The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Profile

Since its inception in 1870 as a humble nook of art publications and print reproductions, The Metropolitan’s gift store has grown to include multiple outposts throughout the museum, and twenty-three additional outlets throughout the country. Today, the original main shop, located off the Great Hall, grandly spans three levels, selling everything from sculptural reproductions to watercolor kits. The ground floor boasts an enormous collection of art and art history books, in addition to stationery, home accessories, and logo’ed souvenirs. No visitor should miss the jewelry, either, which is spread out in warmly-lit glass cases; fabulous baubles like gold-plated Byzantine peacock earrings, or a serpent-shaped Egyptian bangle are all historically-accurate designs based on objects in the Museum’s collection; and both are well under $100, too. On the mezzanine level, a respectable showing limited edition prints are on view amidst piles of hand-woven rugs. And the second floor space is devoted almost entirely to children, with an impressive variety of educational games, art supplies, and books. Off of the children’s area, a corner leading back into the galleries houses an extensive selection of posters and digital reproductions of the Museum’s most-admired masterpieces. Elsewhere in the building, exhibition-specific satellites are scattered throughout the hallways; an Egyptian-specific kiosk flanks the Egyptian entrance, the Greek and Roman inventory is set alongside those galleries, and so on. If a trip to the Upper East Side isn’t on your list, the conveniently located off-site stores carry an abridged version of the main shop's popular inventory. — Bree Sposato

Museum members get 10 percent off merchandise and can shop in a specially designated area of the online Met Store. The items in this section are exclusive to the store’s members and are often made available at special prices in addition to the standard 10 percent off.