The Met Cloisters: A Hidden Gem in New York City

Are you looking for something to do in New York that’s a little bit off the beaten track and not so touristy? Or perhaps, like me, you love beautiful places. The Met Cloisters will be the perfect place for you.

Everyone has heard of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, but did you know that The Met has a second sight? Maybe not! This guide will tell you all you need to know about visiting The Met Cloisters, so read on.

The grounds of the Met Cloisters

We were lucky enough to call Manhattan our home for two years and discovered some amazing places that we didn’t know about until we lived there.

DON’T FORGET TO READ OUR OTHER GUIDE FOR MORE:
ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS IN NEW YORK CITY

Useful Information to Know Before Visiting the Met Cloisters

Do You Need to Book Tickets For The Met Cloisters?

As The Met Cloisters is a hidden gem, it is usually not too busy. The Metropolitan Museum of Art can be extremely busy, as one ticket serves both sites. I would advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Adult tickets cost $30, kids under age 12 are free. The entry fee also includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but you need to visit on the same day, and they’re not that close together. I will tell you the best way to ge there below.

Note: both The Met and the Cloisters are closed on Wednesdays.

How to Get to The Met Cloisters

The Cloisters are located at 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY 10040 (this is North Manhattan). I would recommend starting at The Metropolitan Museum and then walking 15 minutes to the 3rd Avenue & East 86th Street bus stop. (Located on 86th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue.) Take the BXM1 bus, getting off at Dyckman St/Sherman Av, which takes roughly 20-30 minutes.

This is the easiest route and will maximise the use of the ticket to enter both sights. However, this is a select bus, meaning it’s quicker than a regular bus but also costs more (currently $7 each way).

Is the Site Accessible?

The Cloisters are, unfortunately, not accessible. It’s an old building with lots of steps and narrow passages. If you need to take a pushchair (stroller), make sure it’s a lightweight one. You will also probably need to fold it on the bus. Luckily, we took our Joolz Aer+ as I don’t think our UppaBaby Vista would have fit up the stairs!

If you’re thinking about a travel pushchair, we’ve been so pleased with the Joolz Aer+.

READ MORE: OUR FULL JOOLZ AER+ REVIEW HERE.

While online, it says The Cloisters is accessible for wheelchair users, we didn’t see any sign of this being the case. If you are planning to visit with a wheelchair, I would advise calling in advance to confirm.

Where to Eat

The Cloisters has its own cafe, open from April through to October. Alternatively, it is located in a park, which is the perfect place for a picnic. There were also a lot of eating places located near the bus stop.

Inside The Met Cloisters Museum

Tips for Visiting the Met Cloisters

On your way in, grab a map to make sure you don’t miss anything. There are lots of passageways, steps and doors, so it would be easy to accidentally miss an area.

You’ll probably want to plan around 2-3 hours here.

The Cloisters Museum and Garden is dedicated to Medieval Art. It is home to many great tapestries, sculptures and other artwork.

The garden is extremely beautiful and was my favourite part. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to somewhere in Italy.

They offer daily guided tours of the museum and gardens, which are included in your ticket price. We chose to explore on our own, but you can check the schedule on the Met Cloisters website linked here if that interests you.

Don’t miss the outside terrace – it has great views.

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Thank you so much for reading our guide on The Met Cloisters, it really is a hidden gem in New York, and I’m glad we made the trip there.

DON’T FORGET TO READ OUR OTHER GUIDE FOR MORE:
ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS IN NEW YORK CITY

Happy Exploring,

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