The Hispanic Society of America runs a free museum and reference library for the study of Hispanic arts and culture. The society's collections are unparalleled in their scope and quality, addressing nearly every aspect of culture in Spain as well as Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. The paintings by El Greco, Goya, and Velazquez are particularly impressive.
Best and worst times to go to the Hispanic Society of America
The best time to visit is Saturday afternoon, since the Hispanic Society offers free 45-minute tours of the building and collections every Saturday at 2 p.m.
Must see and do at the Hispanic Society of America
The society has extensive holdings of archeological finds, decorative arts, textiles, drawings, photographs, paintings and sculpture. Don't miss the comprehensive survey of Spanish paintings from the Middle Ages to the present, especially the works from the Spanish Golden Age (1550-1700), which is a particular strength of the collection. You will also want to spend some time admiring the building itself and the sculpture that adorns it: the Beaux-Arts courtyard in front of the Hispanic Society building offers an impressive statue of El Cid and reliefs of Don Quixote and Boabdil, all by Anna Hyatt Huntington.
Admission to the Hispanic Society of America
The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and most national holidays. The library generally follows the same schedule, although it is also closed for the entire month of August, and for extended periods around Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Note that the library's reading room closes at 3 p.m. in June and July
Admission to both the museum and the library is free.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Hispanic Society of America
The Hispanic Society is located in on Broadway between 155th and 156th Streets. There is limited metered parking on Broadway and free on-street parking on 155th Street between Broadway and Riverside Drive (just be sure to check signs for alternate side regulations). There is also a parking garage on 153rd Street between Broadway and Riverside Drive.
By subway, take the #1 train to Broadway and 157th Street, or the C train to 155th Street. By bus, take the M4 or the M5 to Broadway and 155th Street.
Food at the Hispanic Society of America
The Hispanic Society does not have a café but there is an extensive selection of Spanish and Latin American restaurants in the neighborhood.
Insider tip for visitors to the Hispanic Society of America
The society's library owns more than 250,000 books and periodicals, including 15,000 volumes printed before 1701, along with approximately 200,000 documents such as medieval charters, holograph royal letters, sailing charts, patents of nobility, illuminated bibles, and books of hours, as well as historical and literary manuscripts from the eleventh to twentieth centuries. If it is open during your visit, don't miss the chance to peek into the library's reading room to see what's on display.
Other places to visit near the Hispanic Society of America
The American Academy of Arts and Letters and Boricua College are also located in the Audubon Terrace buildings.
Author's bio: Victoria Franzese is a proud New Yorker who owned, operated, and wrote for a successful online travel guide for 15 years. Now, thankfully, all of her travel is purely for fun. See where she's going next at @VOFranzese.
