Little Italy

The Italian immigrants moved to New York in the late 1800s and they formed Little Italy New York, a neighborhood that practiced Italy’s traditions, food and language. Till date their heritage remains on the streets of Little Italy – the restaurants with white checkered tablecloths serving delectable Italian cuisine. The famous and long-running shops known for its cannoli and espresso, Di Palo’s cheese shop and Ferrara Bakery & Café are highly recommended. Every September, people celebrate NYC’s oldest street fairs, the annual Feast of San Gennaro, marking the patron saint of Naples with food and festivities.

What started as an area of 50 square blocks of Lower Manhattan, is now a three-block located between Broome and Canal Streets stretching on Mulberry street. The neighborhoods of Little Italy include Tribeca and Soho on the west, Chinatown on the south, Bowery and Lower East Side on the east, and Nolita on the north. It still bears a history that is recognizable by visitors, the five stories residences of American-Italians painted in red, white and green and their glass front shops selling cured salamis.

Some Little Italy New York restaurants that you may wish to check out include Angelo’s of Mulberry Street and The Original Vincent’s of Mulberry Street. Looking for Little Italy pizza? Il Piccolo Bufalo is a good choice.

Besides eating, here are some other attractions to see and do in Little Italy NYC:

The Center for Italian Modern Art

Promoting modern Italian art both in the US and internationally, the museum focuses on Italian artists whose works are seldom exhibited in the States. It has exhibitions of modern conceptualist Giulio Paolini and surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico.

Feast of San Gennaro

One of the NYC’s most popular festival in September turns Little Italy’s Mulberry street into an all-out party and celebrations for over 11 days featuring Italian- American culture and customs. There are musical performances, parades, dances and food that consists of their famous cannoli, fried dough, pizza, sausage & peppers.

Italian American Museum

This museum is situated in the former Banca Stabile which is a financial center for the Italian immigrant. It documents and contains photographs on the topics pertaining to the immigration of people in the 19th century - their cultural, social and political contributions of Italians to America.

Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood

It is an old roman catholic church that is now a part of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Apart from procession during the Feast of San Gennaro, the statue of the festival’s honoree can be found at this church.

St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral

This is New York City’s first cathedral built between 1809 and 1815. It was once the seat of New York City’s Catholic Archdiocese. When Italian immigrants were attacked by the Irish, this location became a place of sanctuary, as shown in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. Martin Scorsese himself served as an altar boy at the church.

Getting to Little Italy is a snap! Hop on our Downtown tour and hop off at stop #9 Soho, Little Italy is a short walk from there.