Our Neighborhoods are filled with a flavorful cultural mix of Boston’s diversity. The Chinatown neighborhood is the third largest in the country. Jamaica Plain is a dynamic neighborhood characterized by diversity in race, ethnicity, economic class and sexual orientation. Dorchester is home to an increasing number of Asian, Latino and Haitian immigrants. The Franklin Park Zoo is located here and long considered the "crown jewel" of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace Park System. Highlights of the Zoo include the African lions of the Kalahari kingdom, Masai giraffe and Grevy’s zebra of the Giraffe Savannah, and western lowland gorillas of the Tropical Forest. Roxbury is the home to Boston’s thriving African American community. The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, dedicated to the celebration, exhibition, collection and criticism of black visual arts heritage worldwide, is located here as is the Roxbury Center for the Arts at Hibernian Hall which sponsors the Roxbury Film Festival and Roxbury Open Studios. Mattapan is home to much of Boston’s Haitian community and other West–Indian groups. The South End is a diverse mix of families, young professionals and the gay and lesbian community.
 

Tours – Boston is America’s Walking City so take the time for these cultural sojourns: the Black Heritage Trail is a walking tour that explores the history of Boston’s 19th-century African American community.  Guided walking tours are offered by the National Park service daily, Memorial Day–Labor Day, Museum of African American History. The Chinese Heritage Trail, is a self guided walking tour about Chinatown, its past, the neighborhoods, the community, and its future. The Cambridge Black History Trail has 20 historic plaques across Cambridge honoring notable African Americans who were abolitionists, authors, educators, and office holders in Cambridge from 1840 to 1940. One of a kind tours include MYTOWN which offers special youth led tours of the historic South End neighborhood, and Discover Roxbury provides special trolley tour‘s of Boston’s historic Black community. The Irish Heritage Trail, a guide to landmarks of Irish-American artists and heroes from the 1700s to the present here in Massachusetts. The Trail is divided into three sections: 20 sites in downtown Boston and Back Bay, covering over three miles: and over 50 other landmarks in Boston neighborhoods, cities and towns throughout the state.

Festivals - Summer brings the Chinatown and August Moon Festivals and Native American POW WOW events. The Dragon Boat Festival in June turns the Charles River into a colorful regatta. Franklin Park in Dorchester hosts the Puerto Rican and Haitian Festivals in July and the Caribbean Carnival and Dominican Festival in August. Global diversity is the theme of the Cambridge River Festival and Cambridge Carnival International and features elaborate costumes, live music and ethnic food. In September, the Beantown Jazz Festival brings Boston’s historic South End to life with jazz music featuring local, national and international artists. Ethnic film festivals can be enjoyed late summer throughout the fall. Visit our Calendar of Events for more information on festivals.