Things to do in Ponce, Puerto Rico: The Best Historic Sites

The Antiguo Casino de Ponce (English: Old Ponce Casino), or simply the Casino de Ponce, is a historic structure, built in 1922 and located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Originally built as a social club for Ponce's elite, it is currently used as the premier reception center of "The Noble City of Puerto Rico". The building, designed by Agustin Camilo Gonzalez in the Second Empire and Neo-Rococo styles, has a French facade and tones. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1987. The building has been called "an icon of Ponce's architecture, history, and identity." It is owned and administered by the Ponce Municipal Government.

Evoking the era of the sugar barons of Puerto Rico, this beautiful Spanish Revival mansion was built in 1930 for the Serrallés family, owners of the Don Q rum distillery.

Come up to the mountains and follow the trail to the waterfall that gave Hacienda Buena Vista its name. What used to be an important coffee plantation was also the scenario of a unique relationship between land, water and slavery. Today, at the heart of the former hacienda is a carefully restored historical site containing structures more than a century old and a hydraulic turbine that's the only one of its kind. Completely refurbished, the turbine is still powered by the water of Río Canas and serves as the main engine for other machines of the time. Spaces are limited, please reserve in advance online or by phone. More dates are available for groups by request.

The Casa Wiechers-Villaronga is a neo-classical style mansion in Ponce. It was designed and built in the early twentieth century. The house was acquired and restored by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and now operates as the Museo de la Arquitectura Poncena (Museum of Ponce Architecture).

Cruceta del Vigia is a 100 feet tall cross located atop Vigia Hill in Ponce, across from Museo Castillo Serralles. It houses a tourist center at its base, a ten-story vertical tower, and a horizontal sky bridge that has panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can reach the skybridge via glass elevators or a staircase. Made of reinforced concrete, the cross has withstood various natural disasters. The arms of the cross measure 70 feet. It was inaugurated in 1984. Owned by the Town of Ponce and is currently operated by the "Patronato de Ponce", a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and administrating several of the city's landmarks.

Ponce is home to The Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, an ancient Taino village. It was initially discovered by a charcoal maker from the area, when a large flood in 1975 uncovered the buried remains--which were later shown to be a group of ceremonial plazas and ball fields. Some researchers suggest that, because of their placements, the plazas might have also been used as astral observatories. The largest indigenous cemetery, containing 186 skeletons, was also found. This site is considered to be one of the most important historical and archeological sites in the Antilles.

See a variety of Spanish, African and Indian musical instruments on display, as well as exhibits on beloved Puerto Rican musicians.

The Ponce Credit and Savings Bank holds a lot of history. It was one of the two first established Puerto Rican banks, and the first one to open in Ponce. As so, it became one of the largest banking companies in the island during the XX century. Its building was constructed in 1924 and declared a historic site later in 1987. It now serves as one of the locations for Santander Bank.

The Residencia Subira (Subira Residence), also known as Residencia Frau (Frau Residence), is a historic building located on Reina Street in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in the town's historic district. The building dates from 1910. It was designed by the architect Blas Silva. The architecture consists of Ponce Creole style. Built in 1910, the house has always been used as a family residence and has been home to three generations of this family.

Casa Oppenheimer is a historic house in Ponce, Puerto Rico, designed in 1913 by famed Puerto Rican architect by Alfredo B. Wiechers. The house is unique amongst other historic structures in Ponce for its skillful incorporation of front gardens.