As arguably the world's most famous cultural melting pot, New York City is known for fostering communities that function as microcosms of nation states. Affectionately known as "Little Ireland," the neighborhood extends from the northern tip of the Bronx seamlessly into the southern edge of Yonkers, but you won't know the difference in this walkable cross-border part of town. An Irish neighborhood outside Ireland could easily descend into beer-swilling Leprechaun clichés. But Woodlawn avoids this because of its Irish population and long history of Irish immigration. While there are loads of Irish pubs (the essential rules of Irish pub and drinking etiquette may come in handy), Woodlawn also has Irish food and produce stores, Irish butchers, and an Irish culture center, more accurately representing the diversity of establishments found in any run-of-the-mill town in Ireland.