Neighboring Little Italy and the Lower East Side, New York City’s famous Chinatown covers the area south of Broome Street and east of Lafayette Street. Here, colorful lanterns line the streets, crispy-skinned roast ducks hang in windows, exotic fruits for sale dot the sidewalks, and the scent of delicious dishes constantly wafts through the air. 

Home to the city’s largest Asian community, Chinatown is the best spot in New York to find not just incredible Chinese restaurants but also Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian fare. Though savoring memorable meals is certainly a must-do, there’s more to see and explore in Chinatown beyond eating. 

Here are just some of our favorite things to do in New York’s Chinatown.

 

Wander Down Doyer Street

First stop in Chinatown: the atmospheric, alley-like Doyers Street, which is still lined with historic tenement houses, small mom-and-pop shops, and plenty to catch your eye.

 

Peek Into the Past at the Museum of Chinese in America

Plan a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America, which covers the history of Chinese communities in the U.S. starting in the 17th century up to the present day.

 

Fill Up on Dim Sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor

While Chinatown’s dim sum restaurants tend to be large, bustling banquet halls, Nom Wah was one of the city’s first dim sum spots, opened in 1920, and still charms with a calmer atmosphere and delicious fresh dim sum selections. The tea shop’s baked goods and Chinese desserts are also a draw. 

 

See the Biggest Buddha in NYC

Stop in at Mahayana Temple Buddhist Association (open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.) to marvel at the impressive 16-foot Buddha statue and take par in Dharma talk or guided meditation session.

 

Slurp Up a Bowl of Noodles from Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles

Don’t let the line deter you — a bowl of hot, freshly made noodles from Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles is worth the wait. 

 

Sample Goodies from Deluxe Food Market

You’ll find any Chinese food staple you’re looking for, from shiny roasted and Hong Kong-style egg tarts, to teeming plates of stir-fry and lesser-known ingredients at the sprawling Deluxe Food Market.

 

Mmuseumm

Situated in an abandoned elevator shaft, Mmuseumm displays an eclectic — even bizarre — array of found objects, like shampoo containers, food wrappers, and toys. 

 

Stock Up on Tea at Sun’s Organic Garden

Find your new favorite brew at Sun’s Organic Garden, which stocks more than a thousand loose-leaf tea varieties, including a large selection of certified organic and wild-crafted teas, available by the ounce.

 

Celebrate Chinese New Year

While Chinatown manages to have a festive air year-round, Chinese New Year celebrations draw in even more visitors each year. If you’re visiting New York at the end of January or the beginning of February, check to see how the neighborhood celebrates with parades, shows, dances, food fairs, and more. 

 

Discover More of New York City

Learn more about what to do in New York’s different neighborhoods in The Knick’s NYC Travel Guide.