The most visited museum in the United States is The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Known as The Met, it drew 5.7 million visitors in 2025 across its two campuses, The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Many people expect the Smithsonian to top this list, which is why the answer catches them off guard.
Why The Met Leads the Country
The Met’s 2025 attendance of 5.7 million (5,727,258 in 2024 per Wikipedia’s verified data) puts it well ahead of every other museum in the country. That figure also places it fourth in the world, behind the British Museum, the Vatican Museums, and the Musee du Louvre.
Attendance is up nearly 110% from pre-COVID levels, a recovery that outpaces most cultural institutions. The museum spans over 2 million square feet and covers 5,000 years of art across its two campuses, which gives it a scale few competitors can match.
New York City itself has more than 170 museums, and the U.S. as a whole holds over 33,000, roughly one-third of the world’s estimated 104,000 museums. Germany has the second-highest count at just under 6,800. So the competition is real, and The Met still comes out on top. If you’re planning to explore beyond the city, there are plenty of things to do in New York State that go well beyond museums.
One detail worth knowing: 62% of The Met’s visitors are local, drawn from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. This is not purely a tourist institution, it pulls heavily from the tri-state area.
Most Visited Museums in the US (2024 Rankings)
Here is how the top museums stack up by confirmed 2024 visitor numbers:
| Rank | Museum | City | 2024 Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metropolitan Museum of Art | New York City | 5,727,258 |
| 2 | National Gallery of Art | Washington, D.C. | 3,936,543 |
| 3 | American Museum of Natural History | New York City | 3,900,000 |
| 3 | National Museum of Natural History | Washington, D.C. | 3,900,000 |
| 5 | National Air and Space Museum (incl. Udvar-Hazy) | Washington, D.C. | 3,100,000 |
| 6 | Museum of Modern Art | New York City | 2,657,377 |
| 7 | National 9/11 Museum | New York City | 2,400,000 |
| 8 | National Museum of American History | Washington, D.C. | 2,100,000 |
| 9 | California Science Center | Los Angeles | 1,700,000 |
| 10 | National Museum of African American History and Culture | Washington, D.C. | 1,600,000 |
| 11 | Houston Museum of Natural Science | Houston | 1,547,000 |
| 12 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago | 1,476,000 |
| 13 | Donald W. Reynolds Center (National Portrait Gallery + Smithsonian American Art Museum) | Washington, D.C. | 1,273,450 |
| 14 | Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago | 1,324,241 |
| 15 | Getty Center | Los Angeles | 1,301,332 |
Rankings are based on data from the Smithsonian Institution Newsroom, The Art Newspaper’s annual survey, and the TEA Global Experience Index.
The Met Admission Prices
- Adults: $30
- Seniors: $22
- Students: $17
- Children 12 and under: free
- New York residents: donation-based (pay what you wish)
If you live in New York, the donation pricing is a significant benefit. You are not obligated to pay the full adult rate. For UK visitors, £1 currently gets you around $1.32 USD, so that $30 adult ticket works out to roughly £23.
How to Visit The Met Without the Crowds
The Met is open every day except Wednesday. At 2 million square feet, you cannot see everything in one visit, so planning ahead matters. Honestly, even two visits barely scratches the surface.
Best times to go:
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded
- Avoid Friday and Saturday evenings, when the museum hosts “Date Night at The Met” with live music and activities
- The holiday season brings noticeably higher foot traffic
What to prioritize:
- The Temple of Dendur, an ancient Egyptian temple inside a glass-enclosed gallery
- Between Earth and Heaven, an African textile exhibit
- The free daily Museum Highlights tour, which takes you through key works without requiring you to map your own route
If you do not have a specific itinerary in mind, join the Museum Highlights tour as soon as you arrive. It is free and gives you a solid orientation to a building that can otherwise feel overwhelming. Not gonna lie, I’d also recommend having a rough plan for the rest of your trip before you show up, because NYC has a way of swallowing your time. Our 4 days in New York itinerary is a good starting point if you want structure without feeling boxed in.
One thing to keep in mind: the weather can be unpredictable. Right now it’s sitting at 44°F with overcast skies and high humidity (as of April 2026), so The Met is honestly a perfect rainy-day option. Travellers online have noted that while NYC can feel dirty in areas and places like Times Square are oversaturated with ads, the food scene and public transit make up for a lot. That tracks with my experience, the city rewards you for getting off the obvious tourist trail.
The Met’s Global Ranking
To put the numbers in context:
| Rank | Museum | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Museum | UK |
| 2 | Vatican Museums | Vatican City |
| 3 | Musee du Louvre | France |
| 4 | Metropolitan Museum of Art | USA |
The Met is the only American museum in the global top four by attendance. If you’re eventually heading south after your New York trip, you might also want to check out what to do in New Orleans for a completely different cultural vibe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most visited museum in the United States?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is the most visited museum in the US, with 5.7 million visitors in 2025 and 5,727,258 confirmed in 2024. It is commonly called The Met and operates two campuses: The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters.
Is The Met free to visit?
Not for most visitors. General admission is $30 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $17 for students. Children 12 and under enter free. New York residents can pay on a donation basis, meaning any amount is accepted.
When is the best time to visit The Met to avoid crowds?
Weekday mornings are the quietest. Avoid Friday and Saturday evenings (Date Night at The Met) and the holiday season. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
How does The Met rank globally?
The Met ranks fourth in the world by attendance. The three museums ahead of it are the British Museum, the Vatican Museums, and the Musee du Louvre.