Ever since they opened the Q train to 96th street it has been our favorite route to the Met. The new stations are really clean, quiet, and open - and though the walk over from 2nd avenue is a bit longer, it cuts through a beautiful part of the Upper East Side. Be mindful, the escalators are daunting, so maybe use the elevator if you’re prone to dizziness.

On our walk to the Met it was cool and drizzling. Maybe a bit wet for brunch, but it makes for a beautiful scene.

This is a vital tip - while hundreds of others line up to enter through the main staircase, you should enter through the Uris Center for Education entrance. There will scarcely be a line and there is a coat check immediately when you get inside. Also, they have a discount Met Shop and a new coffee bar down there for your convenience!

This area - the European Sculpture Gallery is beautiful. Beyond Pericles is a doorway that was once an exterior door of the original Met building. I admit, this is not a quiet gallery, but this and other works are well-worth the crowd and views of Central Park outside.

The Met can be such a loud and busy place - when we stumbled upon an empty gallery I had to stop and look around at the calm, empty space.

Men were once the fashion peacocks of the early days. So updating my Dad’s mechanic jumpsuit was nothing short of a necessity when I found the perfect matching Navy Georgette.

I always appreciated Franz Klein’s work. I often remark on how energetic and quick his work feels. Almost like the rush you see/feel in the early mornings as people rush off to work!

On the way back home the skies cleared in time to have some brunch with unlimited Bloody Marys on the Upper East Side. Many places are pricey, but if you look around there are some real brunch deals available.