5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Hispanic Society Museum as a Tourist in NYC

The term “Hispanic” is used to describe people who have a background (direct or indirect) in a Spanish-speaking country. Being a Hispanic doesn’t mean you speak Spanish. There are many Hispanics whose vocabulary catalog starts in “Holla amigo” and ends in ‘‘gracias.” 

What makes people Hispanic is the similar culture, and the Spanish culture is an ancient one. One thing that is certain about ancient culture in this modern world is that most of its elements have been lost, stolen, or hidden. For people interested in learning about an ancient culture or trying to know more about their roots, a museum or a library is the perfect place to be.

Why Visit a Hispanic Society Museum in New York?

New York City is blessed with many things, and museums are one. You can visit somewhere like The Hispanic Society of America Museum & Library to learn more about the Hispanic society.

Artifacts in this library and other available activities are dedicated to informing, educating, and entertaining people with the arts and culture of Spanish-speaking societies (Spain, Portugal, and so on). 

So if you ever visit NYC as a tourist, here are five reasons you should visit this museum.

1. You don’t pay a dime

If you are a frequent tourist, you would understand the stress of having to pay for everything everywhere you visit and everything you do. Even if you came prepared, these bills could be pocket-unfriendly.

Walking is free, but walking into a place will cost some dollars unless you walk into The Hispanic Society Museum. The museum is free-for-all every day and every time of the year. The museum is focused on purpose rather than profit.

On days when you are out of cash and financially constrained to leave your lodge, The Hispanic Society Museum is a place to spend some time, have fun, and revel in the tourist experience. 

2. It has an extensive collection

Okay, that heading was an understatement. The Hispanic Society of America Museum holds the largest collection of 19th-century Spanish art, more than any other museum outside Spain. Some unique artworks in this museum include Francisco de Goya’s The Duchess of Alba, Diego Velazquez’s Conde-Duque De Olivares, and Jose Campeche’s Dona Maria Catalina. It’s a lengthy list, so you might want to check it out yourself.

You can be in New York and feel like you are walking through the streets of Barcelona. You don’t need to fly there to relish the feeling.

3. It has many rare books

Are you a book lover? If yes, think of what it will feel like to walk through a collection of 250,000 books. Yes, the number of zeros is correct! It’s mind-blowing if you are a fan of history books because The Hispanic Society of America Museum has everything from publications, manuscripts, and publications from way back in the 19th century.

These publications send you to different parts of the world — Spain, Latin America, the Philippines, Portugal, and more. Very few libraries or institutions can come close to or beat the standard of this museum. Having books and making tourists drown in the smell of ancient pages is not enough. Is it?

The museum also has a reading room where you can borrow a book and unwind in the knowledge hidden in its pages. Seeing that the library is free, it is also a great place to perform research work if you are a student of history. The library grants users quick access to any book of their choice. 

4. Souvenirs

You do not want to visit a place like The Hispanic Society of America Museum and leave empty-handed. You want to get something that will help you preserve the memory of this place.

The museum has many rare books, but you cannot carry them home. However, these books have been converted into digital form, and you can get these digital copies for free.

The museum also has a shop where you can get museum-themed items. Prints, pictures, arts, and more that teach more about the Hispanic arts and culture than you can purchase at the museum’s shop for a couple of dollars. 

5. Ancient meets modern

The Hispanic Society of America Museum is your best bet to find ancient Spanish art and literature in the U.S. However, the place is not as archaic as the items stored in it.

The museum has a modern library containing over 3000 monographs and 1,500 periodical titles. Several modern installations make the museum easy to use and give it a 21st century feel yet transcends effortlessly with memories from the 19th century and beyond. 

Final Notes

Spending time at The Hispanic Society of America Museum as a tourist is never a loss. Irrespective of who you are, you will find something that interests you when you take a tour around the museum. Sculptures, drawings, maps, folklores, everything!