The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s premiere art institutions and if you are going to be in New York City, you may well be planning a visit. However, you may be wondering about the Met’s bag policy and if you can bring a backpack into the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Like many out-of-town visitors to New York City, you probably take a backpack with you when you leave the hotel room. When travelling, a backpack always comes in useful for storing small items like any guidebooks, medicines or any miscellaneous things that you may need.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Bag Policy
While it is handy, you may end up wondering if it is possible to take your day backpack in with you when visiting New York City’s many famous museums. Especially with art museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it is a fair question to ask what the bag policy is.
The short answer is that the Metropolitan Museum of Art does allow small bags to be taken into the museum.
What is a small bag? Generally, a day backpack, hand bag or a tote bag is acceptable.
Large backpacks such as hiking backpacks or luggages would not be considered as small bags.
How to Manage Your Bags While in The Met
While you can take your small backpacks into The Met, it is important to note that there is an etiquette when it comes to managing your backpack while inside.
You will need to wear your backpack in front of you or carry it in your hand. Between the two options, the former is probably a more comfortable option. All you have to do is strap on the backpack to the front instead of carrying it on your back.
Of course, many people still wear their small backpacks on their back, simply because it is the most comfortable.
However, if you don’t do wear the backpack on your back, don’t be surprised if one of the staff at The Met stops you and asks you to sling the backpack in front.
Why is there such a policy for backpacks to be worn in front, you may wonder?
The reason is that by wearing the backpack in front, you will be more conscious of it and this helps to prevent it from accidentally hitting into other visitors in crowded locations, or worse, accidentally hitting and damaging the priceless artwork on display in the museum.
With the backpack in front, you can keep it in view at all time and make sure that it does not accidentally bump into the art and paintings on display.
In a similar fashion, front-facing baby carriers are also allowed into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, however, back-worn baby carriers are not allowed.
More Practical Useful Information about Taking Things into The Met and the Coat Check
In addition, it may be useful to know that when you enter into The Met, you will need to pass through a security check where they will check your bags.
You will find the coat check to the left and the right of the entrance. While you can take your coat into The Met, you can also check your coats at the coat check counters if you don’t wish to have to bring them with you around the museum. However, usually, only one of these coat check areas will be open. There may also be a queue to check your coats.
We hope that this information has been useful and that you enjoy your visit to The Met in New York City.
If you are heading to The Met, you may also like this article on 15 famous artworks at The Met.
