Founded in 1956 by John D Rockefeller (an avid collector of Asian Art), this cultural center hosts fascinating exhibits (pre-Revolutionary art of Iran, retrospectives of leading Chinese artists, block prints of Edo-era Japan), as well as Jain sculptures and Nepalese Buddhist paintings. There are daily tours (free with admission) at 2pm Tuesday through Sunday year-round and at 6:30pm Friday (excluding summer months).
The Society part of the equation brings abundant cultural fare: concerts, film screenings, lectures and culinary events (tea tastings, ramen-making demos). You’ll also find great gift ideas at the small museum shop, with its silk scarves, delicate jewelry, children’s stories and music from the Near and Far East.
