The Cloisters, in the northern most section of Manhattan, has a great collection of medieval art including the Unicorn Tapistries, frescoes, stained glass, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, metalwork, and panel paintings. The collection, which includes a small chapel and various artifacts incorporates elements from five medieval French cloisters: Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Bonnefont-en-Comminges, Trie-en-Bigorre, and Froville. These disassembled European buildings were reassembled in the park (1934/38) setting with gardens planted according to horticultural information culled from various medieval documents and artifacts.

Since The Cloisters is a branch of The Metropolitain Museum of Art, admission to one also gets you into the other. The Cloisters takes about 1-2 hours to see everything so seeing both museums is doable in one day if you start early and plan accordingly.

“The Cloisters, the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, was assembled from architectural elements, both domestic and religious, that date from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. The building and its cloistered gardens—located in Fort Tryon Park in northern Manhattan—are treasures in themselves, effectively part of the collection housed there.”

• See photos of my visit to The Cloisters Musuem

When to go: The Cloisters is not air conditioned (one 15′x15′ room is). With that in mind I would try to visit on a day that is not too hot and humid. I recently went on a day that was humid and in the uppers 80s(F) and my experience was fairly uncomfortable and sticky. A cool autumn or spring day would be a fantastic time to go.

• Online calendar for The Cloisters

Getting there: Take the A train to 190th Street. From there you can take the M4 bus to The Cloisters or walk through Fort Tyron Park. I’d recommend walking the 10 minutes instead of the bus. When you exit the subway station take a right and you’ll see Fort Tyron Park. Don’t walk on the road with car traffic but instead take the pathway through the park just to the left (don’t worry the park is safe!). The short stroll though the park offers nice views of the Hudson River. Follow the signs to The Cloisters. Click here for the Google map.

If you’re coming from The Museum of Metropolitan Art, take the M4 bus from Madison Ave. The information desk will point you in the right direction.

Hours: (November–February) Tuesday–Sunday 9:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m., (March–October) Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m., Closed Mondays, January 1, Thanksgiving Day, December 25

Admission: Admission to The Cloisters is including in the price of The Met. $15 recommended for adults, $10 recommended for senior citizens, $7 recommended for students, includes Main Building and The Cloisters on the same day; free to Members and children under twelve with an adult.