The Best Local Spots in

NEW YORK CITY

The Real Little Italy

Although it is true Manhattan’s Little Italy was infact a large Italian neighborhood, many ArthurAvenue Retail Market tourists and some NY localsare unaware of the fact that the Belmont area ofthe Bronx is a historic neighborhood, which had agreat influx of Italian immigrants in the late 19th

century. Belmont, a predominantly Italianneighborhood located a little west of the BronxZoo, still consists of local shops, restaurants anddelis that all represent this area’s rich historical

past.

Famous shops to look out for if you happen tovisit the Bronx Zoo are Teitel Brothers and

Arthur Avenue Market, which both have a largeselection of Italian goods. An important holidaythat takes place in this neighborhood, which

still occurs in Italy, is a holiday calledFerragosto. Ferragosto is an annual holiday thattakes place around August 15th, in which allthe local shops in the area close down and alarge festival in the neighborhood takes thestreets, celebrating Italian music, culture, and

most importantly, food.

Street Art

To experience some of the hidden, vibrant examplesof street art in boroughs such as Queens and

Brooklyn, be sure to visit neighborhoods such asBushwick and Astoria to appreciate local artist’s

work. The Welling Court Mural Project, which startedin 2009, was a way for both local and global artiststo decorate the neighborhood in the artistic stylethat they envisioned. Along with celebratingdifferent cultures, the street art in the Astorianeighborhood highlights the best of jazz music,

native cultures, and individual expression that pointto a certain level of emotional freedom.

The influence ofcultural identity is alsoa primary creativesource for artists in theBushwickneighborhood ofBrooklyn. Themes suchas the interestingdynamic of nature andother radiant muralsbeautifully decoratethe brick walls withinthese neighborhoods.

DUMBO

The first place you should definitely visitwhile you’re on your Brooklyn tour is“Luke’s Lobster,” which is located at 11Water Street. This spot has some of thebest lobster rolls in the city, with theseafood coming from a small town inMaine.

For dessert, definitely head to the BrooklynIce Cream Factory right below the BrooklynBridge. This local ice cream shop has flavorsranging from butter pecan to chocolate. Ifyou would like to try some of Brooklyn’s

finest pizza, be sure to stop at Grimaldi’s tograb a slice at 1 Front Street, (which is also

close to the Brooklyn Bridge).