In addition to hosting art exhibits, the National Academy Museum runs the oldest art school in New York. Its members have included Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, I.M. Pei, Cindy Sherman, John Singer Sargent and Frank Lloyd Wright, all of whom have contributed works to the museum's collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and architecture models. The Annual Exhibition highlights new work by contemporary artists
Best and worst times to go to the National Academy Museum
If you can, schedule your visit during the summer when the Annual Exhibition takes place. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends. If you must go on a Saturday or Sunday, arrive in the morning, rather than mid-afternoon.
Must see/do at the National Academy Museum
Don't miss the chance to see highlights from the museum's permanent collection, which now includes over 7,000 works, assembled over the years as members (who have been nominated by their peers and are elected annually by the current membership) present their work upon induction into the Academy. These works span the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Admission to the National Academy Museum
The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Museum admission is free for seniors, children under 12 and academy students, and "pay what you wish" for everyone else.
Parking and Public Transportation to the National Academy Museum
The museum is located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 89th and 90th Streets. To reach the museum by subway, take the Lexington Avenue 4, 5, or 6 lines to the 86th Street Station and then walk 3 blocks north and 3 blocks west. By bus, take the M1, M2, M3, or M4 buses on Fifth and Madison avenues to 89th Street. The museum does not have a parking garage, but on-street parking is available in the neighborhood (just be prepared to feed the meters on the avenues).
Food at the National Academy Museum
The museum does not serve food, but the church next door has a lovely and reasonably priced café with outdoor seating available in nice weather. Or grab a hot dog from one of the street vendors in Central Park, which is across the street.
Insider tip for visitors to the National Academy Museum
Be sure to pay some attention to the museum building itself, which features ornate woodwork and beautiful ceilings. The elegant staircase leading from the first floor was featured in an episode of Sex and the City.
Other places to visit near the National Academy Museum
The National Academy Museum is on a stretch of Fifth Avenue known as Museum Mile. The Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Neue Galerie, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper-Hewitt, and the Jewish Museum are all within a 7 block walk.
Author's Bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The complex includes architectural monuments from five French monasteries, plus a Romanesque chapel and extensive gardens. The famous Unicorn Tapestries are displayed here as are numerous paintings, sculptures, glorious stained glass, illuminated manuscripts, and other objects from medieval times.
Best and worst times to go to The Cloisters
It's best to visit The Cloisters in nice weather so you can enjoy the beautiful gardens and view the architecture from the outside as well as from the inside. Also, visiting on a rainy day prevents you from seeing the stained glass in its full glory.
Must see/do at The Cloisters
A visit to The Cloisters is a must for those interested in the art and architecture of the Middle Ages--and for anyone interested in stunning views of the Hudson River. Highlights tours of the collection are available Mondays through Fridays and Sundays at 3 p.m., year-round. If you've come as much for the gardens as for the art and architecture, consider taking one of the garden tours, which are offered daily from May to October at 1 p.m. Tours are free with museum admission.
Admission to The Cloisters
The Cloisters is open 7 days a week. From March to October, hours are 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; from November to February, hours are 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. The recommended admission fee is $25 for adults and $17 for seniors and students; free for members and children 12 and under. This fee includes admission to The Cloisters museum and gardens and same-day admission to the main Metropolitan Museum building.
Parking and Public Transportation to The Cloisters
Visitors to who drive to The Cloisters may use free city parking available in Fort Tryon Park.
By subway, take the A train to 190th Street and Overlook Terrace and then take the #4 bus to Fort Tryon Park/The Cloisters. Or simply take the #4 (Madison Avenue) bus all the way to the Cloisters (this second option is easier, but it takes longer).
Food at The Cloisters
The outdoor Trie Café, which offers sandwiches, snacks, dessert, cold beverages, and coffee, is open from April through October.
Insider tip for visitors to The Cloisters
The Cloisters frequently hosts Sunday afternoon concerts in the 12th-century Spanish Fuentiduena Chapel, which is often cited as one of the most visually and acoustically appropriate places for medieval music performances. Ticket prices for these concerts also includes museum admission. For further information, call 212-650-2290.
Other places to visit near The Cloisters
The Cloisters are at the northern end of Fort Tryon Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the architect of Central Park. Bring a picnic, run, play, and soak up the delights of the gardens and grounds of this beautiful park.
Author's bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is one of the world's most comprehensive collections of treasures, with a collection that spans all continents and centuries. Its galleries include fine arts, decorative arts, building façades, and even an entire Egyptian temple. The museum's front steps are a favorite site for sitting and watching the world pass by on Fifth Avenue.
Best and worst time to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met can become very crowded, particularly during the winter holiday season, though you'll always find breathing room if you roam to the furthest galleries. Try visiting during the extended evening hours on Friday and Saturday, when the crowd thins somewhat.
Must see/do at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Temple of Dendur, transported from Egypt when the Aswan Dam was built, is a highlight of the museum's Egyptian collection, which also includes mummies and statuary. The extensive collection of Greek and Roman art includes sculptures and exquisitely painted vases. The collection of European paintings includes masterworks from the medieval, Renaissance, and more recent eras, with works by Titian, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, among other renowned artists.
Admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a suggested admission price of around $25 for adults, with lower prices for seniors and students, but visitors are free to pay whatever they wish. Unlike many other museums, the Met does not charge extra for special exhibits. There is an audio guide available for an extra fee.
Parking and public transportation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
There is parking available at the Metropolitan, but given its location in Manhattan, taking public transportation is easier and less stressful. Many buses stop near the museum, and the Lexington Avenue subway is walking distance away.
Food at the Metropolitan Museum
The museum has a cafeteria downstairs and a table-service restaurant with views of Central Park. The Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar seasonally offers an outdoors perspective on the city's skyline. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Balcony Bar is a relaxing location for a light bite with drinks and musical entertainment.
Insider Tip for Visitors to the Metropolitan Museum
Your admission ticket includes the museum's Fifth Avenue building plus same-week entry at the Cloisters, which displays medieval architecture and art in a beautiful setting in upper Manhattan.
Author's bio: Elissa Gilbert's first summer job was working in the Metropolitan Museum's Department of Special Publications. One of her favorite memories is of the time she and another intern set off a silent alarm as they roamed through the museum. She blogs about her travels around the world at http://www.elissaexplores.com.
