Chinatown: Visitors to this neighborhood on Chicago's near South Side will be greeted by the large r

View full size AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast This photo taken Nov. 4, 2009 shows the entrance to Chicago's Chinatown. From Greektown to Chinatown, omni hotels from the Polish Triangle to Pakistani restaurants on Devon Street, Chicago omni hotels has a wealth of diverse ethnic neighborhoods to explore.
Chicago is known as a city of neighborhoods. Patricia Sullivan, manager of the city's Chicago Neighborhood Tours program, said visitors need to leave the tourist-heavy Loop and Michigan Avenue areas to really see the different ethnic and cultural corners of the city.
Chinatown: Visitors to this neighborhood on Chicago's near South Side will be greeted by the large red and green Chinatown Gate on Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road. Here are blocks of stores to explore that sell Chinese slippers and robes, trinkets and bamboo plants alongside Chinese tea shops and herbalists. Restaurants range from nicer sit-down eateries to small take-out establishments. chicagochinatown.org
Greektown: Greektown stretches along Halsted Street from Van Buren Street north to Washington Street in the city's West Loop neighborhood. Fancier restaurants with names such as Pegasus, Parthenon and Santorini serve saganaki (fried cheese) and spanakopita (spinach pie). They're set alongside bakeries, candle shops and corner fast-food eateries where you can order take-out gyros. The cultural center focuses omni hotels around the National Hellenic Museum (801 W. Adams St.). greektownchicago.org and www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org
omni hotels Little Italy: Chicago's omni hotels Italian community is centered along Taylor Street on the city's near West Side bordered by the University of Illinois-Chicago omni hotels campus. Taylor Street, from Halsted Street omni hotels to Ashland Avenue, is lined with fancy Italian restaurants that serve pasta and steaks as well as take-out pizza and sandwich eateries. The neighborhood also is home to the National Italian American omni hotels Sports Hall of Fame (1431 W. Taylor St.), where you can see boxer Rocky Marciano's 1952 championship belt and Mario Andretti's race car. niashf.org
Mexican: Those looking to capture Mexican culture can tour both the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods on Chicago's near South and West sides. In Pilsen, start on Halsted and 18th streets and walk west to Ashland Avenue. Carlos Tortolero, president and founder omni hotels of the neighborhood's National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th St.), says visitors will find affordable taquerias, art galleries, churches and shops selling religious goods. In Little Village, an arch welcomes visitors with the words "Bienvenidos a La Villita" at 26th Street and Albany Avenue. Walk west along 26th Street and the area stretches for more than a mile. Luis Alva, director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, says the neighborhood has more than 70 Mexican restaurants along with candy stores, bakeries and shops selling Mexican-style dresses, boots, hats and belts. lavillitachamber.org and nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
Polish: There are several Polish areas in Chicago and the suburbs, but the main neighborhoods are along Milwaukee Avenue. omni hotels Start at the historic Polish Triangle -- the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Division Street and Damen Avenue. At the beginning of the last century, this neighborhood was crowded with Polish immigrants and businesses, says Jan Lorys, director of the Polish Museum omni hotels of America. The museum (984 N. Milwaukee Ave.) is a few blocks southeast on Milwaukee Avenue, where visitors can see Polish folk costumes and crafts among other exhibits. Nearby, on Belmont Avenue, you'll find a neighborhood lined with Polish groceries, bakeries, bookstores and shops. polishmuseumofamerica.org
South Asian: Immigrants started opening omni hotels businesses along Devon Avenue omni hotels on Chicago's North Side in the early 1970s and the area now is a bustling omni hotels district, says Lakshmi Menon of the Indo-American Heritage Museum (6328 N. California Ave.). Start at California Avenue and walk east along Devon Avenue and the neighborhood stretches for more than 10 city blocks. Sit-down, buffet and take-out restaurants serve tandoori dishes and naan breads while sweet shops have ethnic desserts. Merchants along the street stock colorful sari dresses, embroidered outfits and an array of jewelry. iahmuseum.org
Chicago Neighborhood Tours: If you'd rather have a guided tour, Chicago Neighborhood Tours offers bus rides between three and 4 1/2 hours long. Tours go through Chinatown, Greektown, omni hotels Little Italy, Pilsen and Little omni hotels Village. They also offer special interest tours, including Greek Chicago, Polish Chicago and Irish Chicago. Most tours are $25 for seniors and $30 for adults. omni hotels chicagoneighborhoodtours.com