What's in Little Italy?

Baltimore's Little Italy is an old quaint Italian neighborhood in Baltimore City that has survived and thrived for several generations. Its original immigrants emigrated from Italy in the mid-1800s into the early 1900s and by 1920 the neighborhood was 100% Italian. It boasts century-old row homes, family-run restaurants, bocce courts, Catholic Italian parish, cultural Learning Center, Sons of Italy Lodge, and much more. Lovingly nicknamed 'The Neighborhood,' Little Italy is a tight-knit Italian community that includes residents of other ethnic backgrounds as well. It continues to welcome back its people who grew up here and who still feel a connection and deep devotion to the community. Stroll through its friendly streets to say CIAO!

Points of Interest

  • ST. LEO'S CHURCH was built in 1881 for Italian immigrants and contains historical paintings and beautiful ceiling murals. On its exterior walls is a historical marker, War Memorial Plaques, and other memorial signage. Under the entry steps are engraved bricks honoring family names. Saint Leo the Great Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It hosts four major events per year: two Italian Festivals and two Ravioli Dinners.
  • PANDOLA LEARNING CENTER housed in St. Leo School on Stiles St offers Italian language, cultural and cooking classes for adults and kids during two semesters - fall and spring.
  • Since Italian immigrants settled here, Little Italy has housed a plethora of family-owned restaurants and continue to be a restaurant district. Today it still offers delectable meals at every eatery. See Restaurant Listing >>>
  • SONS OF ITALY LITTLE ITALY LODGE #2286 is an arm of the national Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America and was built in 1990, It hosts Friday Night Dinners each week and many other social events for its members and guests. New members accepted. 905 E. Pratt St, 410.685.3116.
  • A welcome MURAL at the corner of Bank and Exeter Streets was painted in 2019.
  • A MURAL of a St. Leo procession, although faded, is still noticeable on the wall in the parking lot at Eastern/President Streets.
  • A MURAL at the corner of Pratt/High Streets is a tribute to the former Open Air Film Fest (1999 - 2017) and to the late "Mr. John" Pente who first allowed the movies to be projected from his bedroom window at High and Stiles Streets.
  • STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FLAG HOUSE at 844 E. Pratt St has a strong Italian-related history through its previous owners and proprietors. The house is one of the oldest in Baltimore and at one point was owned by Mary Young Pickersgill who earned her mark in history as the maker of the original Star-Spangled Banner. She was commissioned to sew the flag that flew at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. Museum and gift shop 410.837.1793
  • CANAL STREET MALT HOUSE is an 1866 building on Central Avenue named after the canal that once ran down the middle of the street. Long ago, the structure was the Solomon’s Straus’ Malt House, named after the brewer who built it. The warehouse supplied malt to Baltimore’s brewing industry as well as exported it to the west and south.
  • STRATFORD UNIVERSITY is a culinary school at Pratt Street and Central Avenue and historically was called No. 2 Public School. 410.752.4710
  • SEGS in the CITY offers tours on Segways, 207 S. Albemarle St, 410.276.7347
  • BOCCE COURTS are open to the public. Details>>>
  • The HERITAGE WALK marquee at Albemarle Street and Eastern Avenue posts a brief history of Little Italy and is one of 20 markers in Baltimore City depicting historical sites along a 3.2 walking tour called the Star Spangled Trail.
  • HOLLAND TACK FACTORY is a historic building once a Confederate hospital for wounded solders; later home of the Holland Manufacturing Company (aka Tack Factory). It now houses various businesses, an Italian bakery and restaurants. 
  • REGINALD F. LEWIS MUSEUM at 830 E. Pratt Street is a museum and gift shop
  • The historic PRESIDENT STREET STATION dates back to 1849 and is one of the oldest city railroad stations in the nation. It played an essential role in the story of some Italian immigrants who arrived by ship in New York City and continued to Baltimore by train. It houses the CIVIL WAR MUSEUM (FREE), 601 President Street, 443-220-0290.
  • ​D'ALESANDRO HOUSE at Fawn and Albemarle Streets is the former home of two Baltimore mayors of the same political family - the D'Alesandros. Daughter Nancy (nee D'Alesandro) Pelosi is a U.S. Congresswoman who grew up there.
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