Chinatown lanterns.
Aurelien Guichard/Wikimedia

Great Ethnic Neighborhoods Around the World

By Roxie Pell
In today's globalized world, visiting a new city is no longer just a great way to experience another culture but an opportunity to learn about the multiple cultures that have taken root there. From New York's iconic "melting pot" to the cheesy Tex-Mex fajitas we can't imagine Austin without, many popular travel destinations owe their vitality to a diverse cultural patchwork of immigrant populations and minority communities. Drawing on one another's intermingling histories, residents (both new and old) of multicultural cities are constantly collaborating and learning from each other in a dynamic process of cultural transformation.

A visit to any of these 10 “ethnic” neighborhoods will get you two travel experiences for the price of one and perhaps show you more of the world than you may have anticipated seeing. Try the food, celebrate traditions, and don't forget to ask the locals about how their families got there.
A shop in Brighton Beach.
offmetro.com/Kyiv Post
Ukrainian and Russian Culture in Brighton Beach
In New York City, a quick trip to the end of the Q line is all you need to visit another world. Russian-speaking immigrants own over half the businesses in the area, making it almost impossible for visitors to miss the pervasive Cyrillic text on storefront awnings lining Brighton Beach Avenue, its main drag. Although residents have come together over their shared culture, it would be a mistake to classify Brighton Beach as simply Russian—dubbed Little Odessa after the Ukrainian city, the Brooklyn enclave is home to a diverse ethnic community. During World War II, Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine began settling the neighborhood, and with the relaxation of Soviet Union emigration policies in the 1970s, Georgians, Uzbeks, and other Russophone groups followed.

Come summer, locals and commuters alike flock to the shore, its proximity to Coney Island making Brighton Beach a natural stop on any Brooklyn itinerary. Stroll down the lively boardwalk before checking out the wild program of feathered showgirls and folk dancing acts at one of the local supper club’s over-the-top stage shows—and don't forget to sneak in a couple vodka shots along the way. Na zdrovie!
A Turkish parade in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Danyalov/Wikimedia
The Turkish Community of Kreuzberg
With its wild street art, alternative vibe, and legendary clubs, Berlin has rebuilt itself from a bombed and divided city into Europe's undisputed capital of cool. And there's no better place to tap into its underground pulse than Kreuzberg, home to punk rockers, squatting artists, and a large community of Turkish immigrants. Originally invited over to West Germany as part of a Gastarbeiter (guest worker) program instituted after the Berlin wall was built in 1961, Turkish workers eventually began inviting their families to join them, and they've since established a vibrant presence in city life.

On every street corner, visitors will encounter stands selling wonderfully cheap döner kebap, a Turkish food consisting of rotisserie lamb, salad, and special sauces, often served German-style in a fluffy pita and taken to go. If you're staying a while, swing by the crowded Turkish Market in nearby Neukölln on Tuesday or Friday for local musicians, fresh produce, and sugary treats sold by the kilo.
A horse-drawn carriage in Solvang, California.
Doug Wertmann/Wikimedia
The Danish Heritage of Solvang, CA
If you didn’t know any better, you might mistake this city in Santa Barbara County for a real Scandinavian hamlet, and in some sense it is. Solvang was founded at the turn of the 20th century by Danes who preferred the coast to the Midwest, where the majority of their compatriots had settled. Though its buildings originally resembled those of the surrounding area, many were redesigned in the Danish Provincial style after World War II, giving the town its fairytale appearance. Since then, Solvang has embraced its "Danishness" with tributes to some of Copenhagen's attractions, including a copy of the famous Little Mermaid statue, a Hans Christian Andersen bust, and a replica of Copenhagen's round tower.

Visitors can tour the Danish windmills on a horse-drawn streetcar known as the Hønen before checking out the Elverhøj Museum for Danish culture or catching a play at the Festival Theater. Today, the town celebrates its heritage with an annual "Danish Days" event held in September, which consists of parades, folk music and dancing, and æbleskiver eating competitions (bring an appetite—æbleskiver are basically balls of fried dough). Solvang's restaurants also serve a variety of traditional Danish dishes, so anyone laying off the carbs will have plenty of other options.
A metro sign with Hindi translation in Southall.
Júlio Reis/Wikimedia
Southall: London's Little India
Situated on the outskirts of the London metro area, Southall has one of the largest concentrations of Pakistani and Indian Punjabis outside of South Asia. Travelers are lured to the district by the promise of authentic Indian curry, but Southall's myriad cultural offerings are reason enough to spend a day there. The Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall is one of the largest Sikh temples outside India and the largest in Europe, and it welcomes visitors of all faiths. Shopaholics will have plenty to get excited about on Southall Broadway, the area's main shopping street, or at the Southall Market, which sells everything from spices to cheap electronics to saris. Visit during Diwali to experience the Hindu Festival of Lights in one of the best places to do it—the date changes each year, so make sure to look it up before booking your trip. Listen to some Punjabi Bhangra music if you want to get in the spirit.
A mural in Little Havana.
Phillip Pessar
Cuban Life on Calle Ocho
Daily life in Miami's "Little Havana" revolves around Calle Ocho, a lively street peppered with art galleries, monuments, and colorful murals. Grab some chilled coconut water at an open-air market or Cuban coffee at one of the café-stands lining the street and take in the relaxed island atmosphere: Afro-Cuban music blasting from storefronts, cigar-rollers making their famous products, elderly men discussing politics over a game of dominos. Or turn up on the last Friday of any month for one of Little Havana's Viernes Culturales, a monthly showcase of the neighborhood's thriving arts scene.

No trip to Little Havana is complete without a meal at Versailles, the self-proclaimed "World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant," which doubles as a gathering place for politicians and members of the community—strike up a conversation with a local and you're bound to get their take on social and political issues.
A girl dancing with traditional fans at the Korean Festival and Parade.
Ripper777/Wikimedia
LA's Multicultural Koreatown
There are more Koreans in LA than anywhere else outside Korea, and the ubiquitous Korean script on signs around central Los Angeles is a testament to their influence on local culture. A big neighborhood in a huge city, Koreatown is a happening hub of clubs, karaoke bars, and late-night eateries, and the recent opening of the Line Hotel has brought it international attention. Come for the kimchi and stay for the nightlife, or visit in September to catch the Korean Festival & Parade.

Perhaps the best thing about this ethnic enclave is its diversity: while the area is known for Korean culture, most of its residents identify as Latino/a, a demographic composition that has resulted in the blend of cultures responsible for such wonders as Korean-inspired taco trucks. Be prepared: visitors are guaranteed to hear at least three languages while in the neighborhood, so it may be a good idea to brush up on your Koreo-Spanglish before you go.
The main drag in Greektown.
Greektown/Wikimedia
Greektown at the Heart of Detroit
Detroit may be known for its cautionary tale of economic decline and urban decay, but as a historic metropolis with a growing downtown, it still deserves a stop on every tour of great American cities. Greektown is one of its liveliest areas, retaining its name despite a decline in the actual Greek population since the area's commercialization in the 1920s. With plenty of restaurants serving authentic Greek food, crowded sports bars, and a flashy casino, a night out in Greektown is a great way to tap into the pulse of Detroit life.

Visit during March for the Greek parade, or swing by after a Red Wings or Lions game to talk sports with the ardent fans. If the sporting life isn’t for you, the food alone is reason enough to head north: the owner of Greektown's New Parthenon restaurant is said to have invented the flaming Kasseri cheese served in Greek-American restaurants across the country—order the "Saganaki Opa" and see for yourself if the rumors are true.
The gardens of the International Buddhist Temple.
Terukiyo/Wikimedia
Chinese Temples and Malls in Richmond, BC
With a Chinatown in every major city (and multiple Chinatowns in some), it can be difficult to separate the tourist traps from the travel gems. Richmond, British Columbia boasts an immigrant population of 60%, the highest in Canada, with half its residents identifying as Chinese. A coastal city comprising four main islands, Richmond is host to more than 60 temples, mosques, churches, and shrines. Visit the International Buddhist Temple's serene gardens before hitting the magnificent Asian-themed shopping malls of Golden Village for everything from blinged-out cell phone cases to enormous fish tanks full of tonight's dinner.

The seaside Village of Stevenson harkens back to Richmond's roots in the fishing industry with its restaurant-lined dock, whale-watching cruises, and historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery. While summer on the coast is hard to beat, Richmond holds an elaborate Chinese Lunar New Year Festival for two weeks in January or February each year, so you really can't go wrong no matter which season you visit.
Ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral in Macau.
mydear430/Pixabay
Sino-Portuguese Macau
Macau is a city of superlatives. The first and last European colony in Asia, Macau was transferred from Portuguese to Chinese hands in 1999 and now holds the record for both highest population density and largest gambling industry in the world. While the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration made Macau one of two semi-autonomous Special Administrative Regions in China (the other being Hong Kong), after 443 years of colonial rule the subtropical peninsula is marked with an unmistakable European flair. Visitors on the Macau Heritage Walk will pass churches and temples alike as they stroll down the traditional Portuguese pavement of the UNESCO world heritage site.

Over the years, a unique Macanese culture developed from the blending of Portuguese and Chinese influences, leaving the city with countless traditions and holidays from both countries. The biggest is the Macau Grand Prix, a motor-racing event for which the main streets are converted into a racetrack. Stop by Fernando's for authentic Macanese fusion food before hitting the Baccarat table in true Macau fashion.
People celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony in Boston's North End.
Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas
Italian Pride in Boston's North End
These days, NYC's famous Little Italy is more Italian theme park than authentic enclave; travelers seeking real Italian culture will have better luck in Boston's historic North End, a tiny neighborhood and the oldest in the city. Though small, the North End is packed with nearly 100 establishments and over 80 Italian restaurants and bakeries, so you're sure to find some quality pasta wherever you turn. Since marking their territory way back in the 1800s, Italians in the area reached a demographic peak of 99.9% of the population in 1930 and compose 1/3 of its residents today.

With an astounding twelve landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places, the North End's Italian culture is rivaled only by its Puritan past for the distinction of main tourist attraction—anyone interested in American history will love the chance to revisit the classics at the Paul Revere House and Old North Church. Though frequent festivals keep things interesting year round, visit the weekend of the last Sunday in August to catch the Feast of St. Anthony. The extravaganza of parades and pushcarts culminates in a 10-hour Grand Procession during which marchers carry Saint Anthony's statue on their shoulders beneath a confetti shower of red, white, and green.
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