Expert-led Little Italy Immigration History Tour

What your day looks like

Discover the rich history of Italian-American culture on our expert-led Little Italy Immigration History walking Tour. Starting at the Basilica of St Patrick’s Old Cathedral, a landmark of Italian-American heritage, you'll delve into the vibrant stories of early Italian immigrants and the tenement buildings they called home. With nearly two million residents of Italian descent, New York has been profoundly shaped by Italian contributions to politics, arts, labor, and cuisine. This tour will illuminate their journey, from facing discrimination to forming cultural clubs and organizations, and how these eventually gave rise to the infamous Italian Mafia. As we stroll through Little Italy, we’ll explore iconic restaurants, historical tenement buildings, and favored hangouts of alleged mafia members, cross-referencing documentaries and photographs. Walking along Mulberry and Mott Streets, you'll learn about the key players in the fight for immigrant rights and the development of public education, marked by landmarks like the 14th Ward Industrial School and the former New York Police headquarters. The tour concludes at the historic Lupo Grocery Store, a neighborhood social spot with ties to Giuseppe “The Clutch Hand” Morello’s famed Spaghetti Restaurant, offering a deeper understanding of Italian-American influence on New York City.