Location: Brooklyn
Top Things to do in Brooklyn
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The 10 Best Things to do 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 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.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,437 reviews
Offering magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge, this 1/3-mile-long sliver of green overlooks Brooklyn's busy industrial waterfront.
Reviewed By 384deannaa
A walk on the Promenade offers a beautiful view of Manhattan. Walking along Montague Street offers many local restaurants to chose from
6. Brooklyn Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 945 reviews
See the Brewery on our official $18 Small Batch Tour. The Brooklyn Brewery is a leading global independent craft brewer and a pioneer of the American craft beer revolution. From our home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, we draw inspiration from our local community of innovators and makers to spread the culture and creativity of craft beer to 29 states and 30 countries on 5 continents.
Reviewed By rstock555
Craft beer brewery in Brooklyn Went on a Sunday, good beer and a free tour of the facility Relaxed atmosphere, friendly, helpful staff Have been on a number of brewery tours - Hyde’s Anvil, Manchester; Tuckers Malting, Newton Abbot; Theakstons, Masham; Black Sheep, Masham; West, Glasgow. All good but none with the USP of a chandelier - remember to ask why....
7. Brooklyn Tabernacle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 757 reviews
World-renowned choir of 240 voices has sold three million albums and won several Grammy and Dove Awards.
Reviewed By writeonOntario
We'd been looking forward to visiting the Brooklyn Tabernacle on our NYC trip and were not disappointed. To hear the Grammy-award winning choir sing live and to hear Pastor Cymbala preach in person were a highlight. It was not performance, it was worship. The focus was on Jesus, not self-glorification. Pastor Cymbala is as humble as I expected him to be. I only wish we could have heard a couple more testimonies from the choir members, not just one. The church itself is a beautiful facility and the greeters and ushers made us feel welcome. We were sitting with our bus tour group so didn't really have much opportunity to interact with the congregation in general. The church has a small bookstore in an upper level room. They were definitely not pushing for money in the offering plate or in the selling of product. We bought two choir CDs that we had planned on getting, and we look forward to listening to them. May God continue to bless the ministries of the BTC.
8. Dyker Heights
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 607 reviews
Reviewed By 15Angelina03 - New York City, United States
Great place to go and feel the Christmas spirit. Houses are magically decorated, people are friendly, amazing pace to take pictures
9. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,293 reviews
Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre world-class sustainable park on Brooklyn's East River shoreline. The Park revitalizes 1.3 miles of Brooklyn's post-industrial waterfront from Pier 6 at Atlantic Avenue to Jay Street north of the Manhattan Bridge. The park's numerous amenities include includes boat launches, Pebble Beach, the historic Jane' Carousel, sports fields, basketball courts, a fishing station, basketball courts and several concessions.
Reviewed By mustang386 - Brooklyn, United States
Brooklyn Bridge Park would be a great park in any city in the world. It's possible stroll up and down the length of it, take a ride on the carousel, take your child to the playgrounds, go roller skating, shop in Dumbo (steps from the park), or just bring your towel and a picnic lunch and hang out...all with a spectacular view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge.
10. Bushwick Collective Street Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By Seasondtraveller
The neighborhood can be accessed via a couple of subway stations. We walked around for 2-3 hours, enjoying the great variety of mural paintings. It's best to go on a sunny day. Pizza at Roberta's is a nice complement when there.
