The Met and the Cloisters

The Met and Cloisters is renowned for it's vast collection of medieval art

Nestled on eastern edge of Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most visited sites along New York City's Museum Mile. Known to locals as "The Met", the museum was founded in 1870 by a group of wealthy financiers and artists as an educational institution to cultivate art appreciation. The halls of The Met contain over two million works of art representing cultures spanning the globe from the Stone Age to modern day.

Visitors to The Met could spend weeks exploring the vast collections housed in the museum's 250 rooms. To get the most out of your visit, plan to visit the special exhibitions and more popular collections (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, 19th Century European paintings) early and visit other areas during peak hours. Various tours and lectures in a variety of foreign languages are given free of cost.

Part of the collection of medieval art and architecture is housed uptown at The Met's Cloisters Museum. Located in Fort Tryon Park, overlooking the Hudson River, The Cloisters has been constructed from sections of medieval French monasteries and houses approximately 3,000 works of European art dating from the third to ninth century. Be sure to take time to wander the beautiful gardens after a coffee or light lunch at Trie Cloisters or posh New Leaf Cafe.

In the Main Building, there are several eateries ranging from moderate to expensive within the museum. During the summer months, The Met opens its Roof Garden Cafe, offering al fresco dining with panoramic views of the New York City skyline. During extended hours on Friday and Saturday, the Met offers a quintessential New York experience with a string quartet above the Great Hall. Cocktails and appetizers are available by candlelight at the Balcony Bar or enjoy the summer night sky at the rooftop martini bar.

Cost: Free admission with a New York Pass otherwise by donation. See website for current recommended donation rates.

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm; Friday and Saturday 9:30am - 9:00pm; Sunday 9:30am - 5:30pm; Closed Mondays except Met Holidays (see website) and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Websites: The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Cloisters Museum and Gardens

Address: The Met Main Building: 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
The Cloisters: Fort Tryon Park, 99 Margaret Corbin Drive

Nearby attractions: Near The Met Main Building - Central Park, Central Park Wildlife Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Frick Collection, American Museum of Natural History.

Near the Cloisters - Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, Yankee Stadium

Getting There on Transit
Subway Train / Bus	Subway Station	Walking Time
4,5,6	86th Street	10 minutes
1 / M86	86th Street	5 minutes
C / M79	190th Street	2 minutes
A (To the Cloister Museum and Garden)	81st Street	10 minutes
Take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street then proceed three blocks west to 5th Avenue (10 minutes) Alternatively, Take the 1 train to 86th Street, then the M86 cross-town bus to 5th Avenue (5 minutes) or take the C train to 81st Street, then the M79 bus to 5th Ave (2 minutes). To get to the Cloisters Museum and Garden, ride the A train to 190th Street and exit via the elevator. Walk north on Margaret Corbin Drive (10 minutes).

Courtyard at the Cloisters cc licensed flickr photo shared by miss_millions