While at the Cloisters, be sure to see the boxwood rosary bead downstrairs. It is a testiminy to obsession and craft. I have a picture of it over my desk.

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/170004324

The Cloisters will consume a huge chuck of the day, due to getting beack and forth and the time at the actual museum. When you look at the vista across the Hudson, you will notice that there is no devlopment. I think it was the Rockefellers who bought the land so that it would remain that way.

Take the A train and get off at 191st St and follow the signs to Ft. Washington / Cloisters, you have to get the elevator to the upper level. From there you can walk through the park or take the bus to the Cloisters.

You are probably looking at more than an hour in travel time each way.

There are so many amazing things to see there, so take your time and make sure you also wander through the gardens, some will have spectacular views of the The Hudson, and you will have no idea you are still in Manhattan. Also take some time to see The Treasury, it is at the bottom and heart of the museum and houses many of the most valuable pieces in the collection.

Also a personal fav is the tapestry room that has the unicorn tapestry. Also take some time to wander the museum store.

From there, wander back down Ft. Washington, to Kismat,(187th St) one of the best Indian restaurants in the City and then walk a bit further down to the subway.

Have a great time.

Scratch Cara Mia; was underwhelmed there. Also, for French
Marseille; Italian: Etcetera Etcetera; Greek: Dafni; American: Sardi's

Hopefully when you are finished at the cloisters you will take the m4 bus back to the Met so they can use their ticket there on the same day and/or visit great places along the way like trinity cemetery, the hispanic society, st john the divine and other museums along museum mile

Not sure where your parents will be staying. If uptown the trip to the Cloisters won;t be that long - if downtown it will be. If you are uptown I would just grab a cab there versus spending a lot of time on the subway/bus - since the cost won't be much more.

I would alloate at least 2 to 2.5 hours actually at the museum - plus time to and fro - unless they are fascinated by the middle ages - then they could probably spend most of hte day.

Adu's- the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread was that Rosary Bead. I saw it for the first time at age 10 and was amazed at its intricacy. thanks for the picture.

This is all great feedback, thank you! My folks are staying in Midtown 7th/53rd and so the A line uptown to 191st St sounds right, though I didn't think about the to/fro time.

As for dinner, of the suggestions above, Marseille or Dafni's looks interesting. The pre-theater menu at Sardi's looks limited. Etc Etc looks promising as well. Think I will try for Dafni's. Thanks again!

Forget Sardi's. While its theatrical ambiance is commendable, its food is not!
I'd add Thalia (50th & 8th)to the restaurant list.

Agree Sardi's is aplace you go for history and atmospher - not food. If you want history, atmosphere and decent food there's 21 - but they're not giving anythng away.

As a follow up to the dinner choice, does anyone have an opinion on the fish and seafood at Dafni's, as that would be the only things we'd be ordering. My folks (Korean) are not into lamb, pork, or poultry so I try to find places with really good fish or meat.

Thanks again!

DebitNM

It is an extraordinary creation and I am glad I was not assigned to do it.

If it does not have to be in the theatre district for dinner, try Flex Mussels. It's on 13th just east of 7th, so the subway is right there for a quick trip to 42nd St.

Flex Mussels, has wonderful seafood and of course a specialty is there mussels imported from Canada weekly. Order the fries with truffle oil, SOOOOO good.

I'm another fan of the rosary bead which is not to be missed. It is no longer downstairs, but now on the main level. If you can't locate it, ask any of the security guards. The unicorn tapestries are also a personal favorite and very special.

Congratulations on your graduation!

Yes, theses unicorn tapestries are also in my memory bank.

CPG - thanks! It's been a harrowing 2 yrs here in NYC striking a balance with school and work. So glad to be done and finally get minted =)

On Thursday, after the trip to Cloisters, we will make our way to West Village to meet my sis/her kids who're also coming to NYC for my graduation. I'm planning to take them to Fish on Bleecker St. We'll be done I think pretty early, say 8 8.30pm. Am scratching my head as to where to take them afterwards....the kids are pre-teen 10/12. the folks are 62/65. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks again in advance!

Well, if it works better you can eat at New Leaf just feet from the Cloisters. Excellent rest.

If you decide to eat at New Leaf, you should have a reservation, even for lunch.