I am considering going to the Cloisters in October. I know it's on a hill, but I was wondering if it's an easy walk up or is it many stairs? I have trouble with stairs and was wondering how accessible it is.

"Because of its landmark status, The Cloisters has somewhat limited accessibility for visitors with mobility impairments. For more information, please call 212-923-3700 in advance or ask at the entrance upon arrival."

http://www.metmuseum.org/events/ev_c...ns_cloisters_l

The M4 bus says it goes to the Cloisters - but I'm not sure how close it really gets to the buildings - since I've been only by car.

Agree to call them. If the bus doesn;t stop directly at the museum you could spring for a cab - but would need to organize a car service on the way back.

gsidell - it's on a hill (not an easy walk), and there are lots of stairs inside as well. There is an elevator, but it only goes from the first floor to the second floor. Your best bet would be to drive up there or take a cab, and ask at the gate how to get through the portcullis entrance (that's on the first floor level). You can take the elevator from there. The other entrances are below the first floor, and there's LOTS of steps going up to it.

It's a wonderful place, I hope you get to experience it.

Bookmarking. Thank you.

Sandy

Having been there several months ago I can offer the following information : The M4 bus DOES indeed drop you off right in front of the entrance. However, DO NOT take this bus unless you feel like being on it forever. We had the misfortune of taking it from around 33rd street and it took TWO HOURS to get to the Cloisters, since it stops on every second corner.

On our way back, we were smarter and took the M4 bus for one stop to the subway station and there took a train, I think the A line for several stops and it only took about 20 minutes to get back to our destination.

Having said all that, here is the lowdown on steps. There are steps, quite a few, to get up to the ticket office once you get to the entrance. I did not see an elevator, but since others have said there is one, I assume they are correct.

To get down to the subway station, there is again quite a lot of steps to go down, but once in, there is an elevator that takes you further down into the station.

Having been to endless European sites, I was not impressed at all by the Cloisters and could have skipped it. But if you have not visited Europe, it could certainly be a worthwhile visit.

While the Cloisters is nothing to compare with great European treasures, I think it is a fun little place to visit and a breath of fresh air in the city. It's a perfect place for a picnic on the splendid grounds overlooking the Hudson. Hard to believe you're still in Manhattan.

No, it's not Europe...but it is a special place. I remember going there for the 1st time on a field trip from [either elementary of junior high] school and being amazed at the place and its collections. I returned in the early 70's and still was taken with its beauty. It was like an oasis from the hot city.

Now, I've not been there in ages, but I do remember that the areas outside of the actual property were not the "best" of neighborhoods back then. Not sure if that is still the case. {I know..."Fort Apache, The Bronx" images abound} IF it is still so & if you are going to picnic, do it on the grounds. And also if the area is less than safe, consider minimizing your walking outside the park.

Don't mean to be an alarmist, just wanted to inform.

Debi

The area is absolutely beautiful - i live here with my husband and 2 yr old daughter. Very neighborhood/family feel. It is perfectly safe, although east of broadway tends to be very spanish (dominican) it is mostly a blue collar working crowd, and the dominicans are very friendly and family oriented - it is loud and busy, but not unsafe. That being said, as with anywhere else in a big city, if you are wide eyed and look like a lost tourist and are unaware, someone may indeed take advantage. But the area is in no way any more or less dangerous than midtown. It is a wonderful neighborhood. If you do decide you can handle the walk I can recommend some great restaurants for lunch.

Lori,
Glad to hear that the neighborhood is better than I remember. The Cloisters is a spectacular place.
Debi

The bus gets right to the front entrance. For those who can walk it, the approach through the park - the last ten minutes or so - is gorgeous, nice landscaping and broad views across the river.

The Cloisters are less than a hundred years old and fake, it's one of those only-in-America things where something pretend-old has been put there by people with lots of money (Rockefeller - and can you say Hearst Castle for an equivalent oddity on the other coast?).

So if you grew up with or have often visited the "real" old European buildings that are all over the continent and - in many cases - still functional, the Cloisters feel weird, like a phony piece of Disney-something.

But that said, it's agreeable enough, not overdone, and since its purpose was to house - in adequate stylistic surroundings - some very precious real old things, it does a good enough job at that.

The tapestries are amazing, of course, and quite well hung affording good sightlines.

It's a pleasant enough outing if you can look past the make-believe aspects.

Not been there in 40+ years.
Please let us know.
M (SMdA, Gto.)