The Met Cloisters stands as a unique sanctuary in Manhattan, offering a serene escape to the medieval era. Whether you're a seasoned museum-goer or looking for a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle, The Met Cloisters promises a rich, immersive experience. Dare to step away from the usual attractions and discover a hidden gem where art and nature blend seamlessly.
The Met Cloisters is a portal to medieval Europe located in Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park. This unique museum offers a blend of art, architecture, and nature.
Location: Situated in Fort Tryon Park, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, New York.
Transportation: Accessible by the A subway from Midtown or the M4 bus from Madison Avenue.
Tickets: Included with general admission to the Met, which covers both the Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters.
Visiting Hours: Open Thursday to Tuesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed on Wednesdays and major holidays.
Embark on a journey back in time at The Met Cloisters, a treasure nestled in the northern reaches of Manhattan. This architectural marvel is not just a museum but a portal to medieval Europe, designed in the style of a European monastery. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it stands out with its distinctive setting and lesser crowds, offering a more intimate and reflective visit compared to its Fifth Avenue counterpart.
Surrounded by the verdant expanses of Fort Tryon Park, The Met Cloisters offers a unique blend of art, architecture, and nature. Initially opened in 1938 through the generosity of John D. Rockefeller Jr., who also contributed the land, this museum incorporates elements of five medieval cloisters, providing a historical context that enhances the viewing of its art collections. Here, the past resonates within the modern structure, inviting visitors to explore at their own pace without the overwhelming hustle of typical tourist spots in New York.
While it might require a bit of a trek to reach, the journey to The Met Cloisters is well worth the effort. Once there, you’ll find yourself whisked away from the city’s clamor to a quieter, more reflective space where art and nature speak in silent harmony. The museum’s location on four acres overlooking the Hudson River only adds to its allure, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility and a touch of historical exploration.
Practical information
Before you set off to explore the wonders The Met Cloisters, here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Location
The Met Cloisters is beautifully situated in Fort Tryon Park at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive
How to Get There
Planning your visit to The Met Cloisters is straightforward. Let’s ensure your visit is as enjoyable and efficient as possible!
Subway
Just a 30-minute subway ride separates Midtown Manhattan from the medieval serenity of The Met Cloisters. The A train offers a direct route from Times Square, delivering you to the museum’s doorstep efficiently and comfortably.
Bus
Alternatively, the M4 bus provides a scenic route from Madison Avenue/83rd Street right to the gates of The Met Cloisters. While it takes a bit longer, this option allows you to enjoy the cityscape as you approach the museum.
Driving
While driving in New York City can often be more hassle than it’s worth, visitors to The Met Cloisters can take advantage of free city parking in Fort Tryon Park.
The museum provides two designated spaces for disabled parking permit holders right in front of the museum, making it accessible for everyone.
Tickets
Securing your entrance to The Met Cloisters is straightforward as it is included with your general admission ticket to the Met. Planning a day to explore both The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters can be ambitious but is undoubtedly rewarding.
Purchase your tickets or book a guided tour to ensure a seamless museum experience.
Tours and Experiences Booking Options
Enhance your visit to The Met Cloisters with these specially curated tours and experiences designed to deepen your appreciation of medieval art and architecture. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or a more focused visit to The Met Cloisters, these options ensure that everyone finds the perfect way to experience these cultural treasures.
Highlights of the Metropolitan Museum Guided Tour
Enhance your visit to the Met with a guided tour that covers the highlights of its extensive collections. Our expert guides offer insightful commentary, helping you to deeply appreciate the art in a small-group setting.
Afterward, conveniently take the subway to The Met Cloisters, where you can continue your exploration of medieval wonders. Admission to The Met Cloisters is included with your ticket, ensuring seamless access and a comprehensive cultural experience.
Guided Visit to The Met (5th Ave) and The Met Cloisters by Car
Experience the best of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance art with a private tour of The Met Cloisters. This tailored tour options include skip-the-line tickets and private transfers, ensuring a comfortable and comprehensive experience of both the Met’s iconic locations.
Visiting Hours
Open Thursday–Tuesday from 10 am to 5 pm. Note that the museum is closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
Best Time to Visit
Thanks to its serene location, The Met Cloisters is rarely crowded, making any time a good time to visit. For a truly enriching experience, consider combining your visit with a trip to The Met Fifth Avenue earlier in the day.
What to Expect at The Met Cloisters
Explore a slice of medieval Europe right in the heart of New York at The Met Cloisters. This unique museum is America’s only institution dedicated solely to medieval art and architecture, offering an extensive collection of over 2,000 artworks and artifacts. Spanning from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, the collection includes exquisite metalwork, paintings, sculptures, textiles, and much more.
The building itself, constructed with materials from various European monasteries, feels as if it has stood for centuries, although it was actually built in the 1930s. Within its historic walls, you can experience the Middle Ages through stunning exhibits like the famed Unicorn Tapestries, the Fuentidueña Chapel, and a variety of illuminated manuscripts donated by J.P. Morgan.
The museum’s layout encourages leisurely exploration, with several cloisters—each named Cuxa, Bonnefont, and Trie—offering tranquil spaces adorned with different gardens and architectural elements. Whether you’re meandering through these outdoor areas or delving into the intricate details of medieval artworks, The Met Cloisters provides a comprehensive, immersive experience that beautifully contrasts with the bustling cityscape of modern Manhattan.
Tips to Visit The Met Cloisters
Embarking on a visit to The Met Cloisters can be a mesmerizing journey back to the medieval times, enhanced by lush surrounding gardens and rich historical artifacts. Here’s how you can make the most of your visit:
Visit During Green Seasons: The surrounding gardens are lush and full, enhancing the medieval ambiance, so plan your visit for when the trees are verdant and the flowers are in bloom.
Morning Coffee at Cafe Buunni: Start your morning with a visit to Cafe Buunni. Indulge in a coffee made from roasted Ethiopian beans and enjoy a pastry before heading to the museum.
Combine with a Visit to The Met Fifth Avenue: Consider visiting The Met Fifth Avenue in the morning and then catch the M4 bus to The Cloisters. It’s a delightful hour-long ride through various iconic neighborhoods.
Rent an Audio Guide: For a deeper understanding of the medieval artifacts, consider renting an audio guide to enrich your experience.
Check Event Schedules: Occasionally, The Met Cloisters hosts special events and exhibitions that can provide additional insights into medieval life and art.
Accessibility
While The Met Cloisters offers a step back into medieval times, accessibility can be challenging due to its historic structure. The museum has made efforts to accommodate all visitors, including a free shuttle service for those requiring step-free access.
This service is available from the Postern entrance, transporting visitors directly to an accessible entrance within the courtyard. Although there are about 60 stairs from the main entrance to the admissions desk, the museum provides wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis. Service dogs are permitted in the museum, although pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Met Cloisters houses an impressive array of medieval European artworks, including sculptures, stained glass, tapestries, and illuminated manuscripts.
You can comfortably tour the entire collection in about an hour and a half, allowing ample time to appreciate the detailed artwork and serene surroundings.
Yes, The Met Cloisters is accessible via subway with the A train from Times Square or the M4 bus from Madison Avenue, offering a scenic route through various New York neighborhoods.
While there are no dining facilities inside The Met Cloisters, Cafe Buunni near the museum offers excellent coffee and pastries, perfect for a quick snack before or after your visit.
The Met Cloisters is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thursday to Tuesday, and is closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
Yes, entry to The Met Cloisters is included with your general admission ticket to the Met, allowing you to explore both locations.
The museum features several cloisters—Cuxa, Bonnefont, and Trie—each offering unique gardens and architectural elements, perfect for relaxation and contemplation.
Free city parking is available in Fort Tryon Park, with designated spaces for disabled parking permit holders directly in front of the museum.
The museum is seldom crowded, making any time a good time to visit. However, visiting during the greener seasons can enhance the beauty of the surrounding gardens.
Service dogs are allowed, but pets and emotional support animals are not permitted inside the museum.
The museum provides a limited number of wheelchairs for use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, which are cleaned after each use.
A free shuttle service from the Postern entrance provides transportation to an accessible entrance inside the museum’s courtyard for visitors requiring step-free access.
Do not miss the Unicorn Tapestries, the Fuentidueña Chapel, and the collection of illuminated manuscripts in the Treasury Room, each offering a unique glimpse into medieval art and spirituality.
The museum occasionally hosts special events and exhibitions. Check their official website or contact them directly for the latest schedule.
Yes, guided tours are available, offering detailed insights into the medieval artifacts and architecture. Options include private tours and combined visits with The Met Fifth Avenue.
Where to Stay Near The Met Cloisters
While The Met Cloisters offers a peaceful retreat amidst the scenic beauty of Fort Tryon Park, those looking to stay close to the bustling heart of New York City might consider other options. The tranquility and historical charm of the area near The Met Cloisters are ideal for those seeking a quiet escape. However, if your visit includes plans to explore a wide range of landmarks and attractions, staying in a more central location would be more practical.
Choosing accommodation in Midtown or the Upper West Side can significantly enhance your New York City experience. These vibrant areas are not only packed with dining and entertainment options but also provide excellent transportation links that make traveling to The Met Cloisters and other notable sites both quick and easy. By staying in these central locations, you’ll have the best of New York’s dynamic energy and cultural richness at your fingertips, making it easier to maximize your visit to the city.
Other Interesting Museums in New York City
New York City boasts a plethora of museums each offering unique insights into different aspects of culture, history, and art. Exploring these can provide a well-rounded cultural experience complementing your visit to The Met Cloisters.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive art museums. Located on Fifth Avenue, it features over two million works from across the globe covering everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary art. Its vast galleries contain notable collections of classical antiquity, ancient Egyptian art, paintings from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art.
The Museum of Modern Art, known as MoMA, is a pioneer in the collection and exhibition of modern art. Its dynamic selection of artworks ranges from modern painting and sculpture to film and design. MoMA’s exhibitions are often transformative in the art world, presenting groundbreaking modern and contemporary art.
The Guggenheim Museum is famous not only for its innovative spiral structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright but also for its impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. The museum offers a unique art-viewing experience as you walk its spiral ramp viewing works by notable artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, and Van Gogh.
The 9/11 Museum serves as a poignant tribute to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Located at the site of the former World Trade Center, the museum documents the impact of those events and explores the continuing significance of 9/11 through multimedia displays, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the world. It offers exhibits across a wide range of topics, from dinosaur fossils to outer space and everything in-between. The museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections that illuminate the natural wonders and diverse species of the planet.
Located at Pier 86, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum showcases the legendary WWII aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets, and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming, and the very hardware of the American military and space programs, it offers visitors a firsthand look at history, science, and service.
The Met Cloisters is ideally located, making it a perfect starting point for exploring more of New York’s diverse attractions. The area’s prime location allows easy access to several other notable sites, ensuring that your exploration of the city is as enriching as it is enjoyable.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest and oldest zoos in the USA, located a short distance from The Met Cloisters. This 265-acre zoo is home to over 4,000 animals of more than 650 species, many of which are endangered. The zoo’s exhibitions, such as the Congo Gorilla Forest, Tiger Mountain, and the World of Birds, offer visitors a chance to see and learn about wildlife in immersive settings.
Just a stone’s throw from The Met Cloisters, the New York Botanical Garden is an iconic living museum, educational institution, and renowned plant research and conservation organization. This beautiful garden spans 250 acres of stunning landscapes and includes extensive plant collections as well as charming walks. Throughout the year, it hosts various seasonal and thematic exhibitions, making it a beautiful escape for nature lovers and a perfect complement to the historical and artistic pursuits at The Met Cloisters.
Yankee Stadium
For sports fans, a visit to the nearby Yankee Stadium is a must. This iconic venue is not just for baseball aficionados but also a place of significant cultural and historical importance in New York. Tours of the stadium offer a behind-the-scenes look at the New York Yankees’ history and include visits to heritage sites within the stadium, the team museum, and even the dugout. A game day or a tour at Yankee Stadium provides a lively and memorable New York experience.
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