A Palace of Spanish Art (Without the Crowds)
In Washington Heights, far from the Met’s tourist throngs, the Hispanic Society Museum & Library houses one of the world’s finest collections of Spanish art—for free. Founded in 1904 by Archer Huntington, this Beaux-Arts gem boasts Goya portraits, Sorolla murals, and a courtyard modeled after Madrid’s Alhambra.
Masterpieces in Quiet Corners
The museum’s crown jewel is Joaquín Sorolla’s Vision of Spain, 14 colossal murals depicting Spanish life. Other highlights include a first-edition Don Quixote and a 3,000-year-old Egyptian vase traded by Phoenicians. Yet it’s often empty—locals joke it’s “the Met’s secret cousin.”
How to Channel Your Inner Patron
Free Tours: Sundays at 2 PM, historians decode Sorolla’s brushstrokes.
Hidden Garden: The Alhambra Courtyard’s fountain is a quiet spot for reflection.
Pair It: Walk to La Casa de los Tacos (207 Dyckman St) for post-art al pastor.
Pro Tips from an Art Scholar
Sorolla Hack: Download the free app for audio stories about each mural’s region.
Temporary Closure: The museum is renovating until 2025, but select galleries are open.
Nearby: The Audubon Terrace complex has other hidden gems (like the American Academy of Arts and Letters).
Why This Museum Matters
It’s a love letter to Spanish culture, hidden in plain sight—no ticket, no lines, no fuss.
Visitor Intel
📍 Address: 613 W 155th St
🕒 Hours: Wed–Sun 11 AM–5 PM
💸 Entry: Free
🚇 Closest Subway: 155th St (C line)
Ready for a Flemish-Spanish Escape?
Just don’t blame us if you start craving paella.
Next up: Catacombs under Brooklyn…
