When visiting New York City many people put the Bronx on their places NOT to visit list. Its true the south Bronx is not generally recommended as a safe tourist destination but don?t let that stop you from going a little further north. Its not Beverly Hills but its very approachable for outsiders. I lived one year on 187th Street and Arthur Avenue in the heart of Little Italy in the Bronx.
Its a working class neighborhood not entirely focused on tourism as in Manhattan which makes it feel more real. I think others who have been here would agree that its more authentic than the Little Italy in Manhattan. Also nearby is the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
30 years ago almost all of the families living in Belmont were Italian. Did you see the film "A Bronx Tale?" It takes place here. Now there are people of other races here (many from Latin America) but you can still hear people saying "Buon Giorno!" in the morning. You will notice that the buildings and store fronts all seem to be in hues of red, white and green like the Italian flag. On Saturday and Sunday mornings is when I noticed the most "tourists" visiting. Mainly people from New Jersey and Manhattan who just can?t get enough of the good delis, bakeries and imported Italian goods.
I was just here again in July 2005 and its evident that people are discovering this little corner of the Bronx. Over at Mikes Deli in the Arthur Ave Market they are selling the new Arthur Avenue Cookbook and there is a new Clam restaurant on Arthur Ave as well. Stop by this August for the street festival.
Check out these websites:
ArthurAvenue.com ArthurAvenueBronx.com
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