Location: Brooklyn
Top Things to do in Brooklyn
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Brooklyn, New York (NY)
It seems like most folks have a grandmother, great-uncle or some other distant relative that used to live in Brooklyn, or perhaps a friend that lives there now. In the early 1900s, it was a mecca for immigrants arriving via Ellis Island. A hundred years later, young professionals and artists left pricey Manhattan digs for Brooklyn's cheaper and more expansive space. Neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope, which had fallen into disrepair over the years, were restored and reborn as funky enclaves. Walk or bike over the historic Brooklyn Bridge (or ride the subway) to Brooklyn Heights for a stroll along the Promenade and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Meander through Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for a taste of nature in the urban wilds. Catch a performance at the world-famous Brooklyn Academy of Music. From the delicious Italian restaurants of Bensonhurst to the Irish bars that line the avenues of Bay Ridge, from the hotdogs and rollercoasters of Coney Island to the bagels and handball courts of Greenpoint, Brooklyn is a state of mind as well as a dynamic community. Discover why, no matter where people move on to, they remain Brooklynites at heart.
Restaurants in Brooklyn
1. Brooklyn Bike Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 168 reviews
Professionally guided bike tours of Brooklyn and other NYC locations. Discover the rich history, thriving art scene, award winning cuisine, and wonderful architecture. One all inclusive low price includes bike rental, helmet, unlimited bottled water, food samples, photos of the tour & our popular Brooklyn Bike Tours canvas tote bag, Perfect for the Market. Explore NYC's most dynamic boro with a long time resident & licensed tour guide.
2. The Brooklyn Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 653 reviews
The Brooklyn Food and Culture Tour samples the foods of many different Brooklyn neighborhoods, from Hipster North Williamsburg and Greenpoint to Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Dumbo neighborhoods are all included on the food tour. Your expert guide will share stories, both current and historic, delighting your senses and creating a lasting memory of your visit to Brooklyn,NY! Follow us @thebklyntour #thebklyntour
3. Green-Wood cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,047 reviews
Reviewed By 377dawnp
It may seem a bit creepy but I love this place because of its beauty and serenity. Green Wood is notable for the number of celebrated and famous people buried there. Yet it's a place for the living--the landscape, the monuments and Victorian statutory and vintage headstones make it an outdoor museum that transports you to a bygone era. One could get lost there along its many winding paths-- signage not withstanding. On one secluded hilltop, I even saw a contemporary yet bucolic scene of a family lazing on the grass for an afternoon near loved ones. Whether your loved one is among the famous or not, it's one of the finest and most beautiful spots in Brooklyn. See it to believe it...acres and acres, so get a map. It's worth the trip!
4. Company XIV
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By jayl52 - Nashville, United States
We saw the Nutcracker Rouge and it was fantastic. The theatre was great and had a amazing feel. The show was cray good and left you wanting more.
5. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,454 reviews
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an urban botanic garden situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn, fostering delight and curiosity in the world of plants while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. The Garden also offers weddings and private event catering at the Palm House and Atrium, in a beautiful outdoor setting. Please note, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open year-round, but hours vary seasonally. Be sure to visit bbg.org/visit before plan your visit.
Reviewed By WorldTravla7 - Cairns, Australia
I loved the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and found them incredibly peaceful and relaxing, not to mention stunning in their variety and beauty - just what needed after almost 2 weeks in a pretty crazy city. I also preferred the intimate design over the larger NYC Botanic Gardens in the Bronx. They shoot major productions here (I recognised several parts of the Gardens immediately in Episode 2 of the Netflix series ‘Maniac’ with Emma Stone). Highlights include: - Cherry blossom trees! (come in April/May when Cherry Esplanade is at its most floral). - Yellow Magnolia Cafe - quaint cafe in a greenhouse setting where you may spot a movie star (I looked up and saw Michelle Williams sitting a table across from me) - Shakespeare Garden (an English cottage style garden with around 80 plants referred to in Shakespeare’s works) - The Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden (a traditional Japanese garden and pond with orange torii gate, immaculately kept plants and trees, sculptures, and a gazebo for viewing - The indoor C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum which houses one of the largest collections of bonsai (around 350) outside of Japan All things considered, this is a must do. Perhaps combine it with a day trip to Brooklyn/Prospect Park. Cost is $30 which is not cheap but well worth the spend. You are given a detailed map of the Gardens on entry. Entrance is adjacent to Prospect Park.
6. Prospect Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,397 reviews
Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, Prospect Park contains a zoo, an audubon center and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Its entrance is marked by the large Memorial Arch and it is a mecca for families and nature lovers who go to play ball, bird watch and listen to outdoor concerts.
Reviewed By howardb648 - Oceanside, United States
Everyone says Central Park is the best in NY, and maybe it is. But as a native NYC expat (to San Diego) and frequent family visitor, this gem may be even better! It is huge and has much variety, inclluding a beuatful botanic garden, open fields, forested ares, water features, you name it. Best time to go is early April through early June, when the weather is beautiful and the trees are blossoming and fragrant and the flowers and plants are at their peak. You can jog, run, bike or simply take a relaxing stroll and soak in the peace and beauty. Yes a "tree grows in Brooklyn", or in this place, millions of them!
7. Brooklyn Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,594 reviews
The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States and one of the premier art institutions in the world.
Reviewed By USALouise - Gurnee, United States
We traveled from Chicago to visit the excellent Frida Kahlo exhibit, and were very impressed, especially by the large collection of her clothing featured in so many of her paintings and photographs. Great videos, too. But the rest of the museum offered other fascinating exhibits. Don't miss the Do Ho Suh fabric recreation of his apartment on level 5 ("Perfect Home II") --- Note: it's only available for showing on weekends. We especially enjoyed the Dinner Party by Judy Chicago on Floor 4. (Tip: Be sure to wait for a circulating copy of the book that accompanies the exhibit. There were only two copies available when we were there, but without the booklet it's hard to fully appreciate the exhibit).
8. Williamsburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,697 reviews
Reviewed By chefdino - West Vancouver, Canada
Had a great afternoon wandering around the riverside in Williamsburg. Grabbed the L Train in lower Manhattan for a quick 15 min ride into Brooklyn. Great old brownstones, and building facades with so much character. The views of the New York skyline was fantastic. Enjoyed seeing all of the wall art as we walked about 12 km. Went to artists and fleas a local flea market where budding artists show there wares.
9. Brooklyn Heights
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 713 reviews
Relax on a bench to people watch, picnic or just take in the breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. This exclusively pedestrian walkway is lined with grand historic townhouses and features a playground at Montague Street.
Reviewed By LesL989 - St. Petersburg, United States
I lived here 30 years ago and always visit when I'm back in town. It's quiet and there's lots to see with great architecture, restaurants, and the promenade.
10. Dumbo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,838 reviews
Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It encompasses two sections: one located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, which connect Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River, and another that continues east from the Manhattan Bridge to the Vinegar Hill area.
Reviewed By 329john123 - Pittsburgh, United States
Really nice area with views of the skyline and many restaurants and free events in the evenings with really good local bands playing a variety of music. A great place to wind down from the bustle of the city. The only downside is the noise from the subway trains as they travel across the bridge.
