In New York City, just a few subway stops can transport you to different worlds—from the electric pulse of Midtown Manhattan to quieter corners of the boroughs where cultures converge. Our Founded By NYC film series, “
New York wasn’t just shaped by immigrants—it was built by them. From Italy and Puerto Rico to China, the Caribbean and beyond, each wave of newcomers arrived bearing traditions, skills and dreams—pieces of homelands from across the globe that have been woven into the City’s fabric. Today, that legacy lives on in the language, architecture and rhythm of NYC’s daily life. Each stop on this route offers a window into the communities that turned NYC into the kaleidoscope of cultures it is today.
Connect with Native Heritage at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
After a roughly 20-minute ride on the 1 train from Times Square to South Ferry station, begin your day in Lower Manhattan at the Smithsonian’s
Native ironworkers (left) and a hard hat worn by Paul Tripp (Six Nations Mohawk), featured in the museum's Native New York exhibit
Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, including a game that simulates trading using Native methods, and explore New York State through a walking tour map. As you move through galleries filled with intricate beadwork, evocative photography and contemporary installations, you’re reminded that Indigenous presence in the City is not just historical—it’s ongoing. A powerful example of this is the enduring impact of the Mohawk ironworkers from Kahnawake and Akwesasne, who helped shape Manhattan’s skyline. Known for their skill and fearlessness, they played vital roles in building some of the City’s most recognizable structures—including the Empire State Building and, more recently, One World Trade Center.
From the museum, head south toward Battery Park to reach Whitehall Terminal (also known as South Ferry). Hop on the Staten Island Ferry for a free, scenic 25-minute trip across New York Harbor—keep an eye out for views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Once you arrive at the St. George Ferry Terminal, your next stop is just a five-minute walk away.
In the kitchen at Enoteca Maria
Taste the World Through Grandmothers’ Recipes at Enoteca Maria
Make your way to Staten Island to experience
Grab a glass of wine, watch the nonnas work in the open kitchen and chat with fellow diners—many of whom are regulars who come for the surprise of what’s on the day’s menu. In a city built by immigrants, Enoteca Maria is a love letter to matriarchs and the food traditions they carry with them.
Take the ferry back to Manhattan, then head to the Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall station and catch the 6 train one stop uptown to Canal Street.
Timothy Hsu, Chinatown Soup
Slow Down and Sip: Tea Meditation at Chinatown Soup
Step into
For Hsu, this work is deeply personal. His family has long been connected to community organizing in Chinatown. In the 1970s, when the neighborhood was plagued by gang violence and instability, a grassroots collective called Basement Workshop was formed by artists, actors and local activists—including John Lone, Tzi Ma and Hsu’s aunt. The group created a safe space where young people could gather, learn and express themselves through art, performance and politics.
Chinatown Soup continues that legacy—creating space not just for community, but with community. The space was co-founded with Michelle Marie Esteva, Tim’s partner, who saw the need for an inclusive, experimental hub that honors Chinatown’s roots while cultivating its creative future. Together, Michelle and Tim have shaped Chinatown Soup to be a home for emerging artists and local programming. Whether you come to see new artwork, join a neighborhood initiative or simply sit for tea, you’ll experience a living tribute to the generations who built and protected this neighborhood—and to those still dreaming within it.
From Chinatown Soup, walk to the Grand Street station and catch the B train uptown to 145th Street. Transfer to the D train and ride to Fordham Road station. Just a short walk from there is Arthur Avenue—known as the Bronx’s Little Italy.
Explore the Flavors of Arthur Avenue
Arthur Avenue is a treasure trove of specialty shops, time-honored markets, and generations-old eateries that continue to thrive in the Bronx. While its roots lie in the wave of Italian diaspora who settled here in the early 20th century, today the neighborhood is a vibrant mosaic of Italian, Albanian and Puerto Rican people—a living tapestry of the City’s ever-evolving identity.
Begin your journey at
Calabria Pork Store
Next, make your way to
Just down the block, follow the scent of warm bread to
Then, head to
The Bronx Beer Hall
End your day at
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