From the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory in Brooklyn to the italian neighborhood of Belmont in the Bronx, here are some local favorites in the five boroughs.

1. The Best Local Spots in
NEW YORK CITY

2. The Real Little Italy

3. Although it is true Manhattan’s Little Italy was in
fact a large Italian neighborhood, many Arthur
Avenue Retail Market tourists and some NY locals
are unaware of the fact that the Belmont area of
the Bronx is a historic neighborhood, which had a
great influx of Italian immigrants in the late 19th
century. Belmont, a predominantly Italian
neighborhood located a little west of the Bronx
Zoo, still consists of local shops, restaurants and
delis that all represent this area’s rich historical
past.

5. Famous shops to look out for if you happen to
visit the Bronx Zoo are Teitel Brothers and
Arthur Avenue Market, which both have a large
selection of Italian goods. An important holiday
that takes place in this neighborhood, which
still occurs in Italy, is a holiday called
Ferragosto. Ferragosto is an annual holiday that
takes place around August 15th, in which all
the local shops in the area close down and a
large festival in the neighborhood takes the
streets, celebrating Italian music, culture, and
most importantly, food.

6. Street Art

7. To experience some of the hidden, vibrant examples
of street art in boroughs such as Queens and
Brooklyn, be sure to visit neighborhoods such as
Bushwick and Astoria to appreciate local artist’s
work. The Welling Court Mural Project, which started
in 2009, was a way for both local and global artists
to decorate the neighborhood in the artistic style
that they envisioned. Along with celebrating
different cultures, the street art in the Astoria
neighborhood highlights the best of jazz music,
native cultures, and individual expression that point
to a certain level of emotional freedom.

9. The influence of
cultural identity is also
a primary creative
source for artists in the
Bushwick
neighborhood of
Brooklyn. Themes such
as the interesting
dynamic of nature and
other radiant murals
beautifully decorate
the brick walls within
these neighborhoods.

10. DUMBO

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

14. For dessert, definitely head to the Brooklyn
Ice Cream Factory right below the Brooklyn
Bridge. This local ice cream shop has flavors
ranging from butter pecan to chocolate. If
you would like to try some of Brooklyn’s
finest pizza, be sure to stop at Grimaldi’s to
grab a slice at 1 Front Street, (which is also
close to the Brooklyn Bridge).