My first time going to the Cloisters. I went with family last week- they went at their pace then sat in the courtyards which had some seating, while I went around at my pace. Good thing I didn't take my boys when they were younger, wouldn't have been for them. A smaller museum compared to the Met but there were still many items to look at. What caught my attention were the details - in the paintings, written books, carved pieces/sculptures (esp the really small ones), tapestries, etc. There were groups having an activity in some areas which blocked us from seeing some of the works of art up close though, like the Unicorn tapestry. I think visits in the spring and summer are better so can enjoy the outdoors. The open courtyards/gardens were lush with greenery and it's nice to spend time out there. The museum has 2 floors. Be ready for going up/down via stairs. It is wheelchair-accessible though I read it is limited. There are a few wheelchairs - free to use, first come-first served. Best to contact them re: the accessible entrance, a shuttle, etc. I learned from another visitor that a staff member has to accompany when taking the elevator. Restrooms are in the lower level, with a wheelchair-accessible one. Took the A train - Dyckman St. station. Entered Fort Tryon Park, then walked uphill a bit then took the stairs (towards the left from the path, steep in some areas). If you have difficulty with stairs, continue on the path or ask about the shuttle. read more

4/24/26: The Met Cloisters is a must see when in NYC! It's been ages since my last visit. The Cloisters overlooks the Hudson River. It officially opened in 1938. The museum is dedicated to medieval art and architecture. The Cloisters itself is a stunning building. Our first Tour Guide took us around the wonderful medieval statues and gardens. She explained thoroughly about all the herbs and plants that are culinary and for their medicinal purposes. Our second tour guide Valerie was excellent for the "Highlights of the Met Cloisters. A major museum highlight is the Unicorn Tapestry Room (Permanent Display). These 7 tapestries were created approximately 500 years ago. (The Narrative: The Unicorn series tells a story ranging from the hunt's start and the unicorn at a fountain to its defense, capture, and, finally, the famous "Unicorn in Captivity" image). The museum does have a café (The Trie Cafe) on the premises. It's very good for a quick bite along with garden view seating. Museum times as follows: Sunday through Tuesday 10 AM - 5 PM Wednesday- Closed Thursday-Saturday 10 AM- 5 AM. It's best to arrive at the Cloisters upon opening. During the first tour, it wasn't too crowded, but the second tour was extremely crowded. The Met Cloisters is located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive Fort Tryon Park, New York City, NY 10040. Highly recommend visiting the stunning Met Cloisters. read more

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I hadn't been to the Met Cloisters in almost 20 years, but I finally made a return visit this past weekend. It's as wonderful as I remembered. The Cloisters is a museum in Fort Tryon Park, governed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It specializes in European medieval art and architecture, and its buildings are centered around four cloisters --the Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem, Bonnefont, and Trie-sur-Baïse. The museum was designed to evoke medieval European monastic life, making it a very special place. It houses about 5,000 works of European art and architecture (doors, arches, columns) mostly dating from the 12th through 15th centuries. Perhaps its most famous works are the Unicorn Tapestries. When I visited this past weekend, it was quite crowded. And it's easy to see why. The museum is gorgeous and peaceful. Plenty of people were reading or journaling or relaxing in the sunlight in the Trie Cloister (I found a little nook and read my book for a bit as well). Many more were relaxing in the Bonnefont Cloister. Inside the museum was crowded as well - lots of people were enjoying a spring day at the Cloisters. I distinctly remember the last time I was at the Cloisters, and it was a cool, foggy day. I think I almost prefer the Cloisters then - it's less crowded and you really feel like you could be walking around a medieval monastery where the cloisters are under a blanket of fog or if it's drizzling. Whatever the weather, the Cloisters is a unique museum. A ticket to the Met gets you into the Cloisters on the same day as well (and vice versa), so you can make a full day of the Met art by spending time at both. It's accessible by subway (A to 190th St or 1 to Dyckman Street), so don't miss this special place in NYC. read more

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Beautiful museum, part of the Met. Some of the items displayed are truly amazing, some dating back to the year 200. But honestly, the building itself was more of the main attraction for me. It was just beautiful, with lovely gardens, overlooking the Hudson River. Really stunning. Also just really nice walk through the park to reach the museum, and a pretty crazy subway station built into the mountain. I don't think it's a great museum for young kids. They will likely be somewhat bored, but what a great way to spend a few hours on a nice day. read more

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During our last visit to NYC, we went to The Cloisters. This is a branch of the MET and it is located on 4 acres in Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River. The museum was designed by architect Charles Collens and opened in 1938. It takes its name from elements of five medieval French cloisters that have been incorporated into the building design and serve as connecting points between the various galleries. It houses three medieval chapels, including the 12th-century Spanish Fuentiduena Chapel. The building's Gothic style, built from scratch in the 1930s, is meant to evoke the context in which the featured works were created. I thought that was an old building that was made into a museum, but not, the whole edifice was built in the 20th century. The permanent collection at the Met Cloisters includes more than 5,000 pieces of European art dating from 800 to the 1600s, the 12th through 15th century being strongly represented. The objects include sculptures, statuary, paintings, and stained-glass windows. Collection highlights include the renowned Unicorn Tapestries. Three of the cloisters include gardens meticulously designed in the medieval fashion. These gardens were full of colorful flowers and fruit trees. Most of the plants had plaques so you knew what you were looking at. It was a great visit. Full of history and beauty. Check it out if you are into Medieval art and history. It can be reached by bus, car or subway transfer. If you are a NY, NJ or CT resident, you pay what you wish with a suggested price of $22 per person. The ticket for regular adults is $30 and $22 for seniors. They do offer a few guided tours during the day, for example, the highlights tour was offered at 1PM. read more

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In a city like NYC, the Met Cloisters are a great way to get out of the busier parts of the city - located near Washington Heights/Inwood on the north west part of the Manhattan Island. With a car, the Cloisters were very easy to access - there's free parking on site which was much appreciated. My group of mixed ages leaning towards the older side came for a visit in Fall 2025. We were pleasantly surprised & grateful that there was a shuttle service that carried our older group members up to the main entrance (the steps up to the main hall are quite long for the elderly). When we went, we even stumbled upon a free museum event (after admission) where we crafted some metal embossing. One could stay for hours and admire the many different artifacts/tapestries/statues/religious art pieces in the museum portions. There are free tours (check the website for details) that give a lot of background and context to many of the exhibits in the Cloisters. There are several outdoor spaces with flowers and curated gardens with views of the Hudson below. Definitely a great place to check out - with history, gardens, and fresh air, it's a great place to explore for a little getaway from the city bustle. We also coupled our visit with a small walk around Fort Tryon Park. read more

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Pro Tip- Go here in spring or summer as the gardens whether they be the Judy Black or Trie or otherwise are as much a spectacle as the museum itself. Open for a good long while , this museum primarily features Medieval artwork. You apparently get an admission to The Met with your ticket which would be a schlep but a nice day for those really into art. For those looking for food, I would recommend going before or after as the only option; the Trie Cafe; found in the gardens of the same name, tends to have large limes. The artwork is nice on the top floors though my preference is the downstairs section which features among other things a tiny fascinating Book of Hours. As noted in the tip, they have gorgeous gardens here as well and I spent a good while going through and taking photos like most others. There were also wreath making activities which was fun for the kids. It's not my favorite museum but it's still nice and the surrounding Fort Tryon Park is nice as well to walk around especially when the flowers are in bloom. read more

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I am writing to share a concern about an experience my friends and I had at The Met Cloisters on Sunday at approximately 4:00 PM, about an hour before closing. I initially did not plan to file a complaint, but the experience has continued to bother both me and my friends throughout the week, and I felt it was important to bring it to your attention. I visited the museum that day for my birthday with a group of friends. During our visit, we noticed a staff member, by the name of Christina Alphonso, repeatedly monitoring and observing members of our group as we moved through the exhibits. This behavior stood out to us because we did not observe the same level of attention being directed toward other visitors. Later, when our group gathered in the Garden area to take photos, we again noticed the same staff member watching us from nearby. Around this time, a tall white man with black hair briefly entered the area, crossed in front of our group during photos, mumbled an apology, and then spoke with the staff member while gesturing in our direction. After this interaction, the staff member continued to observe our group. I do not know what was discussed, but the interaction contributed to our discomfort. Additionally, members of my group asked a staff member about whether there was a place to charge phones. My friends later told me they felt the response was dismissive and carried an attitude, and that it left them feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome. I was not directly present for that exchange, but it contributed to the overall impression of our experience. As a group of Black and Muslim visitors, we left feeling singled out and uncomfortable. While I cannot know the intentions of the staff involved, the repeated monitoring of our group and the way we were treated led us to feel unwelcome during what was supposed to be a positive birthday visit. I am not making assumptions about intent, but I wanted to report our experience so it can be reviewed appropriately. read more

Wish I had done a bit more research beforehand, PRO-TIP: there's actually a public city bus that drops you off right in front of the castle. Unlike us, we trekked through the park and up what felt like hundreds of stairs, not realizing the place was perched on top of a hill. Definitely wear good walking shoes, bring water, and pack some patience. It wasn't until we finally reached the top that we noticed the city bus stop. On the way down, we decided to take it, it dropped us off at a random park that felt a little sketchy, but hey, it was free and the driver didn't even charge us, and took a rideshare from there. If you're visiting with someone who has accessibility concerns or trouble with stairs, they do have a Met shuttle parked out front of the castle that can take you up to the next level of the castle and bring you back down. Just note that it goes through the service entrance, so it's not exactly glamorous. The place is quite old, but they do have an elevator and wheelchairs available if needed, you'll just miss part of the interior's charm taking that route. The grounds were beautiful, and there was even a free flower walking tour happening while we were there. We joined for a bit, but the guide spoke so softly it was impossible to hear her in a group of 20+ people, she really could've used a mic. So we ended up wandering on our own instead because staying with the group was a waste of time. There's also a small café on-site, nothing fancy, just pre-made cold sandwiches, chips, and basic drip coffee (the only hot option). We bought a croissant and just chilled in the fountain area, plenty of seating. Still, it was nice to check out, and honestly, I'm glad we stopped here before heading to the larger Met. Your ticket gives you access to both Mets in the same day. read more

Absolutely stunning abbey repurposed into a branch of the MET. It's a long way up from ground level, so while the stairs are fastest and most direct way to walk up, taking the longer and slower incline is better for your knees (and has beautiful views). You can also take the M4 bus up, or Uber. General Admission is $30, or pay what you want for NY and NJ residents. The Cloisters feature mostly medieval European art and architecture, and the vast majority of that is Christian symbology. There are two floors - the main floor and a "ground" floor, which you can access by taking a left hand staircase in the second gallery to your left when you enter. Both have spectacular outdoor and indoor gardens, which offer excellent photo opportunities; I'd recommend the ground floor garden myself. I'd recommend visiting the unicorn room simply because it's famous (for the "captured unicorn" painting). My personal favorites are the reliefs of the Pieta or the huge atrium with the hanging crucifixion. Otherwise, everything just sorta blends together. There's a gift shop on the main level for souvenirs. Lastly, remember not to touch anything! Much of the museum architecture is reconstructed, but much of it is also nearly a millennia old, and oils can damage the sculptures. read more

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**BEWARE:** We visited the museum, but because we had food in our backpacks, we were not permitted to bring the backpacks inside. Surprisingly, the museum would not allow us even to check the bags at the coat check either. As a result, one member of our group was forced to remain outside with the backpacks while the rest of us toured the museum. This policy significantly diminished our visit and was extremely disappointing. Visitors should be aware of this restriction and plan accordingly. read more

My absolute favorite time to visit the Cloisters is in the spring. Walking through Fort Tryon Park among the blossoming flowers and trees is a delight. I usually spend the day admiring the stone and wood sculptures, tapestries, manuscripts and paintings. The exterior grounds are just as awesome inspiring. My favorite path is on the south side of the museum's main level, along the Cuxa cloisters, the museum's structural centerpiece and thematic namesake. read more

The Met Cloisters - Art Museums Near Me - New York, New York

I loved the art and the medieval gardens are exquisite. I am taking away a couple of stars for regional discrimination--New York residents and students from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut can pay what they wish, but people who already spent money flying in from out of town have to subsidize their tickets with a steep $30 fee. I ended up not buying a bunch of things at the gift shop that would've made great gifts because that put a bitter taste in my mouth. To make matters worse, they have an outdoors cafe where you can buy some pretty mediocre sandwiches for something like $18, and to add insult to injury, there are signs on the tables telling people not to sit at them for too long. I feel like being forced to spend close to twenty bucks on a mid gas station quality sandwich should buy you a half hour at a table, even in New York. I guess they need the money to pay for the people who glare at you while you're looking at art. read more

I went back in spring/summer 2009 and absolutely loved it. Just the feel of the place was lovely--the tapestries, medieval art, the courtyard, the beautiful grounds, the park. You feel transported to a different time. Reminds me I need to go back! read more

The medieval architecture here is beautiful and inspiring. This is a fun way to spend a Saturday. We got lost trying to find the entrance, which led us to have to walk all over. I think they need better signage. You won't feel like you're in New York because it transports you to medieval times. read more

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This was a nice escape from the bustle of the city The MET Cloisters is in Fort Tryon park and offers a nice little oasis on a hill. That being said, if you're not in the best shape (like me), you should drive to the top. You'll either have to take many stairs or walk up a winding hill to make it. That being said, you can't beat the views of the Hudson. The Cloisters is filled with renaissance art and statues. Room after room of religious art. And I loved that they had gardens to walk through. read more

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I love this museum. It's so pretty and has a natural flow of showing art. It's built to replicate a medieval era cloister which enhances the whole experience. They have gorgeous gardens there and the art is mixed with paintings, tapestry, and artifacts. I really like the water views from the Cloisters. It can be a bit difficult to get to but I do think it's worth it especially during warmer days. read more

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This is only my 2nd time being here and there were a lot more people today. But I learned a lot from the free tour that they gave at 1 pm. Made me appreciate the Unicorn tapestries and the Chapel more. I find this museum unique to the more famous MET and MOMA and worth a visit if you have free time and are in the city on a rainy day. read more

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One of my all time fav place in New York City so far I have only visited this hidden gem twice but I imagine to be there atleast once a year lol The museum is so beautiful & the whole area is just amazing. I do not drive so going there is a hassle all the way from the island but when I end up there I felt it was all worth it. I wanted to do seasonal shoots there ; every season I wanted to do a shoot but never can manage to travel there. One of these days I will try to see through my dream..! Definitely a must visit if you love nature & museums. And it's also free to public , if you wish you can donate too. read more

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I was pleasantly surprised by this museum. It's not necessarily the most diverse and modern museum, but it's a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. It's kind of a trek to get there, but definitely worth it. As soon as you enter the park that surrounds it, you instantly feel like you're no longer in the city. And when you reach the museum, it's so beautiful and peaceful. They have a variety of beautiful architectural spaces throughout, and even some outdoor areas with an incredible view of the Hudson River. If you want to "get away," but don't want to leave the city, this is a great option. It's also quite lovely this time of year. It's not too hot or cold, and you get the nice changing of the leaves. Can't recommend it enough. read more

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Hidden history and art gem on one end of Fort Tyron park! Beautiful views of the fall foliage and Hudson River from the museum. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours here. Museum grounds are well taken care of. Easy access to museum and park grounds from bus or A train. You can walk through the park from the bus or train station or drive directly up to the museum entrance. Would recommend grabbing a bite nearby or picnic in the park before or after the museum as the museum cafe has limited seasonal hours. Pay as you wish for New York state residents, and New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut students. Would definitely return. read more

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Been to nyc a few times and done most of the major sites bur I never had done either the Met or Met Cloisters Friends and I walked up from the park and let me tell you it's a hike!! lol like if you arrive via subway you may find yourself with a hike up literally lol but apparently they have a bus on other side that takes you up But it's all good ... part is the experience and great new of the pond or river? Either way it was good The cloisters itself is a vibe! It's medieval from the look outside to everything inside The staff is very friendly and the place was great to visit and experience I definitely say go!! read more

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GORGEOUS. I went on a sunday day and the flowers were still in bloom. The garden cloisters were so pretty and there's a lot of outdoor seating areas. I would come back with a book and journal. The art inside is also very pretty and deserves more time. It's worth the trek uptown and there are scheduled tours i recommend going read more

The Met Cloisters - Art Museums Near Me - New York, New York

Definitely use your map if your walking up the hill to get to this because we thought we knew where we were going and ended up wrapping around the entire area before figuring out how to get to the top. The spot is super nice if you make it here early, but it gets super crowded. I'd say touring this museum takes about 1-2 hours. They have plenty of super cool things to see, and also have a nice garden area to relax, warning though that it can get packed. read more

This place was amazing. It feels like you are touring a monastery, only each part is from a different location and era. A wonderful experience. I highly recommend it. There is a small stand where you can order light food/snacks and drinks and sit out on the patio to eat. Also, your Met membership gets you in, so if you are going to go here and the Met proper, it might be worth getting a membership. read more

Most New Yorkers won't even know this place exists but it's a must see for locals and tourists alike. Nestled at the top of a peak on the northern tip of Manhattan within the lovely and historic Fort Tryon park (look it up!). The Metropolitan Mueum's Cloisters is certainly a gem. It's a beautiful setting with lots of medieval and religious art. From the museum there are sweeping and breathtaking views of the Hudson River and surroundings. There are also expansive gardens and lots of cool artifacts, relics, and art. Visit in the warm weather and you can take advantage of the 60 acres of the beautiful park too. Make a day of it and bring your out of town visitors that you are sure to impress. Also, if you have or have access to a New York billing address you can pay as you wish for admission. read more

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I know that everyone loves The Met in Upper East Side but I think that the Met Cloisters are actually one of the most underrated places in New York. I wouldn't say that I'm a huge art/art history person, let alone Middle Ages art, but I thoroughly loved the museum. Entrance fee for New Yorkers is pay whatever you want. Here are my favorite bits of The Met Cloisters: - The indoor outdoor flow of the museum is beautiful and I've never seen this concept before. I loved that there were little gardens and sitting spots where you can embrace yourself in nature sprinkled all throughout the museum. - The museum not only has an art collection, but there's also a wide plant collection. - The architecture of the entire place is just absolutely stunning. The archways as well as the make of the wall were so beautiful. - There was an area of the museum where there were a lot of tombs effigy of various European aristocrats? In that somber exhibit, there was a little oval mirror rimmed in a brown wooden frame which the words "everything will be taken away". I think this modern art piece surrounded by these tombs was one of the most insane, inventive, and well thought out art placements. It added another dimension to the entire exhibit as it begs visitors to consider their own mortality as the mirror reflects themselves. Overall, fantastic place to visit and I would highly recommend everyone to check out this beautiful museum. read more

The Met Cloisters - Beautiful! - Art Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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Pretty neat gem that I visited with some friends today. The trek up the hill even when it's snowing/incredibly cold if you are coming from the subway station is pretty scenic/cool. All of the met staff at this gorgeous castle/church were really polite and helpful. the admission fee being waived/optional for students applying here was also really nice as well. Really liked their treasury room, tons of neat artifacts from the 14-16th centuries. their unicorn tapestries were also a sight to behold as well. definitely recommend stopping by here if you are in upper manhattan but it's like a 30 minute+ transit if you are not driving. bathrooms and water filling facilities were robust, the courtyard was very very pretty even covered mostly in white. would come again! read more

The Met Cloisters - Art Museums Near Me - New York, New York

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This is in my neighborhood and a delight to take in. Their garden is the best part of the museum, followed closely by the tapestries.

This beautiful church has much to see! From medieval art to amazing views of the Hudson! Anyone will find something interesting here. It's also lovely how it's nestled into a park, like a treasure to be found by those whom wander read more

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This museum is in Upper Manhattan with an interesting history and is located in Fort Tryon Park. It has a lot of medieval architecture and Gothic period traces. None of the collection of art is very significant because the museum seems to gather what will add a feel to the look of the museum rather than look for expensive one of a kind art work. At some point in its history Rockefeller has supported the museum with his vast fortune. It's definitely with a look at for a half day. read more

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How to leave Nyc with out really leaving Nyc. The Cloister is a beautiful, serene place to get away from the hussle & bussle of the crazy, concrete jungle. The building's architecture looks like a castle & if you are interested on medieval arts & history this place will prove to be a treat for you. Love roaming around the place for some me time while looking at art, checking out the gardens, or gazing at the view of the palisades. Entrance is free with culture pass, or pay what you want for Nj, nyc resident. Love this place, highly recommends! read more

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Living in the Bronx all my life I've passed this location multiply times driving on the Hutch.. Recently I've been discovering the history of New York and its historical places. The Met Cloisters is beautiful castle located in Fort Tyron Park. It's Americas only Museum dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. There is free parking located on site but first come first serve basis this Museum can be busy depending on day and time. I would come on a less traffic day so you can really enjoy the beauty without crowd. read more

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Pretty cool. Lot of good art there especially unicorns. You can learn the history about the cloister.

Visited for the first time recently using the Culture Pass (allows you and one guest to visit for free instead of $30 per adult admission, as long as you reserve beforehand and are a NY resident). The architecture and the history behind these pieces was amazing to unravel and how these works survived so many years. The elderly docent at 1pm was extremely knowledgeable, entertaining, and was patient with the large group of visitors for over an hour. It was interesting to hear that there is still a mystery over who made the unicorn tapestries despite the initials and from the Roman and gothic arches, visiting the place has made me rethink future interior design decisions.. read more

Up for a beautiful walk? Park down the Hudson and walk along it to the Met Cloisters, it's lots of hills so be prepared. Once you get there you can enjoy this beautiful space. It's a small space but so much to notice and appreciate. My favorite is the little meticulously cared for garden that changes its look every so often. read more

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I loved the Met Cloisters! Such a fascinating building, full of all sorts of wonders. My friend and I knew of the Unicorn tapestries beforehand but they took my breath away. Nothing beats seeing anything like that in person. Also, the views from the veranda were incredible! Hot tip: we took the metro and planned to walk the rest of the way. When the maps say either take the stairs or the gradual incline winding path, take the winding path. The stairs are super steep and will let you know you are out of shape real quick. read more

This place was amazing. Definitely way less crowded than the main museums. I went awhile back when they allowed me to pay whatever I wanted to pay. I believe now they want you to show ID in order to pay less than the general admission which is $30. We walked up the hill to get to the entrance, that was our exercise for the day. Employees were very affable. I'm not a religious person but it was wonderful seeing the different rooms, artifacts, Christian structures, etc. Plan to spend a few hours there and look at everything. read more

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The Cloisters is such a special place. It has a peaceful feel and isn't overwhelming as a museum (very neat, but not too huge.) You won't regret coming here! In the summer, they have very pretty gardens and a small open air cafe. In the Fall, you have the colorful leaves of neighboring Fort Tryon Park. Just go! It's a beautiful place. read more

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Such a cool & serene location in Manhattan that's away from the noise & distractions of the big city. The museum gardens & outdoor area makes you feel like you're inside a different realm. The cost of admission is $30, but for NY residents, it is pay what you wish, which I definitely appreciated the break. Inside you'll feel like you're walking through a French monastery or castle. The garden is very picturesque & beautiful. The outdoor area where they have the plants offers great views of the cliffs of The Palisades in New Jersey. Your admission ticket will be valid for three days, both here & their second location, which is on fifth Avenue. There is plenty of parking that circles around Fort Tryon Park which the Cloisters are built around. It's pretty crazy to know such an enchanting place exists right in the middle of modern Manhattan. You can come here & enjoy the tranquility it offers while getting away from it all. read more

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