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List of tourist attractions in Ponce, Puerto Rico facts for kids

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Parque de Bombas-Ponce Puerto Rico
Parque de Bombas, built in 1882, is one of Puerto Rico's most photographed structures

Ponce is the second-largest city in Puerto Rico, outside of the busy San Juan area. Over 100,000 people visit Ponce every year!

Ponce has many amazing places to see. You can find old monuments and beautiful buildings, like the Monument to the Abolition of Slavery and the Armstrong-Poventud Residence. The city also has unique pink marble sidewalks and special street corners. You can explore historic houses, grand castles, and concert halls. For more modern fun, visit the La Guancha boardwalk by the sea. There are even places that are super old, like the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, which is about 1500 years old! People often call Ponce "the most Puerto Rican city in Puerto Rico" because it shows so much of the island's history and culture.

Discovering Ponce's City Areas

Ponce's Historic Heart

Cool Museums to Explore

See also: List of museums in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Weichert-Villaronga
Museo de la Arquitectura Ponceña, built in Classical revival style by Alfredo B. Wiechers, opened in 1996

Ponce has many museums where you can learn about art, history, and more!

Fun Parks and Green Spaces

See also: List of parks in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Dora Colon Clavell Urban Park in Barrio Primero in Ponce, PR. (IMG 3576)JPG
Parque Urbano Dora Colon Clavell located 2 blocks from Plaza Las Delicias

Ponce has many parks where you can relax, play, and enjoy nature.

Important Monuments

Antigua Casa Sauri en Barrio Segundo, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Casa Saurí, today a protected section of a hotel, was built in 1882

Ponce has monuments that tell important stories about its past.

Old and Beautiful Houses

Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña in Barrio Cuarto, Ponce, PR (IMG 2958)
Casa Serrallés, built in 1911, was the downtown residence of the Serrallés family as opposed to their 1935 hilltop castle-residence.

Many historic houses in Ponce show off amazing architecture from long ago.

Historic Churches

IMG 2980 - Holy Trinity Church in Barrio Cuarto in Ponce, PR
Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad, the first Protestant church in Latin America, built in 1873

Ponce has several beautiful and historic churches.

Old Commercial Buildings

These buildings were once important businesses and show Ponce's past.

Modern Buildings and Fun Spots

Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicéns, Bo. Canas Urbano, Ponce, Puerto Rico, mirando al oeste
Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicéns, home venue for Leones de Ponce, sits 16,000 people

Ponce also has newer buildings and places for entertainment.

  • Coliseo Pachin Vicens (1972): A large arena where the Ponce Lions basketball team plays. It can hold 16,000 people!
  • Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico (1948): A university campus.
  • La Guancha (1990): A popular boardwalk by the sea.
  • Concha Acústica de Ponce (1956): An outdoor concert shell where the Municipal Band sometimes plays.
  • Complejo Ferial de Puerto Rico (2012): A modern convention center.

Theaters for Shows

See also: List of theaters in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Enjoy plays and performances at these theaters.

Shopping and Markets

Plaza del Mercado Isabel II in Ponce, PR (IMG 2684)
Plaza de Mercado Isabel Segunda farmer's market was built in 1863

Find unique items and fresh produce at these places.

  • Paseo Atocha: A charming street for shopping.
  • Los Chinos de Ponce: An ice cream parlor that's been around for over 50 years!
  • Fox Delicias Mall: An old theater that was turned into a shopping mall (now closed).
  • Plaza de Mercado de Ponce: A historic farmer's market.
  • Mercado de las Carnes: Also known as Plaza Juan Ponce de León, another market.

Cultural Places

Banda Municipal de Ponce, Puerto Rico (DSC05337)
The ultra-centenarian Banda Municipal de Ponce plays free "retreta" concerts every Sunday evening at public places in the city

These places help keep Ponce's culture alive.

  • Centro Cultural de Ponce Carmen Sola de Pereira: A cultural center.
  • Biblioteca Municipal de Ponce: The city's public library.
  • Banda Municipal de Ponce: This city band is over a hundred years old! They play free concerts on Sundays.
  • Antiguo Casino de Ponce: An old casino building.

Fun Festivals and Events

Ponce Servicios, en Ponce, Puerto Rico, mirando hacia el noroeste (07213)
Ponce Servicios, brutalist building occupies an entire city block

Ponce hosts many exciting events throughout the year.

  • Carnaval de Ponce: A big, colorful carnival celebration.
  • Día Mundial de Ponce: A day celebrating Ponce.
  • Feria de Artesanías de Ponce: A craft fair with local handmade items.
  • Festival Nacional de la Quenepa: A festival celebrating the quenepa fruit.
  • Las Mañanitas: A special morning celebration.
  • Fiesta Nacional de la Danza: A national dance festival.
  • Ponce Jazz Festival: Enjoy jazz music at this festival.
  • Ponce Marathon: A long-distance running event.
  • Cruce a Nado Internacional: An international swimming race.

Other Interesting Spots

Beyond the Historic Zone

More Museums

Panteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro
Panteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro (1842), an inactive burial grounds, final resting place of many illustrious citizens

There are also museums just outside the main historic area.

Cemeteries with History

These cemeteries are resting places for many important people from Ponce's past.

Historic Homes and Castles

Mausoleo Bomberos de Ponce, Cementerio Civil, Barrio Portugués Urbano, Ponce, Puerto Rico (DSC05401)
Monument to the Heroes of El Polvorín Fire (1911), mausoleum and final resting place for Ponce's bravest

Explore grand homes and even a castle!

Other Places to See

Exploring Outside the City

Beautiful Beaches

Caja de muerto playa
Playa Pelícano Beach, a Blue Flag beach at Caja de Muertos, Nature Reserve
See also: List of beaches in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Ponce has lovely beaches where you can swim and relax.

Majestic Mountains

Cerro Punta Puerto Rico
Cerro de Punta, in Ponce's Barrio Anon is Puerto Rico's tallest peak at 4,390 ft
See also: List of mountains in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Discover the tall mountains around Ponce.

Parks, Forests, and Fun Areas

Explore nature and enjoy outdoor activities in these spots.

Other Interesting Places Outside the City

  • Hacienda Buena Vista: A 19th-century coffee plantation where you can learn about coffee making.
  • Destileria Serralles: The distillery where Ron Don Q rum is made.
  • Portugues Dam

See also

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