The Met Cloisters
The Met Cloisters
4.5
Art Galleries • Art Museums • History Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Upper Manhattan (Uptown)
How to get there
- Dyckman St • 5 min walk
- 190th St • 9 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,451 within 3 miles
Attractions
272 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,145 reviews
Excellent
3,742
Very good
1,115
Average
237
Poor
35
Terrible
16
Justin W
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ3,204 contributions
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.
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 December 31, 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.
mariagloria
Houston, TX167 contributions
Oct 2022
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.
Written October 6, 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.
Melissa B
Oxford, NY118 contributions
May 2023
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!
Written May 16, 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.
NCtravelerWS
Winston Salem, NC496 contributions
Dec 2021
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.
Written January 31, 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.
picturegal
Gardiner, MT465 contributions
Apr 2023
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.
Written April 25, 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.
GradingMachine
Oak Park, CA513 contributions
Nov 2022
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.
Written November 26, 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.
Eric G
8 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
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.
Written March 14, 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.
Chicago_Gayle
Chicago, IL100 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
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.
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.
Written March 9, 2020
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.
SuBen7510
New York City, NY60 contributions
Oct 2019
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.
Written February 18, 2020
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.
Ashely Fang
New York City, NY238 contributions
Sep 2021
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.
Written August 15, 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.
Joly
Boardman, OH409 contributions
Do you have to use the ticket to all 3 places on the same day? I would think that would mean a pretty short time at each place.
Eve
19 contributions
You can use your ticket for 3 consecutive days. It could either be 2 days in The MET Fifth Avenue and 1 day in The Met Cloisters or 1 day each in the 3 MET (including The MET Breuer).
evavniig
St. Petersburg, Russia4 contributions
Легко ли найти путь от метро до монастыря?
Bob P
New York City, NY86 contributions
Да. Это просто и хорошо обозначено. Единственная проблема в том, что прогулка полностью в гору, а холм очень крутой.
Тем не менее, это очень выполнимо.
Da. Eto prosto i khorosho oboznacheno. Yedinstvennaya problema v tom, chto progulka polnost'yu v goru, a kholm ochen' krutoy.
Tem ne meneye, eto ochen' vypolnimo.
Ann S
Oak Ridge, NC1 contribution
How long does it generally take to get to the Met cloisters from the metropolitan museum via train?
SteakNBourbon
Greenwich, CT181 contributions
About an hour and fifteen minutes with the short walk door to door.
topmum51
New York City, NY3 contributions
is there a parking lot at the Cloisters?
thelindabrown
Aliso Viejo, CA32 contributions
Yes
bobbimahoney
Long Beach, NY5 contributions
Are there hotels in the area near the cloisters
Faye F
New York City, NY272 contributions
Doubtful..... but it is really really close to the city… 15 minutes… Where there are many hotels..
You are very close to the upper West Side
gldorsett
Florida53 contributions
How to get there by subway from rock Ctr or times sq
frugalfamily5
Syracuse, NY26 contributions
From Times Square, enter at 8th Av and take the A train to 190 Street. Take the elevator out, where it is a 10-15 minute walk to the museum.
From Rockefeller Center, take the B or D train to 59 St - Columbus Circle, transfer to the A train, and ride the A to 190 St.
From the subway elevator exit, you can also take the M4 bus, which drops you off right at the museum entrance. A free transfer is available to the bus from the subway.
jmm341
Brighton, MI53 contributions
Are there restaurants in the surrounding neighborhood that are recommended ?
namanniy
Dubai, United Arab Emirates353 contributions
there is a the new leaf restaurant in the same area within the fort tyron park, but we didnt eat at it but seemed nice and a lot of people were there, ofcourse there is a cafe at the museum too which was super busy.
Good morning,
I went to New York many times. I always wanted to visit The Met Cloister but never went because I did not know how to get there: by bus, with the A Train , by taxi. I do prefer to go by myself, but would accept to join a group leaving from NY, or else. What is the easiest way and the cheapestv one? Thanks for helping!
I am planning to go next October or next April,
Elfie S
Haifa, Israel142 contributions
You can take a NYC public bus which drops you right at the entrance to the museum. You can use your metro card so its the cheapest option as well. Its a long ride, but you get to see the city along the way. I took the bus from Broadway and 111th street. It took about 45 minutes. You can take the subway also, which would be faster than the bus, but it doesn't go all the way and you do need to walk a bit. A taxi would be prohibitive in price.
véronique P
Andresy, France67 contributions
Bonjour , jusqu'à quelle heure peut-on commencer une visite ? Merci de vos réponses !
TheMetMuseum
New York City, NY1 contribution
Bonjour, Veronique. We clear our galleries 15 minutes before closing. Please allow yourself amble time before closing to experience The Met Cloisters. Merci!
The Met Cloisters (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Met Cloisters
- The Met Cloisters is open:
- Thu - Tue 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking The Met Cloisters tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 The Met Cloisters tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near The Met Cloisters:
- (2.83 mi) 710 Guest Suites
- (1.73 mi) Edge Hotel
- (3.40 mi) Easyliving-harlem
- (3.75 mi) Chez Michelle
- (4.76 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott New York The Bronx at Metro Center Atrium
- Restaurants near The Met Cloisters:
- (0.13 mi) Cañave
- (0.19 mi) Tryon Public House
- (0.18 mi) Tannat Wine and Cheese
- (0.20 mi) Seawalk
- (0.21 mi) Mamajuana Cafe
- Attractions near The Met Cloisters:
- (0.21 mi) Inwood Hill Park
- (0.19 mi) Tread Bike Shop
- (0.23 mi) Dyckman bar
- (0.61 mi) Fort Tryon Park
- (0.32 mi) Highbridge Park