This charming enclave of The Met is housed in a re-constructed ensemble designed to resemble a medieval-era monastery on four acres in Fort Tryon Park. Located in the Bronx, the lovely park runs along the Hudson, with views across the river of the New Jersey Palisades’ plateau, and is beautiful in the spring.
The museum focuses on medieval art, architecture and gardens with the main focus on religious artifacts. It’s not large, but beautifully appointed and you truly feel you are transported to a hilltop somewhere in Europe. It’s hard to believe you are a short subway ride from the middle of Manhattan.
Open since 1938, The Met Cloisters has been heavily endowed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., including the gift of the famous Unicorn Tapestries, my favorite. There is an incredible collection of striking tapestries on display. Exhibits span from the Romanesque through the Gothic periods. 
If You Go:
Open seven days a week, during the day from 10 AM, closing hours vary slightly by season, so check the website for up-to-date details. Adults $25; seniors $17; Students $12 and children under 12 free. Tickets also entitle same-day admission to other Met museums. If you go by subway, take the “A” train to the 190 Street stop and walk through the gardens to the museum. Or, grab an Uber to 99 Margaret Corbin Drive. There is a nice gift shop as well as a café (open April – October) on premises.
http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloisters
A few interesting scenes from around the city.
Central Park with orchid sculpture in the distance.
Although the bas-relief motifs seem like they should be on Communist Party headquarters, this Art Deco loft building was built in 1925. Located in SoHo, the building now houses a variety of companies, including the agency my daughter works for. The images are an interesting collection: weighing metal? fabricating? shaving wood or metal? mixing chemicals? Originally known as the Green Building, I’m still searching for answers about its early use.
While researching the art on the SOHO building above, I came across a great blog called Ephemeral NY: Chronicling an ever-changing city through faded and forgotten artifacts. Fellow history-lovers will enjoy it: https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com
Love the entry portals to the diamond district.
The photo is not skewed, this gargoyle is one of two over doorways, Upper East Side.
Current sculpture at Rockefeller Center, “Van Gogh’s Ear.” Really?
There is a lot more you can do at the beach besides bake in the sun. The Beach Walk on Miami Beach beckoned for one final call before the weather turns unbearably hot and sticky. I’ve written about this before, so won’t take space to expound, but will share a couple of shots from a fun afternoon escaping the realities of a routine day. Of course, it’s always fun to pick a spot along Ocean Drive for lunch and people watch while you cool off.
Craftsman Al, makes replica lifeguard stands, a perfect souvenir or just plain fun to have. Priced from $40 – $55, he can be found at the 17th Street entrance to the Beach Walk..
Check out my recent story, in Pinecrest Lifestyle magazine, about this incredible group of historic preservationists:
