Discover the Best of Brooklyn
Long gone are the days when Manhattanites would scoff at the idea of a trip to Brooklyn; these days they know that it’s where much of the city’s fun lies. While catching a gig at the innovative Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) or riding the roller coaster at Coney Island are well-known borough staples, there are plenty of other ways to spend your time. Here’s how.
Come to Brooklyn by Boat
Many people walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, or at least go halfway to snap photos. However, the most dramatic way to reach Brooklyn is old school—by boat (the way folks used to before the bridges went up). The New York Water Taxi leaves from several points along the Hudson River in Manhattan (including W 44th St & W 23rd St) and goes by the Statue of Liberty before reaching Brooklyn’s historic Fulton Ferry Landing, right under the Brooklyn Bridge. You can also take the NYC Ferry. From the pier, there’s some of New York’s best pizza at Grimaldi’s, just a block up, and excellent views from DUMBO’s Empire-Fulton Ferry Park. To walk off your meal, head to the newly opened Pier 3, complete with an exploratory labyrinth and views of Governor’s Island.
Go to the Atlantic Antic
New York loves its street festivals, but one of the best and most fun is Brooklyn’s Atlantic Antic. This vibrant event is held along Atlantic Avenue, which separates downtown from the nexus of Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Carroll Gardens. At this one-day annual festival, you’ll see R&B bands in pastel suits setting up outside antique shops, large middle-aged Greek women dancing next to open-air barbecue pits, and indie rockers playing next to Thai noodle stands. Smith and Court streets, south of Atlantic, are great for eating and drinking too.
Visit Red Hook, Eat Tacos
This subway-free, waterfront neighborhood has captured New Yorkers’ attention since IKEA opened its only NYC location there ten years ago. Although much of it remains ungentrified, Red Hook is mainly centered around the north-south stretch of Van Brunt Street. Red Hook Lobster Pound is a must-visit for foodies (be warned, after enjoying a meal of lobster rolls and mac ‘n’ cheese, you may want to take a nap) topped off with some small-batch whiskey at Van Brunt Stillhouse. Moreover, between April and October, head to Red Hook Park for the Red Hook Food Vendors Marketplace to enjoy fantastic huaraches (long cakes of cornmeal masa stuffed with beans and topped with salsa, cheese, sour cream, and grilled meats) along with tacos. There are also some cute boutiques in Red Hook, but many don’t open until 11 am, so plan your visit accordingly. Don’t forget to check out the programming at Pioneer Works, where you can catch exhibitions, performances, and other experimental art (including the occasional supper club).
To reach Red Hook, you can take the bus from the Carroll Street subway stop (F, G lines) via bus B61 or B57, or use the ferry serviced by the South Brooklyn Ferry.
Spend the Day at Prospect Park
Brooklyn’s underrated 585-acre Prospect Park is a magnificent space that even its creators (Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux) believed was superior to Central Park. Unlike Central Park, no one prevents you from playing soccer or football on its wide lawns, and a park-circling road is designated for bikers and skaters on weekends. Additionally, it hosts the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, famous for its Cherry Blossom Festival in late April/early May, while the park’s bandshell features summer concerts, many of which are free, showcasing artists ranging from Willie Nelson to Gary Clark Jr.
At the park’s northwestern entrance is Grand Army Plaza, which includes an 80ft arch dedicated to Civil War veterans. Just east on Atlantic Avenue, within the Prospect Heights neighborhood, lies the Brooklyn Museum. On the first Saturday of each month, visitors can access the museum for free, enjoying live music and sipping wine or beer while exploring one of America’s largest collections of Egyptian art. If you’re around in the morning, don’t miss the chance to get your breakfast at Tom’s Restaurant, where the cozy 1936 diner environment is a New York standout.
Brooklyn Game: Try to Slip Through the Slope Stroller-Free
Leafy Park Slope fuels the brownstone dreams of many working professionals escaping Manhattan’s high real estate prices. Featured in Noah Baumbach’s overlooked 2005 divorce film The Squid & the Whale, Park Slope has always had a family-friendly vibe. It’s impossible to walk down Seventh Avenue’s strip of delis, restaurants, and toy stores without encountering an army of strollers. A few blocks over, things are a little calmer—and cooler—in Gowanus, where you’ll find a plethora of hipster-populated bars (try Lavender Lake), cafes (like Abbotsford Road), and even shuffleboard locales like Royal Palms.
