Smith Street, from 1st Place all the way to Atlantic Avenue, is a great place to visit and to eat. There are brand new restaurants opening every few months BUT the real, well established places are still here, too. Long before all the Yippsters, Hipters, Yuppies and Artsey Fartsy groups came along, Smith Street was a Blue Collar, Working Class neighborhood.
There are some very good newer places and some fantastic Old World places. Do your research - - - Old or New: if the restaurant is owned by anyone who had a show on The Food Network, don't go. You're paying for thier name NOT good food.
If the owner of the Restaurant or Bar has a 2nd, 3rd or 4th business in the area - DON'T Go. You have just found a place interested in your money for a 1 shot deal, NOT your continued business. (In other words, poor food and Over Priced drinks - - - YES, a tourist trap)
But if you find a place that has been there, under the same ownership, for 20+ years, then you've found a gem.
Red Rose was the 1st real restaurant to open on Smith Street over 25 years ago. Casa Rosa & Sam's have both been open for 25 to 30 years, but you'll find those places on Court Street NOT Smith Street.
As far as the NON- eating/drinking things to do, Smith Street is a great place for little boutiques featuring clothing & jewlery.
Summary - to shop, go to the new artsey places. To Eat - stick to the old established places.