El Museo del Barrio
El Museo del Barrio
3.5
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Art museum displaying works of different artists from Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Central Park
How to get there
- 103rd St • 6 min walk
- Central Park North – 110th St • 8 min walk
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3.5
62 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
25
Average
12
Poor
9
Terrible
3
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA730 contributions
May 2021
The El Museo del Bario is a collection of mostly Hispanic-themed local artists' modern art work. There's no real sense of what might have produced by vaious generations of artists in what's now Spanish Harlem or other Hispanic neighborhoods (which is what most art museums might have done), just what's ben done in the recent years.
On the postive side, admissions is free if you've purchased a ticket at the adjacent (and much better) Museum of the City of New York. So I'd visit the Museo del Bario only if you've gotten a free ticket and had already visited the NYC Museum next door.
On the postive side, admissions is free if you've purchased a ticket at the adjacent (and much better) Museum of the City of New York. So I'd visit the Museo del Bario only if you've gotten a free ticket and had already visited the NYC Museum next door.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
obsoperator
Bergen County, New Jersey7,720 contributions
Sept 2012 • Solo
This is a natural stop for anyone visiting Museum of the City of New York, Conservatory Garden, or a relative at Mt. Sinai Hospital. It's at the top of "Museum Mile" (at least until the Afro-American museum further uptown finally opens on Fifth Avenue.) Note that the TripAdvisor photos are way out of date. The museum has been thoroughly renovated and updated. The ethnic food cafe (run by Great Performances, a NYC party caterer and cafe operator at several museums) is excellent, although the assembled-to-order service can be slow. But wine is only $6 a glass, and the pours are more than 5 ounces! You can eat here without paying admission. There's a slick modern gift shop.
Note that because the city owns the Real Estate, the admission fee is discretionary. During the shared Caribbean show, they'll also give you a free pass to get into the the other two museums sharing the show, Studio Museum in Harlem and Queens Museum of Art.
I'm puzzled by some of the reviews. I wonder if the person who only found two rooms went through the plain double-doors that lead to the main galleries, which number about 12, although they are not huge rooms. The reason the current Caribbean show is shared among three museums is that El Barrio's collection is so large, they can't show enough of it in one place. And it's an excellent collection.
I felt that only about 5% of the works on display fell into the category of outsider or naive local folk (as opposed to "fine...") art. There are excellent works from about 200 years of Puerto Rican and Caribbean art here. And there's a great deal of sophisticated late-20th Century and Contemporary Art. It is all related to the Caribbean, so, no, it's not the same as going to the Whitney or the New Museum. It's usually uncrowded, and the guards are friendly and welcoming.
The permanent collection includes some landmark artists of the last two centuries you may not have seen. These include Rafael Tufino, Francisco Oller y Cestero (who studied with Courbet), Rufino Tamayo, Wilfredo Lam, Emilio Sanchez (not the tennis player!), and Enoc Perez, a high-priced young printmaker and oil painter represented by Acquavella Galleries.
This museum, alone, is not worth half of one of your precious days visiting New York. But if you love art, and you're uptown on Fifth Avenue, you won't be sorry you visited. Anyone staying at the Hostels on the Upper West Side should consider walking straight across Central Park to visit this area.
Note that because the city owns the Real Estate, the admission fee is discretionary. During the shared Caribbean show, they'll also give you a free pass to get into the the other two museums sharing the show, Studio Museum in Harlem and Queens Museum of Art.
I'm puzzled by some of the reviews. I wonder if the person who only found two rooms went through the plain double-doors that lead to the main galleries, which number about 12, although they are not huge rooms. The reason the current Caribbean show is shared among three museums is that El Barrio's collection is so large, they can't show enough of it in one place. And it's an excellent collection.
I felt that only about 5% of the works on display fell into the category of outsider or naive local folk (as opposed to "fine...") art. There are excellent works from about 200 years of Puerto Rican and Caribbean art here. And there's a great deal of sophisticated late-20th Century and Contemporary Art. It is all related to the Caribbean, so, no, it's not the same as going to the Whitney or the New Museum. It's usually uncrowded, and the guards are friendly and welcoming.
The permanent collection includes some landmark artists of the last two centuries you may not have seen. These include Rafael Tufino, Francisco Oller y Cestero (who studied with Courbet), Rufino Tamayo, Wilfredo Lam, Emilio Sanchez (not the tennis player!), and Enoc Perez, a high-priced young printmaker and oil painter represented by Acquavella Galleries.
This museum, alone, is not worth half of one of your precious days visiting New York. But if you love art, and you're uptown on Fifth Avenue, you won't be sorry you visited. Anyone staying at the Hostels on the Upper West Side should consider walking straight across Central Park to visit this area.
Written 13 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ren2012
Toronto, Canada27 contributions
Mar 2012 • Solo
Ok - so this is not a huge New York museum but it's definitely a really nice spot to check out. The small exhibits share a small part of afro-caribbean history in the Spanish speaking islands that don't get the attention from some of the bigger spots. I spent a good 45-min in the gift shop finding taking pleasure in poking around little nicknacks and music that is on display.
If you are checking out museums or Spanish Harlem (or both) - this is a good place to stop off if you have the time.
If you are checking out museums or Spanish Harlem (or both) - this is a good place to stop off if you have the time.
Written 6 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andres72423
Bridgeport, CT4,804 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
I was really looking forward to visiting this museum and unfortunately the reality of the exhibits just did not live to what the expectations were. I get that art can sometimes be different and have different meanings to everyone but I just did not get the deconstructed art exhibit which was displayed. In all hones they were just filling in space. We walked through the three different galleries and it just felt like it was empty. Maybe it was just me but I just did not get it. I commend the organization for having a museum to highlight Puerto Rican/latino art but I just found it to be lacking.
I just did not get all the busted up furniture. Sorry not sorry!
I just did not get all the busted up furniture. Sorry not sorry!
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asamper
New York City, NY21 contributions
Really its an art gallery - and a poor representation of Latin American art. Not worth your trip uptown, and not worthy of the title Museum.
Written 17 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M W
Upstate NY92 contributions
Sept 2011 • Family
I wasn't sure what to expect from this museum, but more than this. First of all, it's expensive. And then, it's very small, and not very interesting. I can't believe that there was nothing very interesting or exciting to see. This is NEW YORK for goodness' sake. I was saddened and disappointed by this museum.
Written 2 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasher
London, UK1,786 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
El Museo del Barrio is a small but colorful museum located on 5th Avenue near the north end of Central Park. When we visited there was a great exhibition (The S Files), the Museo's sixth biennial featuring work by emerging Latino artists working in the greater New York area. Unfortunately, the cafe closed before the museum (or at least it did on the day we visited) so we weren't able to eat there. The Museum of the City of New York is only a block away and the two make a good day out.
Written 1 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celster1
Brooklyn, NY155 contributions
Calling ALL parents!! please introduce your kids to this gem of culture & history and then keep on coming... as they update their art every couple of months. Kids and adults benefit from the regular events hosted by El Museo del Barrio.
Written 26 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueFee
Sterling, VA12,497 contributions
We were curious about this museum and decided to check it out. Admission was $6/person. The museum is small--on one level and U-shaped with some quirky exhibits. It's hard to categorize it--perhaps modern art? The exhibits consist of paintings, photographs, videos, sculptings and some that(to me, anyway) defy categorization. For example, in one area there was an exhibit of what appeared to be a child's toys sitting in the middle of the room. I didn't think that was a good spot to put them since I almost stepped on it. In another area, there was an exhibit that looked like CDs that were in racks much like you would see in a store. Another person went up to that exhibit and started to look through the CDs and was sharply rebuked by the security guard who said that the person could only look at the booklet next to the exhibit. The common thread to all the exhibits obviously, was that the artists were Latino. I must say that the one that amused me the most was the wall mural of the "chuleta" which continued into the ladies' room. In the ladies' room, the wall behind the mirror was painted with "did I hear a chuletaism?". It was cleverly done with the words painted so that when you looked in the mirror you could read them perfectly. The gift shop is small with some predictable items (Frieda Kahlo postcards, for example) and some interesting CDs. I found one with Plena music.
Give this museum a shot since it is different from the rest. Also, I'm fond of museums that aren't too big. You can see it all without feeling worn out!
Give this museum a shot since it is different from the rest. Also, I'm fond of museums that aren't too big. You can see it all without feeling worn out!
Written 15 April 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN5,785 contributions
Apr 2021
This gem, tucked away under scaffolding along museum row, is right across from the Central Park tranquility garden and right next to the Museum of the City of New York (also reviewed).
First, you should know that if you visit one of these museums, both of which are great, you get free same day admission to the other. So great value and would make a wonderful day out. You could visit both the museums, walk along Central Park, grab a bite from a local street vendor. And all very affordable or free!
This museum focuses on Latinx artists. The current exhibition is “La Trienial 20/21.” The art often focuses on Latinx issues, ICE/deportation, poverty, loss of culture, assimilation. COVID is featured here as well. Also a lot of queer/LGBTQIA art. So much color, so visually stimulating. Each piece is bursting with important messages, so relevant to our complicated existence in the 2020s and beyond.
The space is well curated, open, full of light. Exhibits are easy to view and not too crowded. Not overwhelming. Each plaque is in English and Spanish. Not too much info, but just enough to introduce the artist and to enhance your understanding of what’s in front of you.
Down the hall to the right of the main event space is a stunning segue that has tile and mosaics that are over 100 years old. This leads to a light filled space with unique windows along the back wall. The exhibits here were some of my favorites. One was a digital exhibit (video, spoken word, print) all about technology and how it is biased/racist/capitalistic. I stood and watched for a very long time, and had to tear myself away.
The staff are all very helpful.
Another small museum that I love and will return to over and over.
First, you should know that if you visit one of these museums, both of which are great, you get free same day admission to the other. So great value and would make a wonderful day out. You could visit both the museums, walk along Central Park, grab a bite from a local street vendor. And all very affordable or free!
This museum focuses on Latinx artists. The current exhibition is “La Trienial 20/21.” The art often focuses on Latinx issues, ICE/deportation, poverty, loss of culture, assimilation. COVID is featured here as well. Also a lot of queer/LGBTQIA art. So much color, so visually stimulating. Each piece is bursting with important messages, so relevant to our complicated existence in the 2020s and beyond.
The space is well curated, open, full of light. Exhibits are easy to view and not too crowded. Not overwhelming. Each plaque is in English and Spanish. Not too much info, but just enough to introduce the artist and to enhance your understanding of what’s in front of you.
Down the hall to the right of the main event space is a stunning segue that has tile and mosaics that are over 100 years old. This leads to a light filled space with unique windows along the back wall. The exhibits here were some of my favorites. One was a digital exhibit (video, spoken word, print) all about technology and how it is biased/racist/capitalistic. I stood and watched for a very long time, and had to tear myself away.
The staff are all very helpful.
Another small museum that I love and will return to over and over.
Written 18 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the cafe open whilst the refurbishment takes place in the galleries?
Written 18 February 2018
You might want to call the museum on that one. The cafe is sometimes open when the museum isn't and it is not attached that way. It might be but check with the museum.
Written 19 February 2018
I notice the galleries are closed til fall. Is the cafe still open whilst work takes place on the galleries?
Written 13 February 2018
Allow about an hour to tour the museum. It is quite small. Don't miss the Central Park Conservatory and The Museum of the City of New York which are both right next door.
Written 19 February 2018
hola, cuanto tiempo me lleva recorrerlo?
gracias!
Written 24 November 2016
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