Luggage is not allowed into the Museum and cannot be checked in at the Museum's coat-check facilities. This includes small carry-ons and oversize backpacks. All standard-size backpacks, large bags, and packages 16" x 16" x 8" or larger must be checked in at the coat-check facilities. The Museum reserves the right to decide what can and cannot be checked in at the coat-check facilities. Questions about the Museum's luggage or coat-check policy can be referred to the Security Office.

To purchase admission in advance, the Museum offers Guest Passes to individuals or organizations for $20 each or for a discounted rate of $16 each when ten or more passes are purchased. To purchase Guest Passes by telephone, please call 212-570-3711, Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Or, order passes today by fax or mail.

Admission buttons are available at the Membership Desk in the Great Hall. A discount of 10% is available on all merchandise in the Store with a valid Member ID card.

Still photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only in the Museum's galleries devoted to the permanent collection. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions or areas designated as "No Photography"; works of art on loan from private collections or other institutions may not be photographed. The use of a flash is prohibited. Movie and video cameras are prohibited. Tripods are allowed on weekdays only, and only with a permit issued by the Information Desk in the Great Hall.

Sketching with pencil, felt tip, ballpoint, crayon, pastel, and charcoal is permitted in all galleries of the Museum devoted to the permanent collection and in most special exhibitions. Inquire at the Information Desk in the Great Hall regarding current special exhibitions in which sketching is permitted. The use of ink, fountain pen, and watercolor is prohibited. While sketching, please do not hinder the normal traffic flow in the galleries.