about us

The thing that makes NYCLittleItalyTours.com so unique is our tour guides. While most NYC walking tours are given by students working off of a memorized script, our tour guides are actual residents of the neighborhood. As one of the only real true “neighborhoods” in New York City, they can offer incite into not only the history, but the day to day life in one of New York’s most vibrant, famous, and infamous tourist attractions.

Here are some of the tour guides and people you may run into while taking our tour….

nyc little italy walking tour guide ralph tramontanaRaffaele (Ralph) Tramontana

Ralph’s family came to America from Catania, Sicily to settle in Little Italy on Elizabeth Street, where he grew up as a life long resident. In addition to being the owner of Sambuca’s Cafe (and the best tirimisu in Little Italy) for the last 15 years, Ralph works tirelessly for the betterment of the neighborhood as a board member of the Little Italy Restoration Association (LIRA) and as the President of the Little Italy Merchants Association (LIMA). Ralph was instrumental in having Little Italy designated a state and national historic district, a significant accomplishment for the neighborhood and the heritage of the Italian Americans who helped build this great city. When not “on the block,” Ralph and his family try to get back to the Sicilian town his grandparents emigrated from as much as possible.

nyc little italy walking tour guide ernestErnest Magliato

Ernest was born and raised “on the block” and still lives there today. He is active in the community social/political scene as a member of the Little Italy Restoration Association (LIRA) and Vice President of Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America. When not working as a Local 3 electrician, Ernest is a vendor in the San Gennaro Feast, one of the largest street fairs in the country and a highlight of the New York City calendar. Ernest has “worked the Feast” since the age of 9 working for his uncle and grandfather and now working for himself in the stand passed down by his family. Ernest is excited to do these tours as a way of promoting his neighborhood and family’s heritage by sharing what he believes is one of the greatest parts of the city.