5. The Met Cloisters’ West Terrace

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Located on the very tip of Manhattan in the beautiful Fort Tryon park, the Met Cloisters is an obvious choice if you’re looking for a break, both from the sounds of the city and the present day. A branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the only museum in the United States to be dedicated exclusively to Medieval Art, the Cloisters gets its name from the inclusion of architectural elements from five medieval French cloisters in the building, some dating as far back as the 12th century. Thanks to the generosity of avid medieval artifacts collector George Barnard and other donors, the museum features many authentic medieval structures, and houses over 2,000 pieces of medieval art.

The most popular cloisters tend to get quite noisy during peak times of the day, so for a more secluded experience head to the West Terrace, where there are fewer people and a beautiful view of the Hudson awaits. Additionally, the café and adjacent garden is less populated and offers both snacks and splendid views of the river.