FAQ

General Questions

๏How much do the various tours cost?

You will notice that no tour costs are posted on this informational website. We are not established to be a commercial enterprise and our motivation for providing these tours is not profit. Museum tours are operated on a donation basis and all guides are volunteers (see below). Coach tours are organized as inexpensively as possible based on the size and specific requests of the group (see below). Licensed NYC guides are used and all guides are responsible brothers. As a legal non-for-profit corporation, any remaining tour funds after operating costs must be donated to non-profits such as the world wide work of JW’s.

Museum tours are conducted on a recommended donation basis. We have to pay the museum a mandatory fee for each person who participates in a private tour program such as ours. They increase this fee from time to time. Your kind donation is what enables us to pay this high fee and maintain our program. Most of the donation actually goes to the museum. The guides are qualified brothers who are not paid and volunteer to conduct tours despite their busy schedules. Please contact us if you would like to inquire about the current recommended donation rates. Of course, those who want to donate less than what it costs us to sustain this program may do so. We trust that if it is his will, our heavenly Father will offset any deficiency that could hinder our operation. (2 Cor 8:14)

Coach tours are custom arranged for each group upon request and are priced as inexpensively as possible according to the size and preferences of the group. We are happy to discuss potential costs when you inquire. Necessary deposits and cancellation fees will be explained then. All of the guides are responsible brothers who are licensed to conduct coach tours. We only use quality bus companies that carry the normal insurance for groups. Providence in Prophecy (New York City day tour) and The Golden Triangle (Bethel tours) usually require at least 2-3 months advance booking. Tours involving multiple days such as Washington D.C. or Canada requires 4-5 months advance booking.

Questions about our tours at Metropolitan Museum of Art:

๏I’m a member of The Metropolitan Museum. Do I get a discount?

No. The Museum does not allow discounts or coupons of any kind for self-guided group tours. City Passes, museum memberships, and reciprocal museum privileges do not apply to our tours.

๏How do we pay for the tour?

The museum requires that each tour pay as a group. Therefore, your guide will collect all donations before you begin your tour and check you in as a group at the group tour desk. The majority of the donations collected go directly to the museum and not to Oasis Group Tours.

๏Does our tour donations give us access to the rest of the museum?

Yes. As mentioned, your donations are used to pay the museum’s rates for self guided tour groups. Following your tour you then have full admission to all the galleries, cafeterias and shops of the museum. Feel free to explore all that The MET has to offer after your tour.

๏What time(s) are the tours?

We have three options for tours: A.M. and P.M. or EITHER. Due to a number of factors, specific start times for a tour cannot be know until the actual tour is assigned. However, you can request the morning, afternoon, or either time slots.

๏How long do the tours last and can we do both in one Saturday?

Each tour lasts about 3 hours, not including a 1/2 hour cafeteria break. You should plan on your total museum experience, including check-in, etc., to take about 4 hours. Due to the length of the tours and the amount of information presented in them, we only allow groups to book one tour in a single day.

๏Can we request a specific guide?

No, we can not honor requests for specific guides. However, if you are personal friends with one of our guides you can arrange a tour through them.

๏What languages are the tours conducted in? We currently offer tours in 10 languages.

Arabic, Chinese- Mandarin, Chinese- Cantonese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish

Questions about your MET group:

๏How can I organize my own group for a tour?

If you put together your own group of 15-18 persons you have enough for a group. As a full group, simply select the tour, date, & time you’d like to come.

๏We’re not a full group. Can we join an existing group that has room?

If there are fewer than 15 in your party, that’s fine. Please go ahead and request a tour. We will simply try to place you with an existing group that has room or will combine several smaller groups together to form one group.

Questions about planning your MET tour:

๏How far in advance should we plan our tour?

All tours, regardless of the size of your group, are booked on a first come, first served basis. We suggest submitting your request a minimum of 6 weeks in advance for the most flexibility. However, please feel free to submit your request at anytime as we always do our best to try and accommodate everyone possible.

๏How should we dress?

We encourage dignified casual dress with comfortable shoes.

๏Is there a food break?

Yes. All tours include a minimum 30 min. break in the Museum’s cafeteria.

๏Can we bring our own food and drink?

The museum has a strict policy against bringing in food and drink. All bags are searched at the door, prior to gaining admission to the museum.

๏Do we need our Bible?

No. Our tours are structured in such a way that it is not necessary for you to carry your copy of the Bible.

๏Can we take notes?

Yes. We encourage you to bring a notebook and pen/pencil to take note of things for your personal encouragement and research.

๏Can we take photographs?

Yes. We photographs can be taken, however please keep in mind the following:

1) As per museum rules, your camera’s flash must remain off at all times.

2) As per our arrangement with the museum and in view of certain copyright restrictions, we also require that such pictures be for personal use only. We encourage you to share your experience with family and friends, so private use of your photos is fine. However, no tour participant may duplicate or reproduce the tour contents and/or exhibits for others to use. This includes, but is not limited to, distributing copies of your photos on CD/DVD, video tape, digital presentation, and internet photo or video sharing.

๏Can we record the tour?

As per the museums rules, and in line with our agreement with them, no audio or video recording is allowed of any portion of the tour.

Questions about the MET Museum itself:

๏Where is the Museum Located?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located in Manhattan on 5th Ave, between. 84th and 80th St. in New York City. The address is 1000 5th Ave., New York, NY 10028 (Click here to view the location on a map)

๏What time does the museum open?

The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The museum is closed on Mondays, except for those that coincide with national holidays.

๏Is there parking at or near the museum?

Parking Lot: The museum itself has a lot that is open 24 hrs. You can enter the lot at the corner of 80th St and 5th Ave.

Street Parking: There is also parking available on a limited basis on the streets surrounding the museum. However, DO NOT PARK METERED LOCATIONS as you cannot leave the tour every hour to renew your parking meter.

๏Can we get to the museum using public transportation?

Yes. The best way to do so is to take the 4/5/6 (Lexington Ave) subway line and get off at 86th St. Simply walk 3 blocks West to 5th Ave and 4 blocks South to the museum entrance on 82nd St. and 5th Ave. (Click here for transit maps, schedules and service advisories)

Reminder: On weekends all aspects of the NYC public transportation system run on reduced schedules. Please plan appropriately if you plan on using public transportation to reach the museum.