We liked the museum as well as the bustling surrounding neighborhood with many interesting markets, restaurants and views. The Whitney Museum was an excellent place to visit in Manhattan because in addition to enjoying the contemporary art collection, we had fun exploring the area near the building.

Average Duration of Visit About one hour. While the museum’s collection was extensive, it was not all on display at once.

Description There were eight floors in total, all accessible by either stairs or elevator. The top six floors were the gallery spaces, each with large windows and high ceilings. Two of the museum’s eight floors were dedicated to the permanent collection.

In addition to the museum’s collection of contemporary art, we enjoyed exploring the new building and the surrounding area. It was a great place to take pictures of Manhattan and to visit an area of the city that was developing into a chic and interesting place.

Do They Welcome Children? Yes, there were activity guides and audio guides for kids. In addition, we saw an open art-making studio for children that was included with the price of admission.

Established The Whitney Museum of American Art was founded in 1930, and opened in 1931 on West Eighth Street in Greenwich Village. It moved locations two more times before opening at 99 Gansevoort Street on May 1, 2015.

Handicapped access The entire museum was wheelchair accessible by elevator. Doorways to outdoor terraces were equipped with automatic openers. Service animals were welcome. There was assisted listening equipment for tours and tours in American Sign Language.

Location The museum is in Manhattan, New York City, about 19 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Number of Employees As of April 2015, there were 250 permanent full time employees.

Open The museum was open year round, every day except Tuesday.

Owned-Managed The Whitney was a nonprofit organization. At the time of our visit, Adam D. Weinberg was the director.

Size The building was 220,000 square feet and included approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor galleries and 13,000 square feet of outdoor exhibition space and terraces. The Whitney’s collection included over 21,000 works created by more than 3,000 artists in the United States during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Because the museum had opened a month before our visit, there were no figures on the average number of annual visitors.

Transportation The closest subway train was the A/C/E or L train to 14 street. We exited the station and walked west along 14 street towards 9 Avenue. Then we turned left on 9 Avenue then made a right onto Gansevoort Street. Two blocks down, the museum was on our right.

Audio Tours The museum offered multimedia tours for adults and children, and a video tour in American Sign Language. Those tours were made by the museum curators and some of the artists themselves. The cost was $6 for adults; free for members, visitors under 18, and people with disabilities.

Restaurant There were two restaurants at the museum. Untitled, an upscale dining experience open for lunch and dinner and accessible at street level, was on the first floor. Studio Café, a casual dining venue with outdoor seating in the warm months, was on the eighth floor.

Souvenir Shop There was a small shop in the lobby of the building that sold souvenirs such as mugs, notebooks, t-shirts inspired by the museum’s collection and a selection of art books.

Tours The museum offered complimentary gallery tours through the Whitney’s collection and exhibitions each day. Reservations were not necessary.

Month And Date of Visit We visited the museum June 2015.

Reviewers

Article by Margot Liebman

Photos by Aaron Lubarsky

Would You Visit This Attraction Again? I would definitely visit that museum again. As a fan of contemporary art, it’s was inspiring. In addition, the building itself and the area near the building were worth the visit.

Overall Impression Wedged in historic Downtown Manhattan, surrounded by Soho, Chinatown, the Bowery and Little Italy, Nolita was once considered part of the later. While the area became increasingly gentrified over the past decades, it has retained its cosmopolitan feel and genuine lived-in atmosphere. Here, trendy shops and restaurants mix with utilitarian warehouses and old-time bakeries. Ageless apartment buildings line the streets, traditional wrought-iron fire escapes still running down their brick façades. And the decidedly 21 ^st century design of the recently opened Nolitan Hotel coexists harmoniously with the century-old structures that surrounded it.

I was immediately charmed by the airy, light-filled lobby and lounge of the Nolitan. With its open floor plan and plate glass outer wall, it felt more spacious than it actually was, and let in the ever-changing street scene. Its clean-line, comfortable décor channeled the great modern designers of the 1950’s to create an inviting spot for people watching. My room was equally welcoming. Its serene minimalist environment was thoughtfully planned to offer optimum comfort while giving pride of place to the eye-popping view framed by the broad picture window: an unobstructed panorama of the Midtown Manhattan skyline.

The Nolitan was ideally located to offer an easy all-around Manhattan experience. It was just a few minutes’ walk away from the colorful chaos of Chinatown, the hip downtown shopping of SoHo and the popular delis of the Lower East Side. And whenever I felt like jostling my way through the throngs of tourists on the Midtown sidewalks or catch a Broadway show, a quick subway ride had me there in no time.

Outstanding views, low-key luxury and easy access to many of New York’s main tourist attractions could be considered sufficient assets for a Manhattan hotel. But at the Nolitan, they were only the beginning. The service was superb from every member of the staff with whom I came in contact; they were cheerful, well informed and always ready to assist to ensure that I made the most of my visit with them and my time in the city. A few days before my arrival, a welcome e-mail from the concierge set the tone. It inquired of any wishes I may have, from special pillows to spa appointments or tickets to the most sought-after performing arts attractions.

I was still surprised upon arrival to find out that amenities included complimentary loan of skateboards and bicycles. While I passed on those, I vicariously enjoyed the excitement of fellow guests returning from their neighborhood cycling excursion. With its casual atmosphere, thoughtful service and unique location, the Nolitan quickly became my new hotel of choice, to revisit and recommend to friends planning a trip to The Big Apple.

Children Children of all ages were welcome

Class Of Accommodation Luxury boutique hotel

Concierge Cassandra Geraghty

Connectivity There was complimentary high speed WiFi in my room and in the common areas.

General Manager Patrik Horstmann

Handicapped Access The property was wheelchair friendly. It included three handicapped rooms.

Length Of Stay Two nights

Location On the eastern side of Downtown Manhattan in New York City.

Owned And Managed Veracity Development, LLC, owned by Edmund Li, a local businessman.

Pets Allowed Pets were welcome, with no restriction of breed or size for dogs. There was a fee of $100 per stay for room cleaning.

Size The eight-story property housed 55 rooms including one suite and a 70-seat restaurant. It could accommodate a maximum of 110 guests. It employed a total staff of 80, including 40 restaurant personnel.

Year Opened-Renovated Following a three-year planning and construction effort, the Nolitan opened in August 2011.

Lobby And Common Areas With the exception of the seasonal roof terrace, which at the time of my winter visit was not in operation but offered a great vantage point to enjoy a circular view of the Manhattan skyline, all common areas were located on the street-level floor.

The glass entrance door was framed by two circular raw concrete pillars. The reception area was to the right of the entrance, with a combination check-in and concierge desk located against the brushed steel paneled rear wall. The long, rectangular stand-up desk was clad in metallic panels in shades of bronze and copper. It had a built-in sitting-height extension of solid cherry, with two contemporary high back chairs covered in pale gray wool. A dropped ceiling with recessed lighting outlined the desk while the remainder of the common areas had a loft-like double-height ceiling. The floor was covered with slabs of taupe ceramic tiles topped by a room-size deep brown woolen rug. An inviting L-shaped sofa upholstered in anthracite and white striped cotton lined the far wall and facade of the building. A white woolen armchair on a brushed steel pedestal completed the seating. In the center of the rug, a square butterscotch leather ottoman doubled as a coffee table. The far wall was scalloped dark gray concrete. A wide floor-to-ceiling white canvas panel was stretched across the center of it. It served as a projection screen for ever-morphing patterns of silver electronic art. At the far front corner of the room, a tall sculpture of randomly stacked silver globes completed the décor. The artwork, by local artists, was scheduled to rotate on a yearly basis.

To the left of the entrance, four steps led down to the main lounge with its cozy sunken living room feel. The space was surrounded by low glass panels topped by brushed steel banisters. There were built-in butterscotch leather banquettes along the three interior walls. In front of the glass façade, a pair of gray tufted velvet contemporary wing chairs added flexible seating. In addition to a red circular bubble coffee table with a black tray top, small black metal cube tables with glass tops were conveniently arranged around the room. A black cowhide area rug enhanced the oak floor. The far wall separating the lounge from the dining room had built-in library shelves that held a collection of handsome coffee table books on a broad range of topics. Above the bookshelves, the partition became a clever arrangement of wood-framed mirrors tilted at various angles to capture vignettes of the reception area and the street.

Bathroom The slick open plan bathroom was white on white, with a plaster rear wall and ceramic tile floor. A mirror covered the far wall above the long white acrylic vanity with a built-in rectangular sink. The glass-walled shower with a rain showerhead occupied the front of the bathroom (a light gray drape could be drawn across the sleeping area side). The rear wall held a magnifying mirror and a three-tier towel rack with extra-large white bath towels. A basked filled with bathroom amenities stood on a shelf beneath the vanity.

Room My 240 square foot room, Number 804, overlooked Kenmare Street and the neighborhood roofs as well the famed Midtown Manhattan skyline dominated by the iconic Empire State Building and the Art Deco spire of the Chrysler Building. The room had a short hallway with a clothes closet and an enclosed water closet to the right, and the open bathroom with glass-walled shower to the left. The hallway led into the sleeping area where structural elements that evoked an industrial loft and contemporary furnishings created a stylish urban retreat. Above the king size bed clad in pristine white sateen cotton bedding, a wall-size insert of dark Venetian plaster offset the pale plaster and concrete walls and the polished oak floors.

The ceiling was made of concrete slabs with a large fan centered above the bed. A crimson bed scarf and a deep green velvet barrel chair added splashes of color. A ridged silver globe lamp hung above the armchair. On both sides of the bed, side tables held high intensity reading lights. The custom designed furniture made the most of the limited floor space, with large storage drawers tucked away beneath the platform bed. A narrow desk with a gray molded desk chair stood against the opposite wall. A 37-inch HD flat screen television hung above the desk. Floor to ceiling gray velvet drapes could be drawn across the picture window for privacy.

Food And Restaurants The restaurant and bar, Ellabess, was decorated in a pared-down style with square dark wood tables and chairs. In the rear of the room, three bar-height round tables and chairs stood in front of a long white Carrara marble bar. The restaurant was open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner service.

Amenities Room amenities included bathrobes and slippers, iPod enabled stereo system, yoga mat, the latest copy of Vogue and GQ magazine and daily delivery of The New York Times . Bathroom amenities included individual sizes of body wash and moisturizer, facial soap, shampoo and conditioner by Red Flower (a local supplier of organic bath products), facial tissues, cotton pads and swabs, and shower caps.

Additionally, complimentary use of laptop computers, gaming stations, bicycles and skateboards was available upon request, as was free packing and unpacking service.

Facilities There was a restaurant and bar, and a seasonal rooftop terrace.

Fitness Center Complimentary daily access passes to a nearby health club were available.

Other The Nolitan was a welcome rarity among urban hotels to offer a standard check-out time of 1 p.m.

Cleanliness Excellent

Date Of Review December 2011

Reviewers Article and photographs by Josette King

Service The room was serviced twice daily. Every member of the staff with whom I came in contact during my stay was unfailingly friendly, attentive and helpful.

Would You Stay There Again? Yes

Overall Impression Perched on the corner of two major avenues, the Brooklyn Museum is an oasis. With a playful fountain, strips of bright green grass, cherry trees and stairs filled with visitors, the building manages to be a dignified landmark and a vibrant public space. But this façade is fairly new. In 2004, Ennead Architects (formerly known as Polshek Partners Architects) built the now famous (and quite controversial) contemporary glass entry pavilion and terraced front yard. Original construction of the museum dates back to 1897. At the time it was meant to be the largest single museum structure in the world. As it is today, the building is only one-sixth the size of that original plan.

The museum was located directly next door to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and just one block from the Brooklyn Central Library and Grand Army Plaza. It was worth taking a walk down the block just to see the plaza, and the entrance to Prospect Park; and just for a little bit of history. The Brooklyn Museum was once part of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, a wide-ranging institution encompassing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum all of which are thriving today as separate institutions.

From the outside, I wasn’t crazy about the glass pavilion entryway. Once I was inside, however, I got it. The lobby is sun-drenched. There were Rodin sculptures on either side of the room, and the back wall showcased exposed-brick arches that were once part of the museum’s original staircase.

Of the entire collection, I think the Egyptian wing was my favorite part. In addition to a large and rare collection of Egyptian Art, the museum also had The Mummy Chamber where several full mummies lay encased in glass boxes. It was quite a sight! I also loved the Beaux Art Gallery. There was an interesting mix of old master and modern pieces in the Beaux-Arts Court, a majestic open area in the middle of the museum that had just been outfitted with an elegant new floor. Even if I didn’t look at the paintings, the court itself was worth a visit.

The American Art wing was also a highlight. It was home to the treasured 1796 portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart and Charles Willson Peale as well as A Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks. Also in this wing was the interesting Luce Visible Storage Study Center, a 5,000 square-foot facility where over two thousand objects are available for viewing and research by the general public.

I had a great time strolling through the museum. There were plenty of places to rest my feet, and a cute café for a snack. I liked the museum for the different kinds of art on display including interior design, decorative arts, ritual objects, paintings and sculptures; also there was a nice collection of contemporary works. The Brooklyn Museum has had several very interesting temporary exhibitions, and may be most visited during those times. The volume of work they had surprised me; there were gorgeous pieces from all around the world, and from varied time periods.

Audio Tours Audio tours were offered via cell phone or MP3 player for permanent collection galleries and selected special exhibitions. These recordings featured excerpts from interviews with Museum curators and staff, artists, outside experts, and members of the local community. Audio tours allowed random access so visitors could listen to as many of the one to two minute stops as they wished, in the order of their choice. Apps for iPhone and Droid were available for download.

Average Duration Of Visit About two or three hours

Children The museum was very accessible for families. In addition to the many programs and classes they had for children, exhibits usually included some kind of engagement for young people such as interactive videos and scavenger-hunt type games.

Established The museum opened its first wing in 1897, although origins date back to 1823 when its ancestor institution, the Brooklyn Apprentice’s Library Association, was founded.

Handicapped Access Museum entrances were wheelchair accessible. Complimentary wheelchairs could be borrowed at the Coat Check on the first floor. Wheelchair-accessible rest rooms were located on the first and third floors. For people with visual impairments the museum offered an Art Beyond Sight Guide. With advance notice, the Museum offered guided gallery visits to children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Location The museum is located in central Brooklyn, just 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan. It had its own subway stop (there was an exit directly in front of the museum). In walking distance were: the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Central Library, Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park and the Prospect Park Zoo.

Number Of Employees There were 200 employees at the time of my visit.

Owned And Managed At the time of my visit the museum was a nonprofit institution. Arnold L. Lehman had served as the director since 1997.

Size Of Museum The museum is housed in a 560,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts building. There was only one five story building (elevator accessible). In the permanent collection there were one million objects, with only a fraction on display at any given time. The main focus was the permanent collections, although temporary exhibitions tended to draw a big crowd.

Transportation It was possible to take a taxi or the subway system to reach the museum. Subway lines 2 and 3 exiting at Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum were convenient. It was also possible to take trains 4 or 5 trains to the Nevins stop, and transfer across the platform for trains 2 or 3.

Type Of Museum The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the State of New York. Collections include: Egyptian, Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Art; American Art; European Art; Contemporary Art; Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands; Arts of the Americas; Asian Art; Islamic Art; and Decorative Arts.

Description A visit to the Brooklyn Museum was an unexpectedly enlightening experience for me. Maybe it’s because it was in the shadow of New York City’s other grand museums or maybe because many of us just don’t think to travel to Brooklyn when visiting New York City. Nevertheless, the permanent collection I saw was spectacular, as is the architecture of the place. The public space outside was thoughtfully designed. I find it nice to sit on the steps and watch the city go by. Strolling through indoors there were plenty of comfortable places to sit and rest my feet, there were activities for children, and the facilities appeared clean and well designed. What really impressed me about the Brooklyn Museum was how many cultures were represented within the late 19 ^th century building.

Restaurant The Museum Café was open during regular museum hours. The Café served salads, sandwiches for lunch, and dinner. Dinner menus were sometimes designed to correspond to major visiting exhibitions. For the exhibition on Vishnu when I was there, the dinner menu was Indian cuisine.

Souvenir Shop The gift shop was full to the brim with books, posters, jewelry, china sets, clothing, postcards, and many other items. There were four people working there the day I visited the shop.

Tours A wide array of tours was available for visitors. There were daily public tours (complimentary with admission) with a focus on various themes, eras and movements in art; Group tours were available for ten or more adults, and sign language interpretation was available for adult groups.

Other The Brooklyn Museum was among the first museums in the United States to display African objects as art. The permanent collection also included the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, one of the only feminist art centers of its kind.

The admission price was a suggested donation, although visitors were required to collect a ticket before entering.

Month And Date Of Visit July 2011

Reviewers Article and Photos by Margot Liebman

Would You Visit This Attraction Again ? Yes.

Overall Impression : Dinner at Alain Ducasse’s New York restaurant was well prepared and well served. It was as close to authentic gourmet French food as we have had in the U.S. For those able to appreciate the nuances of an elaborate gourmet meal; and willing to spend the time and resources – dinner could easily exceed $300 per person – to enjoy it, ADNY would be an obvious choice.

In a city where several seatings a night are the norm, ADNY stood out for its one seating policy. It allowed diners to savor and stretch out the multiple course dinner over several hours. The professional, discreet, and customer oriented staff combined with the delicious food and ambiance provided the setting for a wonderful evening. The intimate ambiance and details like handbag stools, an after dinner sweets and candy trolley, a discreet and knowledgeable wine steward, and a souvenir brioche upon departure can make ADNY ideal for a special occasion or important meeting.

About The Chef Alain Ducasse received the 2002 GQ “Men of the Year” Best Chef Award; was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s 2002 “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America;” was named Bon Appétit 2001 “Chef of the Year;” and received the “Finest Chef in the World” award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences in March 2003.

Chef Alain Ducasse to define and oversee the kitchen and restaurant

Handicapped Access Yes

Location At the Essex House Hotel in Central Park South Manhattan

Opened June 2000

Owned Laurence Geller of Strategic Hotel Capital

Pastry Chef Pierre Gatel supervised by Nicolas Berger

Restaurant Managers Yanis Stanisière, James Guzenski and Herve Durozard

Size Seats 65

Type Of Food : “Mediterranean-influenced and contemporary classic cuisine”

Style Of DÉCor Contemporary with artistic accents including sculptures, photographs, hand woven fabrics, antique furniture and “sculpture paintings.” Paintings by Arman; sculptures by Jean-Michel Folon and Louis Cane; glassware by Jean-Claude Novaro; photographs by Jean-Louis Bloch-Lainé, Xavier Lambours, Mi Hyun Kim, Michel Séméniako, Lin Delpierre, and Patrick Messina. The China was designed exclusively for ADNY by Chistian Le Page; silverware by Béard and Emmanuel Barge; knives by Patrick Bonetta; uniforms by Georges Feghaly; menu covers and graphic designs by Hervé Rivoalland.

Special Menus-Pricing : During our visit, options included a $150 for two selections from the regular menu; $165 for three selections from the menu; $185 for the seasonal menu.

Specialties : Menu changes every month; ranging from three to six-course prix-fixe tasting menus

Wine And Spirits Details : A broad selection of domestic and imported wines and champagnes, including a number of “finds.”

Food : The meal began with fluffy cheese filled pastry amouse bouche pre-appetizers. The light flavor was complimented by a glass of 1996 Drappier Grand Sendrée rosé champagne. The warm Alaskan salmon with osetra caviar with a “belle vue” garnish was next. It was accompanied by a glass of light 2000 Cru 22 Sagpond Chardonnay from The Hamptons, New York. The lightly seared Maine shrimp in a clear consomé was a favorite. A 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Clos des Pontifes was a sound accompaniment. A well prepared squab (pigeon) with duck foie gras, green asparagus and black olives was the final entrée. The wine master’s selection for the squab was an evanescent American 2001 Kluge Estate from Albermarle County.

A Clementine and imperial tangerine sorbet with bitter/sweet chocolate was the dessert for chocolate lovers. With it came a memorable Slovenian 2001 Tilia Adelajda Vipavska Dolina yellow Muscat. A candy trolley full of tempting choices including pastries, hard candy, and an apple caramel dessert, was brought over. In it were the lightest, most delicious marshmallows ever. A post dinner tasting revealed a tasty naturally flavored citrus lollipop.

Conference Facilities-Private Meeting Rooms Two private rooms available. One seated a maximum of 12; another adjacent to the kitchen for up to six diners.

Other Fifty-five staff members provided service and meals to ADNY diners. Since its opening four years ago, ADNY has: received The New York Times Four-Star review; the 2003 and 2004 AAA Five Diamond Award; Mobil Guide’s Five-Star Award since 2002; James Beard Foundation’s “Best New Restaurant of 2000” Award; was named one of Food & Wine’s 2002 “America’s Best Hotel Restaurants;” and one of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2001 “100 Hot Tables.”

Date Of ReviewMarch 2004

Ease Of Reserving : Advance reservations advisable

Reviewers Article by Elena del Valle

Service In spite of a nearly full dining room (both private meeting rooms were occupied), a bevy of waiters tended to a diner’s every need. Other than a slight cold shoulder upon arrival and the disappearance of most of the staff at the end of the meal, the service was excellent.

The staff was knowledgeable, polite, patient, discrete, helpful and yes, très French. They patiently explained to neighboring guests how dishes were prepared, what the differences between the types of cheeses were, and why they were asked to order dessert at the beginning of the meal (so it could be prepared just right and arrive in perfect condition) among other things.

The sommelier or wine master was especially helpful and understanding. He selected a wine to accompany each of the dinner courses. He returned time and again to make sure his selections were appreciated. When they were not, he immediately offered an alternative. His playful choices were in harmony with the meal: Young, light American wines from New York’s Long Island , Virginia and a dessert wine from Slovenia (a favorite).

Would You Dine There Again? Yes

Overall impression The Metropolitan Museum, more accurately a collection of museums, was a must for art lovers in the New York area. With two million artifacts spanning 5,000 years of art history, the sheer size of the Metropolitan Museum was daunting. It was the kind of place best enjoyed in multiple viewings and visits. There are only a small number of museums in the world with such large and diverse collections. Of those, few allow visitors as much room to admire and enjoy their extraordinary collections. When we visited The Metropolitan Museum, there were tours, audio guides, several eateries and souvenir shops to enhance the experience.

Visited by more than five million people a year, the Metropolitan Museum was a bustling art reservoir. In spite of large crowds, the afternoon we were by there was plenty of space to enjoy the fine art; we were even able to approach individual sculptures and paintings to observe a detail or identify a signature. This was noteworthy because getting within a couple of feet of major artworks at other comparable museums can be a tricky.

Getting around was a challenge initially. The maps available at the information desk were helpful though at times directions were necessary. Several hour-long familiarization tours were available. Obtaining accurate, up-to-date information or any kind of personalized welcome was difficult. Once or twice we encountered helpful staff members. Most of the staff attitudes we observed ranged from indifferent, to arrogant to offensive.

Audio Tours : A random access recorded guide to selections from the permanent collection and special exhibitions was available.

Average Duration Of Visit : Requires multiple visits

Established 1870

Handicapped Access : Yes

Managed : Director Philippe de Montebello and a board of trustees

Owned : The City of New York and the trustees of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a nonprofit organization, formed a partnership to bring the Museum’s services to the public. The complex of buildings in Central Park is the property of the City, which provides for the Museum’s heat, light, and power. The City also pays for about half the cost of maintenance and security for the facility and its collections. The trustees are responsible for all conservation and education expenses.

Size Two million square foot building

Souvenir Shop Several shops off the Great Hall. Other areas were for members and by-invitation. In addition to the many books, audio recordings, statues, scarves, and other common museum souvenirs, the gift shops sold a broad range of jewelry inspired by items from the Museum’s collection.

Tours A one-hour familiarization tour was included in the price of admission. Museum brochures mention tours in ten languages.

Exhibit Permanent collections included: American wings; Arms and Armor; Arts of Africa Oceania and the Americas; Costume Institute; Egyptian Art; European Sculpture and Decorative Arts; Greek and Roman Art; Robert Lehman Collection; Medieval Art; Modern Art; Roof Garden; Ancient Near Eastern Art; Chinese Art; Cypriot Art; Drawings and Prints; European Paintings; Islamic Art; Japanese Art; Korean Art; Modern Art; Musical Instruments; Nineteenth-Century European Paintings and Sculpture; Photographs; South and Southeast Asian Art.

Other When we visited the Museum, cellular phones were prohibited in the building including the galleries, dining areas, library and auditoriums.

The Museum had 17 curatorial departments and approximately 1,800 full-time employees and 900 volunteers. In recent years, its educational programs have been attended by 350,000 people per year. These programs included tours, lectures, symposia, film showings, teacher-training workshops, visitor information, reference library services, and apprenticeship and fellowship programs.

Most Recent Visit : March 2004

Would You Visit This Museum Again Yes

Reviewers

]]> https://simonandbaker.com/new_york/feed/ 0