As for your comment that the Met is asking for a donation, does that mean that you think what you planned to see was only worth $5? I'd say that your donation of only $5 says plenty about what you think the Met is worth!
If the Met experiences cash flow problems, yes, they will adjust the system, as I previously stated,possibly by not having all the exhibits open during all hours or perhaps shortening the hours!
As for DC museums being free, may I remind you that you do indeed pay for for the museum with your taxes!
I repeat, there's something wrong somewhere when one pays more for a Nathan's meal than for the pleasure of visiting one of the world's great museums!

Donna,
Enjoyed reading your report! And you really are a talented photographer.
Thanks for sharing.
P

P-Many thanks for your kind words. Let me know if you get to Annapolis any time soon-we can meet for lunch. I enjoyed our brief conversation at the GTG!

HowardR-I can see that we are not going to agree about this. Both the Smithsonian and the Met have way deeper pockets than we do. What if I say that since I'm endowing the Smithsonian already, I'll not give as much to the Met. The Met will still let me in, Nathan's won't give me a half off dog. If I can get something 75% off, I will do so-it really was as simple as that. I'm nothing if not shallow! BTW, I've heard that $2 is the Met's minimum.

Thanks for the info on Coney Island. We are planning on going this trip(early October) and defintiely will go to Nathan's.. Did you happen to hit the Coney Island USA Museum?

Gee. bet you're disappointed that you could have gotten away with giving only $2! "Shallow" seems to be an all-too-appropriate description!

HowardR you are being judgemental about this..if it is a "donation" it is up to a person to decide what to pay, right? Whether you feel it's enough is your opinion....what she wanted to pay is her opinion....end of argument.:)

NIce report...we had an awesome time there over the weekend also! Perhaps I passed you somewhere...didnt frequent same areas except Central Park though!

sunshinegirl53, you're damned right I'm judgmental! What you call a "donation" is really an admission fee! The intent of the policy is to offer those who really can't afford much to still be able to enjoy the museum's many treasures. Based on her report, I don't think the OP fits that category!

PamSF, Thanks. No, we didn't get to the CI Museum. Hope to read your report about it in October.

sunshinegirl53, Also thanks and it was kind of you to take up for me. NYC rocks doesn't it?

HowardR., you are no doubt correct but have stepped over the kindness line. I'm thinking about turning you in.

I would not turn HowardR in. I don't think he has "stepped over the kindness line," although he is indeed pushing his line of reasoning and being argumentative.

Of course, I agree with his reasoning. The first few times I went to the Metropolitan Museum I was tempted to give less than the suggested $20, but then decided that since I certainly could afford it then I should give the 20. The museum is a priceless treasure for the nation and the world and it is not supported by tax dollars.

I've read many psychological studies about the worth of money and what various people are willing to spend/blow money on vs. other things. It comes down to values and emotions and people differ.

Thanks for your reply kk. Again, we had no hidden agenda. Several NYC friends said to not pay full price at the Met. It was just that simple.

"" Several NYC friends said to not pay full price at the Met.""

No offense TD but I find that very hard to believe. My Manhattanite friends are very protective of the international treasures that NYC has to offer and are offended when those that can pay do not.

I do agree with Howard.

Glad you had a good time and nice report.

BTW, the reason the Metropolitan Museum of Art's entry is a suggested donation is so those that cannot pay are not embarrassed for not paying. Not so those that can pay are just cheap.

GoTravel, You don't know me well enough to know that I don't make up things. If my friends were ill-informed, so be it. I am offended by the manner in which the other poster and you are making otherwise valid points.

Sorry to add to the hijacking of this thread, but just wanted to clarify something.
There is NO minimum , $2 or otherwise at the Met Museum.
I am NOT recommending this (!!) but you could give 1 cent and get in. It is designed for people to give what they can afford (as a kid I would go with friends, and we did indeed give 1 cent--or 5 if we were feeling flush)
OR what they wanted to give.
There is no income check, and while I agree with promoting and supporting this fabulous resource, and indeed encouraging large donations,I believe each person can decide to give what they want without being pushed into a certain amount.

I am a New Yorker too and also remind people that they don't have to give the full amount.I am not alone in this. I have also heard many New Yorkers say that we support the museum through taxes (the museum building is on Central Park-- [city] property) and so don't feel the need to pay the full amount.

Many people would never set foot in a museum if they hear $20 admission, but will go for less and then enjoy the experience.
Maybe they'll go again , or to other museums, or will spend a lot of money in the gift shop or cafeteria.
People here keep suggesting that visitors go to the Museum of Modern art on Friday evenings when it is free, or to the Guggenheim when it is free--I don't see the difference between recommending that and suggesting a less than "full" donation to the Met.
Go to a museum. Give them something.
It's all good :)

Hi, Donna!

Great report! I't's as if we were there along with you on your trip!

It's almost as if you and I went to two different places, our activities were so different! NYC has so much to offer!

Howard and others who are upset at the Met entry fee, I just wanted to add that i've just renewed my Met membership after a year's hiatus. I live in California and don't get to use that membership much but believe in supporting our museums. It all evens out in the end.

Hi Margaret! Thanks for above. I found your TR and read the DC and Balt. ones first. Will go back and read the others. Wonderful and useful info. Sorry we didn't get to talk at the GTG enough for me to realize you were actually on a trip yourself! We are new to opera so have not seen the Ring trilogy. Yet! Also loved the Frick on a previous NYC visit.

nyer, also thanks for your comments. YOUR hijacking was welcomed and I wish I'd had the presence of mind to think of your point about free time options. Dang, we could have spent a penny?!

No matter what, DH and I always have so much fun in this city. We went for a week a few years ago and have returned 3 more times to work on our "yet to do/to see" list.

easytraveler, I'm not upset about the museum entry fee. I'm upset about those who avoid paying it!
And, oh yes, we, too, are members!

I can see HowardR's point of view, and since we have reciprocal memberships, we can get in the Met (and many museums all over the country) for free. However, we try our best to spend $ at the cafes or restaurants IN the museums as our way to support them, or shop in the museum shops.

Having said that, we are guilty of going to the free entry days that museums offer; or take advantage of the Bank of America's "Museum on Us" promo. But again, we always try to eat most of our meals at the museums if it happens to be meal time.

As for the OP, they did spend $21 on drinks at the Met's rooftop bar, so I'd say give her a break!

topping for dcd