For a long time, Manhattan has been the “main character” for people visiting New York. You can not deny that the island has an unlimited range of things to do, but, as I always say, New York City is not only about Manhattan! There are incredible things to do in the five boroughs, and today, I decided to list ten cool things to do in Brooklyn. Yes, Brooklyn goes way beyond the iconic bridge, and no, you can not cover this neighborhood in just one day (not even in a lifetime). Below are suggestions for what to do in the area!
Crossing Brooklyn Bridge – crossing this bridge is mandatory for those coming to New York for the first time – and worth repeating if you have other opportunities. Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges worldwide – and the first built to connect Manhattan to Brooklyn. It was opened in 1883 – 13 years after its construction. John Augustus Roebling was the engineer responsible for the work – he was German, but he lived in the US for many years – and had a lot of experience in the construction of suspension bridges and the Brooklyn Bridge was his most ambitious project. Today, on average, 120,000 vehicles cross Brooklyn Bridge daily, and 4,000 pedestrians and 2,600 cyclists. After you cross the bridge, spend some time at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The view is amazing!
Brooklyn Botanical Garden – There are more than 12,000 species in an area adjacent to Prospect Park (like Brooklyn Central Park) with lots of green space and beautiful flowers. It is one of the most beautiful places to go during the cherry blossom season. There are tulip gardens, rose gardens, and the Japanese Garden, which sits on the edge of a lake and is beautiful.
Address: 990 Washington Ave.
Street arts in Bushwick – Bushwick is a Brooklyn neighborhood home to The Bushwick Collective. The curator of the place is due to Joseph Ficalora, the project creator and long-time resident of the area. Along with other owners of local buildings, Ficalora tries to find and provide empty walls for street artists – who are not only from the United States but also from countries such as France and Italy. The gallery begins on Jefferson Street and continues through Troutman Street to Saint Nicholas Avenue. T
Coney Island – You may have heard of Coney Island – after all, this Brooklyn neighborhood has got more attention in recent years. Coney Island is located on the beach and has an iconic amusement park. It was featured on Beyonce’s music video Xo, as well as on TV series such as Girls and Mr. Robot. I particularly love Coney Island – I think because of the memory of the first time I was there, at the beginning of Spring in 2014. It was good to see the sea after a long winter. How about to take a ride on Wonder Wheel, a Ferris wheel that is one of the symbols of the place? In addition, the beach has many nice places to eat. To get there, use the D, N, F or Q lines.
Smorgasburg – it is one of the most famous street food markets in New York. It happens all year round n Brooklyn, but in summer, it is cooler because the event rolls outdoors. More than 80 vendors offer the most diverse types of dishes and snacks, sweet and savory. Smorgasburg happens every weekend in Brooklyn. On Saturdays, at East River State Park, Williamsburg. On Sundays, at Prospect Park. Always from 11am to 6pm, rain or shine, until November. Check out the website to seed details and click locations to check the other addresses of Smorgasburg (with less vendors).
Red Hook -To the southwest of Carroll Gardens, beyond the BQE, the formerly rough-and-tumble industrial locale of Red Hook remains a secluded neighborhood, thanks to the lack of subway stops, which makes it perfect for a day out exploring. The area is home to small artisanal businesses and factories. Its time-warp charm is still evident, and it’s decaying piers make a moody backdrop for massive cranes, empty warehouses and trucks clattering over cobblestone streets. If you never heard about it, it is where Ikea is located – but there is more than furniture shopping at Red Hook! The quiet streets with cobblestones make you feel like a small country town. The area features restaurants and factories is perfect for a day of tasting many delights. Winery, BBQ places, seafood restaurants, chocolate factories: there are a lot of things to do.
Greenpoint -Tucked into Brooklyn’s northwest corner — just above Williamsburg and south of Long Island City — the area has of late shed its sleepy image and emerged as a borough hot spot, with many cool restaurants and coffee shops, besides the real state investment. In 2012, Lena Dunham and her HBO show “Girls,” adopted Greenpoint for its setting, giving a boost to the hood’s pop cultural cache. With a quiet atmosphere – and charming streets – Greenpoint can be a great option for a day in New York – especially if you are looking for places off the beaten path.
Dyker Heights Christimas Lights – this region is famous for super decorated houses at Christmas time. There are thousands of colored lights in many houses, illuminating the streets, and attracting many tourists to the area. The tradition began in 1986, and now the place attracts about 100,000 tourists every year who visit the neighborhood to check out this decorating show. The houses have that typical American design, which makes them even more charming. Generally, some lights already appear after Thanksgiving (late November), but the best view is in mid-December – and they keep the lights through January 8th. Also, it is better to visit the neighborhood during the weekends, from 5pm to 9pm – because the lights are generally switched off after this time. The houses are located between 11th Avenue and 13th Avenue, from 83rd to 86th Street.
Check out more pictures and more information.
Brooklyn Museum – Great alternative to get away from the crowded museums in Manhattan; Brooklyn Museum has a huge collection. Among the highlights is an Egyptian collection of 4000 pieces – which includes a mummy preserved in its original coffin. There are paintings from Cézanne and Monet and sculptures and art galleries from Africa and Pacific Islands. The Museum also has special exhibitions periodically.
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
No Comments