The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters

The Met Cloisters
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:15 PM
About
Atop a tall hill in the northern tip of Manhattan, you’ll find The Met’s second location—The Met Cloisters. Visiting is like traveling through time: medieval architecture is incorporated into a modern building purpose-built to evoke the Middle Ages.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Farwriter
    London, United Kingdom169 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magic around every corner
    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.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 March 2024
  • Sherry C
    White Plains, New York132 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely way to while away a few hours
    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.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 March 2024
  • sosodoc
    Paris, France105 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very astonishing museum not to be missed!
    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...
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 April 2024
  • screenname287
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    European flavor in the Big Apple
    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.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 May 2024
  • Rochelle F
    Randolph, New Jersey1,240 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting Medieval museum
    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.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 May 2024
  • Eva L
    Marlboro, New Jersey189 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hidden gem in upper NYC
    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.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 4 June 2024
  • neeratraveler
    San Francisco, California286 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enchanting - take the time to really enjoy it
    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.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 15 June 2024
  • Justin W
    Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey7,017 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I love traveling up to the Cloisters. It has some of the most beautiful views. Its location on the Hudson River. I went
    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.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 16 June 2024
  • MichiganMelissa04
    Michigan862 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My favorite place in NYC hands down
    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.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 17 June 2024
  • TravelingSoccerLoon
    Saint Paul, Minnesota7,767 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Met's Medieval Art Collection Housed in a Beautiful Setting
    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.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 9 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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The Traveling Pierogi
World320 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Solo
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.
Written 8 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Greg Harris
Bronx, NY2,137 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
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!!!
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sophie301
Silver Spring, MD59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
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.
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irving E
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Friends
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!
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lina d
Massa, Italy484 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Friends
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
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Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ7,017 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
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.
Written 29 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sherry C
White Plains, NY132 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
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.
Written 26 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tosl
Jersey City, NJ1,003 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Solo
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.
Written 9 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ7,017 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
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.
Written 31 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arturo
Washington15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
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.
Written 18 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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