New York’s sizable Italian-American community has been influential in shaping the city’s culture, and Italian cuisine has long defined the flavors New Yorker’s crave, from hand-tossed pizza to spaghetti with clams. To really enjoy the Bronx’s Little Italy, arrive with an appetite. Private and group culinary tours along Arthur Avenue offer guided experiences to local flavors and the best restaurants.
Relax in nearby Ciccarone Park to watch locals play a game of bocce—the park hosts regular tournaments.
The neighborhood’s Mt. Carmel Church offers Sunday mass in Italian, a draw for some religious visitors.
The Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center features exhibits on the Italian American experience and a large collection of Italian-language materials.
Find prepared food, produce, and specialty products at the European-styled Arthur Avenue Retail Market.
Access the Bronx’s Little Italy by public transportation. The easiest way to go is via the Metro-North Train: Hop on the Harlem River Line to Fordham Road. You can also take the 4, 5 subway train to the Boston Road/East Tremont Avenue stop and transfer to the Bx36 bus to East 180th Street/Crotona Avenue, which is a short walk to Arthur Avenue.
If you plan to spend a day in the Bronx, arrive at Arthur Avenue in the late morning or early afternoon to visit the markets, then stay for dinner at one of the famed local restaurants. Weekends are busiest, and restaurants fill quickly. Consider an early—or late—dinner to avoid crowds, and call well in advance to get a reservation.
As part of a Bronx Little Italy adventure, consider a visit to the Bronx Zoo, one of New York’s favorite family-friendly attractions. Located a short distance from Arthur Avenue, the Bronx Zoo includes more than 260 acres of park area with animal habitats, rides, events, and up-close animal encounters suitable for kids and adults.
