Mulberry St Between Broome St and Grand St

   

Where some of the worst slums in New York used to exist, you'll now find tourists and cafes. And though some of the original buildings remain and the streets are still overflowing with people and food, the vibe is entirely different. Often closed in to cars in the Summer, the street is an open-air bazaar filled with every type of italian food you can imagine. The gaudy decorations which span overhead are only outdone by the Bertolli sponsorship banners hanging every 20 feet.

In many ways, Mulberry in August and September is the street fair done right. While hundreds of fairs close down dozens of blocks throughout the year, they're all generally identical to one another – offering nothing unique from the previous week. Strolling through Little Italy the street vendors and cafes seem to offer far more appealing products than your normal street food. Sure, the impenetrable crowds remain, but at least the block has some character.