Planning on traveling this summer? Take a look at some of the most fascinating Hispanic cultural destinations across the U.S. You’ll be surprised with some locales!
El Morro National Monument, Ramah, NM
An east-west trail marked with over 2,000 symbols, dates and petroglyphs in the sandstone, El Morro was originally a source of water for explorers and travelers with a Pueblo ruin on top. Today, preservation initiatives have made El Morro a National Monument and site for camping, hiking, picnicking and exploring. Kids enjoy marking their own inscriptions on rocks near the Visitors Center and can join the Junior Ranger Program for activities while on a hike.
Pilsen Historic District, Cook County, IL
Pilsen has historically been a first-stop neighborhood for American immigrants, first from Bohemia (today located in the Czech Republic) and later from Mexico. Pilsen is recognized for its architectural and urban landscape built by its new settlers around the 1870s. Today, the population is largely Mexican-American and is restyled to fit the higher demographic. The Pilsen Historic District is marked by large, colorful murals outside of the Casa Aztlan, home of organizations that hope to ease immigrant transitions. Casa Aztlan offers art and dance classes for children as well as English language and computer classes for adults.
El Museo Latino, Omaha, NE
El Museo Latino was founded on May 5, 1993 as the first Latino Art and History Museum and Cultural Center in the Midwest. El Museo has educational programs from lectures to art classes to dance classes and gallery talks. El Museo organizes and presents special events such as the Cinco de Mayo celebration and Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
Outside of El Charro Café in Arizona. (Photo/Flickr/FCTravelPix)
El Charro Café, Tucson, AZ
Opened in 1922, El Charro Café is the oldest-running Mexican restaurant in the United States. Operated by the same, original family, El Charro Café features Sonoran style and Tucson style Mexican food. With five locations, El Charro Café is chalk-full of history dating back to the 1860s.
The Mexican Museum, San Francisco, CA
In the heart of San Francisco’s Latino community, The Mexican Museum prides itself on reflecting the evolving scope of the Mexican, Chicano, and Latino experience. Since its inception, the Museum has presented over 150 exhibits and has a permanent collection of over 12,000 objects. The Mexican Museum is recognized for its educational programs that engage youth, adults and families.
Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL
The home of many Spanish, Native American and English cultures, Castillo de San Marcos symbolizes a fight for survival in Florida. Celebrating its 450th Anniversary, the star-shaped, stone fortress stood during many colonial wars during the “New World” discoveries. “Latinized” America was a diverse, capable, and often complex society. While it sought to duplicate the Spanish life ways of the Old World, it created its own unique traditions and identities. See the history first-hand, along with still-standing weapons of war.
(Photo/Flickr/Lowjumpingfrog)
Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Dallas, TX
The simple goal of this dance company is to instill a sense of cultural pride and self-worth to young students through the study of the traditional dance forms of Mexico. The company offers a variety of programs meant to transport students to Mexico, learn its history, and its culture. Ballet Folklorico offers summer camps and classes for kids which include field trips to the Latino Cultural Center and Winspear Opera House.
Chamizal National Memorial, “A Peace Park,” El Paso, TX
This unique park celebrates the peaceful settlement of a 100-year border dispute between the U.S. and Mexico. Not one shot was fired during the Chamizal Convention of 1963. Today, the park celebrates culture with a variety of art exhibitions, theatre performances, music and kids’ programs.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, San Francisco, CA
Here’s a fun one for the kids! The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum is dedicated to all the contributions made to baseball by Hispanic players. Learn about the greatest milestones made in baseball history and and the accomplishments that got Hispanic players there. The Museum collects and exhibits these important baseball artifacts and displays them all around the country.
El Museo del Barrio, East Harlem, NY
Founded during the national Civil Rights movement, El Museo del Barrio was originally fought for by African American and Puerto Rican parents and teachers to educate their children of their diverse cultural heritage. Today, El Museo welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to discover the artistic and cultural landscape of the Caribbean and Latin America.
