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Little Italy, New York Meet the locals

Our most recommended Little Italy, New York Meet the locals

NYC: New York, City of Contrasts Guided Bus Tour

1. NYC: New York, City of Contrasts Guided Bus Tour

Discover why New York City is the city of contrasts on a guided bus tour. Drive through Harlem, visit the Yankee Stadium, and see the Jewish Quarters in Williams. Board your bus at the Manhattan at Times Square Hotel. Then, head north in Manhattan, going through the neighborhood of Harlem and crossing into the Bronx. Visit the Yankee Stadium, home of the legendary NYC baseball team, and take a restroom, picture-taking, and shopping break. Continue to Grand Concourse Avenue and enter the famous police Precinct 42. Proceed to the South Bronx to see graffiti and street art masterpieces. Hear the stories behind each of the most famous pieces, snapping photos along the way. Head then to Queens, the largest and most multicultural borough in New York. See the most expensive neighbor out of Manhattan, MALBA. The next stop is Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. There you'll find the Mets' Stadium and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Next, stop in Queens on Roosevelt Avenue, one of the borough’s main streets. See firsthand how immigration and culture prevail in a neighborhood replete with multicultural stores and restaurants Move on to visit Brooklyn. See the Jewish Quarters in Williamsburg, a stark contrast to the trendy areas made famous by movies and TV shows. Finally, head to the Manhattan Bridge where you can decide where to end the tour. Choose between walking towards the Brooklyn Bridge, and visiting the Dumbo neighborhood and panoramic views cross Manhattan Bridge for Chinatown and Little Italy, where you'll find the best Italian food in NYC.

New York City: Mafia Tour and Food Tastings with Local Guide

2. New York City: Mafia Tour and Food Tastings with Local Guide

Get the insider's perspective on the infamous Mafia crime families of New York City on this walking tour with two sit-down tastings included, through the vibrant and fascinating gangland area of New York’s East Village and Little Italy. The stories of the violent and elusive underworld of the Mafia have captivated each of us – with a whole genre of movies and novels dedicated to New York’s gangsters. On this tour, you immerse yourself in that world, become familiar with the characters, their history, the places, and the unbelievable real-life events thanks to the insider information shared with our small team of expert guides, by a retired Detective and former associate of the Mafia. On this tour, you will learn about the Mafia’s origins in the early twentieth century, from their inception of factional wars with one another. That bloody power struggle ended in 1931 when ‘Lucky’ Luciano and fellow Mafia bosses formed the ‘Commission’ of the five New York crime families. ‘Cosa Nostra’ was born, in a discreet back room – where you will eat your first course and begin your journey through New York’s gangland. Learn about the most notorious gangsters and their crimes at the very places where they lived, worked, parties were murdered, or arrested. Hitmen like Umberto Valenti ‘the Ghost’ Crazy Joe Gallo, Vinny the Chin, and John Gotti, known as the ‘Teflon Don’ for his long evasion of the police. Hear about the highest-ranking Mafia turncoat: Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, Gotti’s under-boss, whose confession finally landed Gotti in jail. If you’re into criminal history, the Mafia, or gangsters, then this larger-than-life tour will more than deliver. You’ll hear about the spying, the escapes, the hitmen, drug running, double-crossing, criminality and all the drama of this most sinister yet riveting world of gangsters, while also indulging in delicious Italian food at some of Little Italy’s best joints.

NYC: Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour

3. NYC: Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour

Spend your lunchtime or dinnertime learning the history and lore of two of New York's most historic districts: Little Italy and Chinatown. Sample their foods and flavors, wander their streets, and learn all about their history and heritage. The food included is more than enough for lunch. Start in Chinatown with Hong Kong style sponge cakes to go, where your local historian tour guide will lead your intimate-sized group through Chinatown’s winding streets and Columbus Park. Enjoy history and fun facts, and visit a hidden dumpling spot, with views of the One World Trade building. Then, be led down the famous Mulberry St. to Little Italy’s romantic corners. Hear stories of NYC mafia crime and pizza lore as you eat your slice of pizza and enjoy cannolis and music at a 130-year-old bakery. Appreciate a tour that visits favorite family-owned shops and that supports NYC locations that are off-the-beaten-path. Taste the history of food establishments that have been in business for over 100 years. Leave NYC with a newfound appreciation of these two neighborhoods, newly discovered secrets of New York City, and more tips and suggestions for things to do in The Big Apple.

New York City: Gangsters and Ghosts 2-Hour Walking Tour

4. New York City: Gangsters and Ghosts 2-Hour Walking Tour

Take a two-hour guided walking tour through some of NYC's most famous neighborhoods and discover their stories of gangsters and ghosts from the city’s past. The Five Points, Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greenwich Village were known as the vice districts during the 1920s and 30s. See the places where gangsters such as John Gotti and Lucky Luciano used to party, make deals, and carry out threats. Visit haunted locations and old crime scenes on a tour led by historians. Spooky tales of the ghosts and gangsters of NYC's streets will be shared along the way. Stop at The Five Points, known for hosting New York's most infamous gangs, Chinatown's "Blood Alley," haunted houses of the West Village, and the many restaurants where mafia murders occurred in Little Italy. Go inside the Godfather-featured Basilica of St Patrick. The tour is family friendly with frequent stops.

3 Neighborhoods Tour: Soho, Chinatown & Little Italy

5. 3 Neighborhoods Tour: Soho, Chinatown & Little Italy

The 3 Neighborhoods Tour will give you unique insight into three very different places in Manhattan.  Start in Soho, one of NYC's trendiest neighborhoods. Learn about the area's real estate and how this area became one of the most expensive places to live on the island. Stroll into the heart of Soho and see some of the poshest bakeries, shops, and restaurants that Soho has to offer.  Walk down Greene Street and talk about why Soho has such unique and beautiful architecture. See the Haughwout Building and the Old Police Station before heading to the next neighborhood. Make a quick stop in Nolita and sample some cheesecake before working your way into Historic Little Italy. Sample some of the delicious local cuisines such as cannolis, gelato, pizza, and more. Mingle with locals and get the inside scoop about famous spots on Mulberry Street. Chinatown is the last neighborhood. Visit the Mahayana Buddhist Temple and get a peek of the 16-foot Golden Buddha. Pass the Manhattan Bridge and walk into the heart of Chinatown. Enjoy treats from The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory while you see where Chinatown got its start.  Walk down Doyer Street and learn how the neighborhood has changed over the years. End the tour by enjoying a traditional dumpling and talking about the infamous Five Points.

New York City: Lower Manhattan Bike Rentals

6. New York City: Lower Manhattan Bike Rentals

Explore Lower Manhattan with a 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, or 4-hour bike rental. You can also rent the bike for 24 hours, or purchase a day-pass to rent the bike for a whole day, returning it before closing on the same day. The area is rich in architecture, history, and culture, making it ideal to tour by bike. Cycle the Lower East Side’s Little Italy to vibrant Chinatown. Go to the site of the former World Trade Center, or bike the café-laden streets of the Meatpacking District, SoHo, or Greenwich Village. You are provided with all bike equipment, including chain locks and baskets, while a city map is included for your convenience. With a 1-hour bike rental, you can easily cycle across the Brooklyn Bridge and back for fantastic city views. Rent a bike for a full 24 hours and cycle the dedicated greenways.

New York City: Little Italy Walking Tour

7. New York City: Little Italy Walking Tour

Deep dive into one of Manhattan's most storied neighborhoods on a walking tour of Little Italy. Walk the lanes and avenues where many American dreams were born, learning about what took place in this historic area from your local guide. Begin your tour at the Chinatown Little Italy information kiosk and discover the entire northern portion of historic Little Italy. Learn about the first American Catholic Church built specifically for the Italian American community and pay tribute to the haunts of the first Italian American Police Sergeant, Joseph Petrosino. See the streets where famed film producer/director Martin Scorsese grew up and see locations of many famous films and TV shows. Don’t be surprised if your tour takes place during filming of new productions. Finally, meet the locals of the neighborhood as you discover all the Italian owned establishments before ending your tour at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.

NYC: Statue of Liberty and Sightseeing Walking Tour

8. NYC: Statue of Liberty and Sightseeing Walking Tour

The tour begins on the world-famous Wall Street, the oldest part of Manhattan. Soak up the unique atmosphere of this busy district, and see some of the city’s most recognizable sights including Ground Zero and The Charging Bull at the New York Stock Exchange. Continue on to Greenwich Village next, walking through Five Points, China Town, and Little Italy. Learn about the vibrant culture of these neighborhoods and the people who live here as well as tips on the best local places to eat some amazing food. After the walking tour, visit the iconic Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to marvel at the city’s most beloved landmark up close.

NYC: SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour

9. NYC: SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour

Go beyond the glimmer of Time Square on this walking tour to explore the diverse New York neighborhoods of SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy with a local guide. See SoHo's 19th-century architecture, visit mob sites in Little Italy, and find out where to get the best bargains in Chinatown. Start your tour in the hip neighborhood of SoHo, renowned for its designer boutiques, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. Keep an eye out for celebrities on the cobblestone streets of SoHo and snap selfies in front of famous cast-iron buildings. Admire floral street art by American painter and muralist Jet Martinez. Strut past a vibrant funhouse as you uncover the shocking connection between Prince Street and Alexander Hamilton’s murder. Next, pop over to Little Italy for a whole new vibe. Explore a Godfather filming location as you hear tales of real-life mobsters and pass by eateries serving authentic Italian cuisine. Finally, take a stroll under the paper lanterns of Chinatown. Unearth the plight of Chinese Americans at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Plaza, see the famous Edward Mooney House, and take a peek at New York’s first dim sum restaurant. Along the way, get restaurant suggestions, history tidbits, fun facts, and photo opportunities. You can circle back to any of the stops after the tour to try local recommendations, like a visit to Lombardi’s, the first pizzeria in the US.

North Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour

10. North Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour

The best way to enjoy New York is by walking its streets, but the only way to taste New York is by eating its pizza. You can do both on this 2.5-hour crosstown pizza walk! When the Williamsburg Bridge opened in 1903, Southern Italian immigrants fled the tight quarters of Manhattan's Little Italy for the wide open spaces of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This tour concentrates on this vibrant neighborhood, which today boasts a mix of trendy hipsters and old-school standbys. Every pizza walking tour focuses on the history, science, culture, and taste of pizza from all angles — not just New York style. Your guide will take cues from your group and route the tour to pizzerias that will satisfy your curiosity and answer your pizza queries. That's right — we don't hit the same spots every time! You'll visit pizzerias heralded by Zagat's, AOL City Guide, Time Out New York, the Food Network, and New Yorkers alike as the city's best. After your tour you’ll have a new appreciation for this modest dish and the people who introduced it to the masses.

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What people are saying about Little Italy, New York

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 44 reviews

Thomas, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and personable. He spoke with such enthusiasm and provided historical anecdotes that made the area come to life. He was very personable and encouraged everyone to ask questions. My husband has been to NYC numerous times and enjoyed the tour just as much as my daughters and I did. I would love to tour a different area next time as long as Thomas was giving the tour. He made it a super fun day for us all!

Pierre did an amazing job. It is fascinating how much he knows about the italian mafia and overall about immigrants and New York. I can only recommend this tour

Gran excursión. Sorpresa inesperada. Ruta muy interesante. El guía Guillermo muy bueno. Atento, divertido y gran conocedor. Recomendable

Wes was very knowledgeable and friendly, the food was great! And it was an awesome experience, thank you!

Fantastic tour, delicious food and a great guide. Thank you Pierre