The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art specializing in Medieval Art. It is situated in Northern Manhattan in the landscaped Fort Tryon Park, high on a perch overlooking the Hudson and the city itself.

I like Fort Tryon Park in the Summer: the high ground provides a good breeze, the gardens are in splendor and the trees are abuzz with cicadas.

Directions: Take the A-train to 190th Street and follow the signs through the Park to the Museum. This is a great day out.

Check out the website for details www.metmuseum.org/cloisters

The Museum of Natural History is on Central Park West at 81st Street (Subway 81st, B & C trains).

1. Walk north on the park’s edge and enter at 90th street. Cross the park road at the lights and walk straight ahead entering Cherry Lane – a dirt path lined with cherry trees. You will soon find yourself at the south west corner of the Jackie Onasis Reservoir – follow the runners and notice the ornithologists. If the reservoir is a clock then exit at the steps positioned at 3 o’clock and head out to Fifth Avenue.

Follow Fifth Avenue to 105th street and enter the conservatory gardens. Head north towards the Harlem mere or go across the street to The Museum of New York.

Grab any bus going down 5th Avenue (you have your Metrocard, right?) to get back to Midtown.

Difficulty: Easy

Public Transport to Trailhead: Subway – Take the A train to 181st street and follow signs to the George Washington Bridge

Difficulty: Easy

Public Transport: Take the 4,5 or 6  trains to Brooklyn Bridge/ City Hall. Q,R,W to City Hall. A,C,E to Chambers Street.

Difficulty: Medium to Strenuous

Public Transport to Trailhead: Metro North to Cold Spring on the Harlem/East Hudson Line. The train ride takes approx 1.15 hours. Click here for Metro-North schedule. On Saturday and Sunday Metro North offers additional service to or from Breakneck Ridge 2 miles north of Coldspring.

The first mile of the trail is straight up. Wear loose trousers and be prepared to boost yourself with your hands. Simply follow the white flashes and for those who wish to avoid the cliff-face and steepest parts look for the alt route marked with an X. The lookouts are stupendous and well worth the physical effort.After reaching the summit and following the undulations for a short while you will encounter a rock with three red squares on white flashes. This is a shortcut and gently descends back to Route 9D. After 0.5 miles it intersects with the yellow-blazed Wilkinson Trail – left to 9D & right to Sunset Point.

If you wish to complete the loop continue on the Breakneck Ridge trail to Sunset Point and there catch the yellow-blazed Wilkinson’s trail back to 9D