We are so excited that the World Cup will be held at cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico this year including right here in New York/ New Jersey. If you are planning a trip to join the roar of the crowd at the games and fan events, here is our 2026 World Cup guide to make the most of your visit with seven fun things to do in New York City.

Attend a World Cup Game

P.C.: metlifestadium.com

Being there in person for a World Cup game in New York/ New Jersey is sure to be a memorable, once-in-lifetime experience. The games will take place at Metlife Stadium (aka New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford which is just a short NJ Transit train or shuttle bus ride from Midtown, Manhattan. Group stage games are scheduled on June 13, 16, 22, 25 and 27 and the knockout stage games will be on June 30 and July 5 and the World Cup final game is on July 19. We are also excited about the World Cup final halftime show starring Shakira, Madonna and BTS!

Go to World Cup Viewing Parties and Fan Events

P.C.: nynjfwc26.com

There will also be free World Cup viewing parties and fan events across all five boroughs. From June 11 to 27, UTSA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will be the Group Stage HQ where you can watch all the group stage matches. In addition, there will be fan villages/ fan zones: Bronx Terminal Market from June 13-14, Brooklyn Bridge Park from June 13- July 19, Rockefeller Center, Manhattan from July 6- 19, SIUH Community Park, Staten Island from June 29- July 2.

Watch the July 4th Fireworks

P.C.: Wikipedia, Standard2211

As the World Cup builds towards the final game, New York City and the United States will also be celebrating two huge anniversaries, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 50th anniversary of the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza. This means that this will be the biggest show ever and the fireworks will span both the East River by the Seaport District and the Hudson River so there should be great viewing spots across New York City.

Meet Superstar Athletes at the Fanatics Fest NYC

P.C.: fanaticsfest.com

Fanatics Fest this year is partnering with Fifa and the World Cup. It will take place around the final game, from July 16- 19 at the Javits Center. It is one of the biggest sporting fan conventions where you can meet, get autographs and take pictures with athletes from not only soccer but other sports like basketball, baseball and pro wrestling.

Get the Inside Foodie Scoop on an Ahoy New York Food Tour

New York City has so many amazing restaurants to try so you may be looking for a fast, stress-free way to check out some of the most popular foodie neighborhoods. An Ahoy New York food tour will be perfect before, after or even during the week of a World Cup game. We have tours all June and July including the Chinatown & Little Italy Food Fest, Tasty Global Bites – A Culinary Journey Through Nolita and Market 57 Food Hall Food Tour. They all highlight what makes New York City so special and feature plenty of yummy tastings.

Check out the New Exhibits in NYC Museums

P.C.: nytransitmuseum.org, Nina Boesch

New York City is renowned for its world class museums like the Met, Guggenheim Museum and the New Museum. Some exhibits we are looking out for this summer include the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit at the MoMA and an art exhibit revolving around using Metrocards in clever ways at the New York Transit Museum in Grand Central.

Relax in a NYC Park

Finally, you might need some time to just slow things down and relax during your visit. Luckily, New York City is also renowned for its beautiful parks. Some must see parks including the Highline and Brooklyn Bridge Park for their breathtaking views, Central Park for its history and scale and Bryant Park for their free events and daily activities like concerts, shuffleboard and board games.

We have so many to thank for winning this prestigious award and for running this tour, week after week, all year round.

Thanks to everyone who voted… and voted… and voted. You really do know how to make us feel loved and special!

We have to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to our amazing tour guides who are out there sharing their love of food and history and all things NYC with passion, kindness and absolute awesomeness, rain or shine!

A big thanks goes to our truly wonderful vendors who are a joy to work with and always welcome our groups, whether it’s 2 people or 60. We appreciate you putting up with us!

Finally a special thanks has to go to the expert panel who nominated us, for seeing what we do and why we do it. We’re truly in awe of this national recognition.

Congratulations to all the winners – there’s 10 of us across the country who have this lovely honor and we are thrilled to be amongst you all. Make sure to show them love if you find yourselves in their neck of the woods!

We’re beyond proud, so grateful and truly pumped for this tour season. Join us on our Chinatown & Little Italy Food Fest or one of our other food tours, Tasty Global Bites – A Culinary Journey Through Nolita or Market 57 Food Hall Tour this spring and save 15%. Just use the code SpringAH26 at checkout.

History of Mulberry Street

Mulberry Street in Lower Manhattan is probably one of the most interesting New York City streets. It is steeped in history and now it is a must see foodie destination. So with that in mind, here are 8 fascinating Mulberry Street fun facts. To learn even more about Mulberry Street and to taste some of the best shops and restaurants here, check out our Tasty Global Bites – A Culinary Journey Through Nolita!

Mulberry Street has had many different names throughout history. About the time of the American Revolution, Mulberry Street was known as the Slaughter-house Street for the slaughter house owned by Nicholas Bayard (which Bayard Street is named for). The slaughter house closed in 1784.

Mulberry Street’s name came from the farms that grew Mulberry trees around Mulberry Bend.

The bend at Mulberry Street was to avoid the swampy area around Collect Pond.

The swampy area around Collect Pond is now where Columbus Park is. The park opened in the summer of 1897, built to improve living conditions in the surrounding tenements. Other names it had in the past include Mulberry Bend Park, Five Points Park and Paradise Park.

What to See near Mulberry Street

Mulberry Street is probably best known for forming part of the border of the infamous Five Points. You definitely wouldn’t want to be here in the 1800’s!

The corner of Kenmare and Mulberry Street was known as the Curb Exchange during the Prohibition Era. It was well known as the place you can get alcohol illegally.

The Feast of San Gennaro is one of the largest Italian-American festivals in the United States and it is centered on Mulberry Street. It starts on Thursday September 17th this year and lasts until Sunday September 27rd and it will be the 100th annual Feast of Gennaro! The official feast day however is September 19th. It is one of the most exciting times to be in Little Italy!

Where to Eat Near Mulberry Street

Finally Mulberry Street now connects three foodie neighborhoods, Chinatown, Little Italy and Nolita (which is short for North of Little Italy). Some of our favorite restaurants and shops on Mulberry Street include Daniel Corpuz Chocolatier (60 Mulberry St) for Filipino-inspired sweets, Lunella (173 Mulberry St) for pasta and La Churreria (284 Mulberry St) for churros. Check out our Tasty Global Bites food tour for more tasty recommendations!

When you think of classic New York City foods, hot dogs have to be high on the list! A good juicy hot dog is irresistible so here are our picks for the seven best hot dogs in New York City.

Nathan’s Famous – 1310 Surf Ave, Brooklyn & Other Locations

P.C.: yelp, Eric A.

Nathan’s Famous hot dogs from Coney Island are iconic and the snap you get from your first bite is legendary. With its history and the July 4th hot dog eating contest, there’s just something nostalgic about getting a hot dog here.

Katz’s Delicatessen – 205 E Houston St & DeKalb Market Hall

P.C.: yelp, Rose I.

Katz’s Delicatessen is probably best known for its towering pastrami sandwiches but they have top notch hot dogs too. It is everything you come to expect from a classic New York style hot dog.

Crif Dogs – 113 St Marks Pl

P.C.: yelp, Ruwan J.

If you are looking for something a bit decadent and if you love bacon, Crif Dogs is a must! Hot dogs like their Chihuahua Dog (a bacon wrapped hot dog topped with avocados and sour cream) and their Tsunami Dog (a bacon wrapped hot dog with teriyaki sauce, pineapple and green onions) are definitely worth the trip.

Papaya King – 206B East 86th St

P.C.: yelp, Teresa C.

Papaya King is a historic foodie landmark and we are so happy they recently reopened and moved their flagship store to a new location in the Upper East Side. It is the original, famous cheap eats hot dog spot in New York City and whoever first thought of pairing hot dogs with a papaya fruit drink is a genius!

Gray’s Papaya – 2090 Broadway

P.C.: yelp, Jonathan T.

You can’t beat the recession special from Gray’s Papaya which includes two of their hot dogs with toppings and a drink (we suggest their signature papaya fruit drink) for only $7.50. It is in fact Anthony Bourdain’s and one of our favorite cheap eats spots in New York City.

Dicksons Farmstand Meats – 75 9th Ave

P.C.: yelp, Richelle L.

Dicksons Farmstand Meats in Chelsea Market is the go to spot if you’re looking for a really tasty, high quality hot dog. It is so good you don’t really need any toppings since it is packed with so much flavor!

Bobbi’s Italian Beef – 228 Smith St Suite A, Brooklyn

P.C.: yelp, Marissa L.

Finally, you don’t have to travel far to get a classic Chicago style hot dog. Bobbi’s Italian Beef in Brooklyn has a juicy hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, diced onions, tomatoes, sweet green relish, pickles and peppers. Yum!

How to Get Here and Where to Stay:

New York City has two airports, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airport. Newark Liberty International Airport is nearby too but we don’t recommend it especially since there has been a lot of construction disrupting traveling to and from there.

To get around New York City and to get to Chinatown and Little Italy we recommend taking the subway. The 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, Q, J, Z, D, B and F trains all go here. If you are visiting for about a week, we recommend getting an OMNY card or using a phone with a digital wallet so you can go back and forth to wherever you want to go in NYC. All rides after you pay for 12 rides in a 7 day period is free! You can also find Uber, Lyft or taxis easily too but they can get expensive especially during peak hours.

Three hotels we like in the area are Wyndham Garden Chinatown (93 Bowery), NobleDEN (196 Grand Street) and Hotel 50 Bowery (50 Bowery). The Wyndham Garden and Hotel 50 Bowery are located right in the heart of Chinatown and offer plenty of amenities and great views of the city. NobleDEN is located in the heart of Little Italy.

P.C.: wikipedia, GeneralPunger

Where to Eat:

Chinatown is renowned for its top notch food options. Our go-to spots in Chinatown include Nom Wah Tea Parlor (13 Doyers St) & Golden Unicorn (18 E Broadway) for dim sum, Tasty Dumpling (42 Mulberry St) for juicy fried dumplings, Tonii’s Fresh Rice Noodle (83 Bayard St) for both rice noodle rolls and sponge cakes and Cafe Hong Kong (51 Bayard St) for their amazing Hong Kong style dishes.

Little Italy also has no shortage of tempting lunch and dinner options too. We recommend Lunella (173 Mulberry St) & Benito One (174 Mulberry St) for classic Italian dishes including many delicious pastas and L’industrie Pizzeria (197 Grand St) & Gelso & Grand (186 Grand St) for yummy pizzas.

Looking for snacks or desserts? You have to check out Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard St) for Asian inspired ice cream flavors, Na Tart (77 Bayard St) and Dim Sum Sam Bakery (7 Division St) for egg tarts and Ferrara Bakery and Cafe (195 Grand St) for gelato, cannoli and other scrumptious Italian pastries.

There are so many more can’t miss restaurants and shops in Chinatown and Little Italy so be sure to follow our blog for even more delicious options!

P.C.: Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Fun Things to Do:

One of the best ways to explore Chinatown and Little Italy is to go on an Ahoy New York walking food tour! We offer to two fun tours, Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest and Tasty Global Bites – A Culinary Journey Through Nolita, that explore the best these two neighborhoods have to offer. We also offer private tours too.

There are a lot of interesting shops in Chinatown and Little Italy. If you are looking for unique gifts to bring back home, we recommend checking out Yùnhóng Chopsticks (50 Mott St) in Chinatown and E.Rossi & Company (193 Grand St) in Little Italy. Di Palo’s Fine Foods (200 Grand St) can also be a fun shop to check out. It has an amazing variety of Italian cheeses, snacks, pastas and more!

Other places we recommend visiting include Columbus Park, Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre St) and just walking up and down Mulberry Street.

Finally Chinese New Year (which is usually in January or February) and Feast of San Gennaro (which starts in the middle of September, September 19 in 2021) are great times to visit the area. These festivities are huge highlights in the year and are a ton of fun to join.

Visiting the Oculus or the 9/11 Memorial & Museum some time soon and looking for a fun lunch or dinner spot nearby? You came to the right place! Here are our picks on where to eat near the Oculus and 9/11 Memorial & Museum, New York City.

Eataly – 101 Liberty St Floor 3

Eataly is a huge Italian marketplace that is connected to the Oculus. If you want a sit down dining experience, there are two restaurants in Eataly, Vino &… and La Pizza & La Pasta and if you want a quick lunch on the go, check out their pizza counter where you can get pizza by the slice or their rotisserie for their delicious prime rib sandwiches. Also, keep an eye out for Eataly’s Restaurant Fest which is usually in March for big deals.

Hudson Eats – 225 Liberty St

Hudson Eats is our favorite food hall in New York City and it’s in Brookfield Place, only a short walk from both the Oculus and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. There are so many tempting options here like BBQ chicken and ribs from Mighty Quinn’s, fresh sushi from Blue Ribbon and absolutely loaded burritos from Dos Toros. Plus, the seating area offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River and Battery Park.

Le District – 225 Liberty St

Below Hudson Eats there is also Le District, a big French marketplace. We love their seafood bar for their lobster rolls and their bakery for all their scrumptious pastries. Le District also has bar & bistro, cafe and even a private dining room for exclusive dinner parties.

Parm – 250 Vesey St

Dining with a large group or with children? We recommend Parm. They have amazing mozzarella sticks and chicken parmigiana sandwiches and for dessert, you can get a slice of their famous ice cream cake! It will be fun for the whole family. There is even an arcade machine in the dining room!

Blue Smoke – 255 Vesey St

If you love barbecue like us, you have to check out Blue Smoke. The stars of their menu have to be their massive beef ribs and their incredibly juicy smoked chicken wings tossed in their tangy and creamy Alabama- style white BBQ sauce.

Shake Shack – 215 Murray St

P.C.: yelp, Susan J.

Sometimes you just want a juicy cheeseburger and a yummy shake for lunch. Shake Shack has consistently been on top of our list for the best burgers in New York City. It is perfect if you need a quick lunch spot in Battery Park.

Lady M – 101 Liberty St #1415

P.C.: yelp, Callie M.

Finally Lady M is a very popular bakery, renowned for their top notch mille crêpe cakes. You can skip the long lines in their midtown locations at their World Trade Center location. You especially have to try their green tea mille crêpe cake if you haven’t already!

New York City is renowned for its delicious pizza and you don’t have to break the bank to try some of the best! Here is our cheap eats list on the best pizza in New York City for under $5. Some slices are just $1.50! Be sure to check out our other cheap eats blog posts: the best breakfast, burgers, pastas, desserts and more.

Joe’s Pizza – 7 Carmine St & Other Locations

First off, Joe’s Pizza serves the quintessential New York pizza slice. We love it because their tomato sauce is a bit sweeter than most pizzerias, the cheese is top notch and the crust is always perfectly chewy. A slice is about $4.50 and they have locations across New York City including by Union Square, Times Square and Washington Square Park.

Best Pizza – 33 Havemeyer St, Brooklyn

P.C.: yelp, Ginette P.

Best Pizza in Williamsburg is another pizzeria with an excellent New York style pizza. But the real gem here is their white slice. It has caramelized onions, sesame seeds, mozzarella, ricotta and pecorino cheese. Yum! It is a flavor combination that just works and it is heaven with every bite. Both their regular slice and white slice are about $4- $5.

L&B Spumoni Gardens – 2725 86th St, Brooklyn

L&B Spumoni Gardens in Gravesend has one of the best deals in New York City, a huge Sicilian slice for only $4.50. What is unusual about their pizza is that they put the sauce on top of the cheese. In fact, it is our pick for the best Sicilian slice in all of NYC and it is definitely worth a trip. But there is also a new location in Dumbo which is a lot closer to Manhattan.

L’industrie Pizzeria – 104 Christopher St & 254 S 2nd St, Brooklyn

P.C.: yelp, Jenn L.

L’industrie is probably one of the most popular pizzerias in New York City at the moment so expect long waits. But trust us, it is worth it and luckily they are opening a new location in Nolita soon. Their margherita pizza ($4 for a slice) is among the best we ever had and probably the main draw but we also highly recommend checking out a slice of their burrata pizza & their goat cheese, fig and bacon pizza too. Their special slices are about $7.

Scarr’s Pizza – 35 Orchard St

P.C.: yelp, Dave L.

Scarr’s Pizza is another super popular pizzeria and they recently moved to a bigger location in the Lower East Side. Their classic New York style cheese slice is $4.50 but the real star is their hotboi pizza which has pepperoni and hot honey. A slice of their hotboi is $6.50 and it is an absolute must for us.

East Village Pizza – 145 1st Ave

We are often in the East Village and our go to pizzeria in the neighborhood is in fact called East Village Pizza. It is a great late night option since they are open until 3:00 AM. Their slices are huge, the perfect comfort food and a great snack/ meal of the go any time of the day.

$1.50 Fresh Pizza – 143 W 40th St & Other Locations

P.C.: yelp, Meagan N.

Unfortunately you can’t find a dollar pizza slice anymore in NYC but you can still find some for just $1.50. Two slices and a drink are just $4 which is an unbeatable lunch deal! They sell a lot of pizza here so the pizza is always fresh.

Various traditions and celebrations during Chinese New Year:

Lion/ Dragon Dances
Lion dances are a big highlight of Chinese New Year. The loud beat of the drum and the aggressive nature of the dance is said to scare off evil spirits. These lion dances can be found along Canal St, Mott St, Bayard St, Pell St and East Broadway. Chinese New Year lasts for 16 days but February 28 is Super Saturday and it is the best time to catch these performances. The big Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival is set to take place on Sunday, March 1, 1 PM, starting at Mott St & Hester St. This is the only time to see the dragon dances. These New Year festivities will draw people from all around the world and it is a must for celebrating Chinese New Year in New York City.

Red envelopes
Red envelopes are considered good luck and it is also used to ward away evil spirits. They are passed during special occasions such as weddings and Chinese New Year. The envelopes typically contain an even amount of money which it is symbolic for good luck. Also the number four is considered bad luck because when it is pronounced it sounds like the word death in Chinese. So the number four should not appear in the amount in any form such as 4 bills, $4, $104, etc.

Firecrackers
Like the lion and dragon dances, firecrackers have been traditionally used to scare away evil spirits but they are unfortunately banned in New York City. However, there is one exception, the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival in Sara D. Roosevelt Park (which is between Grand St and Hester St). This will take place at the start of Chinese New Year, February 17, 11 AM – 3:30 PM.

Lunar New Year Festivals and Events
The Museum of Chinese in America aka MOCA (215 Centre St) is having their annual, family-friendly Chinese New Year festival on Saturday, February 21 from 10 AM- 1 PM and 2– 5 PM. Their schedule this year is packed with fun performances, tasty treats, interesting workshops and more! Tickets are $10 per person.

The Chinese New Year feast and the family get together is a big part of the celebration. Fortunately Chinatown is known for their restaurants so be sure to check out our Our Foodie Guide to Chinatown. In addition, here are a few more recommendations that will be perfect for a Chinese New Year dinner.

New Hong Wong Seafood Restaurant – 100 Bowery
New Hong Wong Seafood Restaurant is a go to place for locals. They have an exhaustive menu of authentic Chinese dishes along with various specials. They have hard to find Chinese specialties like abalone, goose intestines and fish maw soup.

Cafe Hong Kong – 51 Bayard St
Cafe Hong Kong is another favorite among locals and it is great place for family style dining. You can get all the popular Chinese New Year dishes here such as stir fried lobster, garlic chicken and pan fried flounder.

Congee Village – 100 Allen Street
Restaurants in Chinatown are going to be filled with families celebrating the Chinese New Year. Another option would be Congee Village which is just outside Chinatown. They have a variety of congee options such as abalone and frog leg. They also have a full Cantonese menu. Some of our favorites include razor clams in black bean sauce and sautéed bok choy.

We hope everyone is going to have a fun and festive Chinese New Year!

The Color Red, Red Lanterns and Red Envelopes

P.C.: yelp, Catherine N.

During Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival), you will see the color red everywhere. It symbolizes good fortune and joy. In addition, red lanterns are hung on doors to ward against evil spirits and bad luck. Similarly red envelopes are given to children to bring happiness and good luck or can be given just to send good wishes for another year. For red envelopes, the number four should not appear in any way since the number four sounds like death in the Chinese language and new crisp bills are usually preferred since coins or old bills are less lucky.

Lion and Dragon Dances, Drums and Firecrackers

P.C.: yelp, Tina C.

The energetic lion and dragons dances, the loud drums and firecrackers are used to scare off evil spirits and to bring prosperity, good fortune and good luck. As the legend goes, villagers found that loud noises (and the color red) scared away a menacing monster named Nian and that tradition continues every Chinese New Year.

The Zodiac Animals

P.C.: wikipedia, Jakub Hałun

The Zodiac calendar is also closely tied to Chinese New Year. It is a 12 year cycle with an animal for each year. These animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. These animals are used to predict the characteristics of the year and the people born in that year, kind of like astrology signs. This year will be the year of the horse and the horse can symbolize energy, freedom, speed and adventure. In addition, each year is associated with one of the Chinese Zodiac elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. This year’s element is fire which can symbolize passion and spirituality.

The Food of Chinese New Year

P.C.: yelp, Cherry P.

Food is an important part of the new year celebrations. Families often meet for huge feasts on New Year’s Eve and throughout the two week festivities. Fish is especially an important part of the Chinese New Year dinner. Fish sounds like abundance in Chinese so it is a symbol for wealth and prosperity. You may find fish decorations too for the same reason. Also if you visit a home during Chinese New Year you will frequently find tangerines and oranges used as decorations, since they also symbolize good fortune. In addition, dumplings, candy and almond cookies are all said to bring good luck. Each region in China will eat different things that will bring them good luck, good fortune and happiness. For more information, check out our guide on the symbolic meanings of Chinese New Year foods.

Chinese New Year Taboos

P.C.: wikipedia, Patrick Kwan

Finally there are some Chinese New Year taboos that are said to bring bad luck. These taboos can vary from family to family but some things you don’t want to do include sweeping the floor (or any cleaning for that matter), washing your clothes, wearing damaged things, wearing black or white clothes (as these are considered funeral colors), giving or getting odds amount of money or saying unlucky words during Chinese New Year.