Reviews
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Neighborhoods
Chinatown in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Mandarin, Neighborhoods
This Chinatown in western Brooklyn is the furthest thing possible from a tourist trap. It is a large and thriving community and well worth a visit. To get there, take the N train to the 8th Avenue stop in Brooklyn…
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Polish, Neighborhoods
For a slew of Polish stores and restaurants and people, go to Greenpoint! The sheer volume of Polish is stunning. I have been there multiple times, but on one of my favorite visits, I enjoyed a lovely walk down…
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Russian, Neighborhoods
Take the B or Q train to the Brighton Beach stop, and you will find yourself in a vibrant waterfront Brooklyn community with many Russian immigrants. If you want to practice your language skills, walk along the boardwalk in the…
Little Italy, The Bronx
Italian, Neighborhoods
Arthur Avenue, the main strip of Little Italy in the Bronx, is beautiful and charming and worth a field trip (or multiple field trips). Take the B or D subway to Fordham Road, walk 10 minutes, and you are in a…
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Arabic, Neighborhoods
According to 2000 census data, there were 24,000 Arabic speakers in Brooklyn, with a third of them residing in Bay Ridge. Take the R train to Bay Ridge Avenue (and Fourth), walk over to Fifth Avenue, and you will be…
Jackson Heights, Queens, for Many Languages
General, Hindi, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Neighborhoods
This is a fantastically polyglottal community in northwestern Queens. Take the subway to Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street and you will find yourself in possibly the most diverse community in the world. You can hear massive amounts of Spanish along…
Brooklyn Maqam Cultural Walking Tours
Arabic, Neighborhoods
Through the Brooklyn Arts Council, you can enjoy occasional inexpensive tours of Arab neighborhoods in Brooklyn. They also post maps online, for Atlantic Avenue and Bay Ridge, should you prefer to tour on your own for…
Chinatown on the Lower East Side, Manhattan
Mandarin, Neighborhoods
The most well-known Chinatown by far in New York City (there are several) embraces areas that were once inhabited by Italian, Irish, Eastern European, and other immigrant groups. Historical residues are everywhere. You can get there on multiple subway lines;…
Chinatown in Flushing, Queens
Mandarin, Neighborhoods
From what I have heard, the Chinatown of Flushing is considered by many to be a more authentic Chinatown than the one in Manhattan. I have much more to explore still, but I can tell you there are tons…