Summary
Downtown Brooklyn serves as a vibrant urban core within Brooklyn, New York City. Positioned between Clinton Hill and Brooklyn Heights, this area is predominantly allocated for commercial and financial activities, ranking as the third-largest business district in New York City. However, this designation does not imply a lack of attractions; on the contrary, Downtown Brooklyn offers a rich selection of activities.
A plethora of social and cultural events thrive in Downtown Brooklyn, featuring remarkable underground museums, iconic skyscrapers, and an array of eclectic bars. The region also boasts exceptional green spaces, expansive shopping complexes, premier theaters, and elevated Zen-style dining experiences.
To optimize your visit, explore the top fifteen attractions in Downtown Brooklyn detailed below.
1. Fulton Mall
Experience the Fulton Mall, where one can not only explore numerous retail shops, restaurants, and bars but also capture the authentic Downtown Brooklyn atmosphere. This bustling mall attracts at least one hundred thousand visitors daily.
Patrons can shop at renowned stores such as Macy’s, Banana Republic, or Gap, and then venture into smaller boutiques, discovering unique items from stylish dental grillz to cutting-edge mobile devices.
The culinary offerings in Fulton Mall mirror the diversity of its shops, serving an impressive range from Indian biryani to American hot dogs. Visitors can rest assured that they will not go hungry during their retail excursions.
2. New York Transit Museum
The New York Transit Museum, situated beneath Schermerhorn Street, is dedicated to the history of New York’s transportation network.
Descend the staircase into a decommissioned yet beautifully restored subway station from 1936, where one can view an impressive collection of vintage subway cars, exhibitions on the underground tunnel systems and their creators, as well as antique street-level buses and trolleys. Additional intriguing displays include ticket machines, fire hydrants, and signage.
If your visit to Downtown Brooklyn coincides with the period between Thanksgiving and New Year, be sure to experience the Nostalgia Train, offering rides on vintage yet operable cars from the 1930s through nine subway stops.
3. Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower
Constructed in the late 1920s, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower stands as a defining landmark of Downtown Brooklyn.
Exceeding five hundred feet in height, this iconic building is crowned with a domed clock tower featuring four faces.
Over its century-long existence, the tower has housed various institutions, including banking headquarters, and has now been transformed into upscale residential spaces and offices.
4. Kimoto Rooftop Lounge
Overlooking Downtown Brooklyn, the Kimoto Rooftop Lounge on Duffield Street offers exquisite cuisine within a serene garden setting, complemented by breathtaking views of the skyline.
Take a seat at one of the wooden tables amid a flourishing indoor rock garden filled with over three hundred plants and bonsai trees. Select a dish from the Japanese-influenced menu, such as Tiger Shrimp Teriyaki or a Dragon Burger, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds.
If you’re simply in the mood for a drink while enjoying the sunset over Brooklyn, consider the Komodo Dragon cocktail, or, for colder days, a warm glass of Sake. This experience is unparalleled.
5. Barclays Center
During your time in Downtown Brooklyn, visit Barclays Center to attend a concert or a sporting event.
This expansive indoor facility on Atlantic Avenue accommodates over seventeen thousand guests and hosts ice hockey, basketball games, boxing, and wrestling events. Notable concert performances at this venue include renowned artists and groups like Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, and Marc Anthony.
Art enthusiasts should take time to admire the mural titled The Diary of Brooklyn by Jose Parla, which graces the entrance on Dean Street.
6. Cadman Plaza Park
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Cadman Plaza Park for a refreshing change of scenery within Downtown Brooklyn.
This picturesque green space, named in honor of a 1930s minister, features winding pathways bordered by trees and grassy areas ideal for picnics, along with several significant historical monuments.
Do not miss the Brooklyn War Memorial, which bears a poignant inscription honoring the heroes who sacrificed their lives during World War II.
7. Crawl Brooklyn
To discover Downtown Brooklyn’s premier nightlife venues, consider participating in a guided bar crawl.
Meet your Crawl Brooklyn guide at a designated meeting point and enjoy a drink while socializing with fellow participants before exploring the town.
Destinations remain undisclosed, creating an element of surprise regarding whether you will visit an upscale cocktail lounge or a more casual dive bar. This dynamic is ideal for making new connections, especially for solo travelers.
8. BAM Harvey Theater
The BAM Harvey Theater, dating back to the early 1900s, has a rich history of hosting a diverse range of performances including vaudeville, cinema, and opera since its inception.
Despite undergoing a complete renovation in the late 1980s, the venue has preserved many of its original neoclassical features, both inside and out.
The nine-hundred seat theater continues to uphold its tradition of presenting a variety of performances, making it the premier location in Downtown Brooklyn for the latest dramas, musicals, or ballet productions.
9. Junior’s
A visit to New York necessitates indulging in a slice of the city’s renowned cheesecake, and the ideal place to do so in Downtown Brooklyn is Junior’s.
Located on Flatbush Avenue, Junior’s has been famous for its delectable New York Cheesecake since the 1950s, alongside a diverse menu featuring deli sandwiches, burgers, and ribs.
Opt for classic flavors such as Original NY Plain, Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, or a slice adorned with fresh strawberries; the options are abundant and irresistibly delightful.
10. DeKalb Market Hall
Expect an extraordinary culinary oasis at DeKalb Market Hall, where traditional market stalls give way to a plethora of food options.
This vibrant food market is situated in Albee Square, featuring over forty diverse pop-up eateries that serve a wide range of cuisines, from Colombian arepas to Chinese noodles.
The market operates seven days a week, from morning until night, often accompanied by live musical performances from emerging local artists. It serves as a genuine social hub for Downtown Brooklyn.
11. Jazz 966
For those who enjoy jazz, Fridays in Downtown Brooklyn are particularly special at Jazz 966, located on Fulton Street.
Initially established in 1990 as a gathering space for local seniors to enjoy music and dance, Jazz 966 has since evolved into one of New York’s premier jazz clubs, attracting patrons of all ages.
No cover fee is charged, though a “suggested donation” is welcomed to support the performances.
12. Walt Whitman Park
Take a moment to connect with literary history at Walt Whitman Park, conveniently located near Cadman Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn. This tranquil three-acre park pays tribute to Walt Whitman, a significant literary figure and civil rights advocate.
The park features various displays of his literary works throughout its grounds and serves as a popular gathering spot for chess enthusiasts during the summer, with dedicated tables set up amidst shaded areas.
13. Green Market
Even if purchasing fresh produce may not rank high on your vacation priorities, the Green Market is nonetheless a worthwhile experience.
Taking place every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the year and additionally on Thursdays from April to December, this market sets the scene for lively local engagement outside of the Brooklyn Borough Hall in Columbus Park.
Alongside fresh produce stalls, visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations and a variety of food trucks featuring bistro-style settings. Columbus Park also features several sculptures and a three-tiered fountain that merit a visit.
14. Brooklyn Academy Of Music
The Brooklyn Academy Of Music encompasses a network of venues focused on various performing arts disciplines.
The Howard Gilman Opera House provides a luxurious auditorium with tiered seating for over two thousand guests. The Fisher Building on Asher Place contains an intimate black-box theater with a seating capacity of two hundred fifty, along with the Fishman Space and the Fisher Hillman Studio. Additionally, the Harvey Theater is part of the BAM collection.
Don’t overlook the BAMCafe in Lepercq Square, which offers live music performances during events at the Opera House, without an entrance fee.
15. House Of Wax
If opera, jazz, or theater do not resonate with your interests, the House of Wax may be the perfect alternative. This unique establishment situated in Albee Square embodies a truly eclectic atmosphere.
Enjoy cocktails while surveying the eerie waxwork displays, showcasing various body parts, including torsos and severed heads, amidst Victoriana-themed decor and live music. It offers an unconventional yet enjoyable option for an evening out in Downtown Brooklyn.
