Considering that it’s one of the most internationally diverse neighborhoods in New York City, the United States and the world, it’s no surprise that Jackson Heights — a vibrant community in the New York City borough of Queens where I happen to live — is an especially rewarding place to enjoy vibrant Latin American culture. One of the neighborhood’s most vibrant annual celebrations is the Queens Hispanic Parade, which takes place every September.
More than half of the population in Jackson Heights is foreign born, and over 56 percent of the residents are Latino, with Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela among the Latin American nations with impressive representation. The parade brings out an especially wide array of people from various countries, each sporting their own traditional dress and dancing to traditional music. Bolivia is always especially impressive, with multiple groups in eye-catching, colorful garb from various parts of the South American nation.
I love taking photos of the participants both during and after the parade, when they’re relaxing. And, of course, it’s only appropriate that, after a few hours of Latin American festivities on the street, the most appropriate stop is for food at one of the many restaurants and street vendors in Jackson Heights. This neighborhood has countless types of authentic cuisine from around the world, but if you’re keeping with the Latin American cuisine theme, you can sample anything from Ecuadorian ceviche to Mexican elotes.
There are multiple Latin American parades and festivals during the warmer months in Jackson Heights. But regardless of the time of year, it’s a great place to visit for an international experience. If you’re looking for a quick Latin America tour, Jackson Heights is a one-stop shop to sample culture and cuisine from around the hemisphere.
NYC & Company, which serves as New York City’s official tourism organization, encourages visitors to go beyond the usual Manhattan tourist sites when they visit the Big Apple. They have a pretty cool New York City tourism video specifically about Jackson Heights as well as a Jackson Heights travel guide that highlights some of the food and activities.
Whenever you visit, be sure to arrive hungry, because there is a lot of great cuisine to savor in this international hotspot. Yelp also offers some excellent suggestions for the best restaurants in Jackson Heights, including some of my own personal favorites like The Arepa Lady (for Colombian and Venezuelan arepas), Pío Pío and Urubamba (for Peruvian delicacies) and Laly’s and Taquería Coatzingo (for a variety of tasty Mexican dishes). The street vendors, meanwhile, are known for their tasty Mexican torta sandwiches and other favorites.