Brooklyn in one sentence
If Manhattan is the postcard, Brooklyn is where people actually live, eat and argue about pizza. The borough is big enough that you cannot see it all in a day, so this guide to the best things to do in Brooklyn is built around areas you can combine easily.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Everyone does it, and for good reason. The bridge opened in 1883 and the pedestrian walkway gives you the skyline of Lower Manhattan, the harbour and the Brooklyn waterfront in one stroll. Go early in the morning or just before sunset to avoid the heaviest crowds. The walkway is shared with cyclists, so keep to the pedestrian side of the marked lane.
Dumbo and Brooklyn Bridge Park
At the Brooklyn end of the bridge sits Dumbo, a former industrial district of cobblestones and old warehouses. The famous photo spot is Washington Street, where the bridge frames the Manhattan Bridge in the view. Nearby, Brooklyn Bridge Park runs along the East River with lawns, piers, playgrounds and wide harbour views. It is free to enter, and it is a good place to sit down after the bridge walk.
Food stop nearby
The area has pizza shops, ice cream and coffee within a few blocks. Pick a place with a queue of locals rather than tourists and you will usually do fine.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
A short walk south, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade offers a quiet, elevated view of the skyline. The streets behind it have brownstones that appear in countless films. It makes a calm contrast to the busier waterfront.
Prospect Park and the Botanic Garden
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park, Prospect Park is arguably the more relaxed of the two. It has meadows, a lake, woods and plenty of room to wander. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Museum sit along its edge, so you can make a whole day of this area.
Museums and culture
- Brooklyn Museum: a large art museum with a broad collection.
- Brooklyn Children’s Museum: useful if you travel with kids.
- BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music): theatre, film and dance in a historic venue.
- Smaller galleries in Bushwick: known for street art and studios.
Check opening days ahead of time, since some museums close one or two days a week.
Coney Island
For a classic summer day, take the subway to Coney Island. The boardwalk, the beach, the old wooden roller coaster and the amusement rides give the place its character. The New York Aquarium is nearby. Off-season the area is quiet, but the beach walk is still pleasant on a clear day.
Neighbourhoods worth a wander
Williamsburg
Known for vintage shops, rooftop bars, and a Saturday flea market in season. It is the place to go for people-watching.
Park Slope
Tree-lined streets, family-run shops and easy access to Prospect Park.
Greenpoint
A Polish-influenced neighbourhood with good bakeries and waterfront views of Manhattan.
Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights
Rich in Black history and culture, with beautiful brownstone blocks, cafes, and the Caribbean food of Crown Heights.
Eating well in Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s food scene is a reason to visit by itself. Think pizza slices, bagels, Caribbean patties, Middle Eastern plates, Polish dumplings and Italian bakeries. Rather than naming single restaurants that may change, a better approach is to pick a neighbourhood and walk until you find a busy, cheerful place.
Getting around
The subway is the easiest way in. Many lines cross the East River, and a MetroCard-style tap payment system works across the network. Check the official MTA website for current fares and service changes, since weekend repairs often reroute trains. Cycling is popular too, and the waterfront has good bike paths.
A simple one-day plan
1. Morning: walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.
2. Late morning: explore Dumbo and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
3. Lunch: pizza or a bagel near the waterfront.
4. Afternoon: Brooklyn Heights Promenade, then the subway to Prospect Park.
5. Evening: dinner in Park Slope or Williamsburg.
Planning tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, because the best things to do in Brooklyn involve a lot of walking.
- Check the weather, since much of the borough is outdoors.
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends at the bridge and in Dumbo.
- Keep a day flexible, because a neighbourhood often turns out to be better than expected.
Brooklyn rewards slow travel. Pick two or three areas, leave time to stop for food, and you will see more of its personality than a rushed checklist ever delivers.
