We plan to visit the Met in the morning and then meet friends for lunch. Will we have to pay again if we want to go back into the Met in the afternoon?

Not if you keep the little metal button they give you when you pay your suggestion admission. The button are color coded, changing each day, so one button is good for all day.

"suggested admission"

Also if you have seen what you can at the Met, the same admission can be used for the Cloisters. Which is part of the Met and a real jewel. Some of the priceless collection of the Met is housed in the Cloisters in "The Treasury" room, at the heart of the museum. A favorite is the tapestry room, housing the original unicorn tapestries. There are also lovely gardens around the museum that you can walk through and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Hudson River.

Enjoy!!

Thanks ellenem and travelbuff.

The posted admission prices are "recommended," but you may give an amount different from the posted suggestions (and cashiers will not scowl, roll their eyes, or do anything else to embarrass you).

It's true that the admission is "suggested" - but that is really for the benefit of those who can't pay the full price. Considering what you're seeing it seems to me that anyone spending money on other things (Broadway shows, nice restaurants etc) should pay what is suggested. After all - a tedious Hollywood production that you forget 10 minutes after you leave will cost $12. How can the Met not be worth $20?

Our government is incredibly stingy in supporting any cultural institutions - so those who use them need to pay their own way.

I believe that the CAdinks, and all other museum goers, should know that there is a difference between an admission price, as at MOMA, and a suggested donation, as at the Met, Museum of Natural History, and Brooklyn Museum among others.

The reason the admission price isn't fixed has nothing to do with being for the benefit of those who can't pay the full price, it has to do with subsidies the museum receives from taxes.

The museum doesn't bully anybody into paying more than they want, why should I?

Count me as one of those who will "bully" people into paying the $20 if they can afford it....and, I'd say that most of the fodor's posters can afford it.

"The reason the admission price isn't fixed has nothing to do with being for the benefit of those who can't pay the full price, it has to do with subsidies the museum receives from taxes."

The explanation that I've heard covers both options: The public monies (from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs) are given with the contingency that the museum must offer the option to pay less than the full admission price. Theoretically, this is primarily for the benefit of city residents.

I lived in New York City for thirty years and recently visited there for five weeks this summer.

The 30-day Metrocard, Theater Development Fund (TDF), and links such as this saved me loads of money: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/museums/a/museumdeals.htm

I stayed in an apartment a short walk from the Met, visited it twice a week while I was in town, and I did not pay $20 for each of my 40- to 70-minute visits.

The discounts mentioned in the link, above, are available to all locals and all visitors.

Why not have your friends meet you inside the museum for lunch? There aren't many views prettier than the top floor outdoor terrace overlooking Central Park.

GoTravel, thanks for the suggestion. I'll pass it onto my friends and see what they think. BTW, how's the food? LOL

Re the Met and its admission price policy - The "suggested" price policy is not due purely to subsidies that they get from the city. Yes - the city does pay a portion ( a very small portion) of the salaries of the security staff. The building actually belongs to the city with its location in Central Park and so the city does chip in for security. But there is an agreement with the city that the admission policy will allow city residents of low income to be able to visit.Considering what world class museums such as the Louvre, MOMA, et al charge - $20 (the suggested adult admission) is not high - but all visitors should really pay what they can afford and do so generously.
And - re lunch on the roof: it is not really a place for lunching - there is a drink and snack bar and you can have that while looking at the great view. But for a sit down lunch at the museum with a nice view of Central Park - The Petrie Court.

I was visitng New York over a several-week period and planned many visits to the Met, I would seriously consider becoming a member! (for the record, I am a member!)

Oops, the beginning of my post should have said, "If I was....."