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The 15 best attractions in Brooklyn

Branch out from Manhattan to enjoy these Brooklyn attractions that are well worth the trip

While Manhattan draws the most tourists with its all-around incredible slate of restaurants , bars , museums , and bucket-list things to do , Brooklyn isn’t far behind. For locals and repeat visitors, the best Brooklyn attractions are well worth your attention.

Williamsburg , of course, is an attraction in itself, but you’ll find cool things to do in neighborhoods like Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Bed-Stuy, DUMBO, and more. These Brooklyn attractions include lush parks, iconic architectural gems, fabulous museums, unique shopping, and other only-in-NY activities. So be sure to branch out from Manhattan and hit up Brooklyn for more unique New York experiences.

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best New York attractions

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Best Brooklyn attractions

1.  Brooklyn Bridge

• Historic buildings and sites

Although the Brooklyn Bridge is no longer the largest suspension bridge in the world (as it was when it opened in 1883), it’s still an iconic New York City landmark. More than 100,000 cars pass between the Gothic towers every day, while the pedestrians and sightseers on the upper walkway number in the thousands. Whether you’re traveling by car, bike, or foot, you’ll get spectacular views of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights.

2.  Brooklyn Botanic Garden

• Parks and gardens
• Prospect Park

Those searching for a little peace and quiet would do well to spend a few hours at this verdant oasis. The garden, which abuts two other neighborhood gems – The Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park – was founded in 1910 and features hundreds of types of flora, laid out over 52 acres. Each spring, crowds descend on the space when hundreds of cherry blossoms bloom along the Cherry Esplanade.

3.  Time Out Market New York

• Restaurants
• price 1 of 4

We've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market in DUMBO. Located in Empire Stores, Time Out Market has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, inventive ice cream flavors from Sugar Hill Creamery, and  more amazing eateries –  all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline.

4.  Prospect Park

• Things to do

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux—the visionary designers behind Central Park—Prospect Park offers Brooklynites a chance to get back in touch with nature. Soak up the sunshine in the sprawling Long Meadow, take a guided hike to forage for wild herbs, or explore the Ravine, one of the few remaining indigenous forests in the city.

5.  Coney Island Cyclone

• Arcades and amusements
• Coney Island

This historic wooden coaster dates back to 1927, during Coney Island’s glory days. Now a national historic landmark and part of the new Luna Park, the Cyclone still thrills riders every spring and summer. After you’ve gotten your fill of the amusement park, don’t forget to grab a beer and hot dog from the original Nathan’s Famous.

6.  Brooklyn Museum

• Natural history

One of Kings County’s preeminent cultural institutions, this 560,000-square-foot venue made history as the first American museum to exhibit African objects as artwork. In addition to the more than 4,000 items in the Egyptian holdings, museumgoers can scope pieces by masters such as Cézanne, Monet, and Degas, plus an entire center devoted to feminist art. The venue is the permanent home of Judy Chicago’s massive installation The Dinner Party.

7.  New York Aquarium

• Zoo and aquariums

At New York's one and only aquarium, see a living re-creation of the Pacific coastline, and catch sight of various East River species, plus some truly awesome sharks and sea jellies. Fantasize about extending your summer as you visit Glover's Reef, a 150,000-gallon tank stocked with 35 species of marine life from the coast of Belize, including jawfish and moray eels.

8.  Brooklyn Flea

• Markets and fairs

This market has elevated the vintage-shopping experience, setting a new standard for both goods and food vendors, and emphasizing local purveyors where possible. Its mini-empire now includes markets in DUMBO and Chelsea, as well as two food-focused Smorgasburg outposts. It’s as good a people-watching spot as you’ll find – plenty of established and wanna-be designers mill about – and the eats alone are worth the trip. 

9.  Brooklyn Heights and Brooklyn Promenade

• Brooklyn Heights

In order to mollify the residents of Brooklyn Heights, city planner Robert Moses built this park atop the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to muffle the street noise when it opened in 1950. Today, you might forget that traffic is moving along beneath you while strolling the esplanade. The picture-perfect views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty are admittedly distracting.

10.  Brooklyn Bridge Park

Unlike the sprawling meadows of Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park wasn’t built to replicate the area’s serene natural environment. Instead, the park transformed a defunct shipping and storage complex into an urban playground complete with terraces, picnic areas, and athletic fields. Don’t leave without a ride on Jane’s Carousel, the park’s beautifully restored 1920s merry-go-round.

11.  Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)

• Boerum Hill

BAM, which showcases local and out-of-town companies, is one of New York’s most prominent cultural institutions. The Howard Gilman Opera House, with its Federal-style columns and carved marble, is a beautiful dance venue. Each fall, BAM’s Next Wave Festival highlights established and experimental dance groups; in the spring, there’s an assortment of African and modern dance and ballet.

12.  Building 92

• Special interest
• Fort Greene

Located in a former military residence on the grounds of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this small museum chronicles the mighty history of the former shipbuilding center – which, at its peak during World War II, employed close to 70,000 people. Take a deep dive into the area’s history from Native American origins to the Industrial Revolution at the museum’s permanent exhibit or board a weekend bus tour of the 300-acre yard.

13.  Brooklyn Children’s Museum

• Crown Heights

When it was founded in 1899, the BCM was the country’s first museum specifically made for children. Today it’s one of the most comprehensive, with a permanent collection of 30,000 objects, including musical instruments, masks, dolls, and fossils. Kids have fun while learning (sneaky!) at interactive exhibits like “World Brooklyn,” a pint-size cityscape lined by faux stores where young’uns can weigh ingredients and knead pretend dough at the Mexican Bakery, or shop for cans of Indian ghee and Turkish candy at the International Grocery.

14.  Green-Wood Cemetery

• Walks and tours

Founded in 1838 as a rural cemetery in Greenwood Heights, this site was inspired by the Pére Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Having vied with Niagara Falls as New York State’s greatest tourist attraction, it gained landmark status in 1966. Filled with Victorian mausoleums, cherubs, and gargoyles, Green-Wood is the resting place of some half-million New Yorkers, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein, and Boss Tweed. But there’s more to do here than grave-spot: Check out the massive Gothic arch at the main entrance or climb to the top of Battle Hill, a pivotal spot during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776.

15.  Prospect Park Zoo

At this interactive wildlife center, kids can walk along the Discovery Trail and come face to face with Oggie and his new pal Dixie, two North American river otters. Keep hopping down the path to find the Australian Walkabout's kangaroo and the new rock wallabies, whose grooved hind paws easily grip the boulders in their steep habitat. A pair of native South African owls – recognizable by their bright white faces – roost in the aviary along the trail. On spring days, you might also find a commotion at the sea lion court: the graceful swimmers like to entertain onlookers by diving, high-fiving their keepers, and chowing down on fishy food.

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The 32 Absolute Best Brooklyn Attractions

What to do in brooklyn we've got you covered.

Are you looking for the best Brooklyn attractions? But what are the most important sights in Brooklyn? In my more than 20 visits to New York, I’ve been to Brooklyn every time – what you absolutely have to see in Brooklyn, I’ll tell you right here!

You'll also love this:

• Things to Do in Brooklyn
• The 33 Absolute best Attractions in New York
• Budget Tip ▷ New York Pass Comparison

You’ll notice it right away: The atmosphere in Brooklyn is completely different than in Manhattan. It’s much more relaxed – yet the attractions in Brooklyn are worth seeing: from world-famous spots to addresses where many New Yorkers like to go themselves, it’s all there. To see which of Brooklyn’s highlights are closest to you, you can also view them on a full-screen map further down: 👉 The Best Brooklyn Attractions on a Map .

The Top Brooklyn attractions on a map

Our tips for visiting the best Brooklyn attractions on a budget!

If you are on a family holiday, or visiting the city with a group of friends and need to book 4 tickets for each attraction, or are alone but just have a tight budget set for your trip, we have something really special for you. New York City sells discount attraction passes which allow you to visit all of the must-see NYC attractions for less while giving you the flexibility of deciding what you want to see once you get there!

Offering discounts of up to 60% on many sights, tours, and attractions  New York City sightseeing passes  are the ultimate way to save money. Find out which one will save you the most based on the attractions you want to see here:

Try Our Savings Calculator

Here are my 32 Favorite attractions in Brooklyn

Brooklyn bridge.

The Brooklyn Bridge is used by over 120,000 vehicles across its 6 lanes, 4000 pedestrians, and 3000 bikes, per day. The views of NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge are spectacular and it is an absolute necessity that you walk across the bridge during your trip to NYC. Especially at sunrise and sunset this is one of NYC’s most photogenic spots. Just be prepared to be surrounded by a bunch of people.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

You will find the beginning of Brooklyn Bridge Park just below Brooklyn Bridge. With amazing views of the skyline across the water and some great places to sit and enjoy the view, this park is a must-visit! For those of you who like running, this is an amazing place to do so, especially with the amazing Manhattan skyline view. There are also tons of green spaces, basketball, volleyball courts, and soccer fields.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

From here you can enjoy the fantastic view over Lower Manhattan and the One World Trade Center.

Washington Street in Dumbo

Don’t forget to capture the most famous photo on Washington Street in Dumbo: With the Manhattan Bridge and the tiny Empire State Building in the background, the street is popular with all tourists to take the perfect photo. Manhattan Bridge is the second famous bridge in Dumbo. If you like, you can also cross it on foot and enjoy the great view of the skyline as well as the Brooklyn Bridge from there.

Pilot Brooklyn

As you know, we love the two-master “Grand Banks” at Piers 25 in Manhattan. The same operators now have a counterpart, the Pilot Brooklyn, at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Enjoy a sensational view of Manhattan with a drink in hand – or enjoy smaller (but delicious) seafood dishes!

Domino Park

This beautiful park opened up in Williamsburg in 2018. It’s called Domino park because the former Domino Sugar factory was located at that very spot. Now, it’s filled with greenery, food vendors and a playground for kids. It is located directly on the East River and you have a great view of the city from here. The park invites you to play volleyball or have a picnic.

Jane's Carousel

In the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge Park there is a beautiful carousel for young and old all year round. From there you can also enjoy the great view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.

Time Out Market

The “Food Market” concept proves to be a great success in New York City. In May 2019, the Time Out Market opened in Dumbo: and offers around 20 different vendors, 2 bars, a rooftop with an additional 4 restaurants. The food market in Dumbo on 55 Water Street is expected to be just as successful as its other chains such as the one in Lisbon. The absolute best thing about the location is the view from the balcony. It provides unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline as well as the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge.

Smorgasburg Food Market

Smorgasburg Food Market is one of the hottest open-air food markets in New York City. People come here to meet, eat, drink and enjoy the view of the Manhattan skyline on the East River Waterfront during the warmer months. Smorgasburg means “a mixture of food” and offers a huge selection of small stalls. The main spot for Smorgasburg is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and is very popular among the locals. It’s more of an experience and it’s always a great time with friends.

Coney Island Boardwalk

A day trip to Coney Island is definitely worthwhile and while you are there, make sure to stay until sunset. At the beach it is just beautiful and very idyllic.

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We will provide you with individual tips & tricks as you prepare for your trip. How to plan, save money and make sure you experience the most of NYC are only some of the topics covered!

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Rooftop Reds

The only problem with this beautiful view of the NYC skyline? It just happens to be interrupted by NYC’s only rooftop vineyard!

Located in Brooklyn, Rooftop Reds is actually the world’s first commercially viable urban rooftop vineyard. That means in addition to getting a wide-open view of the NYC skyline, you’re also supporting one of the most innovative wine projects in NYC.

And what would a glass of wine be without a great pairing? Rooftop Reds has this covered with a wide selection of gourmet cheeses to start the meal, then a partnership with nearby pizzeria Il Porto. If you’ve got a bold wine, pair it with Al Diavolo Pizza for a spice-forward blend.

Brooklyn Flea

For almost 10 years, tourists and locals alike have been making the pilgrimage to Brooklyn to visit one of the most famous flea markets in New York. Antique household goods, vintage furniture and clothing, jewelry and all sorts of other knick-knacks are sold by the 60 vendors of the Brooklyn Flea market. Of course, Brooklyn Flea also has food! From Hong Kong Pork Buns to waffles, you’ll find everything here. Here is a little tip from us. Take a few minutes and just chat with the sellers. They often tell their own personal stories, how they put their ideas into practice or why they love New York. You meet a lot of great and creative people at the flea markets in New York!

DeKalb Market Hall

DeKalb Market Hall is the biggest food hall in Brooklyn. This food market houses about 40 food vendors including classic names such as Katz and newer, up-and-coming names. They serve everything you can possibly imagine. You can find pastries, pizzas and even ramen. It’s a good example of how diverse NYC is.

Street art fans will fall in love with Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood. Thanks to the Bushwick Collective, there are works by over 800 street artists from around the world to see, including legends like Adam Cost and Dan WitzBushwick. Around the Bushwick Collective area, there are nearly 100 blocks of street art! So you can spend all day exploring the area.

If you just want to see the highlights , the most famous works can be found on Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue . The street art in Bushwick is constantly changing, so you can always discover something new every time you visit. Most of the works are on display for no longer than a year.

Address: Around Troutman Street at St. Nicholas Avenue, Brooklyn

Prospect Park

The park is the counterpart of Central Park. Both parks were designed by the same architect. The 2.4 km² large park has a lot to offer. Just like Central Park, Prospect Park has numerous green spaces, a lake, the Litchfield Villa, a zoo, courts for sports, entertainment possibilities and even a botanical garden. Prospect Park is a great alternative if you would like to escape the busy lifestyle in Manhattan.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the natural wonder of New York City and is especially popular during the cherry blossom season. Many people come to the botanic garden in Brooklyn just to see this natural spectacle. This place always has a special aura to it, as there is something wonderful blossoming here in any season. It’s located right inside Prospect Park in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum opened its doors to the public in 1897. Measuring around 560,000 square feet, the Brooklyn Museum, located in Park Slope is the second-largest art museum in the United States. You’ll have plenty of space to explore during your visit and the museum features a massive collection of over 1.5 million objects displayed throughout the five floors. 

Many events are held at the Brooklyn Museum as well such as fashion shows.

Green-Wood Cemetery

The cemetery is located about 10 minutes walking distance from Prospect Park. On an area of 1.9 km² there are about 600,000 graves and on the hill Battle Hill you can enjoy a great view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Governors Island

When the weather is beautiful in New York City and you want to escape for a moment from the noise, the hustle and bustle, then a trip to Governors Island is something to consider. The Governors Island Ferry will take you across the East River for $4.

Since 2021 Governors Island is open all year round!

New York Transit Museum

The New York Transit museum focuses on the history and the development of public transportation in NYC. The museum covers and explores everything from the construction of the subway lines to the history of the bus systems in the city. It’s one of the oldest public transportation systems in the world. Here, visitors will get to explore the different train models that the city used and is a great experience for families with kids. Of course, there are great photo opportunities as well.

Harriet's Rooftop Bar

Be sure to check out the 1 Hotel Rooftop and Garden Bar, even if you don’t decide to stay there. You can enjoy a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge. The bar serves great drinks and finger food.

Williamsburg Bridge

The Williamsburg Bridge spans from the Lower East Side in Manhattan to Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Perfect for pedestrians and cyclists, crossing the bridge gives you enjoyable views of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge as well as Domino Park in Williamsburg.

Barclays Center

Barclays Center is Brooklyn’s very own sporting and entertainment venue. When the former New Jersey Nets decided to move over to Brooklyn, the city and borough decided to build a brand new venue. It is now home to the Brooklyn Nets, The New York Islanders, Brooklyn Boxing, and concerts.

Brooklyn Children's Museum

The Brooklyn Children’s museum was founded in 1899 and was the first museum developed only for kids. With many permanent exhibitions and attractions, there is always something to see or do here. Overall, it’s a great place for family outings with the young ones.

Children are encouraged to play and experience numerous activities and exhibitions.

The famous roller coaster at Coney Island is one of the city’s landmarks. In countless movies it has been the scenery and had to withstand many forces of nature. The ride should not be underestimated – it is also a great memory of the original Coney Island.

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

A remnant from old times is Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Here you will find many rides, some of which are almost 100 years old.

The theme park in Coney Island is a must for young and old. Opening hours vary depending on the weather. Inform yourself before you plan a trip there. Characteristic for Coney Island is the nostalgic charm of the amusement park, which attracts thousands of people – especially New Yorkers – when the weather is good.

New York Aquarium

The sea creatures in the aquarium offer a nice alternative if the weather is not suitable for a visit to the beach. Here you can learn everything about the underwater world of the oceans.

Westlight NYC

The Westlight in Brooklyn is considered one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in New York – and rightly so! It belongs to The William Vale Hotel and has a rooftop bar, a lounge area, a bar and a restaurant. What distinguishes the Westlight from many other spots is the unspoilt panoramic view of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

All Brooklyn Attractions on a map

A map with all MUST SEE in Brooklyn can be found here – just click on “FULL MAP” if you want to see more. You can click on each spot on the map to find out everything you need to know!

Things to do in Brooklyn

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I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

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20 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Brooklyn, NY

Written by Meagan Drillinger Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Meagan Drillinger was born in Brooklyn and spent nearly 20 years living in New York City.

If Brooklyn was a separate city, it would be the fourth largest city in America. With a population of approximately 2.5 million, Brooklyn is one of the most populous areas in the country. But with that comes massive diversity, rich history, and a plethora of things to do.

From iconic Coney Island to the brand new Barclays Center , and distinct neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope, you will have your choice of activities and places to visit throughout the year.

A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or a subway ride from Manhattan will bring you to happening neighborhoods and attractions like museums, gardens, parks, food markets, and more. For something a little more interesting, try seeing the sights on the NYC Ferry System by hopping on the East River Ferry.

On your day trip or a weekend getaway to Brooklyn, don't miss a chance to see the Brooklyn Cyclones play at MCU Park, have a picnic in Prospect Park , wander the gardens at Brooklyn Botanic Garden , and admire masterpieces at the Brooklyn Museum. Top it all off with a stop at an outdoor food market to taste diverse foods and mingle with New Yorkers.

For more ideas on places to visit in one of New York City's coolest boroughs, see our list of the top things to do in Brooklyn.

1. Brooklyn Bridge

2. brooklyn bridge park, 3. brooklyn heights promenade, 4. brooklyn botanic garden, 5. brooklyn museum, 6. green-wood cemetery, 7. new york transit museum, 8. prospect park, 9. williamsburg, 10. christmas lights in dyker heights, 11. coney island, 12. mcu park, 13. barclays center, 14. brooklyn flea, 15. williamsburg smorgasburg, 16. dekalb market hall, 17. bam harvey theater, 18. brooklyn grange, 19. bushwick collective, 20. brighton beach, where to stay in brooklyn for sightseeing, brooklyn, ny - climate chart.

One of my favorite landmarks in New York City is the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Nothing says I've arrived home more than seeing the beautiful brick engineering masterpiece.

Drive, bike, or saunter across the bridge, which connects Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn Heights. Appreciate the massive towers built from limestone, granite, and cement and the incredible views of the world-famous skyline from various vantage points on the pedestrian walkway.

Brooklyn Bridge was the first bridge built across the East River; it took 24 years and opened in 1883. It once held the title of the longest suspension bridge in the world, until Japan's Akashi-Kaikyo bridge came along.

Since this is one of the top attractions in New York City , when you visit during high season, you may be rubbing shoulders with other tourists; go early in the morning or at night for a more relaxing experience.

Once you reach the Brooklyn side, it's a popular stop for tourists to visit Grimaldi's Pizza for a legendary brick-oven pie. Keep in mind the line does get long, but it will be worth the wait. You can also explore Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Nestled on the shores of the East River lies the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, an appealing place to relax and enjoy views of the bustling New York harbor, Statue of Liberty, and both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges.

The park features a 1920s restored carousel, playgrounds, piers, and lawns for picnicking. Visitors can enjoy events like outdoor movies, concerts, fitness classes, rowing, kayaking, and more. Other amenities include basketball courts, an in-line skating rink, and a small beach for non-motorized boat launch. A seasonal ferry brings folks from the park to Governors Island.

The park is a buzzing hot spot, especially in the warmer months thanks to its slew of outdoor cafes and restaurants, plus its high-end and boutique shopping. Grab a coffee at Kaigo Coffee Room or a delectable ice cream cone at Oddfellows Ice Cream Co and sit on one of the grassy knolls overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

Speaking of the Manhattan skyline, some of the very best views of Manhattan can be spotted from Brooklyn Heights along its beautifully manicured promenade.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is an outdoor walkway that overlooks Downtown Manhattan , the East River, and the Brooklyn Bridge. You'll also find some of the oldest mansions and architecture along the promenade in one of the most historic neighborhoods of Brooklyn.

The pedestrian walkway is lined with benches and lovely flowerbeds, making it a popular spot to sit and people-watch. But it's also one of Brooklyn Heights' favorite places for exercise. Runners, rollerbladers, and cyclists love to pound the pavement here.

Not far from the promenade are some of Brooklyn's best restaurants and boutiques. Near Brooklyn Bridge Park are a wide variety of dining options, as well as rooftop terraces from which to drink in the views.

Get lost in nature as you wander through carefully tended gardens at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden , situated next to Prospect Park on 52 acres. You'll find peaceful gardens like the Cherry Esplanade, Fragrance Garden, Herb Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Cranford Rose Garden, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and the new Woodland Garden, among others.

Even during winter, take comfort in the warmth of the greenhouses with lush tropical flora and desert cacti. Don't miss the Sakura Matsuri Festival in the spring, which attracts thousands of locals and visitors to the blooming Cherry Esplanade.

Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, New York

Admire masterpieces by Cézanne, Monet, Bierstadt, Rothko, and other renowned artists in this gorgeous space near the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park. The prestigious Brooklyn Museum houses a massive collection of Egyptian antiquities, along with African, European, Japanese, Oceanic, and American art, with the goal of helping people understand the world better. It's especially known for presenting the feminist piece by Judy Chicago, The Dinner Party.

The Brooklyn Museum houses nearly 1.5 million works in a 560,000-square-foot space. Even though it's the third largest museum in the city, it sees a lot fewer visitors than Manhattan's world-famous art museums, giving you a chance to take in famous pieces without many others around.

For over 21 years, the museum has hosted a First Saturday program, with free programming for visitors each month. Programming includes art classes, music and dance performances, art workshops, and gallery talks, as well as musical performances and film screenings.

Address: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York

In the late 19th century, Green-Wood Cemetery competed with Niagara Falls in terms of visitor numbers. With dramatic Gothic arches at the entrance, and bucolic, rolling landscape spread across 478 acres, New York City's first rural burial ground was the preferred final resting place for many wealthy New Yorkers.

Today, the site still attracts those drawn to the countryside setting and the secrets it holds. Green-Wood is on the Civil War Discovery Trail, where you will see monuments to the fallen soldiers, from both sides.

The cemetery is also a bird-lover's paradise. A colony of blue-green monk parakeets nests in the spires of the arches, and the ponds within are teeming with herons, egrets, sandpipers, geese, and ducks. The cemetery is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System and offers birding walks.

Pay homage to one of the oldest public transit systems in the country at the New York Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn. Housed in a decommissioned train station, the museum showcases vintage subway cars and buses from the early 1900s.

Learn about the history of mass transit in the metropolis since 1976 through memorabilia, reconstructed subway platforms, and long-term and rotating exhibits. Attend an educational program with kids and stop by the gift shop for a souvenir to remember your experience.

During the holidays, the Holiday Nostalgia Rides give you a chance to ride in a 1930s R1-9 train car on Sundays between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Address: 99 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, New York

Beginning at the Grand Army Plaza's Triumphal Arch and encircled by the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Crown Heights, and Windsor Terrace, 526-acre Prospect Park is a happening gathering place for local residents. You can see them using the paths for running, biking, dog-walking, exploring the Ravine forest, and picnicking on the Long Meadow and Nethermead.

The bucolic park, with its intricate man-made wetlands and trees, is designed by the same architects behind New York's Central Park : Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. It includes similar attractions such as a boathouse, zoo, lake, sporting fields, ice rink, carousel, band shell, and an array of playing fields and recreational activities.

Prospect Park also boasts the first urban Audubon Center, run in partnership between Audubon New York and the Prospect Park Alliance. On Sundays near the Breeze Hill entrance, a Smorgasburg Prospect Park food festival serves a range of cuisines from local restaurants from April to October.

One of the hottest neighborhoods in the country continues to be Brooklyn's own Williamsburg. Once a neighborhood marked only by warehouses and factories, today it is one of the hottest real estate markets in the world.

Development over the past decade has brought glitzy high-rise condos, incredible restaurants, museums, concert venues, a sleek waterfront promenade, art galleries, festivals , and amazing hotels. Today Williamsburg may even be considered a standalone destination within the city of New York.

Hop on the ferry or ride the L train to Bedford Avenue to begin exploring one of the most vibrant and dynamic neighborhoods in the world.

Holiday time in New York City is one of the most special times to be in the five boroughs. While Manhattan's Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center get the lion's share of the holiday cheer tourism, Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood is legendary for its vibrant festive spirit .

The neighborhood in Brooklyn comes alive during the month of December with historic houses and mansions that are dripping head-to-toe in Christmas lights, Santa displays, sleighs, and snowmen. Some homes even set up speakers to fill the streets with holiday music.

The best times to see the Christmas lights are between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, between sunset and 9pm. The area best known for the lights is between 11th and 13th Avenues and 83rd to 86th streets.

You can get to Dyker Heights by taking the D train to 79th Street and New Utrecht Avenue. You can also tour the lights via a bus tour like this New York Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tour.

Coney Island is a popular summer destination at the southern tip of Brooklyn. Known for its carnival rides and great eats from Totonno's and Nathan's Famous, this sandy playground is just a subway ride away from Manhattan.

Allocate an entire day to make the most of your time at this buzzing attraction, which features minor league baseball at MCU Park, an aquarium, an amphitheater, and thrilling roller coasters at Luna Park amusement park.

Of course, don't forget to enjoy the beach, that is if you can find yourself a spot. Coney Island in recent years has been the location for the annual Mermaid Parade, attracting costumed fans from all boroughs to take part in a lively celebration of the water nymphs.

Glimpse into the future of America's pastime at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. This Class A Short Season Mets Affiliate is sure to delight fans of all ages. Bring your friends and family for a fun minor-league baseball game.

Enjoy special promotions like Kids Eat Free Monday, Everyone Runs the Bases, and the hilarious Tribute to Seinfeld Night. Savor top-notch refreshments, including Nathan's Famous from the comfort of your box seats or luxury suite.

MCU Park is conveniently located adjacent to the Boardwalk and Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station.

Home to the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA, the Barclays Center takes center stage in downtown Brooklyn. Opened in 2012, this multi-purpose indoor arena is also used for New York Islanders hockey games and a number of concerts and comedy shows.

The venue can accommodate up to 19,000 attendees and is conveniently located close to the Long Island Railroad and multiple subway lines at the Atlantic Terminal transportation hub. As you take the stairs up from the underground railroad, you can't help but admire the venue's standout exterior, made up of 12,000 weathered steel panels, representative of the brownstone blocks that surround it.

Address: 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, New York

If you are into antiques, vintage clothing, furniture, and people-watching, the Brooklyn Flea is a must-visit. This seasonal market, taking place on the second-level patio of the Williamsburg Hotel on Saturdays and under the Manhattan Bridge at Pearl Plaza in Dumbo on Sundays, brims with vendors selling wares, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, food, and more.

Even if you can't bring anything on the plane back with you, the sheer joy of browsing through hundreds of interesting items at one of the greatest markets on the planet makes the trip to the Brooklyn Flea worth it.

The trendy hipster neighborhood of Williamsburg and the shopping and dining on Bedford Avenue, are big draws, but the Smorgasburg Food Market in East River State Park is something one has to check out on a visit to Brooklyn, especially if you are already spending your day at the nearby flea market at the Williamsburg Hotel.

The open-air market, organized in collaboration with the Brooklyn Flea Market and the New York Greenmarket, is the largest weekly food market in the country, attracting 20,000 to 30,000 people each weekend, most of them local to the area.

If you find yourself in Brooklyn on a Saturday between April and November, head to the Williamsburg Smorgasburg to savor delicious (and cheap) food from a wide selection of vendors, mingle with New Yorkers, and enjoy views of the city skyline.

A recent addition to the food market scene in Brooklyn is catching up to the others with a year-round, indoor venue boasting diverse food vendors, like A Taste of Katz's deli, Arepa Lady, Paella Shack, Chicks Isan, Ample Hills ice creamery, Cuzin's Dozen (selling mouth-watering mini donuts), and more.

Also within the DeKalb Market Hall that opened in 2017, you'll find a Trader Joe's and Han Dynasty restaurant, and a never-boring scene of residents and tourists mingling over delicious food. The market is located in the lower level of City Point, near Fort Greene Park and several subway lines at the Atlantic Terminal.

BAM Harvey Theater , is a cultural space putting on films, plays, and opera. Built in 1904 as the Majestic Theater, the impressive stage hosted musicals, vaudeville, and plays that went on to Broadway.

In the 40s, the building served as an elegant European-style movie house, until the advent of television, and closed in the 60s. It resurrected again as a prominent cultural center in the late 80s, as part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), while still maintaining its original architectural elements. Visitors can choose from multiple shows daily.

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a not-for-profit corporation, inhabiting three mixed-used venues, including the Peter Jay Sharp Beaux Arts-style building (housing Howard Gilman Opera House and BAM Rose Cinemas), the BAM Harvey Theater, and the BAM Fisher. Those looking for dinner and a show can visit the BAMCafé, a restaurant hosting live music and readings, in the Peter Jay Sharp building.

All these buildings, situated near Downtown Brooklyn and Barclay's Center, make up the cultural mecca of Brooklyn, putting on the annual world-renowned Next Wave Festival , featuring avant-garde cultural shows in the fall.

It may come as a surprise to many, but New York City has the largest rooftop soil farm in the world, growing more than 50,000 pounds of organic produce each year. Brooklyn Grange , located at the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard, is a 5.6-acre farm serving local restaurants and markets.

The Grange company has two other rooftop urban farms in Brooklyn and Long Island City, Queens. Visitors can learn about organic farming, beekeeping, floral design, and mushroom cultivation, among other farm-centric activities. Or go on a tour of the farm and enjoy views of the green space overlooking the city skyline.

Address: 63 Flushing Ave., Building 3, Roof, Brooklyn, New York

New York is famous for its street art, graffiti, and murals. The building walls across the five boroughs are often used as blank canvases for local and rising artists to express themselves in bold designs. In Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood, the Bushwick Collective represents some of the very best street art in the city, and visitors can make either a DIY walking tour, or sign up for a local one, to see what's on display.

The open-air gallery is curated by Bushwick native Joe Ficalora, and brings artists from all around the world. What started in 2012 has quickly evolved to become one of the top tourist attractions in the city.

To find it, take the L train to Jefferson Street. Most of the murals are along Troutman Street between Irving and Cyprus Avenues.

South Brooklyn is full of deep pockets of untapped Brooklyn secrets. Brighton Beach is one of them. Once home to mostly Russian immigrants, the beachfront neighborhood has blossomed into an international community, as well as a destination for locals and visitors to hit the beautiful beach.

Yes, a beach! Brighton Beach is named for the lovely, wide beach on which it sits. Today the beach has hotels and restaurants – the majority of which are Georgian, Uzbek, and Turkish, earning the neighborhood the nickname, "Little Odessa." Brighton Beach was named for the English seaside resort town. During the summer months, the boardwalk is always bustling with activity, and the sand is usually packed with sunbathers who come down from their apartment buildings to enjoy the biggest asset of their neighborhood.

Luxury Hotels:

• The Williamsburg Hotel in the hip neighborhood by the same name is a stylish luxury boutique property with a retro-modern ambience throughout. The rooms have amenities like white noise machines, pillow menus, and Bluetooth speakers. Many also have balconies with Manhattan skyline views. The property is pet-friendly and has an all day restaurant that also serves high tea on the weekends. Also don't miss the rooftop pool with fabulous views.
• Another modern luxe option in Williamsburg is The William Vale . This trendy, pet-friendly hotel boasts elevated green spaces for guests and a rooftop swimming pool with city skyline views. There are also three distinct restaurants, including one serving burgers out of a 1974 Airstream trailer. The rooms and suites come with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies.
• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is located right on the East River waterfront on Brooklyn Bridge Park near the bridge itself. The 10-story building has almost 200 rooms and suites that are done up in modern design with lots of wood accents. Amenities at this family- and dog-friendly property include a swimming pool, a lounge serving light bites and awesome NYC skyline views, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• One of the best mid-range choices is Franklin Guesthouse . It features well-appointed rooms and suites with lots of light, and modern art on the walls. Some of the suites come with full kitchens and sitting areas. Amenities include an on-site sauna, workout room, and self service laundry facilities. Bike rentals are also available.
• At the corner of North Henry Street and Norman Avenue, the Henry Norman Hotel is a boutique 3-star option in a converted 19th-century warehouse. The 52 rooms and suites have a trendy vibe with modern art on the walls and hardwood floors. Guests can hang out on the rooftop terrace, work out in the fitness center, or sweat in the on-site sauna.
• Hotel Le Jolie is another good-value choice. The boutique property in the Williamsburg neighborhood features modern rooms with dark wood accents, blackout curtains, and work desks. A free breakfast is offered, and there is free parking and a 24-hour front desk.

Budget Hotels :

• If you just need a bed and a bathroom in a tiny but tidy space, then check out the budget-friendly Pod Brooklyn . In a central Williamsburg location with easy access to everything, the rooms have just enough space for sleeping, but they do have private bathrooms and are soundproofed. Amenities include bike rental, a workout room, and 24-hour check in.
• For a more traditional sized hotel room that is still affordable, check out La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Brooklyn Downtown . Located about five blocks from a subway station with access to Manhattan, the hotel is pet friendly and also offers a free breakfast.

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21 Top Things to Do in Brooklyn

Walk across the iconic bridge to explore one of New York City's most famous boroughs.

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Stroll along an iconic bridge, ride a famous carousel, enjoy a delicious slice of pizza and more in the vibrant city of Brooklyn, New York.

Once an independent city and now the most populous of the five boroughs of New York City , Brooklyn boasts enough exciting things to see and do to last a lifetime, let alone a short visit. This epicenter of groundbreaking music, art and cultural centers is overflowing with history and creativity on every block. Immigrants have called Brooklyn home for generations, and the borough remains a multicultural utopia – 1 in 4 Brooklyn residents identify as Jewish, for example. With so much diversity here, Brooklyn has near-endless options for dining, drinking and shopping; its business owners represent nations across the globe. Particularly ingrained in the local culture and a must-try for visitors are Brooklyn's bagels and pizza, brought over by European immigrants.

Brooklyn contains distinct neighborhoods, tons of public parks and strong environmental programs alongside its flea markets and cozy coffee shops. Visitors to the borough can also find plenty of free things to do, including live concerts, unexpected nights out and distractions for kids such as Coney Island. Though residents may keep relatively tight-lipped about their favorite haunts (lest they become too popular), you'll find your own "secret" spot in no time. Use this list of top things to do in Brooklyn as a framework for exploration but don't be afraid to read – and sightsee – between the lines.

(Note: Some of the following activities, attractions and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Coney Island

If you start on Manhattan's Upper East Side and ride the Q train to the end, you'll arrive in the peninsular neighborhood of Coney Island . This entertainment area is historic, just like the century-old subway line you can take to get there. At the turn of the 20th century, Coney Island saw its heyday as an amusement park destination , dazzling visitors with electric lights, roller coasters and sideshow peculiarities. Following years of economic troubles spurred by the Great Depression, Coney Island is once again an iconic Brooklyn attraction, teeming with eateries and entertainment year-round.

Its annual Mermaid Parade in June is a head-turning event celebrating art and maritime whimsy, while the world-famous hot dog-eating contest – a tradition hosted by Nathan's that is now more than a century old – takes place each Fourth of July. But most well-known is Luna Park, home of iconic boardwalk arcade games, the fan-favorite Cyclone coaster and the Wonder Wheel, a Ferris wheel so famous there's even a film of the same name starring Kate Winslet. During the summer months, catch a Brooklyn Cyclones (Minor League Baseball High-A affiliate of the New York Mets) game at Maomonides Park, or in the offseason, check out Coney Island for its ice skating.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Putting foot to pavement and traversing the borough's most famous bridge is a journey for anyone who wants to say they've truly seen Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883, connects Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River and is one of the country's oldest suspension bridges; its upper level is for pedestrians only. Beginning your jaunt in Brooklyn affords incredible views of Manhattan's skyline; you can find the Brooklyn Bridge Walkway starting point by heading to the intersection of Tillary Street and Boerum Place downtown.

Join the millions who have completed the crossing, including presidents, celebrities, dignitaries and even 21 elephants (P.T. Barnum used the stunt in 1884 to prove the safety of the bridge). Expect to spend up to an hour heading one direction, with time built in for breaks and photo stops along the walk. The bridge runs about a mile each way, but including pedestrian entrances, it's more like 1.6 miles. You'll want to bring plenty of water, wear comfortable walking shoes and know it will be windy with very little sun cover.

Prospect Park

Bordering the moneyed Park Slope neighborhood is Prospect Park, Brooklyn's version of Central Park – it was designed by the architects behind that iconic Manhattan park. Within its more than 500 acres you'll find the Prospect Park Zoo, a carousel, an ice rink and an open-air band shell that hosts the popular – and often free – Celebrate Brooklyn! summer concert series. Human-made wetlands and a chunk of indigenous forest make a fitting place for the nation's first urban Audubon Center, which offers environmental educational resources to the public. The Boathouse, built in 1905, is a romantic venue in Prospect Park and one of the first buildings in the city to be declared a historical landmark. The park is dog-friendly, with select off-leash hours and locations, so your four-legged companion can accompany you. Rent a pedal boat, go for a bike ride – visitors can even ride a horse here, so there's no shortage of things to do in Prospect Park.

Stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Part of Brooklyn's first Historic Preservation District, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade runs along the East River past some of the borough's historic town houses and mansions, boasting stunning views of Manhattan. Also known as the Esplanade, this pedestrian walkway is about a third of a mile in length and cantilevered over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. Visitors call it a green oasis with a relaxed atmosphere, and some applaud restrictions on bicycles that make it truly a pedestrian haven. People-watch on a bench or simply view the sun sinking behind lower Manhattan. You can stand where Cher stood in the film "Moonstruck," or find the plaque along the promenade that supposedly marks where George Washington met with his generals during the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn (also called the Battle of Long Island), the Revolutionary War's biggest battle. The promenade is one of the many free things to do around Brooklyn.

Bushwick Collective

Museums are fantastic places to find art, but sometimes the best gallery is on the street. The Bushwick Collective is a mecca for street art and graffiti, located in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn off Flushing Avenue. There are nearly 100 blocks featuring art by local and international artists, so it's possible to spend a full day here; you'll find some of the best art on Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. A pay-what-you-wish tour of the outdoor art space is hosted by Free Tours on Foot. Travelers who explore the Bushwick Collective say it's a quirky and immersive experience that is well worth the detour. The Bushwick area features plenty of chic bars and restaurants, so stick around after your experience at the Collective to sample its culinary offerings, such as the beloved pizza at Roberta's.

Domino Park

This waterfront park just north of the Williamsburg Bridge gets its name from the Domino Sugar Refinery development it's located within – the site of a once-operational sugar refinery. The 6-acre green space opened in 2018 and there are nods to its industrial past throughout, including the turquoise shipping cranes that once helped unload the sugar from cargo ships and the elevated Artifact Walk, which runs five city blocks with great views of the Manhattan skyline. A factory-inspired playground offers entertainment for youngsters in the park, and water features will help kids cool down on hot summer days in the city. You'll also find bocce and volleyball courts, along with a dog run and a gourmet taco stand.

Ride Jane's Carousel

Jane's Carousel, a wooden structure built in 1922 and originally installed in Ohio, now resides in the Empire Fulton Ferry section of Brooklyn Bridge Park, located in the popular neighborhood of Dumbo (an acronym that stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge). The 48 horses and both chariots were carved by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Riders note that Jane's Carousel has been beautifully restored and is a nostalgic way to take a spin with riverfront views. Enjoy this low-cost, antique carousel in its glass pavilion before checking out the rest of what Empire Fulton Ferry has to offer: You can pack a picnic, explore a Civil War-era building that's now a mall or catch a show at St. Ann's Warehouse.

Wander the historic neighborhoods of BoCoCa

The portmanteau "BoCoCa" never really caught on among New Yorkers, but the area around Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens that the term describes is well worth a visit no matter what you call it. These three tree-lined neighborhoods are an ideal way to spend a morning with a coffee in hand, strolling their enchanting streets and exploring local shops and eateries. Warren Place Mews, a block in Cobble Hill, is an especially historic and unexpected development: Built as affordable housing for local workers in the 19th century, Warren Place now comprises multimillion-dollar homes with Gothic-style architecture. With many less than 12 feet across, these cottages are narrow but highly coveted real estate. They are private property, so respect the privacy of the homeowners, but a peek at this preserved Brooklyn history is worth a trip.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The massive botanical gardens of Brooklyn have three public entrances and an herbarium with 300,000 specimens of preserved plants for research. The major draw, of course, is the living flora; no matter the season there are always plenty of plants to discover in the gardens. Spring draws crowds when the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's cherry blossom trees are in bloom, but there is much more to discover year-round, from the sweetly scented Fragrance Garden to the serene Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. The grounds also house art collections, conservatories and interactive family-friendly programming. Gardengoers advise putting aside a few hours to explore the spacious grounds, though guided tours may be available with the price of admission on select days.

Each year the Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts featured exhibitions such as "For the Birds," a program series that explores the avian connection to plants. Inspired by the birds of Brooklyn, artists created site-specific birdhouses that you can visit around the gardens among other programming.

Carb-load with bagels and pizza

New Yorkers take their carbs very seriously – pizza and bagels above all. When in Brooklyn, you'll likely want to sample both to see what all the fuss is about. Try out Bagel Pub or drop by La Bagel Delight (both shops have various beloved Brooklyn locations) for a fresh and delicious ring of dough. Pizza, meanwhile, is the holy grail of NYC cuisine. If you're visiting Brooklyn you may consider braving the line outside to snag a table at Grimaldi's, a chain whose flagship restaurant sits under the Brooklyn Bridge. A true Brooklyn classic since 1939 is L&B Spumoni Gardens, specializing in Sicilian-style pies; its original location is in the Bensonhurst neighborhood. Diners say it might be slightly off the beaten path, but the square slices can't be beat, and even if the lines look long, they move quickly. For something a bit more modern, go for the namesake slice at Artichoke Basille's Pizza, with three franchises in Brooklyn (and some at the JFK and LaGuardia airports too, for that last-ditch craving).

The Brooklyn Academy of Music and BAMcafé Live

Home to emerging artists and masters for 150 years and counting, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a multi-arts institution for creators and audiences. The center hosts a variety of events including theater, opera, dance and music performances.

In the spring and fall, BAM hosts an energetic lineup of free live music acts under the moniker "BAMcafé Live." The series is hosted in the Adam Space, a bar and lounge within the Peter Jay Sharp building, which has been a venue for diverse and emerging artists since 1999. Discover new artists performing genres from jazz and world to R&B, in addition to established performers like TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone. After a two-year hiatus, the concert series welcomed the 2022 season from February to June. Its next season is set to begin in fall 2022.

Look for announcements and updates about upcoming seasons, and sign up for the email newsletter to stay informed about these well-attended shows. Beyond BAMcafé Live, be on the lookout for indie movie festivals, opera or dance performances and other emergent art at BAM.

The Brooklyn Museum

Jonathan Dorado | Courtesy of Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum features no shortage of variety in its collections and exhibitions. Its displays represent an array of cultures across the globe; the museum's American offerings include feminist art, African American works that tackle abolitionism and racial identity, and Lenape pieces that center Brooklyn's Indigenous inhabitants. As one of the largest art museums in the United States, the Brooklyn Museum has five floors filled with myriad types of medium – from textiles and wooden masks to modern photography and found objects. If what's on display isn't enough to sate your visual hunger, the permanent Visible Storage installation is perhaps one of the most intriguing features here, as it gives a glimpse into the inner workings of the museum: On the fifth floor, patrons can see about 2,000 "stored" works of American art – a fraction of the thousands in storage – including Tiffany glass and Native American objects.

Museumgoers appreciate both the permanent and special exhibits, saying they're worth the cost of admission. Tickets are currently on a timed entry and advance purchase is highly recommended. If you plan your visit just right, the museum hosts free evening programming called First Saturdays once each month (but you must register beforehand). If you're hoping to visit the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on your trip, these two attractions offer Museum & Garden combo tickets that grant access to both.

Play shuffleboard at the Royal Palms

Courtesy of Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club

Rethink shuffleboard as a game for Floridian retirees and consider it for one of the best nights out in Brooklyn, according to those who have played at The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in the Gowanus area. Flanked by cocktails (don't miss the pina colada) and a rotating lineup of food trucks that might offer Moroccan cuisine or Italian sandwiches, the 10 shuffleboard courts stand at the ready. Pucks and poles – known as "biscuits" and "tangs" in the lingo – are rented out by the hour, and players recommend only starting once you have your drinks in hand as the time goes quickly. The 17,000-square-foot game hall accommodates shuffle regulars and newbies alike, with a staff on hand to give tips as needed. The shuffleboard court welcomes anyone 21 and older on a walk-in basis; reservations are not required.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Cemeteries are peaceful places full of history; from France to New Orleans, living visitors walk among the dead as a pastime. Green-Wood Cemetery, adjacent to the Greenwood Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, has served as a tourist attraction since the mid-1800s. Today the cemetery welcomes respectful visitors to its nearly 500 acres, which apart from graves also feature art installations (even an artist in residence), an arboretum and opportunities for birding in the middle of the city. Founded in 1838 as one of the country's first rural cemeteries, Green-Wood is now the final resting place of more than half a million individuals.

Download a map for a self-guided walk, or use an app intended to help visitors explore the art, nature and history of Green-Wood. You may be able locate the graves of some of the more famous permanent residents here, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Louis Comfort Tiffany and Leonard Bernstein. Tours of Green-Wood Cemetery aren't limited to walking; informative trolley tours cover a lot of ground and can be booked with expert guides who are on hand to answer all of your questions.

Industry City

Courtesy of Industry City

A makers' paradise has taken shape at Brooklyn's Sunset Park near the Barclays Center. Industry City, a massive complex spread across 16 buildings and plenty of green space, houses a community of collaborators in its studio space, office space and kitchens – walk-ins certainly reap the rewards. A visit to Industry City can provide groceries, artisanal drinks and plates, and some of the most authentic souvenirs you'll find throughout the boroughs. There's even a Morbid Anatomy Library and Gift Shop with hundreds of unique books and artifacts.

A couple dozen culinary vendors specialize in everything from avocados to Korean comfort food and a Mediterranean grocer. Beverages are equally exalted with a courtyard devoted to brewing and distilling, which includes New York's first sake brewery. Shopping takes you across the globe to examine fine Moroccan textiles or Japanese toys. The Makers Guild means you might be able to meet the maker behind the item you're purchasing, from soaps to shirts. Those who have wandered in remark that it's a one-stop destination to spend a fun night with friends or the family.

New York Transit Museum

Housed in a former subway station, the New York Transit Museum sits about a mile from Fort Greene Park. Recent patrons call it a must for anyone interested in the history of New York's subways and labyrinthine transportation system. As the largest museum in the country devoted to urban public transportation history, the museum includes artifacts like restored former train cars and photographs from the inception of the city's rail system. If you're visiting in the summer, the seasonal "Nostalgia Rides" give the public access to the trains New Yorkers rode on a century ago. Be on the lookout for other events and programming that may coincide with your museum visit. The museum is located down two flights of stairs, but an accessible entrance is located at the corner of Schermerhorn and Court streets.

House of Yes

The House of Yes has been open for several years in its current iteration and has firmly established its place on the scene as one of Brooklyn's top nightclubs and performance spaces for New York's underground arts community. The House of Yes was born in Brooklyn in 2007 as a creative live-work space; followers may find pop-ups throughout the country – or even in London – but its home base is still in Brooklyn. The venue today is situated in the Bushwick neighborhood. Check out burlesque-style shows, themed dance parties, drag competitions and more on the club's events calendar. The House of Yes is an inclusive space that features LGBTQ artists and dancers and regularly hosts queer nights. Clubgoers say the space is eclectic and ideal for those looking to put their inhibitions aside – but be prepared for pricy drinks and even pricier bottle service.

Brooklyn Children's Museum

Winston Williams | Courtesy of Brooklyn Children's Museum

Much of Brooklyn may feel like it's designed for young adults and an older crowd, but there are spaces in the city dedicated to children, and one of the best is the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Sensory stimulation and tactile play are all part of the experience here. Littles can play and climb on a rooftop structure called The NEST (made from local reclaimed water tower cedar), or play make-believe at pint-sized versions of real businesses called World Brooklyn. The ColorLab studio lets artists of all ages explore their creativity through workshops on print-making, collage, sculpture and more; its programming is inspired by Black artists, with a different muse chosen each month. Recent visitors appreciate the diversity on display in this museum and note that it's geared toward younger kids. The museum recommends purchasing tickets in advance, particularly since it's a cashless facility.

Rummage through the Brooklyn Flea

Courtesy of Brooklyn Flea

New York City has some of the best thrift shops and record shops in the world. Go on your own treasure hunt at the Brooklyn Flea, held on weekends between April and December at Pearl Plaza in Dumbo. More than 40 vendors sell everything from tchotchkes to period furniture to the aforementioned records and vintage clothes. Since rummaging works up an appetite, this flea market began an affiliated food market called Smorgasburg, which features the best of Brooklyn's food scene with about 100 vendors; find it Saturdays in Williamsburg and Sundays in Prospect Park's Breeze Hill from April through October.

Another player in Brooklyn's long history of upcycling is Big Reuse, a facility that sells, repurposes and even composts. Its store, located on 12th Street in Gowanus (about 3 miles south of the Brooklyn Flea), offers true hidden gems that could include signed artwork, collectibles and antique furniture at a bargain.

Take a hip-hop bus tour

Brooklyn's in the house – and it would be nearly impossible to appreciate the borough fully without acknowledging its role in hip-hop history. Brooklyn has produced the likes of Jay-Z, the Notorious B.I.G., Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Lil' Kim – the list goes on. Hush Tours offers cultural hip-hop tours of Brooklyn as well as Harlem and Queens. Take a bus tour or walking tour of Brooklyn with some of the local legends who have contributed to the genre from this state-certified Minority and/or Women-owned Business Enterprise. Reviews rave about the passionate, energetic and engaging tour guides, saying you don't have to be a fan of rap music to appreciate hip-hop culture and the place that helped shape it. See the murals, landmarks and venues that have influenced generations of hip-hop artists; you might even land on Biggie Smalls' former doorstep.

Witness the lights of Dyker Heights

Everyone has their favorite season in New York – and you should really experience them all – but East Coast winter blues are expelled annually by citywide holiday cheer. In Brooklyn, that cheer is concentrated into the blinding beacon of the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights. Amid the rich diversity in this borough you'll find holiday displays ranging from a house lit up in blue for Hanukkah to one that spells out "Merry Christmas" in Greek. What started in the 1980s as a friendly competition among neighbors has become a tradition for many families – the ones who decorate and the ones who simply visit. Decorating budgets grow with each year, with some professional installations estimated to cost $20,000 or more. Some websites have organized maps of each year's must-see lights displays; repeat visitors advise keeping to 11th through 13th avenues (also called Dyker Heights Boulevard) between 83rd and 86th streets. Out-of-towners say it's one of the most festive displays they've ever seen. Wait until mid-December to get the most out of your stroll, and be sure to go before 9 p.m. when some homeowners head to bed and unplug to save on their electric bills. Take care, though, not to trespass on any private property or disrupt the displays.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top New York City Tours
• The Top Observation Decks in New York City
• The Top Things to Do in Long Island
• The Top Romantic Getaways in New York
• The Top Weekend Getaways from New York City

Tags: Travel , New York Vacations , US Vacations , Mid-Atlantic Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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The 20 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn

Brooklyn offers so many things to see and do, so if you're feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of options, we've highlighted 20 activities and spots you must visit when you're in town. From a walk across an iconic bridge to an afternoon in a botanic garden, there are many ways to spend the day in the borough. Be sure to include some of these on your Brooklyn itinerary.

Watch Now: Essential Things to Do in Brooklyn

Find the best views of manhattan.

One of the best parts about visiting Brooklyn is enjoying the views of Manhattan across the East River. All along the waterfront from DUMBO to Williamsburg, you can find plenty of rooftop bars, where you'll find amazing views of the skyline.  1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge  and the  William Vale  are two trendy spots, but you can also enjoy the view from one of the waterfront parks or take the East River Ferry across for more dynamic skyline-watching.

Play a Few Rounds of Shuffleboard

If your trip to Brooklyn inspires you to embrace your inner-hipster, it doesn't get more ironic or fun than a trip to the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Gowanus. This 17,000 square-foot Florida-themed bar has 10 full-sized shuffleboard courts and an on-site food truck. The sport has become so popular in Brooklyn that the club runs its own league and competitions. It is a bar, so the venue is not family-friendly and does have a strict 21+ only rule. Also, courts fill up fast, so make sure you make a reservation.

Explore the Borough By Bike

TripSavvy / Donghee Eim

If you want to get around like a true Brooklynite, renting a Citi Bike, or going through a traditional bike shop, is a great way to see the borough. You can design your route based on what you want to see, like biking across the Brooklyn Bridge, or opt for a more organized bike tour. Many tour operators like  Brooklyn Bike Tours  have tours themed around graffiti or beer or can even guide you all the way to Coney Island. If you're not sure you're ready to bike alone in New York, a bike tour is a great way to ease into it.

Go Dancing at the House of Yes

If you're looking for a semi-scandalous experience to summarize the heart of Brooklyn's club scene, the House of Yes is it. In Bushwick, right next to the Jefferson Street stop, this nightclub is known for its grand burlesque and circus-themed productions and patrons that put everything and more into their outfits. All guests are encouraged, but not required, to wear costumes, which is a great reason to hit the thrift shops like L Train Vintage earlier in the day. All dance parties are typically 21+, but you can check the online calendar for any upcoming "all ages" shows. You can either buy tickets at the door or online.

Get Pizza and See Art in DUMBO

 Stella Levantesi / TripSavvy

DUMBO, a once-industrial neighborhood turned trendy, artsy hot spot, has spectacular views of Manhattan and New York's beautiful bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge. It's the first neighborhood in Brooklyn you'll find after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. It combines old warehouses, interesting shops and restaurants, and pricey high-rise apartments. You can find art galleries and occasionally big neighborhood art shows here. And DUMBO is home to the  famous pizzeria Grimaldi's , Jacques Torres chocolate shop ,  St. Ann's Warehouse  (which hosts edgy theatrical performances), and numerous other artsy venues. 

Visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Rooftop Reds 

One way or the other, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see when traveling to Brooklyn. It's not just an enjoyable experience for tourists, many born-and-bred New Yorkers find themselves still charmed by the bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge connects two great New York City boroughs, Manhattan and Brooklyn, and you can walk it, drive it, bike it, or just admire it from afar from multiple vantage points around the city.

There's even a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge, above the roaring car traffic, so it's a wonderful stroll. If you're rushing, it should only take about half an hour to walk across the bridge, but most people should account for a whole hour, especially if you think you'll need a lot of time to take photos.

Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

TripSavvy / Stella Levantesi 

The Brooklyn Bridge connects two great New York City boroughs, Manhattan and Brooklyn, and you can walk it, drive it, bike it, or just admire it from afar from multiple vantage points around the city.

One way or the other, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see when traveling to Brooklyn. It's not just an enjoyable experience for tourists; many born-and-bred New Yorkers find themselves still charmed by the bridge.

There's even a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge, above the roaring car traffic, so it's a beautiful stroll. If you're allotting a specific amount of time for the walk, here's a breakdown of how long it takes to walk across the  Brooklyn Bridge .

Go Retro at the New York Transit Museum

 The New York Transit Museum

This unique museum housed in a decommissioned subway station in downtown Brooklyn has a collection of vintage subway cars. You'll feel as if you stepped into a time machine as you peruse the cars dating back to 1907. The museum tells the stories and history of mass transportation in New York City through its exhibits and collection of memorabilia. 

If you have kids in tow, be sure to attend one of the many public programs for children. They also host tours, art shows, and other events at the museum. Don't forget to allot time for visiting the gift shop, which has some of the best NYC transit-themed souvenirs.

See Art at the Brooklyn Museum

fernandogarciaesteban/Getty Images 

Get artsy at the  Brooklyn Museum . Before entering the museum, you must pause to stare at the mesmerizing fountain that shoots water up from the pavement. In addition to a fun fountain, this prestigious art museum has an extensive collection of Egyptian art in its permanent collection, as well as contemporary art. The rotating exhibits have included David Bowie, Basquiat, Georgia O'Keefe, and many others. On the first Saturday of the month, also known as  Target First Saturdays , the museum is free to the public from 5 to 11 p.m.

Spend the Day in Williamsburg

Robert Mullan/Getty Images

Williamsburg has changed a lot in the last twenty years. In the early '90s, it was a place for artists priced out of Manhattan, and it soon transformed into the epicenter of Brooklyn's hipster culture. However, the edgy hood is in a constant battle with mainstream culture. There was a lot of buzz when Williamsburg got its first Starbucks, and now it's home to Brooklyn's first  Apple Store and Whole Foods , which boasts an incredible food hall. Despite the influx of chains, Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg's main shopping street, is still filled with many local shops and restaurants, and the area works hard to maintain its indie feel. 

See a Movie

Nitehawk Cinema - Williamsburg 

Nitehawk Cinema, Williamsburg's dine-in theater, with a second location in Park Slope near Prospect Park, features a wide range of cinematic treats, from rarely seen 35-millimeter films to new independent features. If you want to check out other movie theaters where you can eat and drink, get a ticket for a show at  Syndicated  in neighboring  Bushwick . This movie theater and restaurant has both first-run and retro movies and often features themed weeks and trivia nights. Downtown Brooklyn is also home to an outpost of the  Alamo Drafthouse , another movie theatre where you can order food while you enjoy the show.

Hop the Waves in Coney Island

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Coney Island is just a train ride away from Manhattan, but it feels worlds apart. Busiest during the summer months, Coney Island feels equal parts beach escape and kitschy carnival. In the summer, you can spend a day on the sand soaking in the rays on the beach, free to the public, or enjoy a stroll on the iconic boardwalk. Home to an aquarium, an amphitheater, a minor league baseball team, and tons of great eats, this scenic stretch of Brooklyn should be on every Brooklyn travel itinerary.

Smell the Flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Driendl Group/Getty Images 

The  Brooklyn Botanic Garden  is not to be missed. Depending on the season, you can walk through beauty in the Cherry Esplanade, Cranford Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Shakespeare Garden, or Herb Garden, among many others. It's a great place to take some brag-worthy photos, too. The idyllic 52 acres of the blooming  Brooklyn Botanic Garden  is not to be missed. Depending on the season, you can walk through beauty in the Cherry Esplanade, Cranford Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Shakespeare Garden, or Herb Garden, among many others. It's a great place to take photographs or enjoy the quieter side of Brooklyn.

Visit the Animals at the Prospect Park Zoo

E. Freudenheim

The Prospect Park Zoo is open year-round and includes a petting zoo and several exhibit areas. If you're traveling with your family, this zoo is the perfect size for little children and has wonderful exhibits for the little ones indoors and outdoors. Check out the quirky ​gophers, wonderful rabbits, and farm animals.

Take in a Show at BAM

Peter Mauss

This theater has quite a history, originally built in 1904 as The Majestic Theater, it was transformed into a movie house in the early 1940s, which shuttered in the 60s. After almost two decades of being closed, the theater was restored and reopened in 1987, and now it is the BAM Harvey Theater. BAM Harvey Theater is a Brooklyn institution and is a must-visit. It currently hosts productions throughout the year, including visits from the Royal Shakespeare Company and classics by famous playwrights like Henrik Ibsen and Oscar Wilde.

See a Show at the Bell House

If you don't have evening plans, head to the Bell House in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. Check out their calendar for a list of shows and events. The Bell House is a great place to see concerts and comedy. It's also where live game shows from NPR and WNYC,  Ask Me Another , are recorded. You can get tickets to watch the show and apply through the official website if you're interested in being a contestant.

Explore Street Art in Bushwick

Angelita Gonzalez/Contributor/Getty Images 

You can spend the day in the world's best museums in Manhattan, but you should know that the warehouse walls of Bushwick are filled with some of the best art in NYC. You can start your street art tour at the  Bushwick Collective  on Troutman Street at Saint Nicholas Avenue, where colorful murals are painted on the walls of the neighboring blocks. Although this stretch of Bushwick is known for street art, there are also other notable murals on the Bushwick/East Williamsburg border near the Morgan Avenue L stop. You can stop in at  Friends NYC  on Bogart Street for some vintage threads and a great collection of new clothes and jewelry, or, if you need a pick-me-up, try the super-strong Ethiopian coffee at  Bunna Cafe .

Enjoy an Evening in Greenpoint

JayLazarin/Getty Images

​Greenpoint is so cool that there's  a laundromat that doubles as a bar , and an  old Polish banquet hall  was transformed into a bazaar where you can play ping pong, listen to your favorite bands, and enjoy some karaoke. Greenpoint, still a vibrant Polish community, is also home to numerous hipsters. From a lazy afternoon at the scenic  Greenpoint Waterfront  to window shopping on Manhattan Avenue and grabbing a retro breakfast at  Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop , a visit to Greenpoint should be on your list of places to see on your next trip to Brooklyn.  

Soak in the Sun at Brooklyn Bridge Park

TripSavvy / Stella Levantesi

Brooklyn Bridge Park, nestled on the shore of the East River across from lower Manhattan, has spectacular views, with a vast vista of New York Harbor, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, lower Manhattan, boat traffic on the East River, and of course, views of the Statue of Liberty. And there's more: Brooklyn Bridge Park is a cultural and sports venue with a lively calendar of concerts, summer outdoor movies, outdoor exercise classes, chess instruction, kayaking, and more. 

Hear Chamber Music on a Barge

Music fans will enjoy watching a concert on a charming old barge renovated into New York City's only floating concert hall, called  BargeMusic.  Bargemusic has a calendar of chamber music. It was founded in 1977 by a violinist who created a concert hall on a 100-foot steel barge from 1899 that used to be a working vessel. Enjoy hearing music at this unique venue. For those traveling with kids, Bargemusic has a free concert series for families, which typically takes place on weekends and offers a great introduction to classical music for kids.

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Top 10 Things to Do in DUMBO, Brooklyn

25 Best Things to do in Brooklyn, New York

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

United States

Updated On: April 5, 2024

There are many amazing things to do in Brooklyn. You can admire art in Brooklyn Museum or street art on Troutman Street. You can dine at a Michelin restaurant or an outdoor food market. Brooklyn has an answer for every tourist request making it perfect for entertaining all types of vacationers.

Sure, you should still visit the  Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and you must make your way to The Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building, but once you’ve seen New York City’s classic attractions , make sure to head over the Brooklyn Bridge and explore all the best things to do in Brooklyn as well.

Table of Contents

Top Things to do in Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn may be a borough of New York City , but with a population of 2.6 million, it is the fourth largest city in the United States making it its own destination unto itself. This travel guide will give you plenty of ideas of things to do in Brooklyn.

When visiting New York, we highly recommend The New York Go City Explorer Pass . It includes many attractions around New York and Brooklyn including Brooklyn Bridge Full-Day Bike Rental, Brooklyn Museum and Botanic Garden Combo, Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour, Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour, plus choices include the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry. See details here.

1. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Walking along the Brooklyn Bridge is a bucket list item of things to do in New York City and not only that, it lets you see some great views of the NYC skyline. Read: 30 Best New York Views – Where to See the Manhattan Skyline

Take your time to stop and enjoy the views of the East River, and the iconic buildings of New York City: The Empire State Building, Crysler Building, One World Trade Centre, the Statue of Liberty, and the other two famous bridges of New York City – The Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge.

The bridge is popular with cyclists and commuters walking into Lower Manhattan, so if you want to avoid the crowds, walk early in the morning or later in the evening. If you to take a guided tour, this highly-rated Brooklyn Tour is a 2-hour walking tour of the Brooklyn Bridge and through the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood of Dumbo. (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

2. Take a Stroll in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park is not only a great destination in New York, but it is also one of the best places to see the Manhattan Skyline. The best place to see the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges is also at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park stretches along New York Harbor, with 85 acres of waterfront green space to explore.

Swim in the pop-up swimming pool, take snapshots from DUMBO or soak up the New York Skyline Lookout views. If you want to relax with bridge and city skyline views, Brooklyn Bridge Park is the best place to go in Brooklyn.

We’d advise walking the full length of the park. It may sound like a lot of walking, but it is well worthwhile as you’ll pass Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, Empire Fulton Ferry Park and Jane’s Carousel, which are fun stop-offs along the way. For a shopping break, don’t miss Empire Stores either – it is one of Brooklyn’s biggest shopping centers.

3. Empire Fulton Ferry Park

Remember Empire Fulton Ferry Park from Brooklyn Bridge Park? Well, we have a special reason to return for or after sunset.

Sunsets from Empire Fulton are gorgeous, and you can relax in the park while you watch the sun sink over the New York skyline. With a bit of luck, you’ll catch a colorful sunset. Then, Brooklyn Bridge and the skyscrapers light up after dark, giving you a different experience of the cityscape again.

Pack a blanket to keep warm and a hot drink in colder months. You can even bring a picnic to make it an extra memorable experience.

4. Walk the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

If Brooklyn Bridge Park sounds beautiful but too long a walk, consider the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The promenade is less than 600 meters long and has incredible views of New York City across the water.

It is well paved so it is suitable for wheelchair access. Brooklyn Heights Promenade is also free to enter – providing you with free and impressive views. The esplanade is beautifully lined with trees and can easily be walked in half an hour. To squeeze some scenic views into your itinerary, Brooklyn Heights Promenade is one of Brooklyn’s best things to do.

5. Spend a day on Coney Island

Coney Island is hardly a hidden gem in New York. However, the neighborhood is a perfect day out in Brooklyn, with plenty of things to do. Visitors can relax and soak up the sun on Coney Island Beach, a vintage-style strip of the seaside.

Grab a hot dog at Nathan’s Famous and walk the Coney Island Boardwalk to Brighton Beach. Brighton Beach is located on the east end of the coast, closer to Manhattan Beach and more residential areas.

Luna Park in Coney Island has thrill rides for children and adults alike – so everyone can join in all the fun. This section of Coney Island is also next to Maimonides Park, the home turf of the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league baseball team. If you are looking for a bit of non-sporting history, you can stop by at Coney Island Museum.

6. Take the Slice of Brooklyn tour

If you want to get a sense of the Brooklyn pizza scene, some insider stories about movies filmed in Brooklyn, and to indulge in this is a great tour. We hopped on a bus and enjoyed sightseeing through Brooklyn while stopping at iconic pizza shops like Grimaldi’s in DUMBO and L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst.   You can book this highly rated tour for a walk through Brooklyn while sampling, different styles of pizzas at 3 pizzerias.

We took the Slice of Brooklyn Tour tour where we sampled Neapolitan and Sicilian-style pizzas. Plus, we saw movie locations from some of the most iconic New York movie settings like Saturday Night Fever and Goodfellas. Tours leave from Manhattan so you can tick off a lot of things to see in Brooklyn in one convenient bus tour. Check it out here.

7. Visit New York Transit Museum

Transportation is an excellent way to measure how New York has changed over the last century, and the New York Transit Museum is a fun place to do so. The museum displays vintage subway cars, buses, and exhibitions on transit workers’ lives in a 1936 subway station. Visitors head downstairs from street level into the decommissioned station, an atmospheric way to enter the museum.

The New York Transit Museum allows you to step back in time and experience the transformation of New York City. Educational and family-friendly, it is one of the best things to do in Brooklyn.

8. Tour Brooklyn Brewery

Are you a fan of American craft beer? If so, the Brooklyn Brewery is for you. The microbrewery ships craft beer to more than thirty countries and five continents, making it a well-established brewery to experience in New York.

From lagers to pilsners to IPAs, you can sample a range of beers on tours and tasting sessions at Brooklyn Brewery. You can contact the brewery directly to enquire about availability and get booked in for an experience before it sells out.

Brooklyn Brewery is right next to East River State Park. We’d recommend stopping by the park after your tour to appreciate the river and cityscape views. The nearby Artists & Flea market is also worth a visit on weekends.

This beer tasting bike tour is the ultimate beer tour through Queens and Brooklyn. You’ll visit the Brooklyn Brewery and other specialty brewpubs to enjoy the best brewing curated by experts. You’ll also visit Williamsburg, Lock Island City, Bushwic and its street art scene. It’s a fun way to explore Brooklyn while enjoying fine brews.

9. Visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center

Visiting an industrial site may sound like a strange thing to do in Brooklyn. However, Brooklyn Navy Yard is a trendy addition to your New York itinerary .

Brooklyn Navy Yard is the home of urban manufacturing in Brooklyn. You’ll find a rich selection of creative and industrial businesses in the yard, from LED technology to high-end furniture. The atmosphere is full go mode, with all enterprises creating products to sell. However, the Navy Yard is also open to the public.

You can explore one of the exhibitions, join a program, or take a tour. Visiting the yard is fantastic to learn more about design, innovation, and entrepreneurialism.

10. Visit Brooklyn Museum

Art enthusiasts, this New York attraction is for you. Brooklyn Museum is a dedicated art space showcasing an impressive range of ancient and contemporary art.

You’ll find artwork by the likes of Judy Chicago – a renowned feminist artist. You’ll also find ancient Egyptian, Asian, and Islamic artwork, with sculptures and masks to admire.

Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop. The Brooklyn Museum gift shop is somewhat of an attraction in itself. You can shop for prints, unique home décor, and specialist literature.

Brooklyn Museum is the best cultural thing to do in Brooklyn for anyone interested in art. It is cheap to enter and can easily keep you entertained for an afternoon.

11. Take the East River ferry

So, we’ve covered seeing skyline views from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Heights Promenade. However, the East River ferry is another great way to get incredible skyline views of New York from the water.

Forget an expensive boat tour and hop on the ferry. One-way tickets only cost a few dollars, and you still get to see the downtown Manhattan skyline and some of New York city’s most famous landmarks. You pass under Brooklyn Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty, and get views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. If you can combine transport and sightseeing, why not?

12. Stop by Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Are you visiting Brooklyn with small children? Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the first children’s museum in the United States.

The museum aims to inspire and educate little minds, bringing big concepts down to an age-appropriate and engaging level. From kid-sized shops in modeled streets of Brooklyn to animal encounters, there are many activities and exhibitions to keep kids busy.

Founded in 1899, it is quite the beloved attraction amongst locals and tourists alike – so be prepared for your child to befriend lots of other children on a visit. This museum is ideal if you want a laidback, sociable, yet educational thing to do with your children in Brooklyn.

13. Visit the Brooklyn Historical Society (aka Center for Brooklyn History)

If you are interested in history, visiting the Center for Brooklyn History is one of the best things to do in Brooklyn. The red brick building is quite historic itself and was built in 1881. And, inside the center, you’ll find information on everything related to Brooklyn’s history – from social history to artwork.

You can browse regularly updated exhibitions covering trending issues and topics. There are also regular displays, exhibitions, and collections to discover. Whether you want to skim through books, admire artifacts, read old newspapers, or look at old maps, you’ll have a vast amount of history at your fingertips.

Some historical materials are around 160 years old and form precious parts of Brooklyn’s story. The Brooklyn Historical Society continues to collect and preserve historical documents and artifacts, making it an important ongoing preservation project.

14. Spend a morning in the Williamsburg neighborhood

Williamsburg is a great neighborhood to visit any time of the day. The neighborhood is full of bars and clubs where you can let your hair down Brooklyn-style. However, Williamsburg is also the neighborhood to choose from if you want to spend a morning somewhere fun. It has a refreshing and trendy atmosphere associated with artists, college graduates, and hipsters.

Bedford Avenue runs through the neighborhood and is one of the best places in Brooklyn for retail therapy, with vintage clothing on sale at independent stores along the street. You’ll also find many cute cafes to try a ‘real’ New York coffee.

If you visit Williamsburg on a Saturday, you should also shop at the Brooklyn flea market in Williamsburg. From potted succulents to heavily discounted vintage fashion. Another Brooklyn flea market is located in Dumbo and both are fun to browse alone or with some company.

15. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Display

If you are visiting Brooklyn in winter, one of our favorite activities is to take in everything Christmas. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Display has some of the best festive decorations that you’ll see across New York. Who needs to go to the North Pole when you can meet a life-sized Santa on Dyker Heights Boulevard?

The residents of Dyker Heights go all out every December, and you can walk the streets admiring and posing for pictures in front of each house’s illuminated decorations. Read more about Christmas in New York – What to do in NYC for the Holidays

You can visit Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Display for free independently. However, if you want a more informative experience, there are guided tours that you can book. This  tour on GetYourGuide  leaves from Upper Manhattan, which is ideal if you are staying outside of Brooklyn.

16. Watch a play at BAM Harvey Theater

You don’t need to be a live theater enthusiast to enjoy a play at Bam Harvey Theater. The theater was built in 1904 and is a stunning, classy venue to watch a show.

Bam Harvey was originally a playhouse, shifting to a cinema in 1942, then renovated to a theater in 1987. Today, you can watch films, theater, opera, concerts, talks, and dance performances. Just check the  official website  to see what scheduled events coincide with your trip to New York.

The Harvey Theater is a great reason to get dressed up in New York, and you should pack a formal outfit to channel your inner luxury-loving diva. While dress codes aren’t commonly enforced at theaters now, you should still dress to the occasion.

For the full luxury experience, arrive a little early and treat yourself to a glass of champagne at the theater bar beforehand.

17. Spend a day on Brighton Beach

Fancy a beach break? Escape from Brooklyn’s inner suburbs and head down to Brighton Beach.

The beach stretches for approximately three miles and has a fun but more residential atmosphere than its neighboring Luna Park. Brighton Beach also caters more to adults than family-friendly Luna Park, and the beachfront is lined with restaurants and nightclubs. You can easily spend a day on Brighton Beach, then enjoy an evening in the suburb’s pubs and clubs.

The neighborhood has a large population of emigres from soviet countries, so it has lots of tasty food and drinks to sample. We’d recommend stopping by Georgian House to sample the melted cheese in a bread bowl.

18. Visit Green-Wood Cemetery

Visiting a cemetery might sound slightly morbid. However, Green-Wood Cemetery is one of Brooklyn’s best attractions.

The cemetery covers a vast 478 acres. It has been a film set for major productions like The Girl on the Train, The Departed, and A Walk Among the Tombstones. Many celebrities are also buried at Green-Wood, including the late artist Pop Smoke and the renowned politician Robert Roosevelt.

You can take cemetery tours to hear about the lives of those buried there and the graveyard’s history. You can combine Green-Wood with a visit to nearby Sunset Park, which has a pool, playground, and recreation center for some light-hearted entertainment.

19. Watch a basketball game at Barclays Center

The United States is renowned for its basketball, and we’d recommend watching a game if you can. The Barclays Center is the home ground of the Brooklyn Nets, a professional basketball team in the NBA. However, it also hosts college basketball games, which still have a fantastic atmosphere but also slightly cheaper tickets.

It is best to purchase tickets to basketball games as far ahead as possible, as they sell out quickly. There are plenty of other events if you miss out, though. The Barclays Center holds regular boxing matches and concerts by artists like Kendrick Lamar and Justin Bieber.

The center is impressive in its own right too, and took two years and $1 billion to build, formally opening its doors in 2012. If you miss out on a basketball game, you will definitely find another event at Barclays to make up for it.

20. Watch a film or show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music

Speaking of films, the Brooklyn Academy of Music is also part of BAM, the community arts initiative that runs the Harvey Theater. The Academy of Music runs film screenings, plays, and concerts just four minutes down the road, so keep an eye out on both schedules to see which events you prefer.

The Academy has a wide selection of movies screening and is one of the best things to do in Brooklyn on an evening. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, or families, the Academy of Music is an excellent Brooklyn attraction.

21. Visit Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a must for any botany enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is easily accessible in Central Brooklyn, located on Washington Street near Crown Heights.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden spans 52 acres, including a Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Cranford Rose Garden, Cherry Esplanade, Shakespeare Garden, and Lily Pool Terrace. There are diverse themed gardens throughout the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, making it fascinating to wander.

You can learn about the plants on the many informative billboards or join a program or special event. There are also plenty of staff on-site if you want to pick up some helpful gardening tips. Otherwise, relax, breathe deeply, and appreciate the fresh air and pretty views.

22. Escape to Marine Park

Marine Park is another place to escape from Downtown Brooklyn. The 530-acre protected reserve has plenty of outdoor activities.

The neighborhood is home to Salt Marsh Nature Trail, two golf courses, and Gateway National Recreation Area. It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors – whether you fish, golf, hike, swim, or kayak.

We’d recommend allowing a whole day to visit Marine Park. You won’t be able to fit all the activities in, but pick your favorites and break up the day with a delicious seafood lunch at Nick’s Lobster House.

23. Spend a day at Prospect Park

Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s answer to Manhattan’s Central Park. As we said, the park covers 526 acres and has Prospect Park Zoo on-site.

There are woodland tracks, lakes, and even a Quaker Cemetery to visit. You should prioritize visiting Grand Army Plaza, Ravine Forest, and LeFrak Center (where you can try ice skating). Ravine Forest is especially famous as it is the only forest in Brooklyn – making it very popular amongst residents.

The best thing about Prospect Park is the diversity and quality of things to do. If you want a green space to keep you entertained for a whole day, Prospect Park is a great option.

The Prospect Park Zoo is a popular attraction centrally located in Prospect Park. The zoo is 12 acres and houses over 125 species of animals. You can spot baboons, dingoes, alpacas, and more. The zoo is a fun attraction in Brooklyn to learn more about conservation and get up close to animals.

24. Visit Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club

Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is a good place to learn the ropes if you haven’t tried playing shuffleboard.

Shuffleboard is a game that dates back to the 15th century and involves strategically pushing disks into a marked scoring area. At Royal Palms, shuffleboard is played on the floor with long sticks to move the disks.

You can grab a drink at the bar, a meal from the food trucks, dance to the DJ’s music, or head to the shuffleboard courts for a game. Visiting Royal Palms is a fun date activity or a group activity before a night out.

25. Shop at Dekalb Market Hall

Dekalb Market Hall is one of the best places to eat in Downtown Brooklyn. The massive indoor market has over thirty vendor stalls, leaving you with lots of food choices.

Stop by Bobbi’s Italian, Dan & John’s Wings, or even Brooklyn Wine Cellar for a glass of vino. Dekalb Market Hall has a variety of international cuisines, all of which are served by specialist vendors. Regardless of your food preferences, you will find at least one meal that takes your fancy. Another bonus is that since Dekalb is covered, it runs all year round.

As lovely as outdoor food markets are, we suggest visiting Dekalb Market Hall for your taste of market dining. You can also stop by the street art in nearby Grove Alley on your way. Grove Alley is only a four-minute walk away, so a worthwhile detour.

Where to stay in Brooklyn

If you are looking for some more affordable hotel options when visiting New York, Brooklyn is a great choice. It’s not a bad commute to Lower Manhattan and with New York’s efficient transit system, you are almost always near a subway so getting around NYC won’t be a problem.

We’ve written a detailed guide on the best hotels in New York that you can read here . But these are some quick top picks for budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation.

• Budget : NY Moore Hostel / Booking.com
• Mid-range: Franklin Guesthouse / Booking.com
• Luxury: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge / Booking.com

We recommend staying in the Williamsburg neighborhood. You are still close enough to the main sights (only a 20-minute subway ride away to Times Square) but it is a more residential neighborhood feel. There are great places to eat, cafes and pubs as well as great accommodations. This can be a nice reprieve, especially if you are not a first-time visitor to NYC.

• Luxury ($300 USD and Up)   The William Vale
• Mid Range ($150-275 USD) :  Hotel Indigo
• Budget ($100-150 USD) :  Pointe Plaza Hotel

What are some free things to do in Brooklyn, New York?

You might believe that New York is very expensive, and it is. But there are plenty of free things in in Brooklyn to help you enjoy yourself on a budget.  Washington Street  is the best place to view  Brooklyn Bridge,  and  Brooklyn Heights Promenade  has incredible cityscape views. While, for free art,  Troutman Street  has the  Bushwick Collective Street Art  display.

What is there to do in Brooklyn at night?

Looking for inspiration for Brooklyn at night? You’ll have lots of options.  Skyline Drive-In  is a good outdoor cinema choice and has views of the New York City skyline. There is also a great nightlife scene, which you can experience at  Park Slope, Bushwick , and  Williamsburg .

What are some cultural things to do in Brooklyn, New York?

Brooklyn is full of culture. Catch a play at  Bam Harvey Theater , admire contemporary art at  Brooklyn Museum , or stop by  Jefferson Street Sound Museum . Whether you want music, art, performance, or history, you’ll be well entertained in Brooklyn.

Now you have an idea of the best things to do in Brooklyn, let’s get started on some quick FAQs. Here’s what you need to know before arriving.

How to Get to Brooklyn, NY

For international or far-traveling domestic visitors, the best way to get to Brooklyn is to fly into JFK Airport. From the airport, it is a quick 20-minute drive to the center of Brooklyn or an hour on public transport.

To reach Brooklyn from Manhattan is half an hour’s drive or half an hour on public transport. Brooklyn is connected to the rest of New York by ferry, bus, subway, and train services.

You can walk to Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridget from Lower Manhattan.

Getting Around Brooklyn, NY

The best way to get around Brooklyn is to purchase a MetroCard and use public transport. Taxis can be expensive, and traffic congestion can delay trips, so aim to catch the train or subway if you are in a rush.

There is a subway, bus, train, and ferry system in Brooklyn. Of course, you can also rent a bike or walk if you’d like the extra exercise. Uber, Lyft, and Kid Car are good emergency transport options and alternatives to taxis.

The Best Time to Visit Brooklyn, NY

There are benefits to visiting Brooklyn all through the year. It is typically cheapest to visit Brooklyn between January and March, while June is usually the perfect temperature – warm but not sweltering. In autumn, the Brooklyn parks and cityscape are beautiful, and in winter, you’ll have all of New York City’s Christmas festivities to enjoy.

It is a tough call, but our favorite time to visit Brooklyn is in June. The warm but moderate temperatures make it the best month to spend time outdoors in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is a versatile and entertaining place to stay in New York City. Whether you love culture, sporting events, history, or wildlife, Brooklyn has an activity to suit you.

Be prepared for a packed itinerary when visiting Brooklyn. In fact, you might even need to book a return trip.

Plan more of your New York City Travels with these guides:

• Where to Stay in New York City – Top Places and Hotels For All Budgets
• 30 Best New York Views – Where to See the Manhattan Skyline
• 15 Fun Facts about New York City
• New York City Itinerary – 5 Days in New York
• 33 Best Things to Do in New York for First-Timers
• 7 Tips to Make the Most of Your New York City Photography
• Things to do in Lake Placid, New York
• The Truth about New York Vacation Rentals, Yes You Can
• King of Hearts
• Collin Knopp-Schwyn

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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32 Best & Fun Things To Do In Brooklyn (New York)

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: October 2, 2019  - Last updated: October 15, 2023

Trips to New York City don’t have to just about being in Manhattan .

While that famous borough is definitely great for sightseeing and exploring wonderful neighborhoods, you’re missing out on some great opportunities if you’re not also checking out Brooklyn.

These are the 32 best things to do in Brooklyn, New York.

Table of Contents

1. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

R.A.R. de Bruijn Holding BV / Shutterstock

If you think New York is nothing but over-stimulation, you should come to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens .

Checking out these amazing gardens is one of the best things to do in Brooklyn if you’re interested in horticulture or just want a moment to relax.

Seeing heavenly plants when they’ve blossomed can be one of the best parts of your sightseeing experience.

At the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, you can see colorful and gorgeous plants like the Japanese Anenome, the Dahlia, the Hardy Hibiscus, and so many more.

There are multiple varieties of roses that will show just how diverse that famed flower type can be.

You can stop and smell the roses and so much more at these gardens.

Going to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is one of the absolute best things to do in Brooklyn.

The gardens’ hours vary based on time of year.

Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for seniors and students (age 12 and up), and free for children younger than 12.

Address:  990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, United States

2. Luna Park, Coney Island

Kamira / Shutterstock

Amusement park historians know about the original Luna Park, which was part of Coney Island before shuttering due to fire in 1944.

Now, one of the most fun things to do in Brooklyn is to go to the new Luna Park, Coney Island .

Opened in 2010, this is one of the best spots in Brooklyn for family fun.

Luna Park, Coney Island does a fantastic job of paying homage to the former park while also being its own thing.

Amusement park visitors of all backgrounds and ride preferences can have fun here.

Whether you love roller coasters or milder experiences like go-karting, you’ll be in good hands at Luna Park.

When you come to Brooklyn, New York for a weekend visit, you definitely need to consider coming to Luna Park, Coney Island.

The park’s hours depend on the season.

An “Any Day Luna Pass” is $40 in advance and $42 at the park for visitors shorter than 48 inches tall, and $65/$69 for those 48 inches and taller.

Address:  1000 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, United States

3. Prospect Park

Elzbieta Sekowska / Shutterstock

One of the best things to do in Brooklyn is to spend an afternoon at Prospect Park .

This is one of the best areas in New York for recreation and relaxation.

At this 500-plus acre park, you can have a lot of fun.

Prospect Park is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Brooklyn for how many options it gives visitors seeking activities.

You can shoot some hoops at the basketball courts, go for a bike ride, or even catch some fish.

Don’t be shy about inviting some people into a pick-up game of soccer or another sport of your choice.

If you’re looking for an excellent outdoor space to have your nuptials, Prospect Park should definitely be a prospect.

This is one of the most beautiful Brooklyn attractions and gives visitors and residents something to greatly admire.

Prospect Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Address: 450 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA

4. Brooklyn Bridge Park

pisaphotography / Shutterstock

It might be a fraction of the size of places like Prospect Park and Central Park, but Brooklyn Bridge Park is definitely one of the biggest points of interest in Brooklyn, New York.

Located beside the East River, this park has brought new life to a one-time industrial area.

At 85 acres, Brooklyn Bridge Park still very much gives visitors a lot of space for fun activities.

The land is great for athletic adventures.

Plus, with the water, on nice days you have the perfect conditions for taking a boat out.

The view across the river of Manhattan is also utterly stunning.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of the best instances of a city making something great out of a pre-existing environment.

If you’re looking for beautiful places to visit , you should come here.

Brooklyn Bridge Park is open every day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Address:  334 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

Planning to visit other parts of New York? Be sure to check out the things to do in Buffalo, NY  & fun things to do in Rochester, NY !

5. The Brooklyn Museum

Stuart Monk / Shutterstock

Going to the Brooklyn Museum is one of the most cool things to do in Brooklyn.

It’s home to a delightfully eclectic collection and many fine traveling exhibitions.

If there was ever a museum that spoke so well to what it means to be a human from different angles and cultures, it’s this one.

Exhibitions like “Georgia O’Keeffe: Living Modern” and “The Legacy of Lynching: Confronting Racial Terror in America” can channel serious emotions as well as giving you lots to think about.

In the permanent collection, you can see great pieces such as portraits of luminaries like John Cage and Snoop Dogg.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the best museums in New York.

It’s open on Wednesday and from Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

On the first Saturday of the month, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the exception of January and September.

Admission is $16 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and free for visitors 19 and younger.

Address:  200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238, United States

6. Brooklyn Flea

littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock

When thinking about what to do in Brooklyn, New York, a flea market might not be one of your first choices.

However, coming to Brooklyn Flea can be one of the best shopping experiences you’ve ever had.

It’s got just about everything you’d ever want and even more.

Running from April to November, Brooklyn Flea is a weekend shopping trip like none other.

Brooklyn Flea includes all kinds of sellers with delightful wares, many of which they’ve made themselves.

You could come home with a striking new piece of jewelry that has everyone dying to know where you got it from.

When you go to the Brooklyn Flea, you’ll be amazed by how great the selection is.

If you’re going to be in Brooklyn, New York this weekend and Brooklyn Flea is open, you have to go.

7. Brooklyn Bridge

TTstudio / Shutterstock

This is definitely the most “touristy” thing to do in the borough, but it’s also a site seeing experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

The Brooklyn Bridge is more than a bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn.

It’s also a shining example of engineering ingenuity and architectural beauty.

With its neo-Gothic architectural style, this bridge looks as beautiful now as it did upon its completion, more than a century ago.

One of the top activities is walking the full length of the bridge, which is about 1.1 miles for pedestrians.

To make it faster and perhaps more satisfying, you can take a bike.

The Brooklyn Bridge isn’t one of those tourist attractions that is talked about so much that it’s bound to be a disappointment.

For one of the most fun moments of your time in New York, you need to come to the Brooklyn Bridge.

It’s one of the best places to see in the country.

Address:  Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 10038, United States

8. Brooklyn Historical Society

Life In Pixels / Shutterstock

With some four centuries to look back on, a place like the Brooklyn Historical Society is absolutely a necessity.

This institution has been around for about 156 years and has kept track of indispensable documents and other items related to Brooklyn, New York.

Visiting the Brooklyn Historical Society is what to do if you really want to comprehend just how much has occurred here.

There are different aspects of the Brooklyn Historical Society that make it one of the coolest places to visit.

In its primary Brooklyn Heights home, you can check out the Othmer Library as well as the museum and educational center.

It’s also worth looking at the calendar for any exciting upcoming public programs.

There’s another location at Empire Stores in the DUMBO neighborhood.

The Brooklyn Historical Society makes the story of Brooklyn, New York even richer.

You can come to the Brooklyn Heights location from Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, age 62 and up, and teachers, and free for students and children younger than 12.

Address:  128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

9. Brooklyn Brewery

stock_photo_world / Shutterstock

Even if you’ve never been to this borough before, there’s a good chance you’ve come across beers from Brooklyn Brewery, especially if you’re a regular beer drinker.

The Brooklyn Brewery headquarters are what to see in Brooklyn if you want to have an enlightening tour about how what might be your favorite beverage is produced.

Any good Brooklyn guide to beer-drinking fun in the borough needs to mention Brooklyn Brewery.

With the exception of children with their parents, everyone who comes to Brooklyn Brewery must be 21 and over and possess valid identification.

There are Small Batch and Technical Tours which are approximately 45 minutes long and include tastings, and public hour tours, which are about 25 minutes long and without tastings.

However, you can definitely check out the Tasting Room.

A visit to the Brooklyn Brewery is one of the most cool things you can do in New York.

Small Batch and Technical tours operate from Monday to Friday at 5 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:15 p.m, cost $18, and require a reservation.

Public hours are typically from Monday to Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

During Summer Thursdays, they’re open from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., and during Summer Fridays, they’re open from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Address:  79 N 11th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

10. The Ford Amphitheater

Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock

One of the top things to do in Brooklyn is to come to the Ford Amphitheater , which is actually fairly new, having opened in 2016.

Nonetheless, this Coney Island venue has quickly shown itself to be more than up to the task of showing why Brooklyn is one of the top places in the world for live entertainment.

When you come to the Ford Amphitheater, you can enjoy plenty of cultural wonders.

Situated in what was once the home of a Childs Restaurant, the Ford Amphitheater hosts very cool events.

Some of the performers who’ve come here include Bow Wow Wow, Shaggy, and The Beach Boys.

You can also have a nourishing meal at Kitchen 21 nearby.

Going to see a concert in Brooklyn, New York brings out a sort of energy that will have you delighted in all sorts of ways.

After visiting the Ford Amphitheater, you’ll be looking for other ways you can replicate the experience.

It’s also great to know that one of the best parts of Brooklyn is fairly new.

Address:  3052 W 21st St, Brooklyn, NY 11224, United States

Exploring other areas of New York? Why not check out some of the things to do in Lake George, NY  & some of the things to do on Long Island ?

Have you ever thought about going around the world via boat?

While this Brooklyn, New York eatery doesn’t give you the chance to be the next Magallan, its location, on a vessel that has been around the globe twice, is quite charming.

For more than half a century, this schooner had the longest tenure of any pilot ship in the country, even proving to be instrumental in World War II.

Today, Pilot might be out of commission as a vessel for transportation, but it’s assumed a more than honorable role as an oyster bar.

Sitting at Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park, this is one of the most wonderful places to visit in Brooklyn for seafood delights.

Some of the things you can order here include ceviche, caviar, scallops, and of course, oysters.

Pilot is one of the best things to see in Brooklyn if you’re a seafood fanatic.

It’s open on a seasonal basis.

The waterfront setting also helps to make for an even greater atmosphere.

Address:  Pier 6 Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

12. Brooklyn Navy Yard Center

Dave Pinter / flickr

Anyone who is looking for what to do who’s big on military history should come to Brooklyn Navy Yard Center .

This navy yard has played a major role in the U.S.’s engagement in major conflicts.

As part of Building 92, this is one of the finest Brooklyn attractions for education on the military.

At this museum, you can explore a massive space that once produced incredible vessels.

You can explore the fascinating extent of how much this area meant to the country.

There’s a trio of floors you can explore, with plenty of illuminating exhibitions, like “Brooklyn Navy Yard: Past, Present and Future.”

If you’re coming to New York this weekend, you should visit this museum.

Building 92 is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., with tours on the weekend.

Admission is free.

Address:  63 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States

13. The William Vale

Chris Goldberg / flickr

The William Vale is one of the most must see hotels in New York.

Even if you already have your lodging plans figured out, you can still find much to love about going to this hotel.

Located in Williamsburg, the William Vale is one of the most stunning Brooklyn attractions.

Dining options are fantastic at the William Vale, with some of the best eateries in the borough, Leuca, Mister Dips, and Westlight, being here.

You can also cherish exploring the beautiful Vale Park area.

One of the most fun things to do in Brooklyn in the summer is to see free movies at Vale Park.

Going to the William Vale is what to do if you want a glorious taste of New York luxury.

It’s one of the best Brooklyn attractions, even if you’re not getting a room.

Based on the impression you get, you might decide to stay there next time you’re in New York.

Address:  111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

14. The Muse Gowanus

Being a circus performer might be something you only imagined in your dreams, but at the Muse Gowanus , that dream can come true.

One of the most fun things to do in Brooklyn is to come here and learn the ropes of juggling, trapezing, and more.

This is one of the most fun tourist attractions for the entire family.

At this studio, you and your family can be tickled by learning the basics of the acts that have been enthralling people for generations.

There are courses for children of different ages and families.

One of the most cool parts of the Muse Gowanus is that the various aspects of circus, including therapeutic purposes, are shown.

The Muse Gowanus is where to go in Brooklyn if you want to experience one of the most fun places in New York.

It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The classes vary depending on the day.

Address:  303 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States

15. Bedford Avenue

jumis / Shutterstock

Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg is a must see part of the borough if you’re a shopping diehard.

This street includes some of the most cool places to find great new outfits and more in New York.

When you’re looking for places to go that will let you have a shopping spree you can be proud of yourself for going on, Bedford Avenue is where to be.

Some of the top places to go on Bedford Avenue include Catbird, Stone Flower, and Norbu, for jewelry, and Pinkyotto, Babel Fair, and Awoke Vintage.

Even if you’re not really into clothing beyond what fits you, you can have a lot of fun enjoying shopping activities on Bedford Avenue.

Music fans need to check out Earwax Records, the longest-running record shop in the neighborhood.

You should feel cool all over when you come to Bedford Avenue and fill your arms with shopping bags from all these great stores.

If you’re a shopaholic who’s looking for what to do in Brooklyn for a day, much of it can be spent on Bedford Avenue.

Coming here is something you must do if you want to make some excellent purchases.

16. Toy Museum of NY

Toys might look different than they did fifty years ago, but those toys would look absolutely alien to someone from a century ago.

The Toy Museum of NY really lets you appreciate the evolution of child playthings through the ages.

Seeing a performance from this traveling museum is one of the most fun activities you can enjoy with your family.

The Toy Museum of NY’s performances are both educational and delightful.

There’s “The History of Tours” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” improv show.

Both of these will have you and your kids laughing and clapping constantly.

School groups are regularly delighted by these performances.

If you’re figuring out how to plan a vacation to New York with your kids, you should see how the Toy Museum of NY can help.

There are also workshops that you can look into booking.

For stuff to do that’s going to remind you of how great imagination is, the Toy Museum of NY is definitely recommended.

17. Beacon’s Closet

Hoowy / Shutterstock

There are three different Beacon’s Closet locations in Brooklyn, a great clothing retailer for showing your well-crafted fashion sense.

This is one of the top places for clothing in New York for both women and men.

At Beacon’s Closet, you can have a lot of fun going through the racks and finding something that really fits you.

There are plenty of vintages pieces to be found at Beacon’s Closet, as well as more contemporary ones.

The clothes are stylish but also available at reasonable rates.

Their website is very well-designed and helps you know what’s in stock.

Going to Beacon’s Closet can be one of the best parts of your trip to New York.

All of the locations are open daily, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the exception of the Park Slope location, which is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

There’s also a Manhattan location.

18. BRIC Arts Media

quiggyt4 / Shutterstock

Should you value creativity, one of the best places to check out is BRIC Arts Media , which has been a part of the work involved with the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District.

At this non-profit, the great artists of today and tomorrow can let their ambition flourish.

This is what to see if you need any proof that Brooklyn is a one-of-a-kind place for culture.

Some of the best activities at BRIC are checking out the different events that take place here.

There are many great programs that happen at night, including screenings and readings.

You should also visit it for the many cool exhibitions, such as “Beyond Geographies: Contemporary Art and Muslim Experience,” which runs through mid-November, 2019.

BRIC is one of the top places to go in New York for creative folks.

The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prices for events vary.

Address:  647 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

19. Washington Street

Erik Nuenighoff / Shutterstock

How can you see the Empire State Building without going to Manhattan?

The answer is by getting a good position at Washington Street.

One of the top activities for anyone who loves scenic views is coming to this famous New York street.

In order to get a shot of the Empire State Building as seen through the Manhattan Bridge, you’ll need to go to Washington Street and Water Street.

However, you’ll find there are lots of points of interest in the surrounding DUMBO neighborhood.

There are especially great places to seek out at night for a meal, such as Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill and Cecconi’s DUMBO.

Going to Washington Street is an activity you must do if you love getting the best possible view of an area.

Even if you can’t make it to the Empire State Building, seeing it from this perspective is a real treat.

Washington Street will help remind you why New York is considered one of the most beautiful places in the United States .

20. Free Tours by Foot

Mikhail Leonov / Shutterstock

“ Free Tours by Foot ” is exactly what it sounds like, and it’s a lot of fun.

As long as you’ve got some good shoes and a decent sense of endurance, you’ll love being a pedestrian with this service.

The borough is best experienced on foot, and these tours help you learn a lot along the way.

With these tours, you can have fun as you learn about the borough and different landmarks.

The most-frequented tour is the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO Tour, which lasts approximately three hours.

You can also check out things like the Williamsburg Walking Tour and the Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour.

If you’re not sure what to see first during your trip, “Free Tours by Foot” can really help you out.

You need to make reservations for tours, so look into booking your slot tonight or tomorrow.

You can also show your appreciation for all the fun you had by paying any amount you wish too, but payment is not required.

21. New York Transit Museum

Felix Lipov / Shutterstock

One of the best places to check out in Downtown Brooklyn is the New York Transit Museum .

It’s located underground, in a former subway station.

Visitors are fascinated by the displays of New York transit vehicles from the not-so-recent-past.

Although this station is no longer in use, it’s been given considerable respect that makes it a wonderful museum spot.

You can see discontinued subway cars, trolleys, buses and more.

If it wasn’t for your smartphone, you might forget what time period you’re in.

Transit has made NYC what it is today, and even if the vehicles seen at this museum are no longer in use, their legacy must always be respected.

This museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, ages two to 17, and seniors, ages 62 and up.

Address:  99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

Looking for more thrills around New York? Why not check out some of the things to do in Albany & some of the things to do in Syracuse, NY ?

22. Buttermilk Channel

Buttermilk Channel

Buttermilk Channel is one of the best places to check out in the city if you want to have a meal that rings familiar while also giving you something new.

This Carroll Gardens restaurant is impeccably designed and has a menu with just as much care.

In a city with a very competitive restaurant industry, Buttermilk Channel has managed to stick out.

When you come to Buttermilk Channel, your expectations will be raised by the lovely decor and cozy design.

Then, when you see the menu and try the food, you’ll see why your expectations weren’t at all unreasonable.

Among the best items to get at Buttermilk Channel include the duck meatloaf, the mushroom-barley veggie burger, and the warm-lamb salad.

It’s fun to eat in any big city, but Buttermilk Channel really raises the bar for what a bistro can accomplish.

It’s great to come to during the day for lunch or at night for dinner.

Buttermilk Channel is open at the following hours.

Monday to Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 to 10 p.m.

Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 to 11:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 to 11:30 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 to 10 p.m.

Address:  524 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231, United States

23. Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower

Robert / flickr

If there’s anything that signifies Downtown Brooklyn, it’s the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower .

This skyscraper has around since near the end of the 1920s.

It serves as a great piece of might in this business district.

It’s impossible to avoid the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower should you be anywhere downtown, given how large it looms.

However, it’s not an intrusive presence, as this tower has a very handsome design.

Perhaps it’s most admirable, as well as defining, feature, is its clock tower.

The architecture of New York has helped to make it one of the best places for traveling.

Seeing the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower is wonderful, as you can check out a landmark that might not be as heralded as certain other ones, but which is no less remarkable.

It’s also so much fun to crane your neck and marvel at this 512-foot high behemoth.

Address: 1 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11243, USA

24. Smorgasburg

Allen.G / Shutterstock

“ Smorgasburg ” is both a great play on words and also one of the best attractions in New York.

This is a part of Brooklyn Flea which is focused on food.

If you consider yourself to be a culinarian, you’ll be enchanted by Smorgasburg.

There are dozens of businesses set up and ready for you to try their treats.

At Smorgasburg, you can get things that are sweet or savory.

Food from different parts of the world is sold here as well.

New York is all about culture, and there’s hardly a better way to understand a city’s culture than through its food.

Smorgasburg caps off your Brooklyn Flea shopping excursion in a terrific fashion.

Come here if you’re looking to fill your stomach and your heart at the same time.

Address:  90 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, United States

25. Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge

Kimoto Rooftop

For an excellent view of Downtown Brooklyn, you need to come to Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge .

The sight is rivaled only by the excellent menu, which is rife with a Japanese flair.

When you’re at Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge, you can really feel like you’re on top of the world.

Once you’ve gotten accustomed to your exquisite vantage point, you can zero in on how strong the menu is.

Things like the “Yuzu Salmon,” the “Jap Chae Sweet Potato Noodles,” and the “Honey Glazed Half Roasted Duck” will have you salivating even before the plates are brought out.

There’s also a splendid drink menu, including great Asian beers and house cocktails.

Another great part of Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge is the decor.

Things like bonsai trees contribute very positively to the calmness of the atmosphere.

Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge is open from Sunday to Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Thursday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Address:  216 Duffield St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

26. Kings County Distillery

Kris Arnold / flickr

While Kings County Distillery is the longest-running and biggest whiskey producer in the city, it may surprise you to learn that this New York business has only been around since 2010.

However, it’s quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the hottest liquor producers around.

Before Kings County Distillery came along, there hadn’t been a whiskey distillery in the city since Prohibition.

Although the locations have changed as the business has grown, their commitment to rich flavors hasn’t wavered.

The flavors can seem heightened when you try the products at the tasting room.

Whiskey production is a truly fascinating process, and Kings County Distillery is a great place to witness it.

Tours are on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Friday at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m., on Saturdays every hour, starting at 1 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The tasting room is open from Monday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Address:  299 Sands St, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States

27. Barclays Center

T photography / Shutterstock

It might not have the same quirky charm as other, smaller Brooklyn sites, but Barclays Center is definitely one of the hottest attractions in the city.

If you’re a sports fan, you’ve likely seen it on television, hosting things like basketball games.

Music fans also know that the Barclays Center is one of the most impressive venues in a city that’s not wanting for performance spaces.

With a capacity of 19,000 for concertgoers, the Barclays Center lets you witness live entertainment surrounded by a massive population of fans.

Some of the artists who’ve performed here include Cher, Lil Wayne, Elton John, and Travis Scott.

Basketball and hockey fans can also come to the Barclays Center to see the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders in action.

One word that comes to mind when you’re at the Barclays Center is “awesome.”

This is an awesome venue that hosts awesome events.

The experience of seeing a performance or competition at this space is one you’ll hold onto.

Address:  620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

28. Colson Patisserie

Colson Patisserie

When you want to get some sweets, don’t just stop at the nearby convenience store for a candy bar.

Instead, you need to get down to Colson Patisserie .

This Park Slope business will give you treats that will have you absolutely swooning.

Established in 2006, Colson Patisserie brings the sweet delights of Paris and Belgium to New York.

When seeing the items on display, you’ll practically have to stop yourself from licking your lips.

There are items like tarts and financiers as well as more savory ones like sandwiches and salads.

The story of Colson Patisserie is like the American dream, as it was started by an immigrant who wanted to share his favorite treats with his new home.

Colson Patisserie is open from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Breakfast is served until 1 p.m., and lunch is served until 2:30 p.m.

Address:  374 9th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States

29. Cadman Plaza Park

Sarah Kim / flickr

Even in Downtown Brooklyn, you can find some beauty through nature.

For example, there’s Cadman Plaza Park .

This park is the place to be if you want to stop staring at your phone and just get out of your head.

The arbor-rich Cadman Plaza Park complements the energy of the area while also helping visitors to feel at ease.

This is an especially good place to go to if you ever find yourself feeling stressed out by how hectic the city can feel.

Additionally, the Brooklyn War Memorial, a moving tribute to the heroes of World War II, can be found here.

Address:  Cadman Plaza E, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

30. Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Lennox Wright / Shutterstock

Introduced at the literal turn of the century in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum has become a hub for expression and discovery among the youngest museum patrons.

If there’s a children’s museum in your city or area, you can thank this one for serving as a precedent.

At this museum, children can be stimulated by exhibits that make the most out of their minds.

Some of the coolest exhibits here include the “Sensory Room,” “Neighborhood Nature,” and “Collections Central.”

There are also temporary exhibits, such as the animal-rich “Survival of the Slowest” and “Native Voices: New England Tribal Families.”

Going to this museum lets your kids see just how grand the world around them really is.

When you come to this museum, you should pay close attention to how invigorated your child is.

The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

General admission costs $12 for anyone over 12 months.

However, admission is “pay as you wish” on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Address:  145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213, United States

31. Crawl Brooklyn

Syda Productions / Shutterstock

There are lots of things to do in the borough at night, so much so that you might feel stymied by where to start.

Thankfully, there’s Crawl Brooklyn to help do some of the thinking for you.

When you go on a bar crawl with this company, you can find some of the best watering holes in the area.

Don’t try to find a permanent itinerary of stops, as each crawl stop is a surprise.

This helps to keep you on your toes and enjoy the experience more.

You should also make sure to jot them the names of any bars that really impress you.

32. Brooklyn Academy of Music

Osugi / Shutterstock

The Brooklyn Academy of Music , or “BAM,” is one of the most remarkable artistic establishments in all of New York.

Many creative geniuses and influential figures have appeared here.

Since its opening in 1861, BAM has set a great tone for this borough as an area of serious cultural value.

The performers at BAM is like a “who’s who” of legends, including Isadora Duncan, Sarah Bernhardt, Steve Reich, and even Winston Churchill.

All sorts of creative expression forms are shared here, including opera, circus work, and dramatic performances.

If you want to see a show that will truly leave you stunned, come to BAM.

Address:  30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Brooklyn

Brooklyn shouldn’t be considered an afterthought when you come to New York.

It’s a fantastic and beautiful world that has great things both indoors and outdoors.

Even if you can only spend a day or two here, the experience will still be very worthwhile.

10 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn, New York

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There are countless things to do in Brooklyn , thanks to its wide array of art, food, and culture. Many people consider Brooklyn to be the best of NYC’s boroughs since it’s not as chaotic as Manhattan but still offers lots of attractions. Also, as it’s located on Long Island , you can even enjoy some cool beaches in the summer.

Brooklyn’s ethnic diversity means you can find all kinds of different cuisines and buildings here, not to mention some of the most interesting shops. There are also beautiful green spaces, so you can enjoy a more leisurely pace and many family-friendly Brooklyn activities .

If you want to visit Brooklyn but you’re not sure where to begin, I can help with this guide to the best places to visit in Brooklyn . There is something for everyone here, whether you want to explore the area with kids, enjoy a day out with your partner, or have fun with friends.

So, keep reading to discover the top 10 things to do in Brooklyn, New York !

1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, the best thing to do in Brooklyn at night

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Brooklyn , and all of New York, so you can’t miss it. With a span of 6,000 feet, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge until 1903. Today, the Brooklyn Bridge is nearly 140 years old, but it’s completely safe for you to walk, bike, or drive across. It’s one of the most beautiful bridges in NYC .

I recommend going on foot so you can admire the NY skyline views and the different perspectives of the city. The views are gorgeous after dark, and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best things to do in NYC at night .

While you’re visiting this massive Brooklyn attraction , it’s also worth checking out Brooklyn Bridge Park , along the East River. In addition to the views of the waterfront, the park offers a variety of outdoor spaces and recreational areas for sports, activities, and leisure. From bocce and shuffleboard to basketball courts and playgrounds, there is something for everyone.

2. Check out DUMBO, a fun thing to do in Brooklyn, NYC

Not far from the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find DUMBO , one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn . Short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, DUMBO is one of the trendiest places in Brooklyn with lots of interesting shopping and dining venues.

For example, you can enjoy hot Brooklyn-style pizza at Grimaldi’s or Juliana’s , then go browsing for trinkets and treasures at the Brooklyn Flea , the most popular flea market in NYC . DUMBO is also home to Jane’s Carousel , a popular Brooklyn tourist attraction between the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge.

I also recommend trying to get a photo of the Manhattan Bridge viewpoint along Washington Street. This is one of the hottest photography spots in the city, and you’ve probably seen pictures of it online or on postcards. This is a must-do in Brooklyn , especially if you love photography!

Besides, the surrounding area of Washington Street is full of unique stores, cafes, and breweries, so it’s a great sightseeing experience.

3. Visit Williamsburg, an interesting thing to do in Brooklyn

Williamsburg is another vibrant neighborhood in NYC that I recommend checking out. There are all kinds of fun things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn , from visiting cultural institutions and green spaces, to enjoying the local nightlife.

One of the coolest places in Brooklyn ’s Williamsburg section is Domino Park . This expansive park is next to the Williamsburg Bridge and faces the East River, providing lovely waterfront views. In addition, it’s the site of an old Domino Sugar Refinery, which somehow blends in with the park’s playgrounds, fountains, volleyball courts, and bocce grounds.

Williamsburg may have a hipster vibe, but it’s also the home of lots of ethnic groups like Italian Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans. There is a large population of Hasidic Jews here, so you’ll probably run into traditional temples or stores with signs in Yiddish.

When the sun goes down, Williamsburg’s evening entertainment comes to life. Along with a few movie theaters, you’ll find the BKLYN Comedy Club and the Brooklyn Bowl , a bowling alley and live music venue.

Without a doubt, Williamsburg is one of the best places to visit in Brooklyn , so if you’re short on time, make the most of your visit with this culture and history walking tour .

4. Spend the day at Coney Island, the best thing to do in Brooklyn with kids

Coney Island may be a bit out of the way, but it’s worth visiting since it’s one of the best things to do in Brooklyn with family . Located in southwestern Brooklyn, Coney Island has long been a popular day trip for New Yorkers.

As the name suggests, Coney Island is on a small peninsula, so you can enjoy the surf and sand at Coney Island Beach or Brighton Beach. That said, what makes Coney Island an iconic Brooklyn site are the two amusement piers, Luna Park, and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, the best places to visit at Coney Island .

First, Luna Park is a replica of the original Luna Park from 1903 with an arcade, family attractions like the B&B Carousel, and the famous Cyclone rollercoaster. Spending the day at Luna Park is one of the best things to do in NYC with kids , and you can get your ticket here .

Moreover, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is named after the legendary Wonder Wheel, a 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel with stationary and traveling cabins. The park is full of fun attractions like kiddie coasters, a carousel, bumper cars, and the thrilling Phoenix rollercoaster.

If thrill rides aren’t your thing, you can visit the Coney Island Museum or see a performance at the amphitheater or the Coney Island Circus Sideshow . When you get hungry, you’ll find your favorite boardwalk foods like Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs , funnel cake, French fries, and pizza.

5. Stroll through Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a romantic thing to do in Brooklyn, NY

If you’re looking for things to do in Brooklyn as a couple , I highly recommend visiting Brooklyn Botanic Garden . Here, you can stroll through 52 acres of specialty gardens, so it’s the ideal spot for a romantic, outdoor date.

One of the most notable areas of the garden is the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden , which features cherry blossoms, Japanese maples and irises, and a Shinto shrine. There is even a traditional wooden bridge and torii (gateway), so it’s like having a little piece of Japan in Brooklyn.

The Cranford Rose Garden is gorgeous, as is the Shakespeare Garden , which mimics an English cottage-style garden. There is also an Herb Garden , a Rock Garden , and a Native Flora Garden where you can learn about the plants and flowers that once grew all over the New York City area. The Water Garden has lots of pretty trees, ferns, and aquatic shrubs, so it’s also worth seeing.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is also home to the Steinhardt Conservatory , which contains a bonsai museum, themed plant pavilions, a glass aquatic plant house, and an art gallery. Without a doubt, spending the day here is one of the best things to do in NYC as a couple .

6. Check out Brooklyn Museum, something to do in Brooklyn if it rains

If the weather doesn’t cooperate during your trip, don’t worry because you can find fun things to do in Brooklyn on a rainy day . For example, the Brooklyn Museum is one of the best museums in NYC , with over 500,000 art pieces.

The museum is housed in an impressive Beaux Arts-style building and has an extensive permanent collection of art from around the world. Some of the most notable galleries include those dedicated to Asian, Islamic, Egyptian, and American art. There are also beautiful decorative art examples from the 1880s to now, which you can explore through period rooms.

In addition, the Brooklyn Museum hosts temporary exhibits, and it has a sculpture garden with dozens of ornamental statues, sculptures, and facades. So, if you love art, this is a great Brooklyn attraction for you, whether it’s a rainy day or not.

Moreover, Brooklyn is home to other museums and cultural institutes, so if you want to museum-hop, I also recommend the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the New York Transit Museum .

7. Relax in Prospect Park, one of the best things to do in Brooklyn

Prospect Park is one of the best New York City parks , and one of those places in Brooklyn you must visit. The park, which encompasses 526 acres, is a New York Scenic Landmark, and it’s not hard to see why.

Here, you’ll find sprawling expanses of green spaces and lawns, historic structures, quiet walking paths, and all kinds of recreational activities. There is something for everyone here, any time of year, which makes it one of the top tourist attractions in Brooklyn .

Year-round, you can peruse the Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza , located at the park’s northern entrance. During the summer, you can catch live performances at the Bandshell or enjoy a picnic in the Long Meadow.

At the southern end of the park, there is Prospect Park Lake and the Parade Ground , which is now an athletic park with sports fields. The LeFrak Center next to the lake offers indoor and outdoor activities like boating and ice skating.

To the east, you can see the beautiful Prospect Park Waterfall and the Beaux Arts-style Boathouse , as well as take a quiet stroll through the Ravine , the only forest in Brooklyn. I recommend relaxing here as long as you can, although if you don’t have much time, this tour will show you the highlights of the park.

8. See the art at the Bushwick Collective, another cool thing to do in Brooklyn, New York

The Bushwick Collective is a series of outdoor art and murals, and one of the best free things to see in Brooklyn .

The Collective originated in 2011 and has grown to include works from local, national, and international artists. Combining graffiti, street art, and murals, the collection includes pieces on social commentary, lighthearted themes, visual interpretations of emotions and thoughts, and more. For all these reasons, it’s one of the best museums in Brooklyn .

If you want to do a self-tour of the Bushwick Collective, a good starting point is Flushing Avenue, near Jefferson Street Station. However, if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, I recommend this Brooklyn street art tour .

Also, if you’re visiting in the summer, check out the Collective’s free annual street art showcase with music, food, artists, and local vendors.

9. Enjoy the views from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Also known as the Esplanade, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a pedestrian walkway alongside Brooklyn Bridge Park. It leads to the Brooklyn Bridge so it’s a great place to do some leisurely sightseeing.

The Promenade is lined with trees and has lots of benches, so you can take your time walking along the pathway. Depending on which part of the Promenade you’re on, you can get beautiful views of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Staten Island, or the Statue of Liberty. You can also see Governor’s Island and Ellis Island.

Best of all, the Promenade is a free Brooklyn attraction and is typically open from dawn to dusk. The entrance is under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway at Remsen Street, and the walkway ends right before Brooklyn Bridge Park.

10. See the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, something to do in Brooklyn during the holidays

Finally, if you’re visiting New York City at Christmastime , I recommend going to Dyker Heights , a popular spot in Brooklyn during the holiday season.

The Dyker Heights neighborhood is in southwestern Brooklyn and is known for its strong Christmas spirit. Many of the neighbors here decorate their homes with elaborate displays, transforming a few city blocks into a glittery atmosphere of holiday cheer.

You’ll see everything from sparkling lights and lawn ornaments to Christmas-themed setups with garland and wreaths. Some people even go all out and include music and synchronized light shows. So, take a break from the Manhattan festivities and check out Dyker Heights because it’s one of the best things to do in NYC in the winter , especially as a family.

The Christmas lights stretch along Dyker Heights Boulevard from 83 rd Street to 86 th Street, and they’re usually lit until around 9 p.m. If you want to experience everything and mingle with some locals, check out this bus tour through the Dyker Heights displays.

Where to stay in Brooklyn

With all the different areas to visit in Brooklyn , you may decide to spend the night. In that case, these are my top picks for where to stay:

• The Williamsburg Hotel – This luxurious resort is one of Brooklyn’s best hotels and boasts elegant rooms with private balconies. There is also a 24-hour gym, and a gourmet restaurant, and it’s one of the few hotels in Brooklyn with a pool .
• Pod Brooklyn – This is one of the best cheap hotels in Brooklyn and a great option if you’re traveling solo. In addition to the clean, cozy rooms, there are communal spaces like a courtyard and a rooftop bar.
• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – This 5-star, eco-friendly hotel is perfect for families, thanks to its lounge area, pool, spa, and large rooms with city views. It’s one of the best boutique hotels in Brooklyn .

You can find more ideas and recommendations in our guide on where to stay in NYC .

Map of Brooklyn, NY

I hope this guide helps you plan your visit and choose which Brooklyn activities you want to do. I’m also leaving this map with all the Brooklyn attractions and hotels I mentioned.

If you have any other questions or you’d like to share your favorite things to do in Brooklyn , feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to hear from you! Until then, have a great time exploring Brooklyn, NY!

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16 Fun Things To Do in Brooklyn, NYC in 2024

Emilie Murphy Last Updated: October 26, 2023

If the borough of Brooklyn were its own city, it would be the fourth largest in the entire country. While it used to be a mere satellite location to Manhattan, Brooklyn is now its own cultural hub — a center of fashion, art, and the hipster lifestyle. Discover what makes it so popular with our list of the top things to do in Brooklyn!

Cool Things to Do and See in Brooklyn, New York City

Curious about the Bushwick art scene? Dying to try one of those infamous Coney dogs? Brooklyn must be calling your name. From sprawling green spaces and top-notch beaches to bustling bowling alleys and world-class museums, Brooklyn is a borough for everyone.

Less crowded than Manhattan — but with just as much to do and see — this outer borough should be on everybody’s bucket list. Read on for our list of the best this borough has to offer.

Our Partnership with Booking.com.  If you like our content, please book by clicking on our Booking.com links. The price is the same for you and we get a small commission that helps support our blog. We’ve partnered with Booking.com because they have the most options, great prices, and a solid loyalty program.

16. Lounge Poolside at the Uber-Popular William Vale Hotel

The William Vale is that elusive sweet spot: a boutique hotel that also serves as a neighborhood gathering point. With several on-site eateries, a spa during the warm months, and an ice rink in winter, this hotel draws a crowd from both near and far.

Locals love to frequent the hotel, while visitors are treated to a luxurious stay. Clean, modern rooms and a great location in the ultra-hip Williamsburg neighborhood make this a great overnight option. But the best part is most certainly the rooftop pool, which can attract quite a crowd in the summer.

Here at one of the best swimming spots in the entire city, it’s a great place to soak up some rays, have a poolside cocktail, and enjoy the view of the city skyline. Looking for more NYC hotels with pools? Check out our recommendations here .

Location, photos, and booking

15. Grab a Square Slice at L&B Spumoni Gardens

There are a lot of competing opinions about pizza in Brooklyn, but for many, L&B is the holy grail. Some even argue that it serves up some of the best slices in the country. We’ll let you decide.

L&B’s pizzas are Sicilian-style, which means the crust is nice and thick, and the pies are square with the sauce spread on top of the cheese — not under. A staple of southern Brooklyn since the 1930’s, L&B is a both a local favorite and a place that tourists flock to.

The reason, of course, is the ‘za. The base of this pizza is to die for. It’s chewy and doughy while still maintaining a crispy outer layer. The cheese is more of a garnish than a main ingredient, as the real pièce de résistance is the sauce — sweet with a zing and wholly delicious.

Address: 2725 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY

14. Let Loose at Brooklyn Bowl

Hanging at Brooklyn Bowl is a night-on-the-town hotspot that locals love. Throw some rental shoes on and hope for a lucky strike at one of their 16 bowling lanes or dance until dawn to the songs of a live band. Brooklyn Bowl hosts a variety of musical acts throughout the week, from blues bands to funk, rock to soul and a mix of everything.

The food is also top-notch since it’s catered by Blue Ribbon, and the menu is upscale bar food with a twist. Think French bread pizza or French fries with a chicken and gravy sauce. Keep an eye out for upcoming special events or concerts. And if you’re coming with a large group, be sure to book in advance. Brooklyn Bowl fills up fast. 

Address : 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

13. Explore Brooklyn Bridge Park

Located on the Brooklyn side of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park stretches from Dumbo down through Cobble Hill. The parkscape includes sweeping lawns, turf fields, basketball and handball courts, playgrounds, an ice rink, and even a marina. There are also dedicated bike lanes for cyclists plus a walking path that runs the entire 1.3-mile length of the park.

Public art installations rotate through different areas of the park each year, and there are also many restaurants within its boundaries. From Fornino’s pizza to Pilot’s upscale seafood and cocktail bar on an old-fashioned schooner, there is an eatery for everyone. And for the grill masters among us, picnic tables and public grills are also dotted throughout the park.

Address: 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY

Coming to NYC? We’ve put together helpful articles about the top things to see in Central Park , top foods to try , plus where to stay in NYC based on the neighborhood.

12. have dinner at the river cafe.

Any meal at The River Café is a full-fledged dining experience. The waitstaff wear white dinner jackets and a dress code is enforced for all guests. The venue, a barge anchored below the Brooklyn Bridge, makes the dining room feel as if it’s floating in the East River. The meals are multi-courses and the service is exceptional with special attention given to the smallest of details.

All of this and more make The River Cafe one of the best restaurants in all of New York City and probably the best in Brooklyn. For those looking for something truly special, a meal at this Michelin-starred institution will certainly fit the bill.

For more restaurant ideas, be sure to check out our list of the best restaurants in New York City .

Address: 1 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY

11. Get Thrifty at Brooklyn Flea

Brooklyn Flea — which has locations in both Williamsburg and Dumbo — is one of the biggest outdoor markets in the entire city. A much-loved epicenter of all things vintage, Brooklyn Flea is a weekly market where thrifty shoppers can find old records, refurbished furniture, antique jewelry, clothing and everything in between. It’s an absolute must on our list of things to do in Brooklyn.

Hundreds of vendors show up every weekend to sell a host of well-curated goods to discerning shoppers. The market is seasonal and does close for the winter. In the spring, summer and fall, however, it is open on Saturdays and Sundays. Entry is free, and the show goes on rain or shine.

Address : 80 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY and 51 N 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY

10. Stroll along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Brooklyn Heights is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Its quiet, residential streets and picturesque brownstones are an ideal place to walk and take in the historic setting.

At the far west side of the heights is the Promenade, a pedestrian walkway that floats over the BQE and offers unbeatable views of downtown Manhattan, Governor’s Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and more. The promenade stretches from Remsen to Orange street, with other entrances at Clark, Montague and Pineapple.

It’s an ideal place to take a walk, sit on a bench and enjoy the scenic vistas and find some quiet moments in this bustling city. Walking the Promenade is one of the best things to do in Brooklyn when you need a minute to enjoy a quiet view.

Address: Montague St & Pierrepont Place, Brooklyn, NY

9. Discover Industry City

Industry City is located in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. The vibe is like an upscale outdoor shopping mall…but better. Industry City is housed in renovated warehouses along the water and encompasses 16 buildings spanning 35 acres. It has an abundance of restaurants to enjoy. We recommend dessert spots like Colson Patisserie and lunch and dinner options such as Taco Mix and Filament gastropub.

There’s also a huge retail scene here. High-end stores like Design Within Reach rub shoulders with smaller businesses such as Flavor Paper and Arcade Vintage. Beyond all of this, however, Industry City is best known for being an experimental art hub. Outdoor public installations abound, as do murals on and around the warehouse walls.

There are also open studio events, seasonal exhibitions curated by the Dedalus Foundation, and plenty of opportunities to explore the creative boom of this once-forgotten area.

A ddress : 220 36th St, Brooklyn, NY

8. Take a Tour of Green-Wood Cemetery

Green-Wood Cemetery is rife with historical significance. It’s the burial spot of many famous icons including Leonard Bernstein, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and members of the Roosevelt family. Though it is a burial ground filled with over 600,000 graves, many Brooklynites treat this 478-acre spot as a public park due to it’s natural beauty.

There is plenty to enjoy outside of perusing the mausoleums and tombstones. Nature abounds, including an arboretum, diverse wildlife, and beautifully landscaped gardens. Visitors can also trek up to Battle Hill, the highest point in Brooklyn and an important site during the Revolutionary War, or take in the imposing Gothic Revival gates at the cemetery’s entrance.

Guided tours are available for visitors and can include a trip to the catacombs or a walking history of the cemetery. For those who aren’t interested in the potentially grim subject matter, it can also serve as a nice spot to relax, slip away from the bustle of the city, and seek some quiet.

Address: 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY

7. Experience Bushwick’s Street Art Scene

Bushwick is a burgeoning center of creativity in the borough, particularly for street art and graffiti. The epicenter of this movement is Bushwick Collective, an ever-growing outdoor street art exhibition.

The Bushwick Collective taps established, internationally recognized artists as well as local creatives to paint temporary murals throughout the neighborhood. The murals typically stay up for one year and are free to view any time of the day or night.

One of the best ways to experience the street art phenomenon is through walking tours with local experts or by downloading an online map that pinpoints specific murals and their background information.

Address: 427 Troutman Street, Brooklyn, NY

6. Frolic in Prospect Park

Famously designed by the same team behind Central Park, Prospect Park is Brooklyn’s answer to that famed Manhattan green space. Spanning 526 acres, the park encompasses tennis facilities, a skating rink, a beautiful Beaux-Arts style boathouse, running and biking trails, farmers markets, volleyball courts, and so much more.

There are also plenty of special events that happen on a regular basis such as Molière in the Park, free stagings of works by the French playwright, and various ever-changing public art installations. Prospect Park is a place to take in the beauty of nature, rub shoulders with locals and get a feel for the diversity of things to do in the borough.

Address: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY

5. Spend the Day in Red Hook

Red Hook feels more like an old European fishing town than a piece of Brooklyn. Situated on a peninsula parallel to Liberty Island, this neighborhood is relatively isolated. Given this and its lack of accessible public transport, Red Hook is a destination you need to plan to end up at. But once you do make it, there is no shortage of things to do.

Red Hook is an easy place to spend several hours, and there is something for every kind of traveler to appreciate. The local distillery, delicious eateries (many dedicated to seafood dishes), well-heeled dive bars, the famous Steve’s Key Lime Pies, and the unassuming charm that is part industrial outpost, part hipster influence all make this a worthy destination. Spend the day playing outdoor games at Brooklyn Crab, fishing on the piers, or taking in the art at Pioneer Works.

In terms of things to do in Brooklyn, this is a great option for families or those who love off-the-beaten path places to have fun.

Address: Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Coming to NYC? Don’t miss our other articles about the top things to do in NYC , what you must see at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island , plus the best luxury hotels in New York.

4. see a film, play, or performance at the brooklyn academy of music (bam).

The Brooklyn Academy of Music, also known as BAM, is the Lincoln Center of Brooklyn. With multiple venues located in Fort Greene, BAM hosts world-class musicians, artists, dancers, and actors throughout the year. Their robust programming includes contemporary dance festivals, film screenings, operas, specially curated talks, and many more art-related events.

Not to mention, the beautiful theaters are spectacles unto themselves and boast landmark status. In the Howard Gilman Opera House, the upstairs café is a wonderful place for a cup of coffee or pre-show cocktail. BAM is also a family-friendly institution that offers education initiatives and after-school programming that kids of all ages will enjoy.  

A ddress: 321 Ashland Pl, Brooklyn, NY

3. Get in Touch with Nature at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Founded in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a 52-acre oasis that houses over 14,000 species of plants. Each year, the garden welcomes visitors year round and hosts an array of events and special exhibits. Permanent garden features include a Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, a Bonsai museum, rose garden, cherry esplanade and water garden, among many others.

No matter the weather, it’s a wonderful place to walk around, commune with nature, and escape the concrete jungle. Come here for a lovely afternoon excursion after exploring the nearby Prospect Park.

Address: 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

2. Indulge in the Eccentric at Coney Island

Coney Island is the permanent fairground of New York City. Daredevils can have a day of fun at Luna Park, which is the home of the iconic Cyclone and Thunderbolt roller coasters, as well as more modern rides including the Luna 360, Circus Coaster, and Soarin’ Eagle. Less intrepid travelers can enjoy a host of games and side shows all along Surf Avenue.

Those looking to relax while the kids play can spend the day lounging on one of the city’s best beaches. For food, you’ll find famous and long-standing restaurants like Nathan’s or Paul’s Daughter that serve up no-frills hot dogs, chicken tenders, and fries along the beachfront boardwalk.

Other activities abound here, including the Coney Island Brewery tasting room and a trip to MCU Park, home of the minor league baseball team: the Coney Island Cyclones. No matter what activity you choose to partake in, the best part of Coney Island is simply the experience of being here. From the people watching to the ocean views, this is a place full of whimsy and fun, which is why it’s such a fun thing to do in Brooklyn.

Address: Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

1. Enjoy World-Class Art at The Brooklyn Museum

Located next door to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Museum is another cultural gem of the borough. The encyclopedic collection is home to 500,000 objects, including a 5,000-square-foot visible storage study center.

Along with its permanent exhibitions that encompass everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary installations, the museum also hosts many blockbuster exhibits each year. This museum is definitely worth spending the day, and it’s usually much less crowded than its counterparts in Manhattan.

You really can spend the day here. Enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant or grab something quick at the casual café in between gallery visits.

Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY

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30 AWESOME Things to do in Williamsburg Brooklyn (Local’s Guide + Map)

Looking for all the cool things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn? You’ve come to the right place. This is hands down one of the coolest and popular neighborhoods within the borough (and entire city) to explore. There’s a reason why when so many people come to Brooklyn for the first time, Williamsburg is on their radar.

The food scene is incredible. The bars in Williamsburg? Well, there are plenty of cool ones to check out from faux dives to themed bars and bars with games. Music venues, art galleries, street art, indie boutiques, and oh, the thrifting and vintage scene are unmatched.

Since rezoning in 2005, Williamsburg has slowly but surely developed into a vibrant, young, and artistic community. It’s heavily gentrified and depending who you talk to, they will tell you they love Williamsburg or love to hate the hipster culture that comes with it.

Oh, and did I fail to mention already that Williamsburg has one of the best skyline views of Manhattan?! Oh, and it’s super easy via ferry or subway to get in and out of Midtown making it one of the less intimidating areas for tourists to the city to get out and explore the other boroughs beyond Manhattan.

Speaking of, that’s what makes Williamsburg one of the best places to stay in the city. Be sure to check out our full guide for the best Williamsburg hotels with skyline views too! On a budget? No worries, there are options here for that too!

There are a ton of incredible things to do in Williamsburg but check out some of our favorite spots in this Williamsburg Brooklyn guide.

Read Next: 100+ Amazing Things to do in Brooklyn

What to do in Williamsburg Brooklyn

• Check Out Domino Park

When it comes to looking for things to do in Williamsburg, you have to stop at Domino Park and take in the skyline views from here. This park opened in 2018 and has easily become one of the best parks in Brooklyn for the views alone.

Located just north of the Williamsburg Bridge, this park is on the site of the former Domino Sugar Refinery, hence the name. In fact, Brooklyn is so sweet as it had not one sugar factory, but several sugar refineries during its industrial heydey. You can still see traces of the past here as the architects and designers of the park (who also created the High-Line in Chelsea) purposefully left up some of the old factory equipment to pay homage to the history here.

Domino Park is a popular gathering place for locals, there’s a cute fenced-in dog park, plenty of seating, an elevated walkway, and a tasty taco stand.

And as of 2023, the original refinery has been completely renovated and transformed into The Refinery at Domino, now a luxury office building with prime real estate.

You also can’t beat some of the great offerings to do within steps of Domino Park either. Need a beer break? Head to Other Half Brewing’s tasting room, want something more than tacos to eat? Head to Roberta’s where you can get a taste of some of the best pizza in Brooklyn . Or, if you fancy eating with a view, this. is one of the best picnic spots in Brooklyn .

• Bowl in Style at Brooklyn Bowl

One of the more fun venues and things to do in Williamsburg includes Brooklyn Bowl, a super cool bowling alley and music venue combined! Don’t just take our word for it, Rolling Stone has even named it, “one of the most incredible places on earth.”

Brooklyn Bowl is awesome for a few different things. During the weekends they have family-friendly hours during the day, by night though this becomes a 21 and over hang out spot where you can bowl or bowl during a live music performance.

Brooklyn Bowl often hosts themed nights too, a friend of mine was super excited to go to a Taylor Swift themed night at Brooklyn Bowl and said it was a blast.

Each of the lanes is equipped with plush, leather sofas to hang out in between turns. There’s a full kitchen and bar here too so you won’t go hungry or thirsty while you’re hitting strike after strike!

Now, this is a very popular hang out spot and on the weekends it can get a bit nuts. The lanes are first come, first serve so plan ahead to mitigate your expectations! During the times where there are ticketed events, you have to have a ticket to that event to get in.

Brooklyn Bowl is located right in the center of the nightlife scene on Wythe Avenue and is open until 12 am almost every night. With live music and great food, you’re bound to have an epic time.

Head over to Gutter Bar for some pints and pins!

More bowling, yay! For more fun in Williamsburg that revolves around bowling, you have another option that comes without the occasional concert crowd.

The Gutter Bar is more of a traditional bowling alley, compared to Brooklyn Bowl that also has a bar. You’ll find old-school lanes and a more laid-back vibe here. There are only 8 lanes here and it has a much smaller bowling space, but the bar area is more spacious.

You don’t even have to bowl to hang out here too. You can get drinks, play board games, and bar snacks. Then if you do want to bowl, you can head over to Gutter Bar’s vintage bowling lanes for more fun.

Gutter bar is 21+ at all times so if you’re looking for things to do in Williamsburg with the whole family, then try out some of our other ideas for what to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that are more age and family-friendly!

• Games and Drinks at Barcade

One of my absolute favorite places to take friends that visit the city and one of the best things to do in Williamsburg is spend a few hours at Barcade. If you are quick witted you might already know what this place is about, a bar + an arcade = Barcade!

They have a few locations now, including one in Chelsea but there’s something about the Williamsburg space that I enjoy the best. First of all, they have more vintage pinball machines here than the other locations. The Chelsea location has a few pin ball games but they have more vintage digital arcade games. 

The bar has a great selection of beer on draft and that’s where you can purchase tokens to play games. All the old-school arcade games have cup holders so you can drink and play too.

And apparently, this Barcade location is rumored to be haunted. I haven’t noticed any spirits here other than the liquid form that make you feel tipsy, but keep an eye out!

Dive into NYC’s Past at The City Reliquary Museum

Are you a history buff? If so, this is what to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for you! The City Reliquary Museum is a community-run museum that highlights the history of New York City to its visitors and is true hidden gem in Williamsburg !

If an educational experience is on your list of things to do in Williamsburg, this museum is perfect for those who want to learn more about artifacts, community collections and cultural events from both the past and present.

This not-for-profit museum began in 2002 as a window display created by founder Dave Herman.

The museum has a permanent collection including everything from building fragments from landmark structures, vintage postcards from famous monuments in the city like The Statue of Liberty, antique subway tokens, paint chips from the L train platform, and other artifacts from all over the city.

The City Reliquary Museum in Williamsburg is located at  370 Metropolitan Avenue and is open every Thursday-Sunday, noon-6 PM

Check out more of the amazing museums in Brooklyn worth visiting!

• Hang out at McCarren Park

Another one of the best outdoor things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn sharing the border with the Greenpoint neighborhood is McCarren Park. This is filled with 35 acres of space and if you’re looking for where the locals hang out, you’ll find them here chilling out on a nice day in New York City.

Their basketball courts and baseball fields make for great pickup games and their barbecuing areas are great for family and friend get-togethers. If you’re looking for a good place to go on a hot day then head over to their free outdoor pools!

Also, in the warmer months, you can find fun activities here like the Renegade Craft Fair, Movies in the Park, and other fun events.

• Enjoy Marsha P Johnson Park

Marsha P Johnson Park, named after Marsha P Johnson, a transgender woman of color who was a pioneer of the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement and a prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, is located along the Brooklyn side of the East River offering amazing views of Manhattan as well as stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

With the large amount of greenery, this park is a perfect place to lounge and relax. This park has also become home to Smorgasburg – a food market offered during the warmer months.

Just be aware that unlike other parks in the city, this park does not permit bicycles here. Marsha P Johnson Park is dog-friendly (except for on Smorgasburg days), but visitors can only bring in two dogs at a time – just in case the unlikely chance you’re traveling with a large pack of dogs.

• Take in the Views at Bushwick Inlet Park

Oh, another park you say? Yes! Another one of the best things to do in Williamsburg is to continue checking out all the cool waterfront parks along the East River with stellar skyline views!

Bushwick Inlet Park is located directly in the center of the Williamsburg waterfront. It’s shares a stretch of waterfront land with Greenpoint, which we highly recommend exploring as well, but it’s the great views here that make it a great place to rest your dogs after walking around all day or bring some food to sit and eat to take in the views.

The park was initially designed to keep the pathway from the south and eventually expand new designs into the north. This park adds a great new look to Williamsburg and provides more green areas to the old industrial neighborhood, transforming it into this family-friendly spot with top-notch views of the city skyline!

Better yet, this park is sustainable! The community center here is powered using sustainable electricity and heating through solar panels, geothermal heating, and a green roof.

Read Next: Best Instagram Spots in Williamsburg

• Grab a beer at Brooklyn Brewery

Calling all beer lovers, you’re going to want to add this stop on your feverishly long list of things to do in Williamsburg. The Brooklyn Brewery is the OG of craft breweries in the city. You’d think that the city has an exploding craft beverage scene, and it does now, but it took awhile to get here thanks to antiquated prohibition-era laws that gave us a slow start.

There are so many cool breweries in Brooklyn to check out, but the Brooklyn Brewery is really one of the best and most famous. In fact, the Brooklyn Brewery was one of the first and one of New York’s first post-prohibition craft breweries starting in 1988. 

The tap list ranges from classics to bold new experiments and you are able to try them out in their very own tasting room. I always love the artist collabs they do here with their merch and artwork too.

Their tasting area is a fun space, they have a few games too and seem to be pretty family-friendly during the day as everytime I’ve come on a weekend during daylight hours there are alot of families and adults with kids in here. The vibe does change come night though and is adult-focused.

They also offer guided tours of the brewery , which you’ll need to reserve your spot in advance and it comes with tastings. This is another one of the more popular picks for what to do in Williamsburg among beer lovers, so don’t miss making a reservation if you want to partake in a tour!

• Enjoy some German Brews & Bites at Radegast Hall & Biergarten

I love good beer, can you tell? And while we do love a good local brewery, we do love a good imported German beer too. Transport yourself to Bavaria here in Williamsburg at Radegast Hall & Biergarten, one of our favorite bars in Brooklyn for German fare and beer.

The setting takes you right into a traditional German beer hall and beer garden serving up great German brews, different types of German food and snacks, as well as live music! The scene here is pretty lively and you’ll find yourself among a friendly and rowdy bunch! This is the perfect place to have a beer and a Bavarian soft pretzel late night!

This is also a part of our German beer garden in Brooklyn crawl!

• Do Some Shopping at Artists & Fleas

Another one of my favorite places to shop (whehter it’s for me or for someone else) and best places to visit in Williamsburg is Artists & Fleas. This trendy marketplace is home to over 75 sellers including another NYC location at Chelsea Market in Manhattan.

Located on 70 North 7th Street, Artists & Fleas holds an exceptional reputation amongst international buyers. Here you’re able to discover what’s new and exciting in fashion, design, vintage, and art. Easy access to this marketplace makes it one of the best spots in town.

• Enjoy Rooftop Drinks at Westlight

Ok, I am about to go into more on the best rooftop bars in Williamsburg in a minute. But, I am going to say it. Westlight has the best views and is my top recommendation for things to do in Williamsburg if you want to hit up a rooftop bar and only have time for one.

Located on the 22nd floor of the luxurious hotel, the William Vale you’ll find an indoor bar and outdoor terrace with some of the most jaw-dropping skyline views the city has to offer. You get the whole picture here, not just one or two landmarks, but the entire skyline!

This sophisticated cocktail bar is on the more bougie side when it comes to prices.  Come here prepared to spend a little for the prime location, upscale cocktails, and light bites.

Here’s the skinny though. This is great all year long because of the indoor area with floor to ceiling windows. The outdoor area is the best, and the seats are first come, first serve, so we recommend coming right when they open if you have your heart set on the outdoor deck area.

Rooftop Bar Hop 

Okay, I know I mentioned Westlight as its ‘own’ of things to do in Williamsburg, but there’s a whole boatload of great rooftop bars in Brooklyn located in this neighborhood!

A few of my favorites include El Nico , a rooftop bar on the top floor of the Penny Hotel (a cool art-forward hotel and stay in the neighborhood as well). From this stylish rooftop you can enjoy the full skyline view including the Empire State Building and pair that with the great Mexican-fare you can order here while you soak in a skyline sunset.

Lillistar is another supreme choice located at the Moxy Williamsburg Hotel. The outdoor terrace here has cool views of the Williamsburg Bridge and I honestly think I actually like the indoor area better than the outdoor terrace somehow. The indoor bar is funky and has a DJ booth set up and offers regular live sets.

The Water Tower Bar at Arlo Williamsburg is one of the more unique of the rooftop bars in the city. The bar is set inside a steel and glass encased water tower and overlooks the skyline and rooftop pool of the Arlo Williamsburg.

Enjoy Dinner & a Show at Nitehawk Cinema

One of the most unique experiences and things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is Nighthawk Cinema. Established in 2011, it is New York’s leading dine-in theater complete with a full-service bar and one of the best movie theaters in Brooklyn .

I love independent theaters and the whole story behind Nitehawk. You know how I mentioned antiquated prohibition-era laws earlier in regards to the Brooklyn Brewery? Well, those same old laws that prohibited alcohol to be served in a movie theater setting were changed thanks to Nitehawk Cinema!

Now you can sit back and relax in their theaters, order a beer or kitchen item and have it delivered to your seat as you sit back and enjoy the show. I particularly love the fun, artistic intros they create before the movies too with local artists.

The other cool part about Nitehawk Cinema is that they don’t only show new releases, they do special screenings of old-school classics regularly and fun events like Spoons and Toons, a retro-cartoon screening and hosted show with an unlimited cereal bar and cereal-inspired cocktails!

This movie theater is definitely something to check out if you’re looking for things to do in Williamsburg indoors or need a break from walking around or rainy day activity! They also have another location at Prospect Park West and is one of the best things to do in Park Slope if you find yourself in that area of Brooklyn.

Cinephiles Run, Don’t Walk to Spectacle Theater

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If you’re a cinephile and love all things film, this is what to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for you! Spectacle Theater is a volunteer-run movie theater is known for screening rare and under-appreciated films every day of the week for a reasonable price of $5 making it one of the most affordable things to do in Williamsburg too!

The location is small but the concept is what makes this theater stand out from the others. Spectacle Theater allows you to bring your own food and drinks which is a very rare occurrence in modern-day movie theaters.

What’s pretty cool is that when rent prices were skyrocketing in the area, the community successfully ran a fundraising Kickstarter campaign to help continue this awesome theater and community project led by local volunteers.

The space is limited and can fit no more than 30 people so plan on getting there early to find a good seat. This is an awesome date night spot and a must add to your Williamsburg, Brooklyn guide and checklist!

• Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Bike Lane

One of the best ways to get around in the city is by bicycle. It can be quicker to bike than car, subway, and ferry depending on where you’re going. And while cyclists can ride in regular traffic, there are certain roads that have better bike lanes that feel more safe and friendly to those of us on two wheels.

Insert the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Bike Lane, this is a 26-mile route and protected bike lane along the Brooklyn waterfront including Williamsburg. You can actually go all the way from South Brooklyn to North Brooklyn neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Greenpoint using this route!

You don’t own a bike right? Don’t worry, you can use Citibike! There are stations all over the place (although parking in Williamsburg during weekends and evenings can be a chore when docking stations are full). Download the Citibike app and you can see which stations are closest to you, just make sure to check where you’re going to make sure there will be open docks – it does become a problem in this area.

And a tip, as a Citibike member I have to say that the e-bike rentals from Citibike can get quite costly very quickly, even with a membership (without a membership the prices are absurd). If you’re not wanting to spend alot, use the regular bikes. If you’re trying to get somewhere quick, the e-bikes are a great option but they are currently $.26 a minute ($.17/minute for members) and a subway is $2.90 for a single ride. Just some food for thought as I have surprised myself on e-bike rentals and a bit shocked at the price.

• Walk the Williamsburg Bridge

The Williamsburg Bridge isn’t as scenic as the Brooklyn Bridge walk (from DUMBO), but it does offer a unique perspective of the city. And on the Williamsburg side, just below the bridge you have Domino Park and a handful of great restaurants and bars.

There’s a pedestrian path and a bicycle path, so pick your route! You can alternatively drive across the bridge as well. The pedestrian route begins at Bedford Ave and S 6th Street.

See our full guide on how to walk across the Williamsburg Bridge for tips since this is one of the best Brooklyn walks for views!

It’s a little over a mile so wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget to bring your camera because the Williamsburg Bridge is the perfect spot for a photoshoot!

Play Unlimited Skeeball at Full Circle Bar 

One of my favorite bars in the neighborhood and one of the more fun things to do in Williamsburg is head to Full Circle Bar tucked away down a more offset area of Grand Street. Of course there are drinks, but for $5 you can play unlimited skeeball in the back!

They even have leagues for those who want to get serious with the sport! This is a fun hang-out spot, date spot, and place to just play some skeeball while enjoying a nice adult beverage!

If you’re looking for a great bite to eat, head to Emmy’s Squared just down the street before or after your brewskee ball playing!

• Take a Gander Down Bedford Avenue

Be sure to walk down Bedford Avenue from the Williamsburg Bridge all the way to McCarren Park! You’ll find tons of murals and street art, shops, places to eat, bars, street vendors, and tons of people watching for street style and more right here.

Explore Williamsburg’s Street Art Scene

Even the advertisements and what would be traditional billboards elsewhere are actual pieces of art covering entire sides of buildings disguised as street art as well as stores like Warby Parker embracing the hipster neighborhood (I mean their entire brand is hipster) with their murals to even Dunkin Donuts with entire wall-size murals.

You can’t help but love the splashes of color from artists all over the world including some of the biggest names in the street art world scene like pieces from Kobra, Brolga, ROA, and JR to name a few.

The point being, there are tons of great artists on display here whether you’ve heard of them or not. Be sure to check them out, one of the best streets to see them is by walking down Bedford Ave, then cutting down individual streets and you’ll find even more!

I really love the Kobra murals in the neighborhood, although the Elvis Presley, War is Hell mural didn’t seem to survive heavy tagging, the Andy Warhol and Basquiat, Fight for Street Art is still in great shape after years.

Read more on all the best murals & street art in Williamsburg.  And if you love street art, check out our guide to the best Brooklyn street art as you can easily add street-art heavy neighborhoods like Bushwick to your time exploring around all the best Williamsburg attractions.

• Vintage & Thrift Shopping

When I say Williamsburg is one of the best neighborhoods in NYC for vintage shopping , I mean it. This neighborhood has a high concentration of quality, curated vintage and thrift stores. Easily one of the most popular things to do in Williamsburg is to take in the vintage/thrift scene. You can easily spend a whole weekend only doing this and still not get to all the spots!

Below are a few, but be sure to check out our entire guide to the best vintage shopping in Williamsburg , there’s a lot more!

Awoke Vintage –  A cool thrift and vintage shop reselling the coolest threads located in the Mini Mall off of Bedford Ave. While the space is small, they have curated a great collection of women’s clothing including a sizeable collection of vintage Levis!

L Train –  I’ll be the first to admit that many of the trendy Williamsburg vintage spots charge a high finders fee for their items (I mean living in this city ain’t cheap). There are a few exceptions and one is L Train, there are several locations throughout the city, many of which make up the best thrifting in Brooklyn and the Williamsburg location is no different. I always find something here too.

Malin Landaeus –  This upscale, chic vintage store in Williamsburg only sells the finest of vintage treasures from their amazing boot collection to women’s clothing and locally designed accessories. This is where you’ll find some really unique and stylish pieces!

Mother of Junk –  Finally a vintage and antique store for everyone! You can find great housewares, accessories, and other fun finds in this fun antique store.

Wonders of Walter –  This cool vintage reseller and collector sells items out of their garage-style location when the weather is nice right on Berry Street. Find all kinds of vintage gems here for both men and women.

Buffalo Exchange – Find cute vintage clothing at this trendy chain. Not only can you buy but you can trade clothes, jewelry and other accessories here as well! Check them out on 504 Driggs Avenue.

Grand Street Local –  Your go-to vintage shirt shop selling all kinds of vintage finds with an emphasis on menswear and unisex clothing.

Plus BKLYN- focuses on plus-size vintage and thrift finds!

10 ft Single by Stella Dallas & Stella Dallas Living – two of my favorite vintage stores in the entire city. 10 ft Single is younger, this is where you’ll find denim, vintage tees, and more fun thrifting finds and Stella Dallas Living is where you’ll find vintage clothing and fabrics from the last century!

• Enjoy the Williamsburg Foodie Scene

Where do I even begin? Williamsburg is hands down one of the best foodie neighborhoods in New York City. There are SO many good restaurants in Williamsburg that it’s really difficult to repeat a place you love as there are just so many places to try. Whether you’re looking for a great spot for brunch in Williamsburg , casual eats, or a nice sit down meal – your options are absolutely endless.

I am going to do my best to just give a quick rundown of a few great spots depending on what you’re looking for.

For quick bites in Williamsburg, don’t miss the Birria-landia taco truck (evenings only) for their sensational birria tacos (don’t forget to order a side of that consome for dipping). It’s messy and delicious. 

Another quick and quality bite to eat is at Milu , they offer fast, casual Chinese cuisine – everything I’ve tried here is amazing. Go to Mekelburg’s by Domino Park for 

One of the best slices of pizza in New York City can be found at L’Industrie , there are a few other trendy slice shops in the neighborhood like Fini Pizza , but nothing beats L’Industrie! Best Pizza and Joe’s also offer reliable, classic slices if you find yourself needing a late night slice.

Some of the most coveted restaurants (and hard to get reservations) are located in Brooklyn. So if you can get a reservation, consider it a sign and eat here. Misi and Lillia are famed for their pasta dishes. Laser Wolf often only has late-night reservations available for their Middle Eastern fare and gorgeous rooftop setting in The Hoxton.

Peter Luger Steakhouse is one of the most famous steakhouses in New York City, dating back to 1887, it’s the third oldest steakhouse in the city and cash only.

Oh, you want a great weekend brunch? Sunday in Brooklyn is one of the best spots, they even have a fun winter and holiday pop-up, Snowday in Brooklyn if you’re looking for the best holiday-themed restaurants in NYC too. Cafe Mogador and Diner are also favorites for brunch.

I can easily get carried away in this section and write a whole guidebook, so if you want to know more about the foodie scene in Williamsburg, I’ve linked to both our brunch and regular restaurant guides above in the first paragraph of this section.

• Enjoy Free Pizza at Alligator Lounge & The Charleston

It sounds too good to be true, in a city that is as expensive as ever can you believe that there are two bars that offer a free personal, wood-fired cheese pizza with every drink purchase?

One of the best cheap things to do in Williamsburg is head to either (or both) of these dive bars that offer a free personal pizza with each drink you order. That’s right! You get a FREE personal pizza with your drink order!!! The free pizza is cheese, but if you want toppings you can add them on for a buck each.

The drinks aren’t overpriced (and don’t expect anything fancy) at both the Alligator Lounge (600 Metropolitan Ave ) and The Charleston (174 Bedford Ave).

Are you a Nathan Fielder fan? If so, you’ll recognize the Alligator Lounge from The Rehearsal !

Hit Up Some Cool Neighborhood Cafes

One of the best things to do in Williamsburg, being the cool neighborhood it is are check out the gorgeous and great cafe scene here! Whether you have some work to do and need a great spot to sit for a bit while sipping on a latte or you just need a little pick me up, there are a ton of great cafes in this neighborhood to check out.

See our full guide to the best Williamsburg coffee shops for more!

Devoción – Probably the most well-known of cafes in Williamsburg because of how beautiful this space is, Devoción sources their coffee from the finest beans in Columbia and offers one of the most inviting and beautiful atmospheres for hanging out with a cuppa in the city.

Fiction/BK Speed – This laid back cafe is a great place to get work done or just come in for a cup of coffee, beer, or light snack with the occasional live music performance.

Black Brick Coffee –  If a cafe could scream Williamsburg with its decor, this would be it. This dimly lit, brick-walled cafe serves up Stumptown Coffee and has a chill, hip, and inviting vibe.

Hungry Ghost Coffee –  A gorgeous space with a succulent covered wall and cozy atmosphere which has other locations throughout Brooklyn.

Bakeri – This charming Scandinavian cafe in Williamsburg has a French feel to it and famously delicious baked goods.

• Check out the Bar Scene

Williamsburg is also known for having a great nightlife scene, from swanky cocktail bars to ‘dad dive bars’ you can find it all here. As already mentioned earlier as suggestions for things to do in Williamsburg you also have bowling alleys/bars and arcade/bars as well as cheap dive bars that give you a free pizza with a purchase of a drink.

Check out our guide to the best bars in Williamsburg and also great hidden speakeasies in NYC (where you can find more Williamsburg hangout spots).

A few of our favorites include Fresh Kills for incredible cocktails curated to your taste preferences and Philomena’s offers craft cocktails including flaming drinks to drinks made with specialty infused ice cubes with ingredients like habanero or tajin.

Maison Premiere and Hotel Delmano win for aesthetics, setting, and vibe. Go to Dolly’s Swing and Dive for a fun, faux dive bar with an ode to Dolly Parton in the restroom.

For great beer, head to Talea Beer Co. to visit an awesome female-founded brewery here in Williamsburg or the Other Half Brewing tasting room by Domino Park for some of the best hazy IPA selections in the city.

• Hang Out at Brooklyn Art Haus

I love finding places that really strive on creating spaces for creatives. If you’re looking for one of the coolest hang out spaces for creatives and things to do in Williamsburg consider paying a visit to Brooklyn Art Haus.

Located right off the Metropolitan subway station, Brooklyn Art Haus offers a cafe and work space by day, bar, and a restaurant, and by night you’ll find many different performances and programming to attend from circus acts to comedy shows.

This giant space and venue was created for creatives, by creatives. Find a gallery with contemporary artists where you can hang out and work on your laptop or sip a cocktail with friends. You can rent studio space here and more. So yes, there’s a cafe + bar + event space + performances + studios + gallery, what else am I missing?

Whether you’re looking for what to do in Brooklyn at night or day, you can come here!

• Relax at Bathhouse

If you’re looking for a chic, urban oasis and one of the best spas in NYC for a day of relaxation, check out Bathhouse. This is one of the most relaxing and pampering yourself things to do in Williamsburg and I’m all here for it.

Come for massages, exfoliations, and scrubs. Soak away your aches and pains in the communal pools, saunas, or steam rooms set in a cool, former 1930s factory. The ambiance here is insane, the halls are backlit and filled with plants and plenty of relaxation areas to unwind.

Want to stay all day? Easy, there’s even a restaurant on site so you don’t have to leave.

• Get Some Boozy Ice Cream

I did not realize I needed or wanted a 21+ ice cream parlor, but here we are. I LOVE Tipsy Scoop in Williamsburg. This artisinal ice cream shop sells boozy ice cream flavors and makes over-the-top boozy ice cream sundaes! 

There are special seasonal flavors that change out frequently and they even offer fun boozy ice cream workshops and classes that make for a fun activity with friends or hands-on date idea.

You can eat in the shop or even grab pints to go, what a great idea if you’re swinging by a house party nearby to come with boozy ice cream?! The shop is strictly 21+ over and all their ice cream is boozy!

• Ride the Ferry

One of the best ways to to get around and see the city is by taking advantage of the NYC Ferry service! Along the East River you have some of the best skyline views of Manhattan and you get to see some of the most famous landmarks in the city by water from the skyscrapers to the East River Bridges on your commute!

There are two different ferry stops in Williamsburg, the North Williamsburg stop and the South Williamsburg stop. Both of these are serviced by the East River Ferry route .

These stops include:

• Hunter’s Point South (Long Island City, aka LIC in Queens)
• East 34th Street (very close to Midtown )
• Greenpoint (Brooklyn’s northernmost neighborhood, fun to explore)
• North Williamsburg 
• South Williamsburg 
• DUMBO Fulton Ferry 
• Pier 11 (this is Wall Street in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District )
• Smorgasburg

One of the most beloved summer in the city activities is the weekly Smorgasburg open-air food market with popular food vendors from all five boroughs presenting endless options of cuisine to try.

Smorgasburg is best enjoyed with friends though. Especially friends with similar food interests so you can all order something different and try each other’s food.

The Williamsburg Smorgasburg event takes place on Saturdays in Marsha P Johnson Park, if you want to venture further around Brooklyn you can also attend Smorgasburg on Sundays in Prospect Park too!

The Williamsburg location tends to get crowded and offers a great backdrop of the city skyline, which makes for a great place to enjoy the view while you try a bunch of different food!

This is a seasonal event though, it takes place during spring-end of summer.

• Take a Tour of Williamsburg

See the best of what to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn by joining a tour with a professional and knowledgeable local guide to teach you about the city history through walking tours, tasting tours, and historic tours!

Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour

Check out the best things to do in Williamsburg and learn about the borough in this Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour . This 3 hour walking tour takes you through the best of the Williamsburg neighborhood with a knowledgable guide.

See all the trendiest spots in this neighborhood while learning about the history and its influence on the contemporary culture of Brooklyn. See the different street art and murals, find out what the coolest local spots are, and learn about the historic buildings as you pass.

You won’t want to leave Williamsburg after! Book your Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour through Williamsburg

Best of Brooklyn Food, History, and Culture Tour

This half-day tour takes you through the best of Brooklyn paired with history, culture, and most importantly food! Hop aboard a luxury bus for this 5-hour tour with tastings in some of the coolest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. This is easily one of the best ways to see the best things to do in Brooklyn with a local expert and guide.

You’ll make stops at traditional eateries featuring cuisines from all over the world, see why this city is a melting pot of cultures through your taste buds. You’ll also visit the trendiest neighborhoods and learn about the history and iconic landmarks in Brooklyn along the way.

Your tour ticket includes all your tastings, transportation, a bottle of water, and a guide! They can accommodate to dietary requirements when you make your booking too. Book your “Best of Brooklyn” Half-Day Food and Culture Tour 

Flavors of Williamsburg Food Tour

Another awesome food tour that covers the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg. Don’t make the mistake of coming without a completely empty stomach on this 3-hour food journey through one of the most popular areas in Brooklyn.

You’ll learn about the rich culinary history, visit iconic restaurants and eateries, and sample amazing treats along this small-group tour with an expert local guide!

You’ll also get to see some of the best views in Brooklyn while you learn the history. If you have dietary restrictions please contact the tour company after you book they can accommodate to your needs ahead of time. Book your Flavors of Williamsburg Tour 

Getting Around Williamsburg

Now that you’ve read about all the best things to do around the neighborhood in our Williamsburg Brooklyn guide, here’s how to get around.

There are a few different ways to get into and around Williamsburg but a lot of the action is right under the bridge so you won’t need to go far.

From Manhattan, take the L Train to Bedford Avenue and you’ll be right in the heart of all that’s trendy in Williamsburg

From Queens or a different part of Brooklyn , take the G train to Metropolitan Avenue. After getting off at Metropolitan Ave, Bedford is only a short walk away.

If you feel like walking or taking a Citi Bike for a ride, then the Williamsburg Bridge is always an option to get to where you want to be as well as the East River Ferry which connects Williamsburg to Manhattan, both downtown and midtown, as well as Greenpoint, DUMBO, & Long Island City.

There are a few subway stops that service Williamsburg on the G, J, M, Z, and L lines:

• Metropolitan Ave/Lorimer Street Station (G & L lines)
• Bedford Ave Station (L line)
• Broadway Station (G line)
• Graham Avenue Station (L line)
• Flushing Avenue Station (J, M, Z lines)
• Morgan Avenue Station (L line)
• Grand Street Station (L line)
• Marcy Avenue Station (J, M, Z lines)
• Montrose Avenue Station  (L line)
• Hewes Street Station (J & M lines)

Where to Stay in Williamsburg

Not sure which neighborhood to stay in? Check out our entire guide for the best places to stay in Brooklyn by area and budget to help you plan your trip, or pick from one of these amazing Williamsburg hotels below.

William Vale Hotel

Referred to as “Williamsburg’s Only True Luxury Hotel,” The William Vale Hotel strives to provide a memorable experience for all guests. An award-winning chef, monumental pieces of art and custom metalwork details in the rooms are key to having an exceptional stay at this hotel.

The William Vale Hotel is respectfully rated 5-stars. With amazing views of the Manhattan skyline and the location being only blocks away from many venues and restaurants, this hotel has everything you could hope for.

The rooftop bar, Westlight, which is mentioned earlier in this article of things to do in Williamsburg is located right at the top of the William Vale Hotel. There is also a high-end Italian restaurant and a 60-foot long pool that is deemed the “longest pool in Brooklyn and the greater New York City.”

Book Now on Booking.com | Compare Prices for Later on Hotels.com | See Rates on Expedia.com

Hotel Le Jolie

This 3-star hotel is located only a short walk away from the Metropolitan Avenue subway station as well as from the shops along Bedford Avenue making it a great location to explore what to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Continental breakfast and free wifi are some of the perks in this European-style hotel. This hotel provides free on-site parking on a first come first serve basis with a fantastic location to explore the best of Williamsburg.

Arlo Williamsburg

Arlo Williamsburg (formerly the Williamsburg Hotel) is one of the trendiest hotels for a trendy neighborhood sitting at eight stories high and has 147 rooms. Located on Wythe Avenue, this hotel is also walking distance away from many nearby shops and restaurants.

The rooms are brilliantly decorated with custom decor, large windows with natural light, views of the city, designer toiletries, and some even have balconies with some of the best views Brooklyn has to offer.

Besides being in a great location, The Williamsburg Hotel also has a stylish rooftop pool with incredible views of the city!

What to do in Williamsburg Map

Awesome Things to do in Williamsburg (Post Summary):

• Dive into NYC’s Past at The City Reliquary Museum
• Rooftop Bar Hop
• Enjoy Dinner & A Show at Nitehawk Cinema
• Cinephiles Run Don’t Walk to Spectacle Theater
• Play Unlimited Skeeball at Full Circle Bar
• Explore Williamsburg’s Street Art Scene
• Hit Up some Cool Neighborhood Cafes

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 100+ Things To Do in Brooklyn 

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14 Most Beautiful Places To See In New York City

• New York City offers a vibrant and diverse experience with its famous streets, iconic buildings, and beautiful parks and gardens.
• The High Line is a must-visit urban oasis with lush greenery, gardens, and stunning views of the cityscape and Hudson River.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Washington Square Park, and Central Park are some of the most beautiful and culturally significant places to see in New York City.

New York City is one of the most vibrant destinations on the East Coast. Whether walking down its famous streets, visiting its iconic buildings, or discovering the beauty of New York City's parks and gardens - the city will have anything but a dull moment. New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and people from all over the world visit to immerse themselves in all that it has to offer.

With some of the most delicious world cuisine ( including some authentic Italian restaurants ), museums, a raging art and music scene, shopping, entertainment, and more - New York is the epitome of city life. Experiencing the city's hustle and bustle will be a lifetime trip. This city is home to some of the most beautiful and historical places in the United States. Choosing which sites to add to one's bucket list may be challenging with all the options. Here are ten of the most beautiful places to see in New York City.

UPDATE: 2023/09/28 22:43 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA

More Beautiful Places To Visit In New York

New York is one of the world's biggest cities, and there are countless beautiful places that locals and tourists should visit. Therefore, this list has been expanded to include places such as the High Line, the Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, the Washington Square Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Have fun!

RELATED: 10 Things To Do In The Bronx: Complete Guide To NYC's Northernmost Borough

The High Line

The High Line in New York City is an urban oasis suspended above the bustling streets of Manhattan, and its tranquil ambiance and architectural ingenuity make it a must-visit destination, providing both locals and tourists a respite in the heart of the metropolis.

This elevated linear park, repurposed from a historic railway track, offers a serene escape amidst the city's hustle and bustle.

Lush greenery, vibrant gardens, and public art installations adorn the path, creating a harmonious blend of nature and urbanity. The High Line provides stunning views of the cityscape and Hudson River, offering a unique perspective of New York.

• Address : New York, NY 10011, United States
• Open hours: From 9 am to 10 pm

DUMBO, Brooklyn

DUMBO, short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a famous neighborhood in Brooklyn. Nestled along the East River, it boasts a distinctive blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy, thanks to its cobblestone streets, converted warehouses, and stunning views of the Manhattan skyline characterize this waterfront enclave.

DUMBO is a hub for art, culture, and innovation, hosting numerous galleries, boutiques, and tech startups. Visitors can revel in the enchanting scenery of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, enjoy a scenic stroll along the waterfront, and savor culinary delights at trendy eateries. DUMBO encapsulates Brooklyn's dynamic spirit, making it a compelling destination to explore.

It's possible to reach DUMBO by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge walking or by bike

Washington Square Park

Locals and tourists looking for an urban oasis amidst America's most populous city can find it at Washington Square Park. The place is a cultural crossroads, offering a serene respite, captivating ambiance, and a front-row seat to the lively spirit of Greenwich Village.

Located in Manhattan, the Washington Square Park features the iconic Washington Arch, a historic landmark. Trees, gardens, and a central fountain surround visitors. The park's bohemian atmosphere, abuzz with musicians, artists, and locals, lends it a dynamic character. The stunning arch frames views of the surrounding cityscape, adding to its allure.

• Address : Washington Square, New York, NY 10012, United States

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is often referred to as "The Met" (Yes, the same place that hosts the famous Met Gala). The museum is an architectural and cultural masterpiece in New York City thanks to its grand Beaux-Arts façade.

Beyond its architecture, the Met features a worldwide collection representing 5,000 years of history. Visitors admire over two million works, from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. The museum's diverse exhibits, including European paintings, Egyptian antiquities, and Asian art, offer a global journey through artistic expression.

• Address : 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
• Admission fees: $30 for adults, $22 for seniors, $17 for students
• Open hours: From Sunday to Thursday - 10 am to 5 pm; Friday and Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm

Central Park

Central Park is one of New York's most iconic attractions. People from all over the world visit to admire its beauty, and the best part - is that Central Park is free, and there are many ways to spend time there . This park is famous for its landscape design and is one of the city's most beautiful places. The park offers many things to do and see, where visitors can spend hours discovering different areas with some of the most picturesque views.

• The Central Park has 843 acres

Old City Hall Subway Station

With some of the most beautiful places in New York - Old City Hall Subway Station is a must-see when visiting the city. Initially opening in 1904, this hidden subway station has a mesmerizing architectural build and is a beautiful way to see New York's historical public transportation system. It is located at the end of the six-train line, and tours are available for guests who want to visit the old subway station.

• Admission fees: Between $35 and $50

Related: New York City's Springtime Waterways: Exploring The City's Rivers & Harbors On Boat Tours

Statue Of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a historical attraction in the city - a neoclassical structure that offers some of the most beautiful views in the city. People worldwide visit to witness the statue and all its beauty. With some of the prettiest parts of New York one can explore , a trip to the Statue of Liberty will show visitors the rich history of New York City. This is one of the best locations to take amazing pictures!

• Ferry fees: $12 (Children), $24.50 (Adult), $18 (Senior)
• Pedestal access: $12.30 (Children), $24.80 (Adult), $18.30 (Senior)

Prospect Park

New York City has some of the most beautiful parks, not just Central Park. Prospect Park is in Brooklyn, New York, and is home to a breathtaking green space in the city. From excellent trails, a botanical garden, waterfalls, and a zoo - Prospect Park is a must-visit when discovering beautiful areas in New York City. Whether walking in the park or having a picnic with family and friends, it's a lovely way to spend some time in the city's gorgeous outdoors.

• Famous events: Evening Under the Sphere, FallFur Picnic, Harvest Moon Circle

Brooklyn Bridge

Take a trip to Brooklyn Bridge to see one of the most iconic bridges in New York. Visiting New York's beautiful and historic attractions is one of the best parts of traveling in the city. Brooklyn Bridge’s stunning architectural build shows the city's vast history. It's a beautiful way to walk along the bridge, with many opportunities to take pictures and view the city's skyline.

It's possible to cross the Brooklyn Bridge using the pedestrian walkway.

Edge Observation Deck

Edge Observation Deck is an attraction in New York City that offers some of the most mesmerizing views of the city. It is 100 stories high and is a beautiful way to immerse in the city's beauty. It is one of the best ways to see the city's beauty from a high point. A trip to the Edge will be the experience of a lifetime with its glass floors, breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, and a bar for enjoyment.

• Address: 30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, United States

Related: Flavors Of New York State: Discovering 10 Must-Try Cuisines In New York City

New York is home to some of the most iconic neighborhoods. SoHo is a neighborhood worth visiting for those who want to experience New York's beautiful streets and breathtaking buildings. From art galleries, shops, street vendors, restaurants, a nightlife scene, and so much more - there is much to see and discover in this beautiful neighborhood in New York City.

• Things to do: Museum of Ice Cream, The Museum of Modern Art, Housing Works Bookstore

Madison Square Park

Home to some of the most beautiful parks - Madison Square Park is high on the list of New York's mesmerizing outdoor spaces. It is a fantastic place to visit to walk and enjoy New York in the spring. For nature lovers, the park offers various greenery to escape the busy city life. Whether taking a small snack or enjoying time with family or friends, it will be a beautiful and relaxing experience in the city.

• Address : 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States

Times Square

Times Square is one of the most popular destinations in New York City. People worldwide travel to see its iconic lights, billboards, buildings, and so much more. It is a must-visit when touring the city to see the town's beauty and all it is known for. Offering many shops and restaurants, the area has much to do and see, with many opportunities for pictures. Times Square is one of New York's most busy and thrilling areas and is worth experiencing for those traveling to the city!

The most common and convenient way to reach Times Square is by subway. Multiple subway lines, including the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, and S lines, serve the Times Square-42nd Street station.

Related: 10 Top-Rated Museums In New York City That Should Be On Your List

New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Visit the New York City Public Library to get views of its stunning architecture and immerse in the city's history. This extensive library is a charming destination to discover New York's diverse beauty and experience all the city's spaces. With a fantastic collection of books and areas to discover inside and outside the library, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in New York City.

• Address: 476 Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street

THE 10 BEST Brooklyn Sights & Historical Landmarks

Brooklyn landmarks.

• Sacred & Religious Sites
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Neighborhoods
• Churches & Cathedrals
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Brooklyn Heights
• Sunset Park
• Coney Island
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

2. Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Recommended Sightseeing Experiences (157)

3. Coney Island

4. Brooklyn Museum

5. Green-Wood cemetery

6. Dyker Heights

7. Brooklyn Tabernacle

8. Williamsburg

9. Brooklyn Heights

10. Barclays Center

11. Park Slope

12. Bushwick Collective Street Art

13. Verrazano Narrows Bridge

14. Carroll Gardens

15. Montague Street

16. Grand Army Plaza

17. Brooklyn Chinatown

18. Fort Greene

19. Brooklyn Cyclones Baseball - MCU Park

20. Smith Street

21. Sheepshead Bay

22. Bedford-Stuyvesant Historic District

23. Industry City

24. Dumbo Manhattan Bridge View

25. King of NY Biggie Memorial

26. Cobble Hill

27. Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch

28. Flatbush Avenue

29. Weeksville Heritage Center

30. Brooklyn Borough Hall

What travelers are saying

• The New York Pass®: 100+ Attractions including Empire State Building
• New York Aquarium Admission
• New York Sightseeing Day Pass: 100+ Attractions including One World Observatory
• New York Discover Downtown Plus 3 Attractions
• New York City Borough Pass to 30+ Tours and Attractions
• Brooklyn Heights Promenade
• Dyker Heights
• Williamsburg
• Brooklyn Museum
• Bushwick Collective Street Art
• Green-Wood cemetery
• Brooklyn Tabernacle

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Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Is the Place to Go for Inventive Pastries and Fresh Bread

Plus: a vase designed by Alice Waters, sculptures made from recycled CDs and more recommendations from T Magazine.

In TriBeCa, a Loft and Wine Bar Where All the Furniture Is for Sale

By Roxanne Fequiere

Next month, Nick Ozemba and Felicia Hung, the co-founders of the Brooklyn-based design studio In Common With , plan to open Quarters, a shop housed in a 19th-century TriBeCa loft. The 8,000-square-foot space is laid out like a well-appointed home: Guests enter through the library and can wander the great room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, bar and lounge at their leisure. Everything within — furniture, lighting, art and even the pantry provisions — is available for purchase. Ozemba and Hung collaborated with several of their creative friends on the objects and décor that fill the space. They designed the tiling throughout with the New York City-based artist Shane Gabier, while a fresco depicting eels with earrings by the painter Claudio Bonuglia adorns a portion of the bar and lounge, which will open for evening service beginning this summer. The furniture on display is a mix of restored vintage pieces and new designs by Ozemba and Hung, some of which can be customized with imagery drawn up by various tattoo artists. “We’ll be able to sit down with people and play,” Ozemba says of the space’s potential to spur conversation and inspire new projects. “Retail shouldn’t be so serious. Take off your shoes and have a glass of wine.” Quarters opens May 13, shopquarters.com .

Spiraling Sculptures Made Out of Recycled CDs

By Elissa Suh

Throughout her career, the New York-based artist Tara Donovan has explored the transformative potential of mass-manufactured materials, questioning whether they can surpass their origins. In a new exhibit at Pace Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood entitled “Stratagems,” Donovan presents 11 towering new works constructed entirely from CDs, most of which she scavenged and salvaged from eBay. “We live in an age that feels increasingly defined by cycles of ingenuity and obsolescence,” says Donovan. “The archives of human experience have moved from paper volumes to clouds just during my lifetime, and the CD is probably the last vestige of our understanding of data as an object.” She left the discs intact, strategically overlapping and adhering them one another, resulting in structures that get up to nine feet tall. They’re meant to allude to the architecture of skyscrapers, an echo that’s visible from the windows of the seventh floor where the show is mounted. On a sunny day, Donovan’s towers sometimes have a prismatic effect, throwing rainbows of light onto the floor. On May 4, during Frieze Week in New York, Donovan’s friend the choreographer Kim Brandt will stage a performance with six dancers within the exhibition. “Stratagems” is on view from May 3 through June 15, pacegallery.com .

A New Batch of Bakeries in Greenpoint

By Maria Geyman

Greenpoint, Brooklyn’s northernmost neighborhood, has long been a destination for bakeries in New York City. There’s the decades-old Polish standby Peter Pan, which was immortalized as the part-time workplace of Zendaya’s MJ in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021), and Syrena bakery, another Polish staple since 1993 selling everything from bread and babka to tiramisù and holiday cookies. Several more purveyors of baked goods have opened in the past year, including Radio Bakery , led by the pastry chef Kelly Mencin with a menu that focuses on New York “flavor memories,” as she puts it, like bacon, egg and cheese focaccia, scallion sesame twists and Earl Grey morning buns. In November, Taku Sando opened on Greenpoint Avenue, making decadent Japanese sandwiches served on homemade shokupan bread that’s also sold by the loaf. In a cinder red building on Norman Avenue, there’s Pan Pan Vino Vino , a bakery and wine bar from the owners of Nura, an Indian-inspired restaurant a few blocks away. The designer and co-owner Nico Arze has adorned the pastry case with volcano paintings in a nod to his native Chile. Within it, there are loaves of caraway rye bread — the pastry chef Sam Short remembers her Polish grandmother making liverwurst sandwiches with it — alongside guava cream cheese Danishes made from croissant trimmings. And as of February, the sea of coffee cups and pastry-laden bags at McGolrick Park has taken on a white and red hue — Paloma Coffee ’s signature colors — since the roaster opened a bakery outpost on Nassau Avenue. Its single-origin beans are now complemented by innovative pastries (get the artichoke, olive and potato bear claw).

A Vase Inspired by Alice Waters’s Home Kitchen

By Katharine Sohn

When Fanny Singer, the writer and founder of the design brand Permanent Collection, was looking for a muse for her next housewares collection, she turned to her mother, the pioneering Californian chef and seasonal slow food champion Alice Waters. The pair had already worked together to release Waters’s egg spoon, a hand-forged iron utensil for frying eggs over a hot flame. The newest piece in their collaboration, which coincides with Waters’s 80th birthday this month, is a supersize statement vase with wide, sweeping handles. The piece is inspired by an antique Italian urn, which sits in a pleasantly cluttered corner of Waters’s home kitchen in Berkeley, Calif., that she often fills with branches. “I associate flowers with her always — crafting these beautiful creations with whatever she cuts from the garden or a friend’s cherry blossom or plum tree,” says Singer. To recreate Waters’s beloved item, the duo turned to a local ceramist, Niki Shelley, who glazed the vessel in a deep, earthy green. Waters says it’s the aspect of the amphora she loves most: “For me, it’s the color of nature, and it pulls the greens of the garden into the kitchen.” $740, permanentcollection.com .

An Artist’s Photographic Arrangements, on View in New York’s Chinatown

By Jameson Montgomery

The Mexican-born, Vancouver-based artist Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez is preparing to mount “Survey,” his first solo exhibition in New York, on April 26 at David Peter Francis, a Chinatown gallery that opened in March. The show features a new suite of giclée prints in which Rodriguez juxtaposes found photography with some of his own iPhone snaps, making various compositions atop grids, arcs and zigzagging lines that resemble bar graphs, invoking a sense of scientific or taxonomic connection between images that are, in fact, unrelated. The body of work was born from the frustration Rodriguez experienced while living and teaching in Chicago: When working on a video piece that required extensive archival research, the artist found some institutions’ regulations around photo usage to be creatively stifling. As he puts it, “The images had to be tied down to a specific narrative that the archive was trying to uphold, and there was no space in there for art.” Though Rodriguez still makes use of established archives, he more regularly sources imagery from encyclopedias, eBay and, every now and then, the sidewalk. (“The ones I’ve found on the street are surprisingly good,” he says.) In “Sleeping Boys I” (2024), Rodriguez places an image of a person sound asleep and awash in sunlight across from a photo of a slumberer carved in stone, while “Unmade Beds” (2024) presents multiple views of crumpled sheets and lumpy pillows (one image is, in fact, a photo of a photo of a photo). “Survey” is on view from April 26 to June 1, davidpeterfrancis.com .

A Ceramist Brings Her Surrealist Touch to Furniture

By Zoe Ruffner

When Simone Bodmer-Turner moved from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, to a farmhouse in rural Massachusetts last spring, the 34-year-old ceramist suddenly found herself at a professional impasse. Separated from her kiln for the first time in her career, “I had absolutely no idea how I would work,” she recalls. Turning to a range of new materials, she gradually began imagining a collection of purposeful pieces that seemed a better fit for her traditional New England surroundings. In a departure from the abstract, bulbous forms she once routinely shaped in her Brooklyn studio, “It’s now about function first,” she says, “and sculpture second.” Her latest works include a patinated bronze lamp that bears the texture of the original hand-molded clay model from which it was cast, while a simple wooden side table — similar to one she encountered in a local Shaker museum — is offset with whimsical, Surrealist-inspired feet and an urushi lacquer finish courtesy of the artist Yuko Gunji, Bodmer-Turner’s former neighbor and frequent collaborator. The pieces will be shown in the upcoming exhibition “A Year Without a Kiln” at Emma Scully Gallery on New York’s Upper East Side. Editions of the larger furniture, along with a handful of decorative objects — from fireplace andirons to a silk standing screen conceived to conceal an air-conditioning unit — are now available for purchase, with the hope that they’ll become heirlooms. The artist moved into her new home with the intention to stay there forever, which, she says, “really brought about a desire for timelessness.” “A Year Without a Kiln” will be on view from May 2 through June 22, emmascullygallery.com .

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When Jane Fonda Met Lily Tomlin

An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of an artist; he is Shane Gabier, not Gabler. The article also misstated the type of materials that the artist Tara Donovan has worked with throughout her career. They are mass-manufactured materials, not recycled ones.

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Shorely they can’t be serious.

Travel & Leisure released its list of the “25 Best Beaches in the USA.” Although two unlikely New York City entries made the cut, the coastal gem of Long Island — constantly in the conversation of the nation’s nicest beaches — was snubbed.

Brooklyn’s Coney Island and Rockaway Beach in Queens were awarded the same prestige as Hawaii’s Poipu Beach on Kauai and California’s Santa Monica Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea, to name a few.

The crowded NYC spots were praised for their miles of boardwalk and plenty of sandy entertainment options.

Coney Island is described as “a perfect seaside wonderland of nostalgia and kitschy fun” — and the New York Aquarium is near the beach.

Known for its amusement parks, games, plus the one-of-a-kind Cyclone roller coaster, Travel & Leisure said it is also the little things like access to volleyball and basketball courts that make Coney Island and Rockaway stand out.

Although not mentioned in the rating, it’s hard to have a bad day on Coney Island after a visit to the original Nathan’s Famous on nearby Stillwell Avenue, despite out-the-door lines.

Also, catching a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game at the boardwalk’s Maimonides Park to cheer on the New York Mets’ future prospects is almost always a blast — especially when fans experience a stunning sunset with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Luna Park from their seats.

The ballpark even made its way into the video game “Spider-Man 2” as a true NYC icon.

Geographically close by in Queens, the Ramones’ favorite Rock-Rock-Rockaway Beach has also enjoyed a major facelift in recent seasons. Its 1932 art deco Jacob Riis bathhouse underwent a $50 million renovation in late 2022.

The scene also changed greatly in the past few summers as it became a hub for vintage shops, food trucks and trendy bars.

In 2020, the south Queens surf haven also became posh thanks to the opening of its swanky Rockaway Hotel and pool .

It’s nothing against either evolving city institution, but one must wonder why Coopers Beach in South Hampton on LI was not mentioned. It is often in other listings of the nation’s top 10, placing third in the US last year in Dr. Beach’s annual ranking.

The public Fire Island National Seashore, beloved by Long Islanders and city visitors alike for its deer-filled, beachside trail to the Fire Island Lighthouse from Robert Moses Field 5, also did not make the cut.

However, there was room for Park Point Beach in Duluth, Minnesota.

In Connecticut, Ocean Beach Park in New London also made the cut, whereas Rhode Island’s Watch Hill — home to Taylor Swift’s oceanfront mega-mansion and many more nautical sights — is just a stone’s throw up I-95.

Also in New England, Good Harbor Beach near the setting of “The Perfect Storm” in Gloucester, Massachusetts, was selected over any Cape Cod destination — or Martha’s Vineyard.

In New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen’s home nabe of Asbury Park , which still carries a rock legacy with clubs like the Stone Pony plus other beachy fun, also made the list, as did Ocean City, Maryland.

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7 Amazing Places to Visit in New York City April 2024

New York City, a bustling metropolis steeped in history, is a melting pot of cultures and a hub of endless attractions. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, the city offers an array of experiences for every traveler. As the vibrant month of April approaches in 2024, here are seven amazing places that are sure to captivate your senses and leave an unforgettable mark on your memory.

1. The Empire State Building

Soaring high above the Manhattan skyline, the Empire State Building is an architectural marvel and a symbol of the city’s resilience. Ascend to the 86th or 102nd floor observatories for panoramic views that stretch for miles. Marvel at the city’s vastness, from the iconic Central Park to the distant shores of New Jersey.

2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Immerse yourself in the world’s renowned collection of art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. With over two million works spanning centuries and civilizations, the museum offers an unparalleled journey through artistic history. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to Impressionist masterpieces, there’s something for every art enthusiast.

3. Times Square

Experience the vibrant heart of New York City in Times Square. The dazzling lights, massive billboards, and throngs of people create an electric atmosphere that embodies the city’s boundless energy. Book a Broadway show, take a stroll through the vibrant streets, or simply soak up the unforgettable ambiance.

4. Central Park

Escape the hustle and bustle in the verdant oasis of Central Park. Take a stroll along the iconic Bethesda Terrace, row a boat on the tranquil lake, or simply relax on the vast lawns. The park’s sprawling grounds offer a welcome respite from the city’s relentless pace.

5. The Brooklyn Bridge

Stroll across the historic Brooklyn Bridge, a true marvel of engineering and a beloved landmark. Capture breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the East River. Admire the intricate stonework and steel cables that support this architectural masterpiece.

6. The High Line

Discover the unique perspective of the High Line, an elevated park built on a former railway line. Wander through the lush greenery and marvel at the innovative use of space. Enjoy stunning views of the city from this elevated vantage point while immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature.

7. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Delve into the world of contemporary and modern art at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Explore the works of iconic artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Matisse. Admire innovative installations and groundbreaking exhibitions that challenge perspectives and redefine artistic boundaries.

Culture, Best Months to Visit, Nearby Transportation, Local Food, and Best Hotels

New York City is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from every corner of the globe. Experience authentic Italian cuisine in Little Italy, savor traditional Jewish delicacies in the Lower East Side, and indulge in the vibrant flavors of Chinatown.

The best time to visit New York City is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded. However, April offers its own unique charm, with the city awakening from winter’s slumber and bursting into bloom.

New York City’s extensive transportation system makes it easy to explore the city. The subway, buses, and taxis provide convenient and affordable options for getting around.

No trip to New York City would be complete without savoring the local cuisine. From classic New York-style pizza to trendy food trucks, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

For an unforgettable stay, consider these top-rated hotels: The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park South; The Peninsula New York; The St. Regis New York.

New York City is a city that offers endless possibilities for adventure and discovery. In April 2024, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, explore iconic landmarks, and indulge in culinary delights. From the soaring heights of the Empire State Building to the tranquil oasis of Central Park, these seven amazing places will leave an unforgettable mark on your travels.

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Watch CBS News

Man dies after setting himself on fire near Trump trial courthouse in NYC

By Graham Kates , Pat Milton , Jericka Duncan

Updated on: April 20, 2024 / 8:38 PM EDT / CBS News

A man who set himself on fire outside the New York City courthouse where former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway has died, police said. 

Witnesses said that they saw the man — identified by the New York Police Department as 37-year-old Max Azzarello — pour liquid over his head and set himself on fire at 1:39 p.m. local time on Friday. 

In a briefing immediately after the incident, the NYPD said Azzarello, a Florida resident who had arrived in New York City earlier in the week, walked into Collect Pond Park, opened a book bag, and scattered papers and pamphlets on the ground before setting himself ablaze. Police described the materials as "like a conspiracy-theory type of pamphlet." 

Azzarello then fell on a police barrier. Civilians and court officers used coats and extinguishers to try to put out the fire, the NYPD said, and the New York City Fire Department responded, finally extinguishing the fire. 

The FDNY said that Azzarello was transported to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center, which has a burn center, in critical condition. 

The NYPD confirmed to CBS News overnight that Azzarello had died on Friday night. 

Four officers who responded to the fire suffered minor injuries.

Azzarello had posted a statement on social media, officials said. Although the incident took place close to the court where Trump's trial is taking place, officials said Azzarello did not appear to be targeting any particular person or group and added that he seemed to be a conspiracy theorist.

One witness described pamphlets that Azzarello threw, apparently while making allegations about New York University.

 "I heard this clattering, and it was those papers that he had flung up in the air," the witness said. "That caught our attention and — caught my attention, anyway ... then he pulled out a can and he poured it over himself. And at that point, I thought, 'Oh ... this is gonna be awful." 

"It happened so fast — what do you do?" another witness said. 

Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at [email protected] or [email protected]

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