Celebrate Culture in New York City
They say America is a melting pot and no other place exhibits it as well as the great city of New York! No matter your heritage, our culturally rich city welcomes you with open arms. So go exploring this weekend. Find the centers of your own culture or discover someone else’s! There’s always a festival or celebration going on. And you know what the best part about all these different nationalities coming together? The food of course! Where else can you get Thai curry and then walk across the street for falafel and zeppoles?
Chinatown
One of the biggest cultural centers in New York City is Chinatown. It’s so big there are actually three of them! (Though the one in Queens is referred to as Flushing.) There are also small pockets of Chinese growing throughout New York, but let’s concentrate on the big 3. Manhattan’s Chinatown is known as the largest commune of Chinese in the Western Hemisphere. Next to Little Italy, it holds people from all over China. Flushing is the second largest area of Chinese immigrants in NYC and is right next to the Korean section of Queens. Brooklyn’s Chinatown used to be made up of Cantonese immigrants. However, lately there has been an influx of people from Fujian and people have been referring to this section as “Little Fuzhou”.
No matter where you live in New York City, there is a Chinatown near you. Go and experience an open Chinese market. Or have some authentic Chinese food. Cantonese, Sichuan, Taiwanese, and Dim Sum; you can find food from every region of China in Chinatown. Hit up the karaoke places if you have time. It is a popular pastime in Asia and you can rent a room for as cheap as $15 an hour!
Little Italy
Little Italy is the most well-known area of the Italian population, but it has declined over the years. Still, it is an iconic place to visit and it is still populated with Italian restaurants serving authentic cuisine. Many Italians have moved out of Manhattan, instead choosing to go to the Bronx, upstate New York, Long Island, or New Jersey. Their vestige still lasts throughout the city though so if you’re feeling adventurous, go to East Harlem, previously known as Italian Harlem, or to the Little Italy in the Bronx.
Korea Town
The population of Koreans in NY is increasing and it shows. Right in the heart of the city is Korea Town. Though it is not that big, it has a variety of restaurants and stores. Next to Flushing, there is an even larger community of Koreans. You can experience Korean markets and most importantly, you can try Korean BBQ. Even if you refuse to try ethnic food, you have to try Korean BBQ (unless you’re a vegetarian). It is worth it.
Celebrations/Festivals
There’s always something going on in the city. The San Gennaro Festival takes place in September and in Little Italy celebrates the rich Italian culture of New York. The Sakura Matsuri in Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and Japan Day in Central Park both celebrate Japanese culture through food, costumes, and entertainment. The National Puerto Rico Day Parade allows Puerto Ricans to proudly display their culture. There is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Greek Independence Parade, Chinese New Year Parade, and even Canada Day.
No matter where you’re from, you can always find your heritage in New York City. The City embraces its diversity and celebrates it like nowhere else. Go out and try something new. A different world is right around the corner. Meet new people, learn new things, and have some good food while you’re at it.