Sign up | Log in

Don't let this giant art palace daunt you - hit the highlights, then let tourists descend.

Start: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St

End: 6 to 77th St

Distance: 3 miles

Calories burned: 300

1. It's early Sunday morning. You've picked up the Times and a bagel, and you're going home to get your Arts & Leisure fix. And suddenly it dawns on you: You can get your art on before the touristy hordes descend. Genius. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St, 212-535-7710) opens at the crack of 9:30am.

2. First, you need caffeine. Café Sabarsky (1048 Fifth Ave at 86th St, 212-288-0665) in the stately Neue Galerie opens at 9am and turns out fine Viennese Kaffee.

3. Pay your dues at the door (or not, as it's optional) and bear right toward the Egyptian art. At the end of a long corridor on the left is the Temple of Dendur: an impressive structure brought block-by-block from Egypt and rebuilt here in front of its own reflecting pool. Four lion-headed figures of Sakhmet, the goddess of war, guard the wall, but the vibe is ultraserene.

4. You can find further relief in the nicely appointed "throne" behind the Temple.

5. Head back down the corridor and take the elevator to the second floor. You'll emerge at the Met's world-class collection of Asian art--and one of its best-kept quiet spots, the Ming Scholar's Retreat. A low, circular passage opens out into a sunlit courtyard with benches, a moon-watching pavilion and even a tiny pond stocked with carp.

6. Exit through the cinnabar-colored galleries of Southeast Asian art and walk east until you stand at the feet of the massive Buddha and Bodhisattva figures in the sunny, cathedral-like Sackler Gallery of Asian Art.

7. Museums cause fatigue; rest up at The Balcony Bar. They serve tasty appetizers under the Met's airy arches--just outside the Sackler.

8. Cross the museum and head downstairs to the brand-spanking-newly renovated Greek and Roman galleries. Check out the bronze Camillus (young boy) figure in the Augustan period gallery; the Roman wall paintings in that deep, mysterious red; and, on the mezzanine, a splendid bronze chariot decorated with scenes from the life of Achilles. Forget 300; this is what chariots really looked like. Sigh, then leave the museum--before saturation hits.

9. Make a right on Fifth, turn left on 79th, then head south on Madison. You can further indulge your critical senses at Paris chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat (1018 Madison Ave between 77th and 78th Sts, 212-744-7117). A tiny $2 buys you a perfect macaroon that has a chocolate center infused with raspberry pulp. It's a lesson in the fine art of confectionery.

10. Continue your education at the gorgeous, authentic Italian bar at Café Sant Ambroeus (1000 Madison Ave between 77th and 78th Sts, 212-570-2211). Lorenzo, the barista, will serve you the perfect cappuccino. Or a chilly glass of prosecco. And the gelato is superb. It's easy to imagine you're in Milan--or at least far away from the usual scooped-out everything with a low-fat schmear.--Sarah Schmerler

From the Time Out New York Walks feature, May 2007