Tips for Multicultural Travelers

Philadelphia offers a wealth of ethnic communities and neighborhoods, from the booming Vietnamese area in South Philadelphia to North Philadelphia's Latino melting pot El Centro de Oro to proudly African-American West Oak Lane and West Philly. Philadelphia's Multicultural Affairs Congress (tel. 215/636-3404; www.philadelphiamac.org) is a great starting point for learning about the city's historical and modern diversity. Another terrific way to learn about Philadelphia's multicultural heritage is to take a morning neighborhood tour with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation. These are offered Saturdays from May through October from 9:30am to 12:30pm and include "El Centro de Oro," "Philadelphia's Civil Rights Struggle," and "Voices of Chinatown." Call tel. 215/389-TOUR or visit www.gophila.com to book one.

African-American Travelers -- Half of all Philadelphians are African American. Black culture thrives in every facet of city living. Nearly 100 historic sites trace the accomplishments of black Philadelphians: the world's first African Methodist Episcopal church, the nation's oldest continuously published African-American newspaper, The Philadelphia Tribune, and vital stops along the underground railroad. On the list of famous African-American Philadelphians: Marian Anderson, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Bill Cosby, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, and Paul Robeson.

Black Travel Online (www.blacktravelonline.com) posts news on upcoming events and includes links to articles and travel-booking sites. Soul of America (www.soulofamerica.com) is a comprehensive website with travel tips, event and family-reunion postings, and sections on historically black beach resorts and active vacations.

Agencies and organizations that provide resources for black travelers include Rodgers Travel (tel. 800/825-1775; www.rodgerstravel.com) and the African American Association of Innkeepers International (tel. 877/422-5777; www.africanamericaninns.com). For more information, check out the following collections and guides: Go Girl: The Black Woman's Guide to Travel & Adventure (Eighth Mountain Press), a compilation of travel essays by writers including Jill Nelson and Audre Lorde; The African American Travel Guide by Wayne Robinson (Hunter Publishing; www.hunterpublishing.com); Steppin' Out by Carla Labat (Avalon); Travel and Enjoy Magazine (tel. 866/266-6211; www.travelandenjoy.com); and Pathfinders Magazine (tel. 877/977-PATH; www.pathfinderstravel.com), which includes articles on everything from Rio de Janeiro to Ghana as well as information on upcoming ski, diving, golf, and tennis trips.

Latino Travelers -- Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Columbian, and Brazilian communities thrive within city limits, currently the second-largest Hispanic market in the Northeast. The most recognized center of Latino life is El Centro de Oro, "the center of gold" district around 5th Street and Lehigh Avenue. Here, you'll find the Puerto Rican cultural center and gallery of Taller Puertorriqueño, at 2721 N. 5th St. (tel. 215/426-3311; www.tallerpr.org), and the performing arts organization of the Asociación de Músicos Latinos Americanos, 4261 N. 5th St. (tel. 215/324-0746; www.amla.org).

Check out the above websites (and www.gophila.com) for information on festivals celebrating Cinco de Mayo, La Feria del Barrio, the Puerto Rican Week Parade, Mexican Independence Day, and the Feast of the Three Kings.

El Centro de Oro and South Philadelphia are both great places to fill up on Latino home cooking. For those looking to network, contact the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (tel. 215/790-3723; www.philahispanicchamber.org).

Asian Travelers -- Philadelphia's Asian community makes up almost 5% of its total population. The city's most visible representation of Asian heritage is the bustling Chinatown neighborhood that stretches north from Arch Street between 8th and 11th streets. The district boasts Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Indonesian, Burmese, and Korean restaurants, noodle bars, pastry shops, tearooms, gift shops, grocery stores, and churches. South Philadelphia neighborhoods have also seen an influx of Asian residents: The area along Washington Avenue from 6th to 11th Street is studded with vibrant shopping centers featuring Asian supermarkets, noodle bars, Korean barbecues, Vietnamese restaurants, and shops. Prominent Asian restaurateurs include Joseph Poon (the unofficial mayor of Chinatown), Susanna Foo (who operates an elegant, eponymous restaurant at 1512 Walnut St.), and Masahuru Morimoto (the Iron Chef, whose first restaurant is at 723 Chestnut St.).