San Gennaro Festival - NYC
 

First time to the San Gennaro festival in September --- any tips???

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Mulberry Street gets packed with more people than you could possibly imagine during San Gennaro and I could not bare to ever go there again. I'm not exaggerating when I say it is EXTREMELY CROWDED. Maybe going during the weekday afternoons or when there would be less people would be okay, but I would definitely avoid Friday and Saturday nights. I actually think if you're interested in touring Little Italy I think you might appreciate it more NOT during San Gennaro. You won't have the street vendors selling food and carnival games, but I don't think that's missing much, and there won't be the crowds of people spilling food on you pushing you (not necessarily intentionally, but just the motion of the crowd) down the street. If you go, let us know what your experience was. Good luck.

I agree with hamlet. Much too crowded to enjoy on a weekend night. Try it during the week, but go mainly for the experience; get some zeppoles. But, if you want a nice dinner, go to a restaurant in another part of Little Italy - there are plenty to choose from.

I went last year - sat in tons of traffic and paid $40 to park for an hour, so definitely don't drive. The crowds are pretty thick but if you don't mind it should be fun. Also, my friend and each got one of those fruity drinks in a plastic yard glass - and I swear there wasn't a drop of Rum in it as they had advertised so stick to beer, at least you know what you're getting.

It is a total zoo, and watch out for your wallet. Seriously. With all of those people crushed together, that is a perfect place for pickpockets. Other than that, the sausage and pepper sandwiches are the best.

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I was there a couple of years ago. I went during the week at lunch time and though there were allot of people there it wasn't overly crowded. Was able to take in the shops and lunch at one of the restaurants. I would do it again.