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Best Things To Do in Little Italy NYC

Old St. Patrick's Basilica

Step inside the Old St. Patrick's Basilica, which was the first seat of the Catholic diocese in NYC. Attend mass, gaze at the beautiful stained-glass windows, or explore the cemetery outside where 200 years of New York Catholics find their eternal resting place. Explore the towering wall surrounding the property and see if you can spot the musket holes that were once used to protect the property from potential marauders.

St. Patrick's Catacombs

Book a Catacombs by Candlelight tour and go underneath the cathedral to discover NYC's only catacombs. It's a fascinating peek at old New York history! It's a bit dark, so we'd recommend it for kids age 10 and older.

Italian American Museum

This long-awaited museum opened in 2024 with a mission to bring the culture and history of Italian Americans to life right in the heart of the neighborhood which was once home to more than 10,000 Italian American immigrants. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, it features permanent and rotating exhibits, plus a wide range of programming.

Mulberry Street Library

Take a reading break at the Mulberry Street branch of the New York Public Library, which has a well-stocked children’s room—including a selection of toys—and hosts many programs for kids of all ages.

Ritual Vintage

Teens who are into thrifting in NYC will appreciate a stop at this store that sells a wide variety of vintage clothing from the 1850s-1990s, with a strong focus on the '70s.

Elizabeth Street Garden

Visit this sprawling, sculpture-filled public garden while you still can. Sadly, it's been slotted for demolition to make way for affordable housing. Developers promise the green space will return in some form once construction is done.

Patches and Pins

This tiny storefront is a go-to when my daughters want new stickers to decorate their water bottles. You'll also find NYC-themed Ts, sweatshirts, and totes, plus fun and funky socks, bracelets, and patches. It's cat-nip for hip kids.

Mure and Grand

Now a micro-chain, this woman-owned boutique is coquette personified, with all manner of accessories, plus cardigans and more.

Feast of San Gennaro

This is the event of the year in Little Italy! For 10 days each September, the whole neighborhood is turned into a blocks-long party dubbed the "Feast of all Feasts," complete with parades, carnival rides, street eats, and zeppole, pizza, meatball, and cannoli eating contests! We suggest visiting on a weekday for the lightest crowds.

Little Moony

This brightly-hued mom-and-pop shop draws visitors in to explore its collection of hand-crafted clothing designed in-house and hand sewn in Los Angeles by the owner's mother. In addition to these beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces, you'll find a curated selection of toys, books, and accessories from independent brands. It's the perfect spot for a one-of-a-kind gift.

Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe

Veer off of Mulberry Street to find the Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe, where stock and manpower is donated, so all profits are folded into the nonprofit's mission. There's a small selection of kids books, plus games, housewares, clothes, and more. It accepts donations and transforms into a stunning event space—I once attended a glorious wedding here!

Piemonte Ravioli Company

Take your pasta to-go at this century-old storefront on Grand Street, where handmade pasta is sold alongside everything you'll need to put an authentic Italian dinner on your table. San Marzano tomatoes, anyone?

Spot Public Art

The buildings in this neighborhood have been untouched by time and developers, so their brick facades make a beautiful backdrop for a wide variety of murals, including the famous Audry Hepburn mural.

Christmas in New York

No matter the season, get a taste of Christmas in New York at this massive store front where you can buy—and have personalized—any number of ornaments.

Best Parks and Playgrounds in Little Italy

DeSalvio Playround

This recently renovated playground has a small footprint, but packs plenty of play things for all ages, including jungle gyms, climbing structures, basketball hoops, and plenty of benches and tables.

Hester Street Playground

Though technically located outside the neighborhood's bounds in Chinatown, this playground is worth a visit. We love it's multi-level construction and separate sections for big and little kids.

Best Little Italy Restaurants

Lombardi's Pizza

America's first pizzaria doesn't lack for confidence—one glance at the awning makes that clear. Though this spot is no frills—think paper plates on red-and-white checked plastic table cloths—the product speaks for itself. Find more great NYC and Little Italy pizza spots in our list here.

Lunella Ristorante

Truthfully, I've never had a bad meal on Mulberry Street, where sweet cafe tables are as plentiful as the charmers trying to lure you into their establishments, but Lunella is a spot we've revisited multiple times. Portions are generous—as are it's happy hour specials. We've rounded up all our favorite family-friendly Little Italy restaurants here.

Figo Gelato

With high-quality ingredients and sophisticated flavors, Figo Gelato brings an authentic Italian gelateria to the streets of Little Italy. Order yours in a cone, cup, or served sandwiched in a warm brioche bun.

Cannoli King

You can't go to Little Italy, NYC and not get a cannoli and there's no better place to go than Cannoli King. Just look for the giant cannoli on the facade, and you'll know you've arrived!

Ferrara Bakery

My sister and I have an affinity for Italian pastries—we'll blame our Italian grandmother, affectionately called Grandma Sweetie—and get (more than) our fair share at Ferrara Bakery, which sells everything from cheesecake and cannoli to cookies by the pound and our favorite: the cream-filled lobster tail.

The Elk on Mott

This specialty coffee shop and general store keeps locals in the neighborhood moving with its brews from Parlor Coffee, locally roasted in Brooklyn, plus locally sourced baked goods, breakfast and lunch options, and a selection of pantry goods from its general store-inspired stock.

Leon's Bagels

Order your classic schmear straight from the window at this outpost of Leon's Bagels. It promises nothing fancy, just delicious!

Where to Stay near Little Italy, New York

Crosby Street Hotel

Located in nearby Soho, the Crosby Street Hotel offers a contemporary home away from home. Guests have access to a private, leafy garden. Pets are allowed, and family rooms are available. If you're in the mood for a splurge, book a reservation for afternoon tea during your stay.

Moxy NYC Lower East Side

For a full-service hotel within walking distance of Little Italy's charm, the Moxy fits the bill. It's got stunning city views, a variety of restaurant and dining options and even a piano bar.

The Broome

We love the boutique feel of this Soho hotel, and The Broome gets extra points for its included farm-to-table breakfast. It's an enchanting escape from the city streets with its tiled courtyard.

Originally published in 2018.

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