Little Italy

So many Italian immigrants moved to Manhattan in the late 1800s that Little Italy once spanned 50 square blocks. Today their heritage remains, albeit on a much smaller scale, and draws throngs of tourists to Mulberry Street to dine at restaurants that, in many cases, have been in families for generations. As they moved their families to other areas, young professionals took their place, lured by renovated apartments in low-slung tenement buildings in what feels like an authentic New York neighborhood. Over the years, the culinary scene has evolved and the retail offerings have expanded, creating a destination for cool, under-the-radar fashion and jewelry brands. Close proximity to SoHo and Tribeca adds to the area’s allure.