• Chinatown, NYCchinatown image by Linda Henn from Fotolia.com
  
  Little Italy and Chinatown are ethnic New York City neighborhoods in lower Manhattan. While Little Italy was once the destination of Italian immigrants to New York City, it has since shrunk to just the immediate vicinity of Mulberry Street, as Italian immigrants have moved to the outer boroughs and New Jersey. The remaining restaurants and cafes cater mostly to tourists. While Little Italy has contracted, its neighbor, Chinatown has expanded as its population swelled to swallow up the former Italian neighborhood. Chinatown continues to be a vibrant ethnic neighborhood. The sights, sounds, and smells of Chinatown will make you feel like you've stepped into another country as most of the signs are in Chinese and not much English is spoken.
  
  

The Feast of San Gennaro

• Little Italy comes alive during the Feast of San Gennaro, an 11-day festival in September. While originally celebrated as a religious festival in honor of the patron saint of Naples, today visitors flock to Little Italy for the festive atmosphere. The streets are filled with stands selling traditional Italian street food like Italian sausages, rides and games for kids and free musical entertainment in the evenings. The festival's main event takes place on September 19th, the official saint's day. The statue of San Gennaro is carried in a religious procession from its permanent home in the local church through the streets of Little Italy.
  
  

Have a Meal in Chinatown

• No visit to Chinatown would be complete without an authentic meal in one of the neighborhood's many eateries. Indeed, it is hard to resist the exotic aromas wafting from the restaurants, nor the sight of juicy Peking Ducks hanging in the windows. Choose a place that's crowded, a sure sign that the restaurant is a good one. A good and inexpensive bet is Excellent Dumpling House on the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Canal Street.
  
  

Have Dessert in Little Italy

• Follow up your Chinatown meal with cannoli and coffee in Little Italy. Mulberry street and the surrounding area boast several tempting cafes. Caffe Palermo, on Mulberry Street, is known as the "Cannoli King of Little Italy" and sponsors the San Gennaro cannoli eating contest. Just around the corner, Ferrara Bakery & Cafe, on Grand Street, is also renowned for its wide selection of cannoli and other Italian desserts.
  
  

Go Shopping

• Canal Street, Chinatown's main drag, is a bargain hunter's dream. Its shops are filled with cheap designer knock-offs and kitschy, inexpensive, Chinese gifts and products. Chinatown is a great place to buy your New York City souvenirs. Although it has moved from its Canal Street location further north into Soho, Pearl River Mart on Broadway is still a good place to buy Chinese gifts and accessories.