The Cloisters Reviews

Loved this place. Exceeded my expectations from others reviews on here. I found the displays verY engaging and interesting and the gardens so peaceful! Yes it’s not huge like the other MET - but that’s a good thing as it’s not overwhelming. Also not as many people. I didn’t have a coffee at the tiny cafe but there is definitely one there but looks limited on food. I will post a map picture of how to get there as Fort Tyron doesn’t really tell you and there are lots of paths leading off. Also I would take the subway to 190th st and walk through the park that way. It’s relatively flat. If you go to Dykman st subway and walk back it’s shorter but uphill all the way.

This place is very special and if you can try to visit every season. They have super interesting rooms filled with artifacts of medieval life and art bur we were very interested with their 3 court yards. So interesting.
Every time we visit, we see something else there and the visits always lift our spirits.

Half an hour north of Times Square by metro, get off on 190th street. Nice quiet easy walk through a beautiful park to the entrance. (free with entrance ticket to the Met).
Combination of European cloisters and churches, some surprising elements which I have never seen in Europe. Very beautiful tapistries of a unicorn. 1,5 to 2 hours max. Nice view on the river and bridge from the terrace. Quiet place away from the city.

Visiting The Cloisters was a highlight of our recent trip to NYC. It is well worth the trip to Washington Heights. It is situated on a hill overlooking Fort Tryon Park and the Hudson River. The beautiful stone building houses an impressive collection of Medieval art, including the famous unicorn tapestries. We visited on a Saturday morning and it was not crowded at all. The staff were polite and professional, and we enjoyed a light lunch at the outdoor cafe. This is a wonderful museum in a tranquil setting.

This is in a beautiful location, beautiful gardens, and fantastic museum. The artifacts and medieval pieces are so beautiful. Loved the beautiful gardens that are just starting blooming.
So glad a friend recommended for us to visit this museum.

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.

A beautiful collection of medieval art with gorgeous views overlooking the Hudson river. Located on top of a hill. Must-sees include the unicorn tapestries.

Some great religious art and architecture with a beautiful view outside. I went during the summer and it was perfect. Some of the areas are closed off due to Covid so I couldn't see the best viewing spot or the tower bell, but this is worth a few hours of time regardless. I'd give it 5 stars if I could see everything. No video allowed, but they didn't notice my GoPro until I started waving it around.

Ancient art in a beautiful setting. Wonderful view of the Hudson River. Beautiful gardens, but worth the trip in the winter also.

Never disappoints. An oasis in the heat of the NYC summer. Watch the Met website and score tix to a concert in the sanctuary. A beautiful way to spend an afternoon, rain or shine.
The Hudson River is a quick 5 minute walk, benchs on the walkway, nice place for a picnic before the museum. Accessible by bus from NYC, limited free parking. Not ADA friendly, no pets, likely not suitable for children.

Had this on my bucket list of places to visit in NYC for sometime, and finally got the chance. So glad I did!! This is definitely worth a visit. Fascinating exhibits captivate on the inside, while on the outside you have a spectacular view of the Hudson River. Hope to return in the summer when the gardens are in blooms.

Located in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, The Met Cloisters is a museum owned by the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (or the Met for short) features Medieval style artwork and architecture from the Gothic and Romanesque era. The word Cloister is defined as a covered walkway that surrounds a garden(s) or a courtyard usually found at monasteries, convents, or other religious buildings. It is an amazing place to have a prayer, meditate, or just having a peaceful time to reflect.

There are three cloisters in the complex, my favorite is the main one, the Cuxa Cloister. The design comes from the Abbey of Saint Michel de Cuxa. The fountain that is in the middle of the cloister dates back to the 13th century and is from Saint Genis des Fontaines Monastery. This museum makes me feel like I am in Europe, more specifically France (England is a nice feel too). Makes me want to go back to both countries and explore the countryside and visit some of these monasteries with their cloisters. Here is a little fun fact, there is a display of medieval playing cards, which is one of two known to have been in tacked.

I would recommend coming here to see what it would be like in a cloister and what it would feel like being in a monastery. But before I go, I do have to say there is a fee to get into the museum.

The Cloisters is a hike, no doubt about it. That said, worth it. I will say the day we went, it was pouring and we took a Lyft, but I would have taken the subway out there as well. I've been wanting to visit for years. The art itself is wonderful, but the building is also just gorgeous, as is the garden...even in the rain. I was also with someone who is an NY resident and I was allowed to pay what I wanted, but I'd also say it was worth the $25 entrance fee. We did get soaked walking out of there and we did have a bit of a time finding the way we were supposed to go (we were looking to eat locally), but we made it eventually. A couple of extra signs couldn't hurt though.

That said, on a gorgeous day this place must be amazing, because it was pretty great on a rainy day.

The Cloisters is a fascinating look at history during Medieval times. It is an offshoot of the Metropolitan Museum located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan. The museum, situated in Fort Tryon Park, specializes in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods. There is a lovely courtyard and the grounds overlook the Hudson River. Definitely worth a visit for history buffs.

A very special place but maybe not that interesting for Europeans who have cloisters in their countries

During the holiday weekend, a high school classmate and I chose to visit the Cloisters.

It is located on the northern tip of the island of Manhattan, I discovered that it's part of the Met.

The collection is impressive because not all the pieces are without damage. One of the initial benefactors was John D. Rockefeller.

Besides the art, its location offers great views of the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge, and Mario Cuomo Bridge (Tappan Zee Bridge).

There's a great park to stroll and free parking. You should pack your patience when seeking a parking spot.

...however, coming from Europe, you won’t be impressed. I love churches and monasteries, also - the park and the view over the Hudson river is just fab. However - the ticket price plus the extra charge for the audioguide (REALLY?), without which you won’t get much value out of the visit, is a rip-off.

If you are commuting, this is quite far (if you are coming from Manhattan). And the uphill road/stairs was really a struggle (for the unfit). We decided to visit the place to maximize the costs of THE MET entrance tickets. But once inside, it was worth it (it has the small Alhambra feel in it).

I love touring the Met Cloisters at the holidays. They have such interesting walking tours and displays of decorations for the Christmas holidays. The museum is not overdone and the people who work here are the utmost professional.

Instead of the tour we were supposed to have on holiday plants during the Middle Ages, we had a talk of Three Kings Day and the how the interpretation has changed over the years. This is seen in the artwork around the galleries and how it changed over the Middle Ages. There were different versions in storytelling and how the story progressed from three wisemen to three kings. We saw different mediums in woodwork, stained glass and tapestries.

After the tour, I walked around the museum and looked at what the collection had to offer on the subject again. I observed the artwork again with a little more time and realized that the storytelling must have changed over the ages.

The museum was beautifully decorated with all sorts of plants that were blooming at different stages and realized this is how the churches must have been decorated after the Dark Ages. Very interesting and beautiful to look at.

This is a little gem of a museum uptown.

The Cloisters were so peaceful and full of beautiful tapestries, medieval art and other treasures. I nearly didn't write this review as, unlike, the crowded main building of the Met, this seems unknown to most tourists. We had a fab tour too.

This is hands down my most favorite place in NYC. It is so lovely. The cloisters are such a pleasure to stroll through, and there is a nice cafe in one of the cloisters - which, disappointingly, did not offer a means to recycle the plastic containers they use for food. But anyway, the artwork and treasury was amazing. I would suggest arriving at opening, on a weekday.

This museum is amazing! From the gorgeous building on Fifth Avenue, to the incredible permanent exhibits and the visiting exhibits--we were in awe! I recommend visiting more than one day since it is near impossible to see it all in one. Every floor, every room was filled with exceptional art and artifacts, along with helpful museum employees to answer questions and help direct you to your next exhibit. A must-see for art lovers in NYC!

It is clear the other side of Manhattan - don’t take a cab they won’t know how to get there - best thing to do is the subway and walk about a half mile through a delightful park with views -read up on the exhibit - try to combine with the Met as ticket good at both - you can also picnic in the park

This place has quite a collection of religious Art. It also has nice gardens to sit and relax. We enjoyed visiting it.

It was so easy to walk in and go right to advance ticket holders counter and pick up our audio guides. People without tickets wasted hours of museum time just waiting in line.
We especially enjoyed the exhibitions "Camp" and "Play it Loud."

The place is enormous.
The art works from all around the world sensational.
We did a weekend visit and the place was overflowing with people. Too many people.
Had lunch at the main restaurant on 4th floor. Fixed price 3 course lunch - absolutely fantastic. Seriously good with with great service
Find a time to visit when there are not many people ( mid week?) I must do in NYC

The MET Cloisters has an extensive collection of medieval works of art. It's a truly immersive space to be in - there's even a gardening area where you can see what plants were referenced in art works. The guides are very knowledgeable and give great guided tours, and you can see the famous unicorn tapestries.

I knew nothing about The Cloisters and was taken there by a family member who has been a number of times. The artifacts, grounds/gardens....amazing!
We purchased the head set for each of us which I think is worth the extra few dollars to get a better understanding of the history and story behind the artifacts.
Parking is free. Need to allow at least 2-2.5 hours to appreciate this amazing place

A hidden gem not far from the GW Bridge. The atmosphere is unique and transports one to another time and place. As a handicapped person, it is not the easiest place to get around in, but I was able to see most of it and the staff were very accommodating.

Who knew unicorns are in the bible. I didn't!

In addition to the collection there are beautiful gardens and a great view of the Hudson River.

We lived in the UK for 40 years, so have seen many historic buildings and museums full of artwork. The Cloisters is not like any of them. It's a wonderfully effective array of individual items displayed in a neutral environment, allowing its beauty and craftsmanship to be appreciated without distraction. The rescued buildings and architectural samples are brought together in a way that feels natural and yet allows visitors to see each one on its merits. It's wonderful, and it's set in a park that feels unlike any other part of Manhattan.

The Cloisters is part of the Metropolitan Museum so your museum pass grants you entry. Upon walking up the hill you are immediately transformed. The art and architecture are inspiring, the gardens and vistas are a wonderful break from the concrete and steel and the cafe is just what you needed.

We accidentally discovered the museum and it worth it, in NYC there are so many mind blowing things and this also a great addition to it. This wasn't famous like others but worth the visit.

This museum is beautiful. It is like stepping into another time period. The artifacts are amazing. The Unicorn Tapestries are not to be missed. Dating from the 1300s they are vibrant and detailed. The structures themselves tell a story of life in a monastery long ago. The services of the docents and others on staff are superior. They are extremely accommodating to persons in wheelchairs or needing other types of assistance.

The atmosphere is hushed and lends itself to stepping away from the hustle and bustle of modern life for a spell. The grounds are gorgeous even in winter.This is unlike any other museum you will visit.

In the 19th Cy few paid much attention to national treasure being sold to foreigners, so there developed a band of specialized 'pickers' who scoured Europe for finds that American millionaires would buy--that, after all, is how Hearst built San Simeon. That's how the cloisters came to be, too, and I'm grateful for this splendid collection of knights' tombs, stained-glass windows, ancient religious objects, the Fuentiduena Apse, the Buy St. Edmunds Cross, the herb garden and the fabulous Unicorn Tapestries I go fairly often to this haven of peace with my wife; we take a picnic lunch to enjoy with panoramic Hudson River views. Best access: A train to 190th St and walk about a mile (level ground most of the way). Donation of $25 includes The Met and the Met Breuer, a deal that is tough to beat. Best times: weekdays, early.

I never tire of the Met Cloisters. This place gives you the real FEEL of what monastic life and spirituality must have been like in the age of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and the 12th century; you will WANT to stop and pray/meditate -- as so many people actually do! The chapels, the cloisters, the tapestries, the sculptures -- it all comes together in a symphony of Christian spirituality that stuns the eye, cools the heart, and lifts the spirit. You cannot go wrong. Unicorn tapestries are superb, of course, but LOOK at all that's there.

This set is very out of the way, far north of Manhattan but it is worth the detour. A set of old stones brought from Europe (England, Spain, France) from ruined monasteries made it possible to reconstruct 5 cloisters in the same place and in a coordinated manner. It was necessary to make some concessions to the story but this results in a rather coherent whole. Numerous collections of sculptures, tombs, presence of stained glass windows and liturgical treasures. Go for it. The missing stones were cut from quarries in the regions where the ruins come from. This contributes to the homogeneity of the whole.

This little gem is tucked away in upper Manhattan and is worth the trip! You can get there on the A train or on the M4 bus! The view from the top of the hill up the Hudson River is spectacular and the grounds are welcoming. The collection is indescribable The building itself is an architectural treasure! Each of the pieces is of a different building! Its complicated but worth every moment up there.

Someone suggested to me that I visit The Met Cloisters on my latest trip to New York and boy am I glad the did! It took a bit to get there because I was staying in Midtown, but even that and the uphill climb to get to it was well worth the effort. It's a huge medieval monastery high atop a hill at the northernmost end of Central Park. It's full of antiquities and treasures, and has beautiful gardens as well.

I love a good museum with masterpieces and this museum did not disappoint. Each room was filled from floor to ceiling with architecture that was art in itself. The ceiling and doorways are were as amazing at the statues themselves. Stroll the rooms and relax in the cloisters. Don't forget to stroll the Tyrone park trails while you are there. Only down side is that there is only one small bathroom and the lines are ridiculous.

As the crown jewel of The Metropolitan Museum, The Cloisters affords one a trip to medieval Europe without ever leaving Manhattan. Looking from the Bonnefont Cloisters or the West Terrace, one sees the Hudson River with the Palisades in New Jersey across that evokes the Rhine, if one looks slightly north away from the sight of the George Washington Bridge!
I have been visiting The Cloisters since childhood and each visit is as exciting as the first. If you are visiting New York, make every effort to get to The Met Cloisters. The M4 bus or the A train will get you there. The trip is worth every minute!

So tranquil and not crowded, it is really like stepping back hundreds of years. Wonderful objects of art and relics from the past, I really enjoyed my visit!

Vast collection of medieval/Middle Ages and renaissance antiquities saved from Europe items would have possibly been lost by Bernard. Later bought by JD Rockefeller and built a castle museum. Unique and Amazing- you must go!

The Met Cloisters is an art museum fearing medieval art. It is located on the edge of Washington Heights and Inwood in Upper Manhattan. It gives guests the sense of life in in medieval castle and/or monastery. Here, there are few world-class masterpieces that are easily found in Europe. However, the views from its outdoor gardens overlooking the Hudson River and the NJ Palisades are spectacular on a bright spring/summer day. There are 4 to 5 separate cloisters, all shipped over from France and Spain. The museum was created and fund by John D. Rockefeller, once the world's richest man.

Tip: Guests tickets for the Met Cloisters are also good for entrance to the Met Museum on Fifth Avenue which often stays open to 9:00 PM. Same day only.

Incredible museum that you visit with metro tickets. North of Manhattan by subway. It feels like a small town in the countryside. Cloisters recovered in France and Europe. Fortunately this would no longer be possible! But very beautiful, and definitely worth it...

A selection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's medieval art collection is housed in this beautiful re-creation of a French monastery and sits atop of Fort Tryon Park with scenic views of the adjacent Hudson River. It felt like a hidden gem as it wasn't overly crowded when we visited on a Saturday afternoon and strolling around this beautiful building and grounds is almost as enjoyable as the viewing the art found inside. Make sure to include having a drink in the outdoor cafe located in a lovely courtyard. Although overpriced, it provides a relaxed experience in a beautiful setting. Getting to the Met Cloisters requires some effort as it is located at the extreme northwest end of Upper Manhattan, but the subway stops nearby, and it is a pleasant and only mildly strenuous hike through the park. Closed on Wednesdays. $30 entrance fee but this also provides same day entrance to the main Metropolitan Museum of Art location as well.

There is quite a collection of art and antiquities. The park like setting can make you forget that you are still in the City.

Always a wonderful place to visit when in New York, for the location and the Medieval art treasures. The coffee place is cute, but their cakes were stale, at least the ones we had.

The Cloisters provides a wonderful respite from the city. Medieval exhibits from tapestry, to stained glass windows, statuary and more. Breath-taking to thing of the creative and historical challenge to bring these artifacts here to be enjoyed by the public. Actually easy to get to via subway, but it is a long way up from the subway stop. There are 'ramps' with switchbacks so not all stairs as others reviewed. Met also officers shuttle, but we didn't use. Bring water bottle and snacks. Docent in the "Unicorn" room shared terrific info about the tapestries. A wonderful day. Get tickets in advance, COVID protocols followed.

We had never visited Fort Tryon Park and so glad we made the trek to see the Met Cloisters Museum. The museum is located within the park, so it's about a 10 minute (hilly) walk from the end of the A Train. The walk is beautiful, with stunning views of the Hudson River. The picturesque rebuilt monastery houses plenty of treasures to enjoy, and the collection of medieval art is amazing: Religious paintings, tapestries, alters and artifacts.

It's the museum where you want to return. It is interesting, beautiful and relaxing. It's like travelling in time to the past. The best museum ever.

This was my wife's must see on our trip to NYC. She wanted to see the Unicorn Tapestries which I was interested in but did not feel extremely motivated to visit here. I had several other museums that I wanted to visit.

However, this was the most peaceful and interesting place that we visited during our vacation. It is such a hidden gem and held something fascinating in each room. I never once got bored or disinterested which happened at the Natural History museum.

Our friend said he felt something almost sacred in this place, while my wife and I felt such peace.

The outside is also lovely. Definitely a must see!

Although this museum was a long way from our hotel, I can say it was worth the trip. We are not veteran subway riders, but found the correct trains to take thanks to Google maps. I can’t imagine how long (and the expense) it would have taken us to get there if we had taken a cab or Uber! Be warned that the trek up to the museum from street level is not for the faint of heart….it’s a long way up. But despite the rain the walk was beautiful and the views made it pleasant. The museum itself feels like you are visiting Europe, this alone made the trip worth it The exhibits are well done but there aren’t many of them. The museum’s collection of tapestries is extraordinary. Don’t expect to spend the day here by any means, a few hours is all you will need. We had lunch in the courtyard amongst the flowers….such a charming setting. The food was very expensive and not very tasty. Be sure to visit the medieval gardens, we found this fascinating. We found that no one who works here seems to enjoy their job…every employee we interacted with was unfriendly and unwelcoming. Seemed kind of strange for a venue that deals with the public.

I had lived a mile away and though I've been to the Cloisters, I had never gone into the museum. What a fantastic place! Not just the exhibits, but the grounds as well. I went yesterday and the fall foliage was all ablaze. Everyone needs to go there. A wonderful experience!. Don't miss going outside in the museum and seeing views of the Hudson. Then when you leave, take a hike! Oh, if you're Bank of America member, go the first full weekend of the month. Pull our your card and its free! It will save you $25.

The Met Cloisters is the place you should visit. It is not huge or busy musuem like the Met in Manhattan, but it gives inspiration and wonder about Middle Age in Europe. It is located in the Fort Tryon Park, where you should take a walk after visiting the Met Cloisters. I highly recommend this small museum.

Very cool views and varying exhibits. Less crowds than all other MET trips in NYC. Great for some authentic NYC flavor on your way to the top too.

A good day trip, and an absolute must to see in New York City! Suggested seasons for visit are the spring, summer, and fall, where you can observe the blossoming inner garden, with herbs, plants and trees that were grown during the Medieval times for the court usage. Some parts of the castle are not suitable for people with moving difficulties, as they have stairs, cobblestones, and uneven surfaces.

Wonderful experience, absolutely incredible to see art and artefacts, many from the 13th and 14th century. Very attentive assistants, especially as we had mobility issues. Definitely worth repeating. If I was a New Yorker, would be one of my favorite places to visit - not only fascinating but really peaceful. Note - there is a basic café in the gardens, lovely setting but exposed to the elements so unpleasantly chilly this time of the year unless you are warmly wrapped up.

How you view the Cloisters will be in part due to your interest in Medieval art, but anyone can have a nice time here.

The Cloisters are in a surprising part of Manhattan, in a park-like hill where you only barely realize that you are within New York City. The building looks something like a cross between a castle and a fortress. Even walking around the area is a pleasant experience, with lots of dense greenery. It's a bit of a hike, so if you are expecting level ground, this will not be it.

Inside, there is a museum with only a few dozen galleries, but it is excellent. It houses many items of Medieval art that, yes, are often religious, but overall are of the highest quality. Almost without doubt, you have seen the unicorn tapestry whose images appear in many contexts. The art is excellent, and the surroundings and the manner of display show it off at its best. There are also numerous statues, paintings, and stained glass pieces, all of which meet the high standards you would expect from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ideally, you should visit in nice weather so you can also enjoy the pleasant gardens in the various open areas around the structure.

There is a cafe inside next to one of the garden cloisters. Again, on a nice day this would be a wonderful way to spend a day with close friends.

Those who love Medieval art will be delighted here, but others should enjoy their introduction to the best of what this period has to offer in an ideal setting.

As you walk up the front stairs the majestic building warmly welcomes you to sweep through the entry doors and bask in the splendor of a caverness old-world lobby. Soaring ceilings and romantic balconies will captivate your attention and put you in a state of awe. Each exhibit is skillfully constructed to allow the viewer to enjoy the artifacts and the story each one has to tell of days gone by. I was swept away to mid-evil times while gazing at the armor, swords and artillery. I was entranced as I stood in the reconstructed patio of a Spanish palace with its stone facades, windows, columns and arches. The old world clocks were mind-blowing since they were constructed in pre-automation eras and “The Turk”......how did someone think of artificial intelligence before electricity was even mass produced?! The musical instruments exhibit was fascinating too. I wouldn’t describe myself as an art-lover, but The Met captivates my short-attention span, “entertain-me” personality and brought me to a stand-still over and over and over again. Loved every minute! Thank you!!!

Loved our visit to the Cloisters on a hot, busy Sunday that did not seem hassly or overcrowded at all - the whole place exudes beauty and calm. We sat for a long time on a wall at the edge of one of the cloisters and read our books. Blissful peace. Even the long trip from Manhattan was not that bad - we took the bus there (again used the time to read!) and the subway back. A special place and a major escape from the heat and frenzy of the city.

The purpose of the visit was to see a time limited exhibited “The Colmar Treasure.” However, the beauty of the setting of this museum, the magnificence of the museum building Itself, and the wealth and extent of the items within the museum hit home. There is a tremendous collection of medieval art and religious artifacts, thoughtfully displayed in rooms that evoke their original settings, such as chapels and treasuries. Well worth a visit.

Silent contemplation will serve you well at this marvelous historic place. The grounds are beautiful

If you're interested in medieval art this is the place for you.
The religious artifacts and stained glass windows are awesome.

Granted, it takes a while to get to from downtown but it is well worth getting away from the madness of New York City. I was astounded at finding so many parts of French, Italian and Spanish churches and monasteries in this beautiful setting representing a number of cloisters and chapels. The paintings and statues abound as do some of the stained glasses. Well worth the detour.

The building itself is a work of art, and photo ops abound. The openness and airiness of the place lend a more relaxed atmosphere, where you can admire medieval art as well as views of the Hudson River and the Palisades, and the George Washington Bridge. A courtyard garden abounds with plants, both edible (but for viewing) and decorative (definitely for viewing). I think because we came in the middle of summer, the place was packed, but it'd be interesting to see the museum year-round, with nature offering different backgrounds for this museum.

The Met Cloisters is located in a very nice park, Fort Tryon Park, which is actually nicer than the Cloisters. The museum is small and although the garden is pretty, it's also very small. Bonus, the admission to the Cloisters is included with admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's worth the trip if you're looking for something away from the crowds of Manhattan as it's a quieter and more peaceful setting. Best way to get there is take the subway.

I love visiting the Met Cloisters during the holidays to look at the Christmas decorations and walk the balconies around the museum galleries.

I came to see the Spanish Art Exhibition in one of the Cloisters and it was very interesting with art with an Arabic influence. It seemed that the two kingdoms one Muslim and one Catholic, seemed to like to trade and borrow from one another in their influence in their paintings and architecture. It was an fascinating look on the development of religious art for the region.

The views from the terraces were amazing.

Unbelievably rude guard who would not allow visitors arriving early to wait in the lobby inside and out of the rain. It’s a beautiful site overlooking the Hudson River and truly unique in the New York City landscape.

The visit will require a subway trip to Northern Manhattan, but you will be rewarded by great views, beautiful grounds, ancient tapestries, and medieval architecture from long before anything else you'll see in NY was built.
Your admission ticket to the Met on Fifth Avenue also admits you here.

This museum is amazing! If you’re looking for something a little less touristy while I’m NYC, this is a great option. All of the art and architecture is medieval, so be prepared for that. If that’s a style you enjoy, you’ll get your fill here! The art is a mix of religious iconography, tapestries, sculptures, and relics. There are also gardens areas, both inside and outside.

A branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET).

A cloistered outdoor gardens nested in Washington Heights in Fort Tryon Park is a museum and garden devoted to medieval Europe of Romanesque period filled with paintings, period arches, Gothic arch doors, arch windows, tapestries, stained glass, metalwork, sculptures and extensive gardens. Doorway arches of limestone and marble date back to 12th century to 15th century era. The structure of this museum appears to be a medieval castle. Beautiful! The gardens does have plants and some culinary herb plants used for cooking. With my Meetup group we joined the guided tour which is very extensive and informative. Refreshing to the mind, spirit, eyes and camera lens. Photography is permitted without flash.

Overlooking views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge is very scenic and breath taking especially during the autumn foliage. Easily accessible by A train.

A little piece of medieval history, not to mention Europe, in upper Manhattan. Right out of time and place, you enter another world when you come here. A very special museum, it's also by Fort Tryon park, which overlooks the Hudson river and is a must see.

The public tour was amazing. Really gave context to what you're seeing. The park where the Met is set is beautiful too.

The Cloisters is a beautiful museum built to look like a French monastery. The collection of art is almost entirely religious art - tapestries, religious relics and so on. The gardens are lovely with lots of nooks and crannies for peaceful contemplation. Definitely a hike to get there but there is convenient bus service. Not much in the way of food there but many choices in the surrounding neighborhood.

I grew up with the Cloisters as a child in the 1970's of New York so it is with a sad heart that I write this review. The Cloisters is the most underrated and undiscovered and amazingly cool place in New York.... at least it was until as I discovered on my visit back in over 30 years since it was taken over by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Why did one or for that matter a family, couple, group go to Cloisters? Simple, because there is nothing like it. The building and its locations with its courtyard gardens make you think one is actually in a beautiful Medieval Italian villa or other ancient European building. The medieval art, albeit heavily religious focused as that was the style in western art at that time. Remember we are dealing with artwork that for the most part is unattributed and just reflected as being done by some member of a guild. Whatever the case the environment transports you back in time and the tranquility of it all is unlike anything you will experience in New York.... except for one thing which has left me seething.

At it's heart the Cloisters contained two amazing things, one being the totally unique and famous Unicorn Dutch tapestries which today looked as amazing as they always have and second the finest armor collection in the world, which they forget to mention at the Cloisters has all been removed and transfered over a 100 New York blocks (8.7 miles according to Google Maps and an 1hr on the subway!) to the Met itself.

So after paying the same amount of $30 for an adult ticket, you come to find out you only get 1/2 of what made the Cloisters the place to take the kids, because believe me after seeing the Unicorn tapestries and then the huge hall of knights in armour upon the stead's charging it was jaw dropping and today there was none of that. If the Met wants to steal 1/2 of what the Cloisters value for money was then reflect that in the price. But shame on them for charging full price only to find out you still have a whole another journey to go on to see the other 1/2, which turns the whole process into a crusade. So the long and the short of it is 5 tapestries known throughout the world does not justify $30 as the rest of the work is beautiful but sparse..... Whereas at the Met there are over a 150 galleries and there are less than 20 at the Cloisters.... Poor value and more importantly by removing the armour and the context of the hundreds of years including the 3 crusades that were fought in the name of religion of which all the other artwork is, it feels very underwhelming and disconnected. It might explain why unlike the Met, which is busy every day of the week, it was very light in attendance. If the Met is trying to kill the Cloisters slowly so that perhaps such an amazing place could be sold to property developers or such as the last several years has been financially hard on the Met, then the realization of today's visit and what they have taken to the main location miles away could not have been more evident. Completely gutted of value and ripping off visitors. For shame!

The Cloisters, aka The Met Cloisters is a magnificent museum that’s located at Fort Tyron park in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York.

In October of 2023, I brought and treated my wife and myself for a visit to the museum and we very much enjoyed our experience there.

Constructed by industrialists and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the 1930’s and then later given and governed by the Metropolitan Museum Of Art (The Met), the Cloisters primarily features renowned European medieval architecture and art, with a particular emphasis on Christian symbols and themes.

The museum holds about 5,000 works of art and architecture, many of them originating from the Byzantine and Renaissance periods. During our visit, my wife and I viewed and took several pictures of beautiful tapestries, panel paintings, sculptures and effigies. Our favorite works of art were the “Mérode Altarpiec,” “the Enthroned Virgin and Child” and the various statues of Mary & Jesus.
We also enjoyed visiting the Cuxa & Trie Cloisters.

If you are an aficionado of Medieval Art & Architecture, then we highly recommend that you visit and explore the Cloisters!!!

The setting is beautiful and peaceful. The collection is extensive and fascinating, saw examples of items I have never seen before. The friend I had with me was not in good health. Once she got too tired to walk further the staff brought us a wheelchair and they conducted us through all areas at the museum using elevators and back corridors. It was a wonderful experience for us both.

I’m so glad we made time for this! It is far up the island but worth the trip. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and so peaceful! We took an Uber from our hotel in Chelsea. When we left, we walked down the hill on a tiny footpath and continued walking to Harlem to the nearest subway station. If you have time to check this out, definitely make the trip. The artifacts and structures were awesome along with many photo-ops of the architecture and of the many cloisters (courtyards). My absolute favorite was seeing the unicorn tapestries. I remember seeing them in my grandmother’s books when I was a kid. They’re magnificent!!!

Only for those who have a taste for Medieval art. If you have that interest, this is the finest museum of its kind in North America.

The place is on the uphill of Fort Tyrone Park. You can not visit it. You will not be missing too much. Rather drab and uninteresting.

If you like architecture and medevial art, then this is your place. It's on the northwestern tip of the island and for $25, you can gorge yourself in both. We particularly like the gardens and tapestries that are on display. We've visited 3 times and there are many exhibits that never move, but we've been impressed with the new exhibits each time we've visited.

I was in NYC visiting my boyfriend’s extended family for the first time and he took me to the Clositers. It’s BEAUTIFUL! The most gorgeous museum I’ve ever been to and the setting feels so peaceful and serene compared to the regular hustle & bustle of New York City. Truly one of my favorite experiences ever & the highlight of my trip.

So I don’t love the style of art in this place, but I do appreciate medieval times and the history. Some of the cool architecture of the building IS part of the art, such as doorways from 800 years ago, things like that. Some displays are better than others, but the building is the draw, in my opinion.

I have been to the Cloisters many times. The setting is in a beautiful park and the structure makes you feel like you are in a time warp.. The tapestries, works of art and concerts are outstanding. The Cloisters are not to be missed.

Have been to other Met museums, all wonderful, but the Met Cloisters is an entirely different experience. The setting feels a world away from NYC as does the stunning building comprised of medieval structures brought from France. The art is jawdroppingly (sic) magnificent. The courtyards and gardens must be lovely in warm weather but were a bit dull in winter. However, even with “ limited” and prior purchase ticket only, the museum was quite crowded with no social distancing suggested or required. Gift shop was a disappointment and staff were rather rude. Still, would highly recommend.

Such a wonderful place to see. The collections are amazing. Very well organized and displayed. Yhe only drawback was we didn't have enough time. We hope to return some day.

The cloisters are an "artificial cloister" composed of four European cloisters that were brought to NYC. The museum is very nice, and the guided tour that involved Thomas Becket was extremely interesting. Ms. Nancy Wu, Museum Educator, Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters conducted a fabulous tour.

We had no idea how amazing this museum is and the story behind it. The artifacts that you are viewing are nearly all related to the Church. The relocation of a Spanish monastery along the Hudson River the parade carvings, the overall details. We could have spent more than 1 day there. Advice Uber or car to the entry, there is a substantial hike from the subway station

A little known gem featuring mainly medieval art. Well worth the uptown trip on the A train. A welcome change from the chaos of the rest of Manhattan

The Met Cloisters features an extraordinary collection of medieval European art in a unique setting. Not to be missed, although I confess it took dozens of trips to The Big Apple before we discovered it. Plan three hours at a minimum, and be sure to take a guided tour.

A beautiful location for an incredibly rich collection. Well worth the day trip to visit from New York

It's a long trip up there to the north end of Manhattan, but worth it. A purpose built cloister housing exquisite European religious artifacts, sculptures and constructions.

On a brutally hot 100F Sunday, wife and I visited the Cloisters, and although she grew up in the nearby Dyckman Street projects, this was her [and my] first time. It was a most extraordinary pleasure! For one, it was comfortably cool inside. The exhibits, sculptures, artifacts, tapestries, carvings, metalworks, glassworks were all breath taking. I didn't know such eight hundred year old European treasures existed in the USA. And, unlike so many museums, the visitor can get extremely close to the objects, no wide wall or space of separation. And parking is easily available and free. Highly recommend!

Beautiful place! The museum is a dream... full of magnificent pieces. The cloisters is a must go. The cafe is located in a adorable cloister. The garden are incredible.

A beautiful gem in the middle of NYC! Definitely worth a visit! I've been there a few times and enjoy it immensely.

What a perfect day to visit the Cloisters! It was a warm (for the winter) day and clear beautiful skies and the perfect day to walk to the Cloisters from the subway.

The museum was having a "Holiday Tour" of Medieval Christmas decorations and a talk on how people decorated for the Christmas holidays during the Middle Ages. Our tour was packed with people. There must have been forty of us on the tour. The tour guide explained the symbolism of items like ivy, holly, pine, fruits and roses during the holiday season and how they were part of the way the churches were decorated for services back then. There still was that Pagan influence in the way the church was run.

We talked about how the museum was decorated and how the ideas for decorating came about, the museum pieces that were influenced by the holidays and the story of the Magi and how the beginnings of Christmas were established. It was a really interesting talk. The tour guide gave detailed accounts of the protocol of the holidays during that time. Things seemed to loosen up by the Middle Ages.

The staff of the museum did a nice job decorating the museum for the holidays and it looked very festive. I also got to see the "Hunt of the Unicorn" tapestries and go outside onto the terraces and admire the views on this beautiful warm afternoon.

It was a great visit.

Our current cultural fascination with the Middle Ages can only be heightened by a trip to the Cloisters, a breathtaking locale along the Hudson that enables you to step back in time to a moment when a sense of religious community and spiritual vision were the order of the day. The architecture, artwork and ambience of the Cloisters will inspire anyone who appreciates the medieval world and the Christian worldview.

Beautiful location, for this Cloister or set of Cloisters. It is located in uptown, along the west coast of the Hudson. Surrounded by greenery among oaks, larch trees inhabited by squirrels, jays and falchi.Il reason for my visit and 'the Portal of Biduino (1175) which belonged to our church of San Leonardo a Massa.Enter this building and' like being in Italy, Umbria or my beautiful Tuscany. The museum is full of authentic pieces from medieval Europe.It has been created a corner in New York that makes you take a dip in our Europe.I met the Manager of the Met Cloisters, I illustrated and told the story of the church and the Portal carved with Carrara marble..Beautiful and well maintained

Not wheelchair accessible unless you have a car. I don't see how this is even legal. If you arrive by bus, you can't get into the building in a wheelchair. There is a cobblestone driveway to the back entrance and they wouldn't let us push the wheelchair on the cobblestone road because they would be liable if someone got hurt. We had to wait for the bus to take us back downtown without being to go inside. They weren't even apologetic about it.

Beautiful surroundings for a fabulous museum! This is a treasure trove of medieval art. We spent the better part of a day there. Pack a bag lunch, as we found the little restaurant expensive & not very good—& we aren’t hard to please!

nice quiet place to have a stroll on a weekend visit to nyc. avoid too many tourists by coming here with locals.

The weather today was warm, bright and dry so we took the subway to northern Manhattan near the George Washington Bridge and visited The Cloisters, a museum specializing in European medieval architecture, sculpture and decorative arts. It is set in a green and lush area adjacent to the Palisades with views of the Hudson River and NJ. The Cloisters is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Rockefellers transported a monastery from rural France to upper Manhattan and you can enjoy the result. It's a fantasy and it is fabulous. You can walk up the hill from the subway station, or take a bus, or cab, but it is up a hill. Worth the work.

went with my grandson last year, before he left for college. Found it very interesting and enjoyable.

Beautifully preserved cloisters in spectacular location. Very easy to get here as there is a subway stop right at the entrance to the park.

Beautiful museum with medieval architecture and art. Gardens were amazing as well. Well worth the trip up north. We took the 1 Train on the subway to Dyckman St and walked about 20 minutes. Went outside, views of the Hudson River are amazing. My wife is the art lover, but I enjoyed it as well. Amazing that they recreated and medieval castle/church back in the 1930s to house the many pieces of art collected from Europe.

My 7 year old son must have asked this question a few hundred times during our first visit to Met Cloisters. As native New Yorkers, my wife and I were surprised we have never been to this great NYC museum featuring many medieval relics and religious works of art. You really feel as though you’ve left Manhattan as you walk up the front staircase in this castle. Admission fee is what you feel is appropriate and tickets are also good for the other Met museums for the next 3 days! There’s a medieval garden featuring plants that were present during the same time periods as the works of art. There’s a great free guided tour in the afternoon showing the highlights and the gardens. We made the mistake of getting there around lunchtime and with a couple hungry kids in tow, we went to their cafe which served only cold food items at outrageous prices, even for NYC. Our elementary school aged child was really bored, but my middle schooler really enjoyed it.

If you are in the area you need to make your way here. It is absolutely gorgeous! The staff was very friendly too.

This musuem is a bit out of the city and has some interesting medieval artifacts. The most amazing boxwood carving I have ever seen. It’s fine to visit in the winter with a sizable indoor section. I think I would recommend it though for a summer or fall visit where you can enjoy the park and the outdoor gardens.

Just out of reach of the blaring sirens of Midtown, this is such a wonderful respite. Yes, it does feel like being in a medieval monastery, only the devout Jesus followers are replaced by the devout art followers. Its all so religious...

I suspect that for most tourists, the Met Cloisters gets overlooked. But, this is a true hidden gem that should make every visitor to NYC's bucket list. The Cloisters are located in the beautiful Tryon Park with stunning views overlooking the Palisades. It is easily reachable via subway and a very safe walk through Tryon Park. The Cloisters is noteworthy for both the building itself - a stunning collection of medieval architecture relocated from various places in Europe - and the artwork it contains.

The Cloisters is a wonderful place to visit, quiet, beautiful with an excellent collection of treasury items (ivory carvings are outstanding), wall-hangings (including the famous Unicorn series), sculptures, stained-glass windows, and of course the mix of original and restored cloisters. Do not expect much in the way of paintings (these are in the Met on 5th Avenue).
It is not so easy to get to, taking at least 30 minutes by car and much longer by bus. You probably should allow two hours there so three in total for the visit. I spent longer as I was taking pictures (allowed without flash) though it would be possible to see the highlights in around one hour if rushed.
One of the joys of the Cloisters - in contrast to the rest of the Met - is that the whole collection is well focused, starting with Carolingian ivory carvings and Romanesque portals and frescoes, taking the visitor through and just beyond Gothic. So we are talking from just before 900 to around 1500. Thematic museums are in my opinion more enjoyable to visit to the cover everything museums that take numerous visits and are difficult at times to put one's arms around.

Beautiful spot for seeing art that is not just Medieval paintings. The museum is within a park and is a nice place too. Nice little herb garden outside with snack and beverage bar nearby.

Peaceful, beautiful setting and unbelievable art! The building itself is beautiful even without the artifacts. But I need to tell folks the walk from the train station is uphill and there are many steps in the building. There is a bus you can take from the station though. Enjoy.

Put aside 5hours at least for this and go early so you can avoid the lineups. If you’ve been to the Louvre in France this is a bit underwhelming but still worth th experience.

If you can get to the roof top (free) it’s worth the views and experience.

I can’t believe I haven’t visited this amazing museum up until today!
This museum is dedicated to medieval years.
The building is located in the middle of a small forest on top of a hill with magnificent view of the Hudson River.
Very impressive building and gardens.
They hold an incredible exhibition called the Colmar Jewish Treasure ( until January 2020) that is amazing !
Easily reached by a car or buy bus M4 from the city.
Tickets bought for this museum can be used for the Metropolitan museum on 5th Avenue as well ( within 3 days)!

If you have any interest in the medieval period, this is a great place to visit! The building itself is so unique to the NYC area, as it was brought here from France and reassembled overlooking the Hudson River. It is part of The Met and houses many tapestries, sculptures, paintings and of course there is amazing architecture to appreciate. The gardens are serene and help you give pause, forgetting that you are surrounded by the hustle of the city, thinking for a moment what monastic life may have been like in such a place. I could have stayed all day just looking at the spectacular tapestries!

A beautiful place to visit, with a fantastic collection, lovely grounds, and excellent views of the Hudson River and the GW bridge. The cafe on-site is a great place to unwind. The Unicorn Tapestries are truly gorgeous, and live up to the "hype". Plan to arrive early. Parking is free but limited. You would want to live sometime for walking around outside the grounds in the beautiful park overlooking the river.

Breath raking views, some of the best you'll see in NYC. Beautiful park with plenty of greenery, and a small museum with interesting displays.
Definitely worth the visit.

Worth the time and cost to go to this place. It has a nice collection of artifacts from medieval times.

If you have never been you should definitely go. It has really beautiful examples of gothic architecture and artifacts. We spent about 2 hours to visit and view.

The building is cool to see and the collection is interesting. It is worth a visit. However, it can be a little hard to get to, so consult your options. It is also part of the Met system, so when you buy a ticket, you also get access to the Met and the Breuer within a three day period, so plan accordingly.

I was planning to visit the Met but only realized the Cloisters was part of the Met too and a friend had recommended that I visit it. I wanted a tiny "urban escape" from the busy streets of New York and wanted to check out medieval European art so decided to come here.

When I got off the subway (at "Dyckman street", getting off the A train coming from downtown) there weren't any signs directing people to the museum but you could see it from afar so I just walked towards it and asked passers-by how to get up there. I guess given the fact that this was a monastery in a more remote part of town, not having many signs to directing you there was normal although I would've liked it if they had more signs for tourists, at least in the subway or near it.

The hike up to the museum took about 20 minutes. You could see the Hudson River and New Jersey across the river, as you went higher and higher. There were a number of people jogging in the area.

I had already bought tickets online and the Met website said online tickets would give you express admission, but this was not really the case (and I find that whatever museum you go to, buying online tickets doesn't really make any difference because you'll still need to get real tickets at the sales counter when you get there anyway. So maybe the only benefit of buying online tickets is to get rewards points on your credit card.)

There was a security guard by the ticketing counter and he would tell people where to stand to wait in line. He was doing his job very well and was very responsible but I found that he could have been a little more friendly. We are all tourists coming to check out art after all, not misbehaving children (although some visitors do come with children of course). They have a coat check policy that requires you to check your backpack if you have one. However, if you have a laptop with you, you need not check it. The coatcheck people will give you an exemption pass that you can show the security guard if necessary. The guard hadn't told me about this policy so I only found out at the coat check downstairs. He did apologize though when I told him after coming back upstairs that I had a laptop and didn't have to check my bag.

The exhibitions were spectacular. The artwork was from different countries and had detailed explanations. Since art in Medieval Europe was heavily Christian themed, many of the artworks were about the Passion of the Christ, Virgin Mary and etc, understandably. Many of us museum-goers tend are probably very accustomed to these themes, but as a Christian myself, I found that the sculptures depicted Christ's suffering in a very realistic way and I did not feel like I was just looking at artworks; I was looking at sculptures and paintings of a Savour who redeemed me personally by dying for me (and the rest of the world, for those who believe this). This visit therefore, felt very personal in a way I had never felt before. Perhaps it was really because of how specular the sculpting was done. The facial expression of figurines and figures in the sculptures were very detailed; I was in awe at the excellent craftsmanship of these artists.

It took about two hours for me to get through all the exhibitions on both floors. Then I checked out the cafe that was located right by the garden in the middle. I got bitten by mosquitoes though perhaps because there were so many plants there.

This was one of my most "peaceful" experiences in New York and I would highly recommend this museum.

It does take some work to get there. If you take the subway, there's a good walk up the hill - or you take a bus and figure out the bus system. But it is worth a trip.
Lots of interesting things to see. I liked all the things downstairs more than upstairs. Though the famous unicorn tapestries are upstairs.
Note that they close earlier in winter, not 5:15 as noted here. We arrived late in the day and didn't have time to see everything because of that. However, the guides seemed to think you could see everything in an hour and a half.
Also, your ticket is good for 3 days to the different Met museums. So if you want to go to any of those, you can save some money by planning them around each other.

We bought tickets for the Met on-line before we left and this included a 3-day pass to the Met Cloisters and Met Breuer. After a couple of days in New York we were feeling confidant on the subway and the information about the Met Cloisters at the Met whetted our appetites. We were staying near Bryant Park subway on 42nd street and it was only one change at 145th street to reach the station on 190th street and from here it was just a 10-minute walk. The NYCsubway app is great for planning your subway route. The Met Cloisters are in Tryon Park which is a beautiful relaxing park filled with lovely flowers and we saw swallowtail butterflies. You can follow the path parallel with the Hudson River with lovely views of Washington Bridge. The Met Cloisters houses the medieval collection and I was not expecting many items, but I was wrong and there is a massive collection of exhibits which took most of the day to see and my highlight were the unicorn tapestries which are a collection of 9 15th century tapestries showing the discovery and capture of a unicorn and are one of the few complete sets of 15th century tapestries in existence. The building is built in the style of a medieval monastery with several cloisters where you can relax and they are planted with traditional flowers that are an attraction for wildlife. The park was donated so you feel like you are transported back to the Middle Ages with no sign of busy NYC and it definitely achieved this.

Had a Wonderful visit to a lovely place. The Cloisters is a beautiful building in a perfect setting. Several peaceful courtyards and plenty of amazing medieval art. The collection of tapestries was particularly impressive. Most definitely worth the subway ride from mid-town Manhattan

*WARNING FOR TRAVELERS. Have wanted to see this place for 20 years and finally made time on a visit to NYC. Took the a train for 30 mins from Chelsea, hiked the hill, and turned away at the door. The security folks - noting this 'happens 50x a day' said they will not check carry ons at bag check 'even though everybody who comes here is a tourist or a school kid'. It's one thing to be elitist and exclusionary at $25/head. Another entirely to be uninviting and tactically moronic. I'm sure the collections are stunning. I wouldn't know....

Amazing Medieval Collection. The building itself gives you the feeling that you have transported back centuries. It is located in a beautiful park overlooking the Hudson River. Great views of foliage this time of the year. Do not expect to find any kind of refreshments though. Even their simple cafe was closed despite many visitors.

It is very to easy to reach via the A line and the M4 bus. There are walkways and benches in the park and on a nice day, this museum is a true treat if you are interested in the medieval period.

At the northern end of Manhattan, there is the beautiful Tryon park. Walk through this, gazing across the river to the cliffs of New Jersey and you reach The Cloisters. The collection gathers archetypical pieces from ruined monasteries and churches. Each can be seen up close, much better than in original settings. As an extra perk, this museum has no crowds, which is particularly enjoyable compared to the rest of the Met. I have visited dozens of European monasteries and yet I found this fascinating.

I enjoy medieval art and artifacts but I found it quite a hike to get to the cloisters on public transport. The line to get into the museum was long, on a Sunday, and, frankly, we found the tariff high.

Got tickets online - good decision, lots of people there! Ask where to go so you don’t get stuck in the wrong line.
***Also find out what areas may be closed for remodeling. It was frustrating to go all over the place because there were several places you couldn’t go through, and we had to back track.
Beautiful museum. Don’t miss the big Egyptian Temple Atrium. My fav.
If you LOVE art and want to spend the day, I think a tour would be helpful.

The rebuild cloisters, part of medieval monasteries are jaw dropping and almost make you forget to look at the art collection; the location overlooking the Hudson River is breathtaking. What a beautiful and peaceful place, a must see for anyone interested in medieval art and history.

We had a full day in the museum and still need to go back as we did not see even half of what we would liked to have seen. Great reason to come back. The only problem we had was figuring out where we were using the map that they supply to visitors. We also ate lunch in one of the cafes. Cannot speak to the food as we just had soda and a giant cookie! The sandwiches were freshly made and looked delicious.

It was a nice walk in the park from the subway station to get here. There is free parking available though if the weather is poor. But it might fill up if its a busy time. The museum is well maintained. It is a bit small though, especially for the price. Your ticket does include access to the Met but I wish there was a separate price for those who don't plan to go down to the Met. Artwork is largely religious based.

We wanted to do an art museum with our son, but wanted a subject he’d enjoy. The Cloisters’ medieval art collection was perfect for his interests. We saw so many unique works and I got to help give him some additional context to what he’s learned in school (I’m a history teacher). The architecture of the building really helps underscore the collection and we had a lovely visit.

The cloisters in the Washington heights neighborhood are absolutely enchanting! There are beautiful medieval artworks that are in settings of various French monasteries. I loved the Unicorn tapestries. There are little gardens and the surroundings are tranquil. Take the time to really enjoy it.

If you have the Metropolitan museum ticket you can see it for free if you go on the same day. That did not work for me because even though I have visited the Met a few times in the past I like to take my time.

The Met Cloisters has the best collection of medieval art in the USA. Also, the view of the Hudson River whilst climbing the hilltop where the Cloisters is located is stunning.

Although we circled around twice for parking and entered the ticket line when it stretched around the building, it was well worth the wait to experience both the architecture and the exhibits. The terrace also offered a lovely view of the river below.

This is a wonderful Museum. Get there early, enjoy the entire experience at your own pace. Three day passes are perfect for breaking up you NYC visit.

Absolutely beautiful! It was soooo worth the trip out to the Bronx to see this museum. This is where the Met has their medieval displays and I loved the art and artifacts! If you like history, you will enjoy the Met Cloisters for sure!

I loved the Cloisters. It is a hike out to the Cloisters from the city but you can ride the subway and bus line. It is well worth it. The building is a monastery which is wonderfully restored and makes a beautiful surrounding for the medieval art and the unicorn tapestries. The Cloisters are also located in the Fort Tryon Park area which is a rustic, natural park worth exploring.

do not miss this! What an a fabulous place. It's a schlep on the subway but not hard to get there, as long as you have time and then a walk through gorgeous Fort Tryon Park overlooking the Hudson River. We took an Uber back which took less than 30 minutes. The gardens are beautiful and each room more impressive than the next. And we did the free one hour highlights tour which was great. If you are up for a long day, admission here and The Met are one ticket in the same day

The Cloisters is a classic example of turn-of-the-century American hubris--buying up medieval ruins and shipping them to the U.S. to be reassembled. But this is a wonderful place to go on a pretty day. Take the subway all the way up to 190th St., walk through beautiful Ft. Tryon Park, and escape to another place and time.

I been wanting to come here since I was a kid and saw a Sesame Street movie called “Don’t Eat the Pictures” I think. This was more than I could have ever hoped for. I felt like I traveled the world!

The Met's Cloisters transports the visitor to medieval Europe. The building is a composite reconstruction of portions of several medieval French monasteries brought to NYC, so the visitor gets a feel of the architecture, the courtyard gardens, and the stained glass windows, in addition to the exquisitely crafted artworks themselves. The theme is medieval religious art, so it includes chapels, altarpieces, and liturgical/sacramental pieces, all beautifully created (and in amazing condition, 500 years later). The current special exhibit of a medieval treasure cache of a town's Jewish residents (who met a sad fate after the plague struck) is impressive, as is their tragic tale. The museum is in Ft. Tryon Park, with great views overlooking the Hudson.

Two things to note: the cost (for non-NY residents) is $25. And lunch items at the little, prepackaged, a la carte "cafe" are pricey! There is a water fountain near the restrooms. We spent about 4 hours and could easily have spent more time there. Nice gift shop. If you can't visit the Cluny museum in Paris, this is the next best thing.

We purchased the all in one package and it was very well worth it. We really enjoyed our time in the museums.

This is wonderful. A day-trip to medieval Europe. Take the Broadway bus there, great sight-seeing, and leaves you at the entrance to the building. A relaxing break during your hectic trip.

What a treasure this is! The tranquil setting is beautiful and perfect for this museum of religious artifacts from medieval times. To think that the collection came from Europe piece by piece is mind boggling. There is a little of everything, from tapestries, to paintings, to jewelry, to furniture, and more. There are a lot of steps, but the staff will offer the use of an elevator and/or wheelchair to those with mobility issues. It is well worth a visit.

The Cloisters is off the beaten path. Actually, it's a little hard to get too. But, that is also one of its strong points. It focuses on medieval art and is hard to get too. So, it is not crowded. It presents a small, rich, collection of medieval art and architecture in a beautiful and quiet setting. Depending on your mood and the people with you, you can spend an hour or a day there and still come out with a sense that you have travelled far away and to another time. Note that your Met ticket gets you admission to the Cloisters and vice versa.

Amazing Midevil art and religious artifacts - a bit like going to an old Gothic cathedral. Tranquil gardens and wonderful views. It is a bit pricey though at $25 a head.

I really enjoyed the Met Cloisters. I've been to the Met many times but had never made it up North to see the Cloisters. It houses the Medieval art, including the famous Unicorn Tapestry series along with other historic sculptures, tapestries, and architectural elements from churches across Europe.

While the art was cool, the building itself was really stunning as it was an old monastery or convent and felt like a small castle on top of a hill. The cloister gardens were gorgeous and there are three outside areas with one smaller inside courtyard.

One larger courtyard that took my breath away with tulips, trees in each corner, other flowers, and a fountain in the middle. I had to sit for fifteen minutes and take it all in. There was also a kitchen garden with medieval herbs and veggies with a view of the Hudson River. There was a smaller cloister garden that was also beautiful. This place felt very sacred and I found myself in an awed silence. The cafe was closed due to COVID.

There is a small shop similar the one at the Met with special Unicorn tapestry merchandise.

Fort Tryon Park and Heather's Garden is nearby, maybe a five minute walk that is also worth checking out. I've seen other negative reviews but I thought the 20 minute walk I took through the old Fort to Heather's garden was splendid in May. This park also offers views of the Hudson River. Many people had brought food and were having picnics.

One of the most beautiful places in NY. Easy to get to on the B train, good lunch in the cafe, and the Unicorn Tapestries worth the trip.

This is a private collection of Rockefeller's religious art housed in a medieval castle with outdoor courtyards. The items consisting of paintings murals, sculptures and small items used in the mass were collected from various parts of Europe and brought to the United States. Recommended for art history majors.

We recently visited the Met Cloisters on our vacation. First the positives. It is a lovely building built to resemble an old monastery. The views of the Hudson River are magnificent. The many displays are arranged in a setting that takes you back in time. The staff is very helpful and accommodating. The big negative is while advertised as handicapped accessible there are significant problems for people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The parking lot is quite a distance from the entrance. The cobblestone drive and sidewalks while adding character to the building are enough to loosen every bone in your body. The main entrance is not handicapped accessible due to many narrow steps up to the second level display area. While they provide van service to a rear entrance which is accessible the elevator used is small and cramped. The staff did do it’s best to try and help us. The pluses far outweighs the accessibility problems but I feel they need to state these in advertising the facilities to let people with disabilities decide prior to arriving whether they want to go through the extra problems.

We enjoy the Cloisters so much. First it is at the top of Manhattan with beautiful views of the river and the city. The Museum has such a wonderful collection of art and Architecture. The way they have incorporated the antique architecture into the modern building is simply stunning and amazing. The garden area is not to be missed. You could spend the day wandering around and see something new around every corner. I highly recommend a visit. It is easy to get to via the subway and then you can catch the bus up the hill to the museum. A lovely way to spend the day.

A Lovely Visit Back In Time To The Medieval Ages!
If you are a lover of medieval art then a visit to “The Cloisters” is a must trip for you to take! The Cloisters is located in Washington Heights, Manhattan in Fort Tyron Park. The A train stops directly there and there is outdoor parking for cars, as well. The Cloisters is a branch of the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art and was completed by using authentic French Medieval monasteries. Moreover, it is the only museum in the entire United States that is solely dedicated to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. This museum has breathtaking views of Manhattan’s Hudson River and actually incorporates five medieval cloisters into a modern museum structure, creating a historic contextualized backdrop to view the entire art collection! It certainly is one of the most undeniably beautiful museum to visit even on a rainy day. I highly recommend going and be prepared to spend several hours there where you will feel completely complacent, comfortable and perhaps spiritual. This is one of of my favorite museums to visit at anytime during the year but since a lot of the museum is outside then it is an absolute pleasure to be there during the months when the weather in New York City is pleasant and warm. Jeff M 🖊

Most tourists when think of going to New York never think to go visit medical cloisters. And one of the Rockefeller’s made sure that NYC has a world class attraction from that period as well . Beautiful location and amazing collection of artifacts. Just keep in mind that maps shows that there is a cafe but when we came we were told that there is no cafe in this museum.

This building seems cobbled together from various buildings brought over from Europe, then individual things like doors and columns come from all sorts of places, turning the building into an art collection itself without even considering the many great medieval works in the rooms (think wood, stone and gold). It’s also in a nice park at the north end of Manhattan with views across the Hudson - a good getaway that’s easily accessible from the subway.

This is a must see! Beautiful grounds lots of walking and sitting places. The views are unbeatable . Tapestries, sculptors amazing art.
Bonus, your pass is good at the met also

It was a bit confusing to get to the museum since there are different trails and not all of them are clearly marked. Some of the paths are very steep and it can be quite a hike. The museum and the castle are beautiful. Lots of artwork, chapels, and sculptures to admire. There are courtyards in the middle of the castle that make for nice pictures too.

The cloisters is a collection of parts that create a wonderful whole. It is set in upper Manhattan within Fort Tryon Park that a beautiful garden with lovely walks and views.

After umpteen trips on the Henry Hudson around, over, and through NYC, we finally made a trip up the hill to this outstanding museum. Shame on us for passing by so many times before. While the collection is really good but not world class (like the original Getty Museum in LA, for example), it is absolutely worth a visit just due to the building and the setting on the Hudson (a nice day does help!). It was very nice that they have a reciprocal agreement with the MFA in Boston so it was even free.

I'm not familiar with much Medieval art. Tour guide was excellent. I learned so much, and can begin to appreciate it a bit. The museum itself is part of the experience.
First on my list of NYC art museums? No.
But important niche in the history of Western Art.
Just go. Take the tour.

If you are not a big fan of paintings, this is the perfect museum to see. I was absolutely in love with the sculptures and the egyptology part of the museum.

You shouldn’t leave NYC without seeing it.

There are so many things to enjoy about the Cloisters. It is quite compact compared to other museums so you will be able to take it all in. The collections are stunning, especially the tapestries, but every area has interesting and historical architectural details, furniture, fixtures, artwork. The building itself is very atmospheric and features grand spaces, with collections from ecclesiastical ancient buildings. It is almost like travelling to medieval Europe - including the actual Cloisters courtyard gardens, another wonderful feature. Don't miss the view from the terrace over the Hudson! The Cloisters surpassed all of my expectations.

I was unsure at first as I’m not religious by any means. However, the historical value that this museum provides is beautiful and eye opening

My hubby & friends had been here before but it was my first time and I was very impressed with the building and all the art collection plus the gardens were an extra treat. This should be included in anyone's visit when coming to NYC.

I found the Met Cloisters when researching uncommon things to do in New York. This place is such a gem. It is like a part of Europe has been apart of Manhattan all along. It is located in a beautiful part overlooking the river, up a hill. Literally you see this monastery peaking up through the trees. Totally worth the visit.

This museum is worth the trek and something to marvel! I traveled to the Cloisters with the subway and you emerge into a peaceful, nature dense area. This is a fantastic escape from the city, and this museum is truly impressive.

We go to the Cloisters Museum all of the time since we live only ten blocks from Fort Tryon Park where the Cloisters is located. People generally go to the museum for the Unicorn Tapestries. They are well worth seeing but there are also many little gems that you might come across as you walk through the galleries, for instance, a statue of Saint Roch , Saint of Plague victims. According to the story in his required isolation, a dog would bring him food. Here it is a statue of a dog with a roll in its mouth leaping up on the Saint.
One thing that we have felt lacking is a really good restaurant close to the museum. Museum. Now one has just opened.
Restaurant near Museum: The Bonnefont restaurant is at the entrance to the park, off Margaret Corbin Circle, about a half mile from museum. It is pricy but worth it. Here is a review that I just wrote for Resy:
The food was wonderful, the service friendly, and the dining room quite pretty but chilly. We loved the appetizers: A very hearty rich sipping chicken broth and an aromatic bacon rapped around a roast pear. But the stars of the meal were the Monkfish (A fish that I usually don't like) and a delicious surprising "Poulet de Sanoma"--a braised chicken breast with capers and olives peaches and blue berries--and it works! We would recommend that it be served with sopping bread. This was our favorite dish. The only real downside is that the room is chilly. You should wear a sweater when you go.

Awesome spot. Accessible by train but requires some uphill walking. Your ticket also gets you into the MET for free, the same day. WELL worth the $30. This place is small but packed with stuff. Check out the treasury (lowest level) and the unicorn tapestrys BUT don't miss the amazing views of the river (and NJ) on the west terrace.

My husband and I had a beautiful guided tour of the Cloisters . It has a rich collection of Romanesque and Gothic architecture that has been reassembled in the gorgeous Fort Tyron Park. It houses a nice collection of art and relics from the Middle Ages. It’s an easy walk from the A train and you feel like you’ve left Manhattan in this green setting along the Hudson River. The cafe is closed in the winter so don’t go hungry.

This unique branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dedicated to medieval European art and architecture, offered us a serene escape from bustling New York City.
The museum's design, incorporating elements from actual European monasteries, created an immersive experience. We marveled at the intricate tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, and religious artifacts. The highlight was the peaceful gardens, reminiscent of medieval monastic life.
The Cloisters' hilltop location in Fort Tryon Park provided stunning views of the Hudson River, adding to the romantic atmosphere.

A little out of the way from downtown but worth the trip. The museum found, bought or was given some pieces of medieval art, cloisters, tapestries, tombs that were transported from Europe and reconstructed in New York. Not having a medieval culture they "transported" from Europe and rebuilt.

This is an interesting spot, located in Fort Tryon Park. Pretty location. Easy parking. Medieval art and architecture from the 1100’s forward. Very pretty architecture that you probably won’t see anywhere else outside of Europe. I’m glad I went to see this, but it’s Eurocentric and unexciting if you’re not into this type of thing. If you’re into religious artifacts, the pre-Henry VII set—this is your place. Don’t get me wrong—it’s impressive, but I would rather explore the Brooklyn Museum, MoMA PS1, or the New York Historical Society.

Would make a nice spot for browsing the museum, taking a walk, and maybe having a picnic.

What an interesting, quiet place among trees, shrubs and flowers. The walk from the subway up the stairs was invigorating and well worth it. The exhibitions of European medieval art is outstanding, and the gardens with their many plants and herbs an inspiration.

Visited these museum grounds over Memorial Day weekend. Absolutely beautiful location on a hillside overlooking the Hudson River, this museum resembles an old fortress/castle. Cost us 25.00 recommended but pay what you can/wish. Some beautiful tapestries and statues/carvings fill the castle like interior. Awesome raised ceilings add to the "feel". Courtyard gardens are an excellent touch and seem well maintained. Well worth an early Saturday trip for this treasure. We are planning to head back to explore the trail system all around the museum. A treasure in NYC's backyard.

Our Book Club had just finished The Cloisters ! Excellent Read. Karen K was so awesome. She spent an enormous amount of time pointing out all the architectural elements as well as points of interest from the book. I highly recommend a private tour with Karen K if you can swing it ! The views are worth the trip alone !

This museum is well worth the long subway ride, try to get the express train which skips about 10 stops. We walked up the hill to the museum, but chose to take the bus down to the subway stop. We had pre-purchased tickets and audio tour, you can select the short version, or detailed version of the tour. Beautiful gardens and phenomenal exhibits. If medieval architecture and art is your interest, this museum explores several genres with expert commentary. Spend extra time in the unicorn room and garden.

Took the subway you will love park when you get off Very interesting go early it is very large lots to see

We have enjoyed our visits to the Cloisters in the past, and this visit was no exception. Our specific purpose this time was to see the Colmar Treasure, on loan from the Musee de Cluny in Paris, but it would have been foolish to limit ourselves to that. Once again we admired the Unicorn tapestries and the bust by Tilman Riemenschneider, probably our favourite woodcarver of the later Middle Ages. These are highlights among among the other treasures. Highly recommended!

Over fifty years traveling to NYC and I finally make it to The Cloisters. Magical. Staff very welcoming and knowledgeable. Will return soon.

The Cloisters museum is located on 4 acres (1.6 hectares) in Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River in Washington Heights.

The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that was constructed out of sections of French medieval monasteries and specializes in European medieval architecture, sculpture and decorative arts, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

It offers an extensive collection of statues, paintings, stained glass windows and tapestries. The Cloisters are a wonderful thing to see and do in NYC. It's so peaceful and serene, a great way to spend a morning or afternoon

It takes about 1hr on the 104 bus from Midtown and it will drop you off by the front door or you can take the train and hike up there. Regardless of how you choose to get there, is definitely worth the visit. The most impressive piece of art that it has is the famous Unicorn Tapestries.

You can also pay $7 for a audio tour device and hear more details about each section

Saw fantastic items at this museum. Bring good walking shoes! We spent 4 hrs one day and went back second day and still didn't see every thing.

Even though I live uptown, I rarely find my way up to The Cloisters. I took my parents there over the weekend, and even as New Yorkers they kept saying over and over again how lovely it was. The details of the tapestries, the lovely garden with medicinal plants and of course the cloisters, all lovely. We did get lucky and join one of the tours. It was super informative and interesting.

A visit to this unique and lovely museum is an experience not to be missed for any art enthusiast. With its diverse collection of medieval art, European chapels, cloister gardens, and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The museum boasts a wide range of exhibits, including effigies, tapestries, medieval rooms imported from Europe, carved religious statues, and even a hand-written prayer book belonging to a queen of France.

The museum's indoor and outdoor spaces are equally captivating, with walkways around the park offering breathtaking views of the Hudson River. The on-site restaurant and cafe provide convenient options for refreshments during your visit.

For those looking to delve deeper into the museum's history and art, the Bloomberg Connects App is a great resource. With this app, you can learn about the artwork and the museum's fascinating past, making your visit even more enriching.

One of the best aspects of this museum is its accessibility to all ages. During your visit, you can wander at your own pace or join a guided tour to learn more about medieval art and culture. We spend the day with my 20-plus children, son's girlfriend, and elderly parents. Everyone enjoyed!

In summary, this indoor and outdoor museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in medieval art, European history, and culture. With its unique exhibits, beautiful gardens, and engaging app, it offers a memorable and enriching experience for visitors of all ages.

Reviews capture the special and unique experience visiting The Cloisters. It is truly a respite from the busy museums and a place of contemplation. If anything, see the famous Unicorn tapestries and the brilliance of the ones that are being restored. Stunning views of the GW Bridge and the Hudson River. The steps from the subway to the museum is a long way. The best plan is to take the subway and then pick up the M 4 bus the rest of the way to Fort Tryon Park. If anyone had any suggestions for places to grab a light bite to eat, we are all ears. You can easily head to the Upper East Side and find many wonderful cafes.

Religious art and architecture collection overlooking the Hudson river.If you are interested in late medieval art tapestry or religious objects then stop by.

I purchased the tickets ahead of time on line with “no wait in line” stipulation 3 day pass. So quick and easy as there were many people waiting to purchase tickets.
It’s always difficult where to start and how much time to spend in each section, so we just look and enjoy until we get tired. Usually about four hours is enough.
Finding a restaurant in the building was a bit difficult for we first timers. Found the cafeteria on floor level with sandwiches and chips. That was a bit pricey-$50 for our lunch of sandwiches, chips and drinks!
Liked that we also had two more tickets to see the other two museums. did not have time for the cloisters but very much enjoyed the Breuer. Each floor had a different exhibit—much easier to navigate. Enjoyed the coffee shop in the morning.

Been to the Cloisters twice. Located in a nicely wooded area/park in northern Manhattan. Parking is free because it’s in a park up an elevated area and not really accessible to any main avenues in Manhattan. The museum is constructed from old monasteries and cloisters that were brought over from France and Italy and contains many beautiful artifacts from medieval Europe 1100-1600s. They consist of tapestries, paintings, statues, liturgical figures and items. You really feel transported to a medieval monastery (minus nuns or friars). There are two covered walkway gardens, a small restaurant cafe, and nice walking areas in and around the museum. Plan to spend 2-3 hours.

What a beautiful place. We had timed entry tickets. People were good about wearing their masks and keeping distance. So many beautiful things to see, both inside and in the gardens. The variety of things to see (tapestries, sculptures, stone work, etc) were displayed well, with lots of room to move about. Well worth the time and money.

If you wish to be greeted by an unwelcoming, stoic staff--everyone from the reception desk, security, and those who man the counter in the cafe--then visit the Met Cloisters. If you wish for your requests for directions to be met by a staff who responds as if you are a nuisance; as if you are interfering with their thoughts about being anywhere other than at their job, then visit the Met Cloisters.

If you want to feel as if your $25 fee, or suggested fee for NYC residents, is appreciated, then please skip the Met Cloisters and visit the many world-class cultural institutions that line the streets of NYC, awaiting your patronage with the courtesy and smile that the Met Cloisters so painfully lacks.

As a native New Yorker and educator in NYC schools for more than 25 years, I have visited multiple cultural institutions across this great city, and I have never experienced a staff that is as curt, unwelcoming, and dismissive to their patrons as those at the Met Cloisters...it is most unfortunate.

This building includes component and columns from some wonderful ruins, arranged in a way to make the wandering and viewing really pleasant. If you are not a fan of medieval art, you may still enjoy the building. It is just rather out of the way for what is located here.

Review: the coolest medieval collection I've ever seen. Rockefeller had this building built around doorways, stained glass windows, arches, wooden doors, apses, fireplaces, and more which he had collected. So everything looks quite natural - in situ - even though it's in a special-built museum. Rooms are specially designed to hold tapestries and intricate wooden carvings... I am not normally into medieval art but I found this place to be fascinating for a 2-hour visit, which I think is a reasonably good length of time.

Tip: get off the metro at 190th, not at Dyckman St. While Dyckman St is closer, the trek up the hill is much more demanding from that side.

Another tip: your ticket purchased here is good for the Met in Central Park too, on the same day. The Cloisters are worth your $25, but a visitor looking for value would do both of these on one day, maybe with a stop in Harlem for lunch.

Beautiful 1200-1600’s relics. But the tour is not very ADA friendly. Too many stairs. No elevators (only for staff). WC patrons and arthritic knees be warned.

Take the A train to one of Manhattan's best kept secrets. Beautiful tranquil park with an awe inspiring view of the Hudson river. The museum is a gem. Worth the trip.

Special chapels gardens antiquities gothic ambiance and religious European artworks! The perfect visit in Christmas Eve. Very unique museum. Don’t miss it!

I was thoroughly impressed. I thought I was back in a medieval French chateau. We took a guided tour with Monica, who was so so so informative. The Cloisters is a gem. It takes awhile to get there by public transit but it well worth it.

In case you've ever wondered what happened to the statues and stonework from French, Spanish, and other churches or monasteries that burned down, fell down, or were torn down -- well, they're here. The Cloister's cloisters are built from columns saved from actual pre-Reformation structures, the statues once adorned actual 13th-15th century churches, and the stained glass is genuine 13th-15th century stained glass. There's even a doorway from the 12th century and, in another area, an entire apse that was moved to the museum after being deconstructed stone by stone. These are beautiful objects and it's wonderful that they've been preserved somewhere -- although I might prefer to see them back in situ (assuming that the situ still exists). There's also a treasury of reliquaries, jewelry, and other smaller items. All the exhibits are gorgeous, artfully executed, and well worth a look.

It was my negligence, the audio guide is only for one day so on the second and the third day I just pay for the audio.
The price for 3 day entry is absolutely a bargain I highly recommend it.

If in the mood for time transportation, check out the glorious Cloisters Museum in northern Manhattan. Yes, a bit of a schlep to get there (take the A or 1 subway) but worth it. Once there, a quietly serene transportation back to the Middle Ages - like walking through an exquisite monastery - the whole 9 yards, what with winding staircases, tiny chapels, gardens, crypts, and galleries loaded with amazing Christian art. And several gorgeous gardens, with breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Palisades (cliffs) of New Jersey on the opposite side of the river. Never mobbed with tourists (unlike its Mother Museum The Met), the Cloisters can be enjoyed on dual levels. Medieval art in a unique museum that doesn't seem like a museum, or just a quiet place for reflection and/or contemplation, in a placid environment. In manic, maddening, Manhattan.

Parking difficult. High up on a steep incline - anyone with mobility issues should be dropped in front. That said - worth every cent and inconvenience. Don't go hungry - overpriced, mediocre café that has long lines and you have to pull out your best NYC moves to snag a table. I would not bring kids. They will be bored , you will be chasing them, alarms will go off. The gardens - if you are into gardens - are very interesting and cool so if that's your thing go in spring and summer. This is an equally indoor/outdoor museum so if its raining be prepared to get wet.

Came on a Friday morning from connecticut by train and subway and it was pretty straightforward. Hiked up fort tryon side paths which was enjoyable. The museum itself is excellent. The cloisters themselves, the botany, the treasury, views of the Hudson and of course the stunning collection. Lots of those pieces if left in France and Germany in particular might not have made it beyond WWII. Even had lunch with a view of a medieval cloister. After I left, I grabbed a citibike nearby and rode south on the Hudson river greenway under the GW (check out the little red lighthouse) and down to about 155th to check out the hispanic society museum. Fun day.

We were unable to visit the Cloisters the last time we visited NYC so I made sure we included it in our itinerary. It is easy to get to via Subway but beware of a steep walk up to the Cloisters. The collection is amazing not to mention the gardens and the views. It was so peaceful! Get there when they first open to avoid the crowds.

Having visited the MET art gallery downtown many times, we thought we would visit their satellite museum too. It came as no surprise that the organization that runs the main gallery would do such a fantastic job with this one! The medieval art is fabulous but we especially enjoyed strolling around the gardens where plants from those days were growing (along with descriptions for their uses.) Be sure not to miss the Treasury as some truly one-of-a-kind priceless artifacts are on display.

Absolutely lovely, and great placards explaining the treasures within. The plants and trees weren't yet in bloom, but I can only imagine how spectacular it must be when they are. Even if you get easily bored in museums, you'll find this one intriguing.

Did not expect the medieval exhibits to be as detailed and lovely as they are. Admission is expensive; friend had a discount, otherwise I probably would have passed this wonderful place up as budget-breaker. Fir us poor folk, worth making admission arrangements ahead of time and figuring out the bus transit system. #4 bus can take you right to the entrance and pick you up later. Get a transfer to other bus lines. Beautiful wooded setting next to the river, would not have imagined this was in Manhattan. Just an enchanting, wonderful small museum. A few people in oeriod costumes were roaming around. Place was crowded with visitors when I visited; friend who lives in the neighborhood told me this was unusual

This is a really interesting place to see. The gardens are really pretty. Don’t eat here as a sandwich (with nothing else) will cost you $15. Pretty scandalous considering you pay to enter the building.

This is a beautiful museum that all would love to see. The setting is just gorgeous and the art included is very interesting. It was an easy runway ride from our hotel in Midtown. Your paid ticket will also get you into The Met Fifth Avenue for no additional fee if you use on the same day. The Cloisters does not require a full day's time so seeing The Cloisters and then taking in some of The Met's exhibits in the same day is completely doable. The cafe at The Cloisters, while a beautiful, cool outdoor setting, does not offer memorable food but gets the job done if needed.

My wife has been asking to get to the Cloisters for almost 30 years, and we finally went on our most recent trip to NY (I'd been as a kid). It was worth the wait. If you have any level of interest in medieval art, this is the place to go. Room after room of treasures. Worth the trip.

Stunning Catholic imagery! A great stop for devoted Catholics. I felt like I was in medieval Europe. There are a lot of stairs, not stroller friendly. The traffic on the GW is a pain on the way out… but it was worth it!

Positioned on top of a hill. A quality experience and worth the time. Enjoyed the exhibits and the views from the terraces. Certainly does capture the sense of medieval times and imagery. Be sure to go outside and view the Hudson from the terrace area. Do note there are stairs and walkways up a hill to get there from the subway. I believe a bus also has a stop at the top.

Accompanied by my Parisian friends we set out to check the Met Medieval collection at The Cloisters. Very well done, no less than four cloisters on the grounds all with their distinct style. A highlights tour of Renaissance Europe, very well done.
Situated in a large hilly park overlooking the Hudson River, a great excursion so different from the bustling highrise life of NYC.

Firstly, this is a vast museum and research on it's web site is advisable. One could easily spend a day here AND still not cover all it's many attractions. So pre-selection is my advice and come prepared to spend all the time on one's feet. A reasonably priced café on site provides a welcome refueling location and the 'essential' gift-shop' is worth a visit. Do I need to say that attraction this is generally NOT for young children, ie < 12s, but that's just this parent's opinion; therefore during school IN is the 'least' busy time, it would appear.
The European Art section and the Armoury are very interesting as is the Native American one, to this Irish (euro) tourist. But do remember, time will fly by and still you won't have scratched the surface, so to speak.
P.S. This was our 3rd visit.

Family members and I traveled recently to this lovely museum. This was my first time visiting the MET Cloisters though it has been a favorite destination for my cousin and her two young adult children. The building itself has been constructed to resemble monastery buildings of medieval times. It is a peaceful place and full of wonders. During the Middle Ages cloisters were places to reflect and recharge. The walled gardens have been done with the plantings, trees, fountains as they would have been done at that time. Medieval sacred art, sculpture, tapestries, church fixtures, stained glass and other items have been collected by many over years. There is much to see and every effort has been made to follow today's protocols for health and safety. This is not a place for those with ambulatory disabilities or in wheelchairs. There are many unavoidable steps between areas and some uneven surfaces.

If you appreciate art, history, or scenic views, you will love the Cloisters. The centuries-old tapestries, stained glass, and everyday artifacts, coupled with the building itself, will transport you back in time to medieval Europe. Plentiful info throughout the displays heightened the experience.

If you are in NYC for only a short time, I would stick to The Met 5th Avenue. The Cloisters has a great collection of medieval artifacts mostly stained glass, tapestries, sculptures, and carvings. It is located at the northern end of Fort Tryon Park and can take a while to get to by public transportation. Staying in Brooklyn, it took us over 1.5 hours on the subway. I would stray away from bringing younger children, as none of the exhibits are interactive or really have any topic most children would find interesting. We examined the entire museum in about 2.5 hours.

The Met Cloisters is such a surprise find in New York. I've heard about it for years but never took the trip. I am so glad I did. Stunning architecture and absolutely gorgeous. My only regret is that I waited so long to visit.

Go here first before going to the MET. Easy to buy tickets at the door. 3 - day MET pass available for a reasonable cost. Lovely, uncrowded facility - loaded with art. Beautiful gardens surround the cloisters. Beautiful view of the Hudson River. It's worth the long subway trip to get here.

This beautiful museum feels like it was lifted out of Europe and dropped into the Ft. Tyron Park. It, for the most part, was built in its spot, but it recreates the mood and tone of a medieval building. Inside are many marvelous works of art, quietly displayed with courtyards interspersed. The whole feeling is peaceful and uplifting. Enjoy the museum and the park. It's a treat.

We loved this museum. It’s close to the subway and we enjoyed walking up the hill that was full of birds and greenery. The museum is lovely with some very interesting art.

When you step into The Met Cloisters, you step out of New York and into medieval and Renaissance Europe. From the triptychs to the paintings to the tapestries to the illuminated manuscripts to the panels to the treasury to the sculptures to the various cloister walks, etc., you will feel a medieval and Renaissance European vibe. We took Uber round-trip from Manhattan. It wasn't the cheapest alternative, but it was the most convenient.

Forget the unicorn tapestries - this museum has free parking...in Manhattan. Now that is like finding a unicorn. Very pleasant and friendly staff that was kind enough to give me a teacher discount (another "unicorn" in the US). The cloisters are very peaceful and inviting. The museum is quality over quantity without the crowds of its more famous main branch downtown. Well worth the drive to visit. Easy to get to and did I mention?...free parking. Admission is good for both branches on the same day.

If you are in New York, you must visit this museum, not only are you going to be impressed with Art from Famous artists, like Van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso, Renoir, and may others, but you will be impressed with the art from Michael Angelo, Leonardo Davinci, the Architecture of past Egypitians which involved housing, mummy's, etc, Also art from the native Americans, housing, etc. And don't forget the renaissance, you will see King Arthur Court, the Horses and their shields of the knights, most importantly the armaments of these soldiers, knights, Kings etc. Then you can relax either out in the grass of the Met or have lunch or dinner in the famous plaza with violin's music in the background. It is very impressive.....

It takes a bit of travel and a walk to get to the Cloisters - but you will be rewarded by a tremendous collection of medieval art and artifacts, housed within a remarkable building.

We took the express bus from 96 st and 3rd avenue - and returned via the A-train. It's well worth the journey.

I had heard about this part of the Met more than twenty years ago and always wanted to go. So I think I may have been overhyped.
+: The museum is gorgeous. I loved the ambiance of the setting, and the views of the river are really lovely.
+: The audio guide clips you can listen to on your cellphone add a lot to the visit.
~: It is relatively small, which means either that it's more doable than the big Met building, but also less museum-for-your-buck.
-: It's quite far from the rest of the city. It takes about a 15 minute moderately-hilly hike from the subway. So don't take a visit casually.

So, the Met Cloisters are uptown - way, way uptown. Prepare yourself for a long train ride. If you go the way we did, that means taking the train to Dyckman Street, and then walking through the park and up and around the hill to the top. Its an uphill climb, but with beautiful views in a part of NYC that doesn't feel like NYC. Once you get to the top and find the right door (took a bit), you enter a series of stitched together cathedral spaces filled with extraordinary art - mostly with a religious focus. The diverse array of arts, beautiful spaces, and stunning setting make for an incredible experience. We also had lunch at the cloisters in a pleasant courtyard. The food options are limited and just ok - salads, sandwiches, and chips. Still worth the trip.

We had never heard of this part of the MET museum, but our son took us there on a weekday, and we loved it. They have some great religious art, and the area is fun to explore. The museum provides a great experience with the art and architecture of medieval Europe. The grounds are beautiful even in late fall, and the building is very interesting. It is a bit of a journey to get there by subway, but we enjoyed the walks up and down the hill in the park area. Highly recommended!

A great experience touring the architecture of the French monastery and the collected artwork inside. Note, it is up a winding uphill path or about 11 flights of stairs. Be wary if you are walking and have issues with stairs or very long ramps.

I stopped in this afternoon to the Cloisters to tour the holiday "Holly and Hawthrown: A Christmas Celebration" talk and it was very interesting. It was a lecture on how the early Christians decorated the churches and their homes until the Puritan rule in England. the use of natural trees and vines that kept green all year long. These were used as a fertility symbol of keeping greens in the home and in buildings to keep 'life' going during the cold winter months.

After the talk, I walked around the gardens and terraces that make up the building and it was nice to be outside on a rare 54 degree day in the winter. It was so pleasant to be outside.

Don't miss the gardens in the spring and summer months but they were just was interesting to see in the winter. The tour guide even explained how the use of potted plants played a role in the churches.

Most of the building was decorated for a Medieval Christmas with holly, vines, potted flowering plants and pumices, oranges with cloves and cinnamon in them to make them smell nice.

This beautiful place has very interesting pieces. Just the building and surrounding area makes it worth the visit. A peaceful city contrast to typical Manhattan in an area with beautiful views of the Hudson River.

We arrived by subway and found the signposting to The Cloisters a bit hit and miss. We could clearly see signs that were directing cars by road but there was no pavement. So we went through Fort Tryon Park. Ok it was a nice park with views across the Hudson River but somehow we missed the main footpath both going to the museum and coming back! Most frustrating!
The museum itself was lovely. I especially wanted to see the Belles Heures Book of Hours created by the Limbourg Bros for Jean, duc de Berry. It was so beautiful. The Unicorn Tapestries were amazing, they are kept in a dimmly lit room, so as to help prevent the colours fading.
It was not busy when we visited on a Saturday morning and we enjoyed a nice cup of coffee in one of the outside cloisters.
An essential visit for anyone interested in Medieval art.

If you are into middle age religious artifacts then by all means spend time at the Cloisters. It is a hike up there but really worth the effort. They have a wonderful collection! It is not my thing but the rest of my group enjoyed it.significantly. The outdoor garden areas are especially nice.

A fascinating museum packed with interesting (and generally very old such as 12th century) objects from around the world. We spent well over 2 hours here, exploring all of the various exhibits. One part not to be missed is the apse that was transported from Spain. Not only beautiful but the fact that it was dismantled, moved across the ocean, and reassembled is astounding. A short video shows how it was done and a longer version is available on the met website. We also liked the gardens as even today they are places of solitude. Take note of signs that show which portions of an exhibit are original and which were added to make the exhibit “whole” (such as the outdoor columns). It was amazing how well the recreation portions were made to look very old.

The cloisters were 'rescued' from around the world with amazing history attached. go in spring to experience everything in bloom.

So beautiful and well worth the money! There was so much to see there and all was worth it. Our tickets off trip advisor were easy to redeem and we didn’t have to wait in line

I went to a school very close to the Cloisters so I visited very often. This is the most beautiful place in New York. It is part of the Metropolitan Museum and you can visit both on the same day for one price. You will view the most amazing religious art here including the Unicorn Tapestry. It is very quiet and peaceful. It is in the very beautiful Ft. Tryon Park. Take the A train or the bus. You will not be disappointed.

A bit far from the heart of the city, but well worth the trek. Really incredible architectural features. Plan at least two hours.

I highly recommend taking the once-daily highlights tour. On the one-hour tour, the guide discusses a number of items in depth. It’s like getting a free university lecture.

We took the subway up from where we stayed in Times Square. It was easy to get to. After the train, you can take the bus just one stop or walk through the park (if you’re healthy and the weather is nice). We chose to take the bus on the way there and walk back through the park.

The ticket from The Met Cloisters can also be used at The Met—it’s good for three days.

What an absolutely beautiful place to visit. If it wasn’t for friends who live in NY I would not have known about this place as it’s not advertised.
It was stunning- a building made up of other buildings from around the world then all pieces back together in a wonderfully clever way I order to show the architecture and piece inside. All set high on the hill with delightful views over Manhattan.
This is well worth a trip to see.

The Cloisters is a repository of Monastery-related items dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries and presented in a series of rooms brought over from various churches across Europe and rebuilt in upper Manhattan (Ft. Tryon Park). A current exhibition of recently discovered artifacts of the Jewish Community of Colmar (in Alsace, France) was quite sad, and captivating.

About an hour on the subway from lower Manhattan but absolutely worth it. The Cloisters was built in the 1930s but it's like stepping back several centuries. Doorways, windows and columns from medieval buildings have been incorporated into the building so sensitively so you really believe you are entering a 15th century church or a 16th century cloister. The collection includes altarpieces, devotional statues, sculptures of saints and many other treasures. The $30 entry fee also covers entry to the main Met gallery on the same day but they are several miles apart and each place demands a few hours to do it justice - I spent three and a half hours wandering round the Cloisters at a fairly leisurely pace. You could do it in less time but you may as well enjoy the lovely atmosphere for as long as possible! I went on a Monday and it wasn't very busy. The website advises going to 190th St but I went to Dyckman Street station for getting back downtown afterwards and that felt a little closer once I had found my way out of the park to the main road. From 190th St it is very straightforward - just head from the bottom tip of Fort Tryon Park to the top. It is up an incline and there are some steps but it's a nice walk with wonderful views over the river, and doesn't take too long.

Had not been to the Cloisters in years and wanted to visit again. This museum is of medieval times with a lot of architecture and art from that period. We took the 1 hour tour of highlights and learned a lot. The gardens (there are 3 or 4) are small but beautiful.

We enjoyed a light lunch at the cafe. We also wandered around the Park which is quite nice too.

A very nice outing for an afternoon with friends.

Wonderful museum, but allocate enough time since there are so many exhibits. The senior ticket allows entrance for several days.

Yes it takes a little while to get their on the subway but way worth it. Especially if a beautiful day where you can appreciate walking thru the park and seeing the Hudson River. Amazing that John D. funded bringing back the works of art and rooms from Europe around 1930. Have been to NYC over 150 times and just visited it and loved it. Will go back in the Fall or early Winter to appreciate a different season.

Like a short trip to Europe. All is great except one security staff told me I was welcome to use my tripod as long as I wouldn't block anybody else, the other one told me not to use it in an empty room, what a joke.

It is most definitely worth the trip out to this branch of the MET.
The objects are displayed beautifully in a medieval building. You are transported back in time. There were few people there so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Looming over one of NYC's last genuine neighborhoods, The Cloisters is a lovingly restored castle that was transferred from Europe with priceless dark ages art.

Met Cloisters is truly unique - the building is as much a part of the exhibition as the art work. It is a great collection with pieces from across Europe and some really interesting stories. Definitely worth a visit.

A fantastic museum, lots to see and do. If you like museums this is the place for you. If you have bought tickets online go to the advanced ticket counter to retrieve tickets, don’t make the mistake of queuing in the to buy tickets line as we did

I have lived minutes away from the Cloisters for 12 years and finally went inside. I can't believe I never spent time here before. The history, religious history in particular, is rich and extensive. There are gardens within the museum that you can stop and take a rest in, surrounded by tranquility. You really do need a couple of hours to go through it well. My ten year old showed me doors I'd have missed on my own. It's truly a beautiful place to spend a day.

My friend and I were pleasantly surprised by the size of this museum and the quality of the exhibits. It is a treasure trove of medieval art, well displayed with good signage. The gardens were serene, picturesque and a lovely spot to meditate. The park setting is beautiful, a very rural scenic escape from bustling NYC.
It’s an easy, but long, subway trip from midtown, well worth the time. We wished the cafe had been more of a real restaurant rather than just packaged sandwiches, as we stayed much longer than expected. Would have loved a lunch with a river view.

I went here with my parents. My mom has talked about coming since I was a teen in the ‘90s, but we never made it since it was a bit of a journey up there. It was a really beautiful museum with some amazing tapestries and other art/artifacts from the medieval and Renaissance periods along with some nice gardens. It is in Fort Tyron park, which is also very scenic. It is more of a walk uphill if you take the subway there, but more downhill if you just take it on the way back. The entrance includes entrance to the other Met museums.

I expected a full picture of the Middle Ages. The magic and alchemy included. Instead what I got was a nice space in a nice park that was an ohmage to all things crusades, inquisition, and holy wars. Even worse, when the museum displays European items soaked in gold there is zero mention of where the gold came from (the Americas) or how it was acquired (violence and theft). Expect zero tarot decks but 1,000 crucifixes.

It's far from the main part of the city, but it's so worth the trip! The architecture is amazing, and the collection is excellent. The whole thing is beautiful!

Years ago my college roommate who was from NYC took me to this place just to see the outside. The outside was impressive. It wasn't until recently that I actually went inside and saw the magnificent artwork that had been collected and on display. It is not in the middle of the city, so it does take some effort to get there, but it is easily accessible by public transportation. Tour the gardens as you make your way to main entrance of the facility.

Sometimes I forget that this museum is in NYC, as it seems so unlike the rest of the museums in the city. It's in the northern part of Manhattan but easily accessible by subway and bus, so please do go in warm weather and soak in the scenery and artwork. The art are arranged so that people can take them in at their own pace and at an unbiased, neutral angle, and I'd say that the buildings themselves are part of the art. The tours are wonderful, as the tour guides are really knowledgeable and make the art more fascinating.

Cloisters opened at 10 am and our tour started right on time. We were there for about two hours and wished we could stay longer. Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. The setting on the Hudson River and the view of New Jersey Palisades was amazing. There is also a small coffee shop which we did not use. Plus a beautiful gift shop to enjoy.

This was a surprisingly good tour of behind the scenes at the MTA. Guides are well versed and able to answer questions. Architecture is so beautiful.

It's a fantastic thing to visit the museum and the experience of booking tickets with the Tripadvior APP.

Place is a bit out of the way and a bit of a walk from the nearest metro. But worth going, many interesting collections. Price inclusive in the Met museum admission

If you like Medieval history, beautiful gardens and stunning views, spend an afternoon here. Summer is best.

The medieval arts and religious overtures made this Cloisters a great place to visit and unique. So much beauty can be found and the views from the terrace amazing. Make sure to grab a snack or drink and just sit back to relax a little. Would go back again and recommend for adults, I don't believe children/teens would get much from this.

Wonderful museum that used for my interior design class. Used examples for a portfolio in class. The class was part art history and objects glass, metal fabric so there were wonderful examples to use for the class. What was so interesting was to see in person some objects that were in my text books.

The Cloisters is a very specific collection of Medieval art in a smaller setting. It's a tight grouping and easy to take in a way that isn't overwhelming. And also nice and cool on a summer day. But the serendipity is taking a walk through Ft Tryon park. You won't believe you're in Manhattan. Plenty of restaurants down below in Inwood to make an afternoon of it. And won't see any of the $30 burgers you skipped in Brooklyn.

Very nice large collection, I shall return... I visited the met on September 16th 2019 at around 3pm, I wish I would have arrived sooner as 2 hours was not enough time to see 2 wings of this huge collection.

Medieval art and architecture, very interesting, but a bit hard to get to. Even if the subway stop seems to be nearby on the map, it was quite a hike up the hill to the museum.

This is a gem. A great find and a nice break from the packed museums. I went expecting a totally different experience but what a pleasant surprise. The religious art was amazing and the space and gardens were grand. I felt immersed in history.

I love going to the Met Cloisters. The views of the Hudson River are breathtaking taking and the gardens were in full bloom.

The museum was full because of Father’s Day so I concentrated on walking through the three walled gardens. Everything was in peak floral stage and they were in full bloom. Talk about colors and design. It is something that should not be missed.

Such a beautiful gem tucked away in upper Manhattan! I’m not a huge museum person (can’t stay focused) but I am a sucker for architecture and loved how all these European artifacts were displayed in this lovely space. It is around an hour by train but so worth it! The surrounding area is also lovely and feels like you are not in NYC at all.

Quite a way down the Hudson River but worth the cab fare, my friend and I went back to Manhattan by local bus which was entertaining. The Cloisters really is a lovely place to visit, it has an interesting history.

The bus ride was long as we came from midtown. However, it was well worth it. The Cloisters has a great setting and the artifacts are amazing. We enjoyed our visit and will come back on subsequent visits to NYC.

Having moved to the US from Europe, my wife and I keep silent whenever local tour guides mention the ‘antiquity’ of buildings. However, the Cloisters are the exception to the rule. Yes, the current configuration of the medieval cloisters dates from 1938, but what a marvellous job was done in piecing together the old with the new! Having last visited the Cloisters in 1976(!), I was pleased to return. The wonderfully eclectic collection of medieval artefacts reminds me of the Cluny in Paris. There is a little something for nearly everyone. The Cloisters are situated high on the bluffs above the Hudson River in Fort Tryon Park. The park itself is a pleasant change from mid-town Manhattan and the views are lovely. If you are staying in Manhattan, take the blue line to Dyckman Street—roughly 30 minutes. Upon exiting, you’ll see the Cloisters high above you. Depending upon your level of fitness, you can walk there in 15-20 minutes.

Really enjoyed the Brueur museum. It is small and easy to see. The Met on 80th is amazing, but huge...good idea to pick one or two areas to see. The Cloisters are beautiful, but difficult to get to from midtown. We took M4 bus which took 2 hours. Took A train back, much quicker.

If you want to see a world class museum that is easy to reach by car, then please consider this one. It is not a very large museum so it does not take much time to see. My photo represents the beautiful garden in the its courtyard. The garden was the highlight for me as I do not have a strong interest in medieval art.

What an amazing place to visit, so worthy taking the metro all the way up to Tyron park; which is beautiful in itself. I couldn't get enough of the building, grounds, history, and art.

I spent the best day here recently. It is worth doing a little homework beforehand on the history, time period (1100 to 1500), Astonishing artwork, architecture, gardens and sanctuaries. Grand views of the Hudson from up on high and in summary a hidden world of peace and beauty far removed from this time and hustle. Do not miss the unique Unicorn Tapistries

The Met Cloisters is a beautiful museum of medieval art, tapestries, and religious artifacts located north of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Tryon Park. The structure is church-like and offers a peaceful atmosphere. Gardens and Hudson River views add to the majesty of this place.
There is ample parking for cars. The museum is accessible by subway and bus, with a walk though the park to the museum entrance.
Pay as you wish if you are a New York State resident, and your ticket includes same-day admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue, and the Met Breuer.

Did not expect this amazing experience in NY Manhattan. Perfect from all aspects and worth the 45 min subway ride from the south of Manhattan

The Cloisters is one of the most amazing places to visit anywhere in the country. It is in a beautiful location and is chock full of the most gorgeous medieval art you will find anywhere - including the famous Unicorn Tapestries. When visiting New York City, especially in the warmer months, you MUST visit the Cloisters. The gardens in the Cloisters are lovely and it overlooks the Hudson River. Put this one on your list!

The Cloisters is a bit far, but it is worth the trip. It is located in the middle of Fort Tyron Park and you should definitely plan on spending some time walking around the park. The Met has a deal that you can buy a ticket and use it at all 3 museums (the Met, the Met Breuer, and Cloisters). The location is kind of secluded, so there are not a lot of food options around. I would recommend eating before going there. The only place nearby is New Leaf and their service is horrible.

Way too much to see, could spend days or weeks and not be able to properly take it all in however we were very disappointed that there were very, very few places to sit for a short rest now and then.

Definitely worth the trip (easy "A" train ride and then a 10 minute walk) to see this building in a great setting with amazing views over the Hudson. It truly does feel like walking into a European monastery even though it is a "modern" concoction - note that this is NOT a full monastery that was transported to New York but rather it contains four primary cloisters with a decent percentage of original material and then numerous other rooms into which pieces of the collection of art from the Middle Ages/monasteries is either built into the building or part of the exhibits. I had mistakenly understood it to be a full transposition of an actual monastery.

That said, the collection is quite interesting and thankfully not chock-full of the triptychs one sees throughout many art museums - mostly carvings, stonework, liturgical/sacramental instruments and tapestries (including the great unicorn tapestries) with a few paintings thrown in here and there.

One definite down note was the exhibition on love/sex/gender the Middle Ages. Not only is it an exceedingly small exhibition but it was basically an exercise in combing through the art collection to find a few statues or paintings of effeminate-looking men and using that to talk about queerism in the Middle Ages (one of the signs even acknowledged the claims of "queering" the Middle Ages). Sorry art folks, but everything is not about sex!

The Cloisters are a bit far from most of the other museums, but worth the time. It is located in a lovely park and the building itself is beautiful. The whole idea of replicating this building and filling it with art is just incredible. Once again the building is just as beautiful as the art.

My cousin Debbie and I wanted an adventure beyond merely doing lunch so we decided to visit the Cloisters, a place neither of us had been to since our college days, oh so long ago.
My cousin has a problem walking and uses a cane. As soon as we arrived, a lovely fellow at the bottom entrance looked at her and said, you can't do 60 steps to the top, can you? and she said no. Whereupon, he called the head of security, a gentleman by the name of Harold Jones, who drove us up in a van, escorted us to the facilites (otherwise, you have to climb stairs afterwards) and took us down in a special elevator. He was just wonderful and made all the difference to this little jaunt of ours, thanks so much Harold, you were great. This is important to know for those who need accessibility.
On to the Cloisters themselves. You have to start with the incredible view. You can sit with a diet coke or coffee and gaze out on the Hudson River and just relax and chat.
Once you enter the Cloisters, you have an eclectic array of medieval amazing tapestries and paintings and statues and stained glass windows that are breathtakingly beautiful and ornaments and decorated doors that were taken from around the world and can keep you entranced and entertained for a good few hours. We wound up spending 2.5 hours there but you can definitely do more if you choose. It's nestled in the heart of Manhattan and you can take the subway or bus or car to get there. Well worth the visit after all these years.

The location provides a great view of the Hudson River, and the building is in a nice bit of welcome greenery in the city. The architecture is quite intriguing in itself.
But all this is just nice wrappings for the vey fine art, and the wonderful little garden that is displayed within.
The free daily tour gives indepth insight into many of the works.
We ran out of energy before we ran out of things to see there.
The site is accessible by car and is also an easy ride on public transit.

This museum, part of the Metropolitan museum, is very interesting. Four cloisters with statues, gardens, well explained, goblins of unicorns,
I went there by subway, and there were NO SIGNS with directions of where the place is. I asked. I was told to "go up the high hill". There are roads, paths, steps, it is impossible to tell how to get there, steep walking. I was very angry and frustrated by the time I got there. It was worth while... and the entrance included to days' entrance to the main Metropolitan museum in Manhattan

I've been to NY many times so was looking for something different to do and so one wintery day we took the subway to the very top of Manhatten to the Cloisters. It is part of the Met so you also get a free ticket to go see the Met if you want to. The grounds were stunning and it was a brisk but scenic walk through Fort Tyron Park. You are right on the Hudson and the gorgeous courtyards and Medieval art were definitely worth a few hours wandering. I would like to go back in the summer for a different experience and to sit and have a coffee as the coffee shop/cafe was closed in the middle of winter - however it was nearly empty so we enjoyed not having crowds of others wandering through.
Definitely worth a visit if you've seen all the usual suspects in New York

We only had 3 hours before having to catch a flight out of NYC. Went on a Thursday morning, no lines, not crowded and easy to move quickly through the exhibits we wanted to see. Obviously would have loved much more time but if you go on a weekday and have a plan of what you want to not miss you can do this!

The inside is lovely and stacked with historical medieval artifacts but the best part of the place is the surrounding park and gardens. It will likely take you about 40minutes to wonder the inside but the ground will take you a few hours

This property is owned and run by the MET, so you actually get admission to both when you go here. Basically, this is a testament to the power of old rich people in NYC. The grounds are beautiful and collected from historical sites around the world. Yes, entire chunks of buildings were relocated from Europe and placed in the city for the delight of wealthy folks during the Gilded Age.
If you were a fan of the 90s animated classic "Gargoyles," You might recall that Demona was hanging out here during the first season when she lures Goliath to cast a spell on him so he'll join her in her hatred of the human race... This might be a bit of a niche factoid for the average visitor, however. If you were terrified by the 80s animated classic "The Last Unicorn" as a child, as I was, you will also recognize the unicorn tapestry hanging here, from its brief appearance in that film. If you are not at all familiar with the works mentioned here, then you will still enjoy the scenery and history presented here for your enjoyment at the behest of wealthy industrialists.

The Met Cloisters is a hidden gem located in a picturesque setting over the Hudson. Easy to get to by car, it contains treasures from medieval Europe and the story of how they were obtained is fascinating as well. It's a great way to spend a few hours away from it all.

I was brought to the Cloisters 50 years ago when I was in grade school. We were bussed in from Ridgewood, NJ after having learned about its history and the art inside. I had never experienced Gothic architecture before and the place ignited a longtime love of it. The interiors are dark, moody, soaring, with faded famous tapestries and small balustraded atria. I was a little nervous taking our teen sons last winter - had my memory made it out to be grander than reality? - but it did not disappoint. All the old reverential feeling I had as a child came back over me and I was happy that my sons felt it too. This is a universal feeling, by the way. Our family is not Catholic - or even Christian - and yet you understand the yearning for solitude, for quiet, for agelessness, and you sense the immanence of something divine in us through these ancient stones, these silent works of art.

This is an all day excursion if you include a walk in the park and lunch. The museum will take about 2 hours but a nice escape from the crowds. But your butt might fall asleep on the subway ride.

If you are going to the northern end of Manhattan, try to visit the Cloisters, which offer a wonderful collection of medieval art.

Perched on a hilltop in northern Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River, the Cloisters is calm oasis of peace, quiet, and medieval art, architecture, and gardening. This was our third visit - it is a beautiful place.

First visit extraordinary. A slice of NYC few could imagine. Felt like a cloistered cleric without pesky celibacy. Gardeners are best at fleshing out the role of plants in monasticism.

You will think you've stepped into another time and place when you enter this beautiful attraction in upper Manhattan. The Cloisters offers so much - from the gardens to the artwork & exhibitions (highlights - unicorn tapestry & gothic chapel) to the building itself. A great visit for couples as well as families.
Also, great views of the river and of upper Manhattan & the Bronx from Fort Tryon Park.

We loved this museum, most unexpected. We love The Met and have never got up to the Cloisters before and we’re so glad we did. Ok, so it’s a long way up the west side on the A train but we were there in 45mins from Brooklyn! The exhibits are all go this and medieval pieces from Europe and the building itself is the perfect setting. The cafe is a welcome break too. Highly recommend this place for a visit. Took us about 1.5 hours to wander through. It’s currently featuring the Colman Treasures which are lovely.