Washington D.C. may be the country capitol, but New York is where it’s happening. The home of the iconic Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central and Wall Street are among the first things you attribute to the United States, but have you ever checked out Brooklyn, Little Italy, Chinatown and Soho? Well now’s your chance.

Brooklyn
Brooklyn has certainly left its mark on American culture.  It is home to the world-renowned Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the second largest public art museum in the United States with more than 1.5 million objects in its permanent collection at the Brooklyn Museum.

It is also a fine example of the ethnic diversity of New York with its exclusive history, culture and gastronomy from Williamsburg & Greenpoint neighbourhoods right the way through to Sunset Park, featuring a plethora of Latin American food establishments for a picnic in the park.
Had into DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), the premier arts district with a cluster of art galleries and non-profit making institutions, and be sure to stop and sample the scrumptious chocolate at the Jacques Torres chocolate factory. 

Brooklyn bridge
Yes we are aware we have already featured Brooklyn, but the Brooklyn Bridge is so iconic that we felt it deserved an extra special mention.  Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River.
 
For the most picturesque view of this designated National Historic Landmark, head to Brooklyn Bridge Park and bask in the glory of the famous skyline.

Little Italy
Little Italy refers to the urban neighbourhoods with a predominantly Italian heritage across New York in Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.  It is often portrayed as the land of gangsters and wise guys of the 1920s and 30s by New Yorker’s Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, but the only truth in those depictions are how family orientated and proud the descendants are.

Formerly a large spread over New York but now it is shrinking at the rapid growth of the China Town districts. Come here to enjoy a coal brick oven pizza, a hearty glass of Chianti, a zeppole, a connoli a hand-rolled cigar much more, while you still can.

Chinatown
New York has 3 Chinatowns.  One in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.   The main Chinatown in Manhattan is so interlinked with Little Italy that in 2010 they were listed in a single historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.  Although they are two diverse sections, their close proximity make it a fantastic combined day out.

There is a museum of Chinese Americans, beautiful temples, Chinese ornaments, fountains, furniture, Chinese teas and Chinese herbs to enjoy.  For one week each February, Manhattan celebrates the Chinese New Year where parades and festivals dominate the streets.  With a Chinese population approximately 100,000 – this is the best experience you can muster outside of Asia itself.

SoHo
SoHo is the luxurious neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.  Notable for its many artists’ lofts and art galleries, it also has a wide variety of stores and shops ranging from trendy boutiques to outlets of upscale national and international chain stores.  This is without doubt the best place in New York for a spot of retail therapy or alternatively to pick up some gifts to take home with you.  There are also many funky bars and modern restaurants to stop by for an afternoon lunch or evening drink.

Roundup
Travel to Italy, China, United States and much more in a single day by visiting New York – a true melting pot of different ethnicities and cultures all rolled into one. 

New York Fun Tours
At New York Fun Tours, their goal is to provide a unique and fun way to experience the individual character of Manhattan’s popular downtown neighborhoods. Different and distinctive from large, impersonal group tours, New York Fun Tours® will take you on chauffeured journeys through New York City’s most historic and thriving neighborhoods.

Your chauffeured journey will start in the West Village then to SoHo, TriBeCa, South Street Seaport and The Financial District. Across the Brooklyn Bridge for an excellent view of the Manhattan Skyline. Then back across the Manhattan Bridge to China Town and Little Italy. Let New York Fun Tours take you on a wonderful journey through Lower Manhattan’s most fascinating areas!
 

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