One of my fondest memories of visiting New York City for the first time is my last meal in Manhattan. The loud noises, the people, the honking, the buildings — it can all be somewhat overwhelming, especially to someone like me who comes from fields and fields of corn. As I sat scarfing down a huge Chipotle chicken burrito (walking in New York makes you really hungry), I started to feel a bit anxious. Yet, amid the hustle and bustle, I heard a soothing voice that sounded all too familiar. As I sat in that small booth, in a city so foreign to me, June Carter Cash sweetly piped through the speakers. Instantly, I felt better. “Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,” I quietly sang to myself. I have to admit, I’ve never felt more at home than in that tiny booth in Times Square.

However, my most exciting adventure took place at the Empire State Building. Fortunately, I was not struck by any taxis amidst my continuous gawking and “ahh”-ing at the enormous buildings and advertisements. Looking out from the observation deck, it was beautiful and like nothing I had ever experienced. I then looked over at my boyfriend and he was down on one knee with a beautiful ring. What?! (I was having a Faith Hill moment.) This was totally unexpected and I was speechless. Luckily, I managed a feeble “Yes.” At this point, my heart was pounding, my palms sweating, I was in New York and … now engaged! And though I don’t plan to move (or really even visit) there anytime soon, I will never forget my first trip to New York City.

If you’re like me, your idea of New York City might be summed up by Eva Gabor (as Lisa Douglas) singing the theme song to Green Acres: a penthouse view, Park Avenue, the stores, Times Square, and so on. But if you’ve had your fill of shopping and shows and great restaurants, try a totally different NYC experience — a trip to the Cloisters.
 
The Cloisters is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of art and architecture from medieval Europe. Built on a hill with parts of medieval French cloisters, the museum looks like a big castle set on four acres overlooking the Hudson River, which makes a wonderful retreat from the bustle of the city. (Heck, it would be nice just to sit for a while and take in the view of the water). Yet it’s just a subway ride away: Hop off at 190th St. and walk or take the bus to the front door.
 
Three of the cloisters showcase gardens planted according to information found in medieval writings. Works of art include paintings, stained-glass windows, column capitals, manuscripts, sculpture and tapestries, including the Unicorn tapestry series, the Met’s most famous medieval hangings, created around 1495. The series depicts hunters chasing and stabbing a unicorn (stunningly beautiful, but it made me sad). Other celebrated pieces include a 12th-century ivory cross from the English abbey of Bury Saint Edmunds; stained-glass windows from the castle chapel at Ebreichsdorf, Austria; and a 13th-century stone Virgin from the choir screen of Strasbourg Cathedral in France. Those who enjoy religious-themed art will be in heaven, so to speak. Nearly everything depicts the Virgin Mary, one of the saints, or various events in the life of Jesus.
 
I love looking at architecture, so the Cloisters building itself was a treat for me. In every room were columns, arches, corbels, doorways and other architectural pieces, all hundreds and hundreds of years old. An ornamental corbel holding up the ceiling in one room made me smile: It depicted two kids sitting side by side, each with one arm around the other, one finger pulling back the corner of the other guy’s mouth.
 
On your next trip to the Big Apple, say “Goodbye city life!” and take a trip back in time at the Cloisters.

photo credit: Suzanne Harper