10 Places to Visit Across the US in Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month

Cities across the country offer dedicated events for National Hispanic Heritage Month as well as sites and activities that celebrate Hispanic contributions all year long. Find out where to go during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

By: Mariette Williams

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Shutterstock/MobileSaint

Photo By: Shutterstock/Fotoluminate

Photo By: Shutterstock/Thomas Barrat

Photo By: Shutterstock/Benny Marty

Photo By: Shutterstock/Jeffrey M. Frank

Photo By: Shutterstock/Henryk Sadura

Photo By: Shutterstock/Leonard Zhukovsky

Photo By: Shutterstock/Kokoulina

Photo By: Shutterstock/Andriy Blokhin

Photo By: Shutterstock/Kelly Jobe

Photo By: Shutterstock/David Tran Photo

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States

Celebrated from September 15th to October 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to highlight the many historical and cultural achievements of the Hispanic and Latinx populations in the United States. National Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 under President Lydon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and in 1988 President Ronald Regan extended it to a month-long celebration.

Today, there are festivals and community events across the country that mark the important month-long celebration — as well as museums, national parks and lively neighborhoods that can be visited year-round. From Miami to Los Angeles, consider visiting these 10 sites across the United States during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond.

Little Havana - Miami

One of Miami’s most visited neighborhoods, Little Havana is filled with Cuban restaurants, cafes, bakeries and art galleries. It’s also home to Maximo Gomez Park, also known as Domino Park, where locals gather to play dominos. Visitors should also check out Versailles, Miami’s beloved Cuban restaurant, for a classic Cuban sandwich. Every March, Little Havana comes alive with the Calle Ocho Music Festival which features a lively street party and big musical acts. A visit to Little Havana should also include a visit to El Titan De Bronze to see Cuban cigars being rolled by hand.

The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture - Chicago

Located in Chicago's Humboldt State Park, The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is a repository of rotating exhibits that showcase Puerto Rico’s vibrant artwork. Along with work from new artists, the museum has a permanent collection of art that dates back to the late 18th century. The museum opened in 2000, and guests can look forward to the many oil paintings, photographs and sculptures that tell the story of Puerto Rico’s rich heritage.

Olvera Street - Los Angeles

Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, Olvera Street is a colorful, tree-lined lane in the oldest part of the city. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles, the main attraction is a marketplace that dates back to the 1930s where visitors can spend an afternoon watching folklore dancers, listening to Mariachi bands and shopping the family-owned vendors selling Mexican folk art. Several times a year, residents take to the streets for festivals like Cinco de Mayo, Dia De Los Muertos and Fiestas Patrias, which celebrates Mexican Independence Day.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument - Mountainair, New Mexico

For a unique look at early American history, head to New Mexico to visit Salinas Pueblo Missions National Park, located just south of Albuquerque. The national park is made up of Native American pueblos and Spanish missions in a remote area of New Mexico. The ruins, named Abó, Gran Quivira and Quarai are well preserved and tell the story of early contact and cultural clash between Pueblo Indians and Spanish colonists. Each of the sites has a visitor’s center and park rangers on hand to answer questions.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - St. Augustine, Florida

Florida’s oldest city, St. Augustine, dates back to 1565, and the 400-year-old city is full of historic attractions from the Spanish colonial era. One of the most impressive monuments is Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a fortress that was built by Spanish settlers to defend Florida. The fortress overlooks Matanzas Bay and it’s open for visitors every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Don’t miss the cannon firings that take place several times a day on Saturdays and Sundays.

El Barrio - East Harlem, New York

El Barrio, also known as Spanish Harlem, is a colorful neighborhood in East Harlem, New York. A major neighborhood attraction is El Museo del Barrio, a museum of visual art exhibits dedicated to Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latin American communities. The 50-year-old museum has a permanent collection of over 8,000 objects which include drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures. The neighborhood is also home to the Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration in January featuring dancing, music and giant puppets.

La Villita Historic Arts Village - San Antonio

La Villita Historic Arts Village is on the National Registry of Historic Districts and has the special distinction of being San Antonio's first neighborhood. Originally a settlement for Spanish soldiers, the area had a prime location on the banks of the San Antonio River. The neighborhood was mostly abandoned in the early 20th century, but today, the 300-year-old village is a beautiful destination full of shops, restaurants and art galleries. Spend an hour or two strolling down the cobblestone streets to check out the colorful handcrafted items made by local artisans.

The Cabildo - New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its French-influenced cuisine and traditions, but at one time the city was under Spanish rule. For a history lesson about Spanish influence in Louisiana, head to the French Quarter to check out The Cabildo. The Spanish colonial building was built between 1795 and 1799 and over the years it’s been used as the headquarters of the Spanish Colonial Government, The Louisiana Supreme Court and now, the Louisiana State Museum. Today there are more than 500 artifacts and paintings that tell the story of Louisiana's Spanish history.

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center - Austin, Texas

The mission of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is to preserve and promote Mexican American arts and heritage. Inside the modern building, there are classrooms, a theater, and two art galleries where admission is always free. Opened in 2007, the center also regularly hosts dance, theater and music performances. The community center also often features crafts, music lessons, bilingual camps and fitness classes in Spanish.

Mission District - San Francisco

If you’re in the San Francisco area, be sure to stop by the Mission District, one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco. The neighborhood is named after the Mission San Fransisco de Asis which was built by Spanish settlers in 1776. At the heart of the neighborhood is Mission Dolores Park, a 16-acre park with tennis and basketball courts that overlooks Los Angeles. Every May, the Mission District hosts the Carnaval San Francisco, a dazzling street parade that celebrates San Francisco's diverse Hispanic, Latinx and Caribbean communities.