A brief account of the presence of foreign communities in Addis Ababa since the time of Menelik will help to understand and identify the different cultural influences that have contributed to the city’s architecture.
The Armenians, Indian (specially Indian-Muslims), and Greek community influences on the architecture style highly visible on the old part of the city; Arat Kilo, Amist Kilo, Sidist Kilo, and Pissa.
Addis Ababa is a museum of many historic houses. Some of them dated to the establishment of Addis Ababa itself. Many of them had been residences of the most well known personalities and the rest are public institutions.  The following are the among the popular old house in Addis Ababa;

Located at Piassa near to the National lottery

The first modern hotel in the country built in 1907 and owned by Queen Taitu, was also known as Etegue Hotel.

It still serves as a hotel

Designed by the Armenian Minas Kherbekian

The building’s present design is still the original and is characterized by a two-tier roof and by verandas running all round the two floors.

Originally, it was the residence of Ras Biru, Defense Ministre of Menelik II

Now, it is served as a museum and known as Addis Ababa Museum

Located around Sheik Khojele village

It was used as a school before the foundation of Menelik II school at Arat Kilo

It was also used as a residence of Illg

Situated near Menelik II square in Pissa

It was the residence of Bitwoded Haile Giorgis Agidew, Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs during the reign of Menelik II.

It was also used as the first municipality.

At present, it is used as the court of Arada district

It was use as the Residence of Sheik Khojele, governer of Assosa Region in the time of Menelik II.

It is foundat Gulele city-centre and currently part of the house serve as school.

It was used as the residence of Dejach Wube Atnafsege, one of the Emperor Menlik great officials

It was also served as a military head quarter during the Italian five years occupation.

At present, it is used as a restaurant and known as Addis Ababa Restaurant

It was the 1st modern school in Ethiopia, built in 1908.

At present, the school retains its former name and is used as a senior secondary school.

It is the first hospital in the country

It was built in the place where members of the Red Cross Association camped to treat the Ethiopia war victims during the battle of Adowa.

Addis Ababa has several parks. The following are the major ones that are worth visiting. Africa Park between Hilton, Presidents Palace and the old Gebbi is the latest of those.

Along Africa Avenue, usually called Bole road, there is Bole-printing house. Just in front of this printing house, there is Peacock Restaurant. Behind this Restaurant, you find Peacock Park. Many brides and grooms choose this park to organize their wedding ceremony. If you go to this park on weekends, you can witness Ethiopian traditional wedding ceremony free of charge. In the vicinity of this park, there is also a newly opened park called Tropicana. Paying a visit to both parks will indeed be worthwhile.

Located off the Entoto road to the U.S Embassy, the park lies on many acres of land covered by green trees. If you feel like enjoying yourself in a densely forested park, make Hamle 19 park your choice. the park used to serve as Empress Menen's (Haile Selassie's wife) retreat within the city during the imperial days. Nationalized in 1975, its main use now is as a site for engagements and weddings.

Have you ever seen a live lion within a few meters' distance? If you have not, come to this park, where you can see graceful caged lions devouring large chunks of meat and where you can take your pictures standing beside them. This small but captivating park is located a few hundred meters down from the Addis Ababa University Sidest Kilo campus.