Brooklyn in New York

Brooklyn in New York includes famous neighbourhoods such as Williamsburg, DUMBO and Dyker Heights. This is New York’s most populous borough, a real “melting pot” with residents from all cultures and nationalities. For example, you’ll find Russian, Ukrainian, Italian, Puerto Rican, Jewish and Jamaican influences. If you have time, I recommend including Brooklyn in your plans. Be sure to visit the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Got some time left and wondering what to do in Brooklyn? The other nice neighbourhoods are also worth a visit!

Things to do and see in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a large borough with a lot of diversity, which is reflected in the wide range of sights you can visit and the cuisines you can sample. Brooklyn things to see vary from waterfront parks and beaches to museums and sports games. Here are my favourite Brooklyn activities:

• Walking tour: Discover Brooklyn at your own pace with one of the self-guided walking routes I created in my app.
• Brooklyn Heights: Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park and see the famous brownstones.
• DUMBO: A Brooklyn highlight, home to Empire Stores and Washington Street.
• Williamsburg & Greenpoint: Two must-visit neighbourhoods with numerous nice shops, breweries and cafes.
• Coney Island: This beach plus amusement park is a classic! Are you in Brooklyn with kids? Then it’s definitely worth a trip.
• Dyker Heights: Around Christmas time, don’t miss this area known for its spectacular holiday decorations.

Brooklyn walking route

Want to explore Brooklyn through the eyes of a local? Download my Eric’s New York App and buy one or more of my self-guided Brooklyn walking routes. I guide you past the best spots in DUMBO, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and more, all at your own pace!

Nice Brooklyn Neighbourhoods

Brooklyn is one of New York’s five boroughs, and it’s divided into different neighbourhoods. The vast majority of Brooklyn is residential, but there are several neighbourhoods that are worth visiting. Here you can see a completely different side of New York and recover from the hectic pace of Manhattan.

DUMBO

DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, which immediately makes it clear where this part of Brooklyn can be found. DUMBO is located on the waterfront north of Brooklyn Bridge Park, “under” the Manhattan Bridge.

I really like this part of Brooklyn, where you can visit Empire Stores and Jane’s Carousel, among others. Washington Street is also here, where you can take the famous photo of the Empire State Building framed by the Manhattan Bridge.

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is where you end up walking or cycling across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Right on the waterfront is Brooklyn Bridge Park, the park with perhaps the most beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline. Here you can enjoy a walk or picnic, afterwards, it is worthwhile to walk through the rest of the neighbourhood.

In Brooklyn Heights, you will find attractive streets with famous brownstone houses. Is it time to get something to eat? Then I recommend a fresh wood oven pizza at Grimaldi’s.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg in Brooklyn is a hip neighbourhood where the atmosphere is defined by a mix of old, battered buildings and modern new constructions. On the streets, you will mainly find authentic restaurants, shops and coffee shops.

As you walk through Williamsburg, you will also regularly come across beautiful graffiti art. Williamsburg is also known for its breweries, so those who love a locally brewed beer and a bite to eat with the locals should definitely check it out.

Greenpoint

Greenpoint is another hip Brooklyn neighbourhood located next to Williamsburg and East River. The area is known for its bars and cafes, vintage shopping, and beautiful waterfront views of Manhattan. Take a stroll through the bustling streets where you’ll find both former industrial buildings and luxury highrises. While taking in the unique atmosphere, grab a coffee or sip on a beer at a local brewery.

Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge

You visit Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge for one reason only: the lavish Christmas decorations that are conjured up here from the end of November. A Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour will take you to the most beautifully decorated places in the neighbourhood. Entire streets are immersed in thousands of lights and decorations, so Christmas cheer is guaranteed!

Coney Island

On the south side of Brooklyn is Coney Island, a peninsula that is a hotspot, especially in the summer months. Here you can enjoy the holiday atmosphere at the beach and promenade, check out the famous amusement park Luna Park and try Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.

You can travel to Coney Island on your own by metro, but it will take you a while. I recommend you to book the Contrast Tour of New York with a visit to Coney Island, as it is easier and more fun. Discover the different boroughs of the city and end the tour at Coney Island.

Bushwick

Bushwick is a little more eclectic and edgy than other neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. It has quickly become a hotspot for alternative art and culture, thanks to the influx of artists and musicians.

Bushwick is an industrial-looking neighbourhood filled with warehouses that have been converted into cafes, restaurants, shops and clubs. These warehouses also serve as an outdoor gallery of street art, with bright paint covering most of them. Easily accessible by subway L M, the area is a popular destination for street art fans.

Sunset Park

Sunset Park is where you will get the authentic Hispanic vibe in Brooklyn. It’s a nice area to walk around during the day and experience something totally different from Manhattan. Take the subway DNR to 36th Street and walk through Fifth Avenue.

This is also a good place to have lunch, as there are many nice little restaurants. Try some Peruvian food at one of the typical chicken restaurants, or for some delicious chorizo tacos, head to Tacos Matamoros.

Visit Sunset Park (the park with the same name as the neighbourhood), sit on the grass and enjoy the beautiful view of Manhattan (you can even see the Statue of Liberty).

Attractions in Brooklyn

In addition to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and Coney Island with its iconic beach and boardwalk, there are many other interesting attractions in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Museum

Located in the neighbourhood of Grown Heights, the Brooklyn Museum is the second-largest museum in New York and contains a collection of one and a half million works. Some of the artists whose work can be found in the museum are Cézanne, Monet, Degas, Manet, Renoir, Kandinsky and Rembrandt.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Close to the museum, you’ll find Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is actually made up of many smaller gardens. The Cherry Esplanade, for example, is very famous: it has more than 200 cherry trees. The Japanese Hill and Pond Garden have a koi pond, a Japanese temple, a Shinto shrine and Bonsai. At the Cranford Rose Garden, you can see nearly 1,400 species of rose. At the Yellow Magnolia Café, you can relax and enjoy some organic food.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

With kids, it might be a fun activity to go to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. It’s like a big indoor play area full of activities designed for the little ones. There is sensory play for toddlers with water, sand, sounds, pretend markets, pizzerias and giant lego. There are exhibitions on animals and sometimes it is even possible to pet a snake.

About Eric »

Hey there, I'm Eric!

I'm a true New York fan with over 20 years of experience visiting and living in NYC. Here on my website, I share all my tips and valuable information to help you make the most of your trip. I personally test and regularly re-test everything on my site to ensure that what I write is useful, honest, and always up-to-date.

If you have questions, are unsure about something, or want me to check your itinerary, please email me at eric@newyork.co.uk. You can also follow me on Facebook or Instagram to get daily updates from New York.

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Eric’s Tip: “There’s a lot to see and do in Brooklyn, you can easily spend a few days here if you really want to get to know the area. A lot of sights in Brooklyn can be visited with the New York Pass, which makes exploring Brooklyn quite affordable too.”

Brooklyn Brewery

Beer lovers can’t miss this world-famous New York brewery! Brooklyn Brewery is located in Williamsburg and makes for a great visit. Enjoy a beer in the beer hall while watching the brewing process happening around you.

Parks in Brooklyn

Brooklyn also offers several green spaces, like Brooklyn Bridge Park, which I mentioned earlier. Prospect Park is another pleasant nature area. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, it’s the borough’s largest park, featuring both meadows and wooded areas.

In Williamsburg by the East River, you’ll find Domino Park, an extensive park where you can combine enjoying the views with numerous activities, including beach volleyball, walking along the pathways and playgrounds for kids.

While technically not a park, Green-Wood Cemetery is also worth a visit. This rural cemetery is a National Historic Landmark where you can admire the sculptures, monuments and a Gothic-style historic chapel.

Sports Games in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, like the other New York boroughs, has a number of successful sports teams.

Basketball in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is especially famous for basketball; there are two local teams, the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA and New York Liberty, the New York women’s team that plays in the WNBA.

Barclays Center

The home base for both teams is Barclays Center, a modern indoor arena that has become a cultural and commercial hub for Brooklyn. It is easily accessible by subway. The arena regularly hosts WWE professional wrestling matches as well as concerts and other events every week.

How to get to Brooklyn

To get to Brooklyn, you can take the subway. There are several trains that go from Manhattan to Brooklyn, like the A C R 2 3 4 5 lines.

Another option is to take the NYC Ferry. The South Brooklyn and East River routes both run from Wall Street to DUMBO and offer you a scenic river crossing before you begin exploring Brooklyn.

If you like to explore at your own pace, I recommend renting a bike. Bike through Downtown Manhattan and over the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn, where you can visit different neighbourhoods.