My 9 Favorite Spots in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is one of my all-time favorite cities and in my twenties I often thought that I would end up living there. There's a blend of historic old world and new young energy that I've never seen anywhere else. Being in Brooklyn I feel like I'm among my kind of people. I'm all about thrifting and embracing "old" things in a new way. I also love super healthy and trendy eateries. Both of these are right up Brooklyn's alley. To sum it all up (and at the risk of sounding dorky), I feel that Williamsburg was the birthplace of the "hipster" and I am totally a hipster at heart.
Top travel tip: scroll to the bottom of the blog post to see the best trendy Brooklyn hotels!
If you're planning a trip to Brooklyn, check out some of my favorite spots:
Beacon's Closet - I first found this curated thrift store in 2010 and it has since grown to multiple locations all over NYC. I still have a vintage clutch that I love from Beacon's.
SEA - Have you ever watched the episode of Sex and the City where Samantha meets boyfriend Smith at RAW restaurant? Well in real life it is a delicious Thai restaurant in Brooklyn. The scenery is colorful and glam (just like in the show), and the food is delicious!
Rooftop Bars and Restaurants - If you're visiting New York City in the summer, the best trade off for those hot muggy days are the warm evenings. I went to a rooftop bar one summer in NYC and I remember just being in awe of the views (I wish I could remember the name of the place but it was so long ago). Check out this tour of some of NYC’s hottest rooftop spots.
Greenpoint - Take the subway G train to Greenpoint, it's the perfect drop-off spot in Brooklyn. When I get off on this stop, I love to walk around the city streets and just explore. For lack of a better descriptive word, it's a very "hipster" neighborhood.
Brooklyn Promenade - On this walkway you're standing right at the edge of the Hudson River which gives you incredible Manhattan skyline views. If you're in NYC during the 4th of July, you'll get front row seats to an awesome fireworks show on the Promenade!
Brooklyn Heights - The streets in this area of the city are full of historical and awe-worthy brownstones. One can only dream of living in homes like these. This area is perfect for photography and Viator offers reasonably priced packages to book a photographer to capture your trip’s best moments.
McCarren Park in the Fall - Being a California girl, I don't get to see many leaves change color in my hometown (we have mostly evergreen trees). In MCarren Park there are so many trees which make it really beautiful in the fall when the foliage turns colors. Click to see the gorgeous fall colors from my Autumn NYC trip last year.
Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge - It wasn't until about my tenth visit to NYC that I walked across the bridge and when I finally did I wondered why I waited so long. As you can see from the photos in this blog post, the city views are awesome!
Williamsburg Bites Brooklyn Food Tour - After walking across the bridge and strolling down the Promenade you’ll be ready to eat some good food. This 3-hour culinary walking tour of the popular Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn will give you plenty of tasty food options and photo ops with street art and panoramic viewss of New York’s famous skyline.
Brooklyn Heights
Best stylish Brooklyn hotels:
Explore these Brooklyn tours and adventures:
A NYC Photo Shoot Walk is a combination of sightseeing the most photogenic spots AND a unique and professional photo shoot with the iconic NYC background.
Once your back home you receive a series of high resolution photos and everlasting memories.
Discover the cultural delights and delectable bites of Brooklyn on a culinary walking tour of the Williamsburg neighborhood. With a knowledgeable guide, delve into the rich culinary history of the area as you visit iconic institutions to sample tasty treats like home made ice cream and Best Pizza in Brooklyn.
Pleasure your palate with tastings interspersed with vibrant street art and panoramic vistas of New York’s globally renowned skyline. Vegetarian options are also available on this taste bud tantalizing tour.
Immerse yourself in Brooklyn’s one-of-a-kind ambiance, and get an overview of its destination-worthy neighborhoods, on a small-group bicycle tour of the borough. Choose among several departure times, and meet your guide in DUMBO—right below the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.
Once you’ve put on your helmet and received your hybrid bicycle, explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Williamsburg, see Fort Greene Park and Prospect Park, explore Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, and pause for refreshments at local, artisanal eateries.
Sample what’s brewing in Brooklyn during this 3.5-hour guided walking tour that includes beer tastings and pizza.
Get the lowdown from your guide on the history of Brooklyn’s brewing scene in the historic Williamsburg neighborhood during a visit to a local brewery for tastings and a tour.
From there, you'll walk to a pizza place for lunch before another round of brews at a neighborhood bar. A fun perk: You receive a complimentary brewery map in case you want to continue the fun after your Brooklyn beer tour.
Coney Island is an essential experience for anyone visiting NYC. The area is candy-coated in nostalgic charm, appealing to a wide audience that ranges from beach-goers to thrill seekers.
On our Coney Island tour we discover the food, art and best things to do and eat. A hotdog from Nathan's Famous, to soaking in some sun, or for the more adventurous, a ride on the cyclone!
