23. The Cloisters

It’s time to get medieval on your art. Keep reading! No more bad jokes, I promise. That being said, the Cloisters is a museum dedicated to medieval art as well as architecture. This is truly one of the best things to do in NYC.



For some, there is no imagery finer than medieval art. This was a time before artists discovered the third dimension. The medieval painting style adds a surreal element to art without being surreal. You can find religious or political undertones within the art and architecture of the time. The symbolism isn’t subtle, but it is beautiful.

The sculpture and architecture at the cloisters is divine. You can lose yourself for hours in each masterpiece. Missing this exhibit would be a shame.
As an extension of the MET, you can expect the cloisters to have plenty of events. Every Tuesday through Friday at 3:00 PM you can take part in the collection Highlights tour, which is free with admission to the museum. In addition to normal museum events, there are concerts and special programs you can attend. You can see the special events here.

Hours:

Monday: Closed
March–October
Tuesday–Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m.
November–February
Tuesday–Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Address:

99 Margaret Corbin Drive
Fort Tryon Park
New York, New York 10040
Information: 212-923-3700

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