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[Flickr/wallyg]

New York is full of many great museums, many of which are concentrated along Museum Mile on the Upper East Side. But these three spots — a bit distant from popular tourist haunts like Times Square and the Financial District — are worth a subway ride for their interesting collections and special exhibits and events.

The Cloisters is an outstanding branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that often times gets overlooked because of its location in northern Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park. The only museum in America dedicated solely to medieval European art and architecture, it’s home to an astonishing 5,000 12th-15th century tapestries, books, sculptures, and other works. It’s three cloistered gardens are another draw, as are the magnificent views of the Hudson River. 99 Margaret Corbin Dr. The Lucerne Hotel is about 30 minutes south of the museum by subway.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest art institutions in the U.S., tracing its roots back to 1823, and its striking Beaux-Arts building houses extensive collections of Western, Islamic, and Eastern art. The museum also has a great temporary exhibition on view until January 31: “Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present” showcases photographers’ creative roles in the history of rock music. 200 Eastern Parkway. Gild Hall is about 20 minutes from the museum, which has its own subway stop.

Fans of contemporary and experimental art hop the subway to Queens and P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, an affiliate of Midtown’s Museum of Modern Art since 2000. (Showing up with a ticket from MoMA grants free admission, otherwise a $5 suggested donation.) Artists like Chitra Ganesh and Christian Marclay are currently on display through the spring. 22-25 Jackson Ave. Guests of the 70 Park Avenue Hotel are a 15-minute subway ride from the museum.

–Andrew Hickey of The Brooklyn Nomad.