13 Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC

Brooklyn is an absolute must on your list of things to see and do in New York. It has been the world’s ‘hipster capital’ for decades: it’s packed with cafés, shops and restaurants that were once old factories and now form the culinary heart of New York.

Brooklyn is one of New York’s trendiest neighbourhoods. A borough with an industrial past and a strong cultural identity that’s well worth a visit. Here are the must-sees in the area. Welcome to Brooklyn!

In a city like New York, where there is no shortage of major tourist landmarks, one of the first places you must visit is the famous Brooklyn Bridge. You’ll have seen it countless times on television, but crossing it is a truly impressive experience and the views of the New York skyline over the East River are fascinating. You can cross it on foot or by joining a bike tour of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Book a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge and don’t miss a single detail of this engineering marvel, opened in 1883, which spans the river connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan from the neighbourhoods of DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn to the Civic Centre neighbourhood in Manhattan. In fact, from here you’ll have the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

The Barclays Centre is a huge stadium in the heart of Brooklyn, just round the corner from the BAM. With a capacity of over 17,000 spectators, it is famous for being the ‘home’ stadium of the Brooklyn Nets (NBA) and the New York Islanders (NHL) since 2012.

The Barclays Center has also hosted boxing championships and music events (in fact, some of the world’s top artists, such as Celine Dion, Ariana Grande and Marc Anthony, have performed here). If you’d like to catch an NBA game during your visit to New York, don’t miss the Brooklyn Nets here. The season starts in late October and ends in mid-April.

Why I recommend visiting the Barclays Center

People come to New York to have a blast, and even if you’re not that into sport, watching an NBA game in the US is a real spectacle of music, partying, dancing and, above all, basketball. Are you ready to see the world’s best players up close? Here’s how to get tickets for the NBA in New York.

One of the best things to do in Brooklyn, especially if you’re visiting New York in the summer with children, is to book a tour of the boroughs and Coney Island, the neighbourhood where New Yorkers head to relax outdoors and enjoy the beach when the weather’s fine.

• Stroll along the promenade: one of my favourite things to do in Coney Island is to walk along the promenade, feeling the Atlantic breeze on my face and the scent of the ocean. It’s a fantastic feeling!
• Luna Park: a mix of old-fashioned fairground and amusement park that still has its original attractions, such as the Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel and the Cyclone rollercoaster. Nearby is a freak show so typical of the 1920s and 1930s. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time amongst bearded ladies, dwarves and other typical characters.
• Visit the New York Aquarium: it’s the city’s only aquarium, situated on the seafront. Its aim is to highlight the importance of preserving aquatic ecosystems. You’ll be able to see sea otters, sharks and penguins, amongst many other species. When you arrive, check the feeding times and don’t miss it if it coincides. The children will love seeing it!

Dyker Heights is a residential neighbourhood in Brooklyn that wouldn’t be anything special were it not for the fact that its residents go all out when it comes to celebrating Christmas, decorating their houses and gardens with hundreds of garlands, baubles, coloured lights and other decorations. And when I say everything, I mean everything!

Some opt for elegant, understated lights, whilst others deck out their gardens until there’s not a single spare inch, filling them with all manner of lights, inflatables and Christmas figures that sing carols and move.

A real competition that began in the 1980s and has become an annual event, with some families even paying decoration companies to surprise onlookers. A tradition you simply mustn’t miss in Brooklyn if you’re visiting New York at Christmas. In fact, you can book a Christmas tour of Dyker Heights to discover all the details and history behind this unique tradition.

Another must-do is to discover the artistic culture of Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighbourhood. And there’s no better way to do this than by booking a street art tour. On a tour lasting approximately an hour and a half, accompanied by a local artist with in-depth knowledge of graffiti techniques, you’ll admire all the murals in the neighbourhood. A true open-air exhibition!

What’s more, you’ll learn all about the history of the neighbourhood and the evolution of this artistic movement, whilst also discovering a completely different perspective on New York City.

Bear in mind that if you’ve already done this activity before, you can do it again, as an annual event is held where various artists from all over the world come together to paint their works, which remain in place until the next edition, when other artists create new works over the old ones.

And if the street art tour hasn’t quite satisfied you, you can book a graffiti workshop where you can create your own piece and take home a lasting souvenir. You’ll work with a real graffiti artist and learn all the tricks of the trade.

An ideal outing for adults, but also for the kids in the family. Give this original and fun activity a go. It’ll be one of those adventures that’ll leave your friends speechless!

Hipsters and New York’s most conservative Jewish community coexist in Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s Jewish neighbourhood. However, each has its own space and lives its own way: the hipsters in Williamsburg and the Orthodox Jews in the South Williamsburg area, which you reach by crossing under the Williamsburg Bridge.

This place is like walking through a different world, austere and simple. There aren’t as many charming establishments, and the buildings seem somewhat more run-down compared to the other part of the neighbourhood. This is home to the Hasidic Jews (a branch of Orthodox Judaism) who arrived from Hungary fleeing the Second World War.

During your walk through South Williamsburg, you’ll notice that the restaurants and shops have signs in Hebrew, as do the typical yellow school buses. If you can, I recommend popping into a kosher shop and buying some sweets or a roll. They’re really tasty!

Travel responsibly

I recommend that, if you want to make the most of your visit, you book a tour of Williamsburg, as it is a very close-knit community that holds its way of life and traditions in high regard. They don’t pay visitors much attention, but it’s best to be considerate whilst walking through South Williamsburg (especially when taking photos in which local residents might appear).

The contrast between the different ways of life can be striking, but even if their clothing, hairstyles or any other detail catches your eye, to avoid making them feel uncomfortable, try not to stare at them cur iously or follow them to take photos. Being respectful towards others is also part of travelling responsibly.

In DUMBO, there’s no shortage of restaurants where you can stop for a bite to eat. Next to Grimaldi’s pizzeria, famous throughout New York for its pepperoni pizza, this neighbourhood is home to Time Out Market, a food hall with over twenty food stalls where you can sample different dishes without leaving Empire Stores, the picturesque building in which it is located and which bears witness to Brooklyn’s industrial past in the 19th century.

A perfect option if you’re travelling in a group and want to avoid the endless debate about where everyone wants to eat, as there’s a bit of everything: Italian, Japanese, Thai and Lebanese food, bagels, burgers, vegetarian options, sweets, and more. This space of over 2,400 square metres is shared by some of the best chefs selected by Time Out New York.

Another option is to book a food tour in Brooklyn and discover the area’s main culinary delights. You can also head to Time Out Market at 55 Water Street, which brings together some of New York’s most skilled bartenders across three bars, who will whip up delicious cocktails for you to toast your trip. And if, as well as filling your stomach, you fancy a drink with a view, make a note of the best rooftops in New York.

What was once a rather bleak industrial area full of factories and warehouses is now one of New York’s trendiest spots. Towards the end of the 1970s, bohemians and artists settled in DUMBO and transformed the soul of the neighbourhood, which became the epicentre of new artistic movements and attracted wealthy new residents due to its proximity to Manhattan.

When you arrive in DUMBO, the first thing you’ll want to do is take a long stroll and lose yourself in its streets. One way to make the most of it is to book a photo shoot in Brooklyn with a photographer.

You’ll be struck by how that perfect blend of old industrial architecture and cobbled streets—where the old railway tracks are still visible—has been preserved alongside the neighbourhood’s most modern designer and luxury spaces.

What to see in DUMBO?

What better way to delve deeper not only into Brooklyn but also into the Bronx and Queens than by booking a ‘Contrasts’ tour of these three neighbourhoods, where you’ll discover all the secrets, interesting facts and anecdotes about these three areas alongside a *tour guide.

The tour, lasting approximately 6 hours, is available every day of the week first thing in the morning and will immerse you in the diversity and culture of Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. What’s more, it’s ideal if you’re tired of long walks, as transport is by air-conditioned vehicle.

Another great thing to do in Brooklyn is to spend an evening at the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), a multi-arts centre that for over a century has been home to adventurous artists with daring ideas who have surprised audiences. They work particularly with emerging artists, though also with innovative artists who have already made a name for themselves. Even actors of the calibre of Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich have graced the stages of the BAM.

The main building is located near the Atlantic Avenue tube station. Barclays Center is the venue shared by Rose Cinemas, which specialises in arthouse cinema, the Howard Gilman Opera House and Lepercq Space, a multi-purpose venue for performances.

If you’re into innovative and alternative art, do check out their official website because you’ll find some really cool and unique cultural offerings. And if you’d rather continue your itinerary by visiting one of New York’s best museums, don’t miss the Brooklyn Museum.

One of my favourite spots in DUMBO for its stunning views is Main Street Park, one of New York’s best parks, which you can reach by booking the New York sightseeing bus. On one side is the Brooklyn Bridge, on the other the Manhattan Bridge, and directly ahead the East River and the Financial District skyline. You won’t be able to stop taking photos!

But, to tell the truth, I don’t just like it for this reason, but because this is where Jane’s Carousel is located, an authentic 1920s carousel that was restored to its original splendour and has been part of the Brooklyn landscape since the 1980s when it was brought over from Ohio.

Main Street Park with children

If you’re visiting New York with the family, this is the perfect place to take the kids for some fun – and you can have a go yourself too. Jane’s Carousel is suitable for all ages, so don’t be shy and hop on one of its lovely little horses for just two dollars. It’s also a perfect plan if you’re travelling as a couple and want to surprise your partner with a romantic evening.

Brooklyn Beach

On the other hand, in Main Street Park there is a tiny pebble beach known as Pebble Beach. There’s a sort of seating area where you can sit for a while to rest, look at the photos you’ve taken so far and also enjoy the panoramic view of the city. If you’re travelling to New York in summer, this spot will be essential for the hottest days of July and August in New York.

Another great thing to do in Brooklyn during your visit, especially between August and October, is to hire a kayak to paddle along the East River. You can find more information on the official website. If you’re looking for more special experiences like this, don’t miss this list of must-do experiences in New York.

Another option in Brooklyn is to take a stroll around the Brooklyn Flea Market in DUMBO on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm between April and October. It’s a vintage market offering a wide variety of goods (clothing, furniture, books, jewellery and crafts) lovingly displayed by over 150 local vendors and artisans.

If you love flea markets and are travelling to New York in winter, at this time of year this space transforms into Winter Flea, a market selling antiques, crafts and food that runs from November to March. Shopping enthusiasts, here you’ll find the best things to buy in New York.

Why I like this market

This isn’t your typical flea market where items are piled up haphazardly; instead, there’s a carefully curated display that draws your eye to the stalls, tempting you to take home a unique souvenir, whether for yourself or your family. There are some truly unique finds!

If you don’t leave here with a super-cool vintage jacket, you’ll at least leave with a full stomach. Here you’ll try some of the best tacos, hot dogs, lobster rolls and Sicilian cannoli in New York. It’s one of the best places to eat in Brooklyn.