Explore Ethnic Heritage

The rich variety of ethnic backgrounds that make up America are chronicled in a host of New York City museums dedicated to the art, history, fashions, customs and traditions of other cultures. We suggest the following (call first for directions and hours):

Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, 10021, 212/249-8950. See exhibitions from Central and South America, Canada and the Caribbean.

Asia Society, 70th Street at Park Avenue, 10021, 212/288-6400. Three galleries are dedicated to ancient Asian art.

China Institute Gallery, 125 E 65th Street, 10021, 212/744-8181. Changing exhibitions highlight fine arts and folk traditions of China.

Hispanic Society of America, 613 W 155th Street, 10032, 212/926-2234. Exhibits date to prehistory.

Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue, 10128, 212/423- 3200. Ancient and modern Jewish art and culture are described in a Beaux Art mansion.

Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue, 10029, 212/831-7272. This is the only museum in the country dedicated to Puerto Rico and Latin America.

Museum for African Art, 593 Broadway, 10012, 212/966-1313. Exhibitions display traditional and contemporary African art.

National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Bowling Green 10004, 212/668-6624. The museum features the world's largest collection of artifacts devoted to North, Central and South American Indian cultures.

Shomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Lenox Avenue, 212/491-2200. This research library offers changing exhibits on Black culture.

Tibetan Museum, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Avenue, Staten Island 10306, 718/987-3500. Asian art gardens and buildings resembling a mountain temple create an atmosphere of tranquility.