View taken from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Great spot to spend an afternoon with views of downtown Manhattan and both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge.
Planning a trip to New York? Think your only option is Manhattan? Think again! Few people travel over the famed Brooklyn Bridge and check out “that other borough” because they believe it is a step down from the glitz and glamor of NYC. Not true my friends. You need to check out my home town ASAP. Home to over 2.5 million residents, and nicknamed “the city of churches and trees”, Brooklyn is one of the most interesting, diverse and delicious areas in New York. From the architecturally beautiful brownstones of Park Slope, to the historic and lively boardwalks of Coney Island, this borough has something for everyone.
Neighborhoods
Park Slope: Located on the western slope of beautiful Prospect Park, this hip neighborhood is lined with both trendy restaurants and fashionable shopping along 5th and 7th Avenue. Stroll down numerous streets to see some of the most beautiful million dollar brownstones in New York.
Coney Island: At the very southern tip of Kings County, you will find one of its oldest and most well known areas, while it has seen better days, you can still enjoy the miles of boardwalk and a Nathan’s hot dog on those balmy summer nights.
Bay Ridge: This largely middle class neighborhood was at one time mostly Irish and Italian, but has seen a large surge of nationalities move in, such as Arab, Greek and Scandinavian. It is popular with young professionals and boast an impressive array of restaurants and nightlife, especially along 3rd avenue.
Greenpoint: Dubbed “Little Poland”, this area of Brooklyn has the second largest concentration of Polish immigrants in the United States. The neighborhood’s main hub, Manhattan Avenue, is filled with numerous Polish restaurants, bakeries and butchers.
DUMBO: Considered by many locals to be one of the hippest sections of Brooklyn. Once full of abandoned warehouses and factories, it is now home to some of the most expensive real estate, chic restaurants and high end shops in the borough.
Williamsburg: Home to the artists and hipsters of Brooklyn. This neighborhood is extremely popular with young people, and is home to one of New York’s best indie rock scenes.
Bensonhurst: This is old school Brooklyn, and has the old fashion Italian bakeries, restaurants and barbers to prove it. Once stereotyped as the home of the Mafia, this neighborhood is mostly middle class families living in 80 to 100 year old homes.
The Long Meadow in beautiful and serene Prospect Park
Things to Do
Prospect Park: This 585-acre oasis was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also created Central Park. There are plenty of walking, running and biking paths for travelers of all speeds. The park also includes an ice skating rink, outdoor concerts and barbeque pits with picnic tables.
Brooklyn Bridge: This structure, that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, is the oldest suspension bridge in the United States. Walking across this engineering marvel is a must for any New York enthusiast. The views of both lower Manhattan, and the neighboring Manhattan Bridge, are breathtaking.
Coney Island Cyclone: Named not only a New York landmark, but also a National Landmark, this world famous roller coaster is a must for the adventurous individual. Even if you do not ride the wooden coaster, it is worth seeing the 80 year old iconic wooden coaster in person.
MCU Park: The Dodgers may have left town over 50 years ago, but Brooklyn still has baseball fever with their hometown team The Cyclones. This minor league team offers fans summer seasons, it is a fun and affordable local activity. Coney Island; 1904 Surf Avenue; 718-449-8497
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: A 52 acres escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This living museum is filled with amazing flowers, plants and specialty gardens. Admission to the garden is low, and certain times of the year it is actually free. Prospect Heights; 900 Washington Avenue; 718-623-7200
Ikea Express: This New York Water Taxi departs from Ikea Red Hook every forty minutes seven days a week, and arrives at Pier 11 in downtown Manhattan. It is a convenient, unique and free way to go back and forth between the two boroughs. Red Hook; 1 Beard Street; 212-742-1969
Room at the Nu Hotel in downtown Brooklyn. Affordable and eco-friendly.
Hotels
Nu Hotel: A chic addition to downtown Brooklyn, offering both complimentary breakfast and wireless internet. This 93 room eco-friendly hotel is designed with cork floors and furnishings made from recycled teak wood. Boerum Hill; 85 Smith St.; 718-852-8585
Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge: The most popular choice for most business and leisure travelers visiting Brooklyn. Ideally located just minutes to downtown Manhattan, this luxurious 637 room hotel offers customers state of the art features, inside a cozy and modern atmosphere. Downtown Brooklyn; 333 Adams Street; 718-246-7000
Best Western Gregory Hotel: Located in the middle of one of the liveliest sections in Brooklyn, this 70 room hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast, free newspaper and is minutes from such sites as the Brooklyn Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo. Bay Ridge; 8315 4th Avenue; 718-238-3737
Best Western Brooklyn Bay: Convenient access to everything Brooklyn has to offer, and located right along the beautiful Brooklyn waterfront, this 48 room hotel offers guests complimentary breakfast, free parking, fitness center and business services. Sheepshead Bay; 3003 Emmons Avenue; 718-769-5000
122 years and going strong...Peter Luger's serves up a mean steak.
Restaurants
Al Di La Trattoria: Authentic Northern Italian cuisine on the very popular 5th Avenue strip in Park Slope, Venetian born Emiliano Coppa takes pride in his corner trattoria. The chef, Coppa’s wife, prepares dishes like freshly made ricotta gnocchi with brown butter and sage. Park Slope; 248 5th Avenue; 718-636-8888
Pizza, pizza, pizza: By now if you have read my site, you know I am a bit of a pizza fanatic. Some would go as far as to call me a pizza snob. But it is just that most pizza is good, while a few are outstanding. DiFara’s, Grimaldi’s, and L&B Spumoni Gardens should be on your list of “must eat” slices when you visit New York. How much do I love pizza? Check out this blog post from last August.
Peter Luger Steakhouse: A local landmark since 1887, this no frills and hugely popular steakhouse is known for its hand-picked, dry aged porterhouse steaks and plentiful sides which include cream spinach and fully loaded baked potatoes. Can be very busy on weekends. Williamsburg; 178 Broadway; 718-387-7400
AOC Bistro: French fare on 5th with a twist of Brooklyn attitude. This lively corner bistro has both indoor and outdoor dining, to enjoy such favorites as the hangar steak in a red wine shallot sauce. The vibe is very relaxed and stylish. Park Slope; 250 5th Avenue; 718-788-1515
Krolewskie Jadlo: You could not get more authentic Polish food, unless you took a flight to Krakow. As you walk past the two knights, patrons enjoy such Polish dishes as pierogies, borscht and gwumpkies. Huge portions and cheap prices make it local favorite. Greenpoint; 694 Manhattan Avenue; 718-383-8993
Thai Tony’s: This Kensington newbie is becoming quite popular with not only the locals, but with other Brooklynites as well. Huge portions of signature dishes like Pad Thai and one of the only dine-in options in the area, keeps this place busy. Kensington; 3019 Fort Hamilton Parkway; 718-436-6932
Joe’s of Avenue U: The next best thing to eating in Sicily. This classic Gravesend joint offers up some of the most delicious food in the borough. The marinara sauce is so damn good that I would drink it out of a bottle if it were socially acceptable. The rice ball is to die for, the meatballs are out of this world and their desserts are incredible (I highly recommend the chocolate mousse cake). Bring cash as Joe’s does not accept credit or debit and be forewarned, this rustic restaurant is a no frills establishment. The decor looks like it has not been updated since the Nixon administration. 287 Avenue U, Gravesend NY 11223.
Nathan’s Famous: Not all dogs are created equal. Want proof? Then hop a train to Coney Island and snack on an authentic Nathan’s famous hot dog. I swear it must be the lovely New York tap water mixed with the salt in the air from the ocean breeze, because I have had Nathan’s elsewhere and it always was a disappointment compared to the original location. Over 90 years and easily millions of hot dogs later, this iconic landmark is worth the trek. Grab some cheese fries and a lemonade while you are there. 1310, Surf Avenue, Coney Island NY 11224.
Buttermilk Channel: Fried chicken perfection! How does a fresh bird with cheddar waffles sound right about now? At Buttermilk Channel they serve up good hearty comfort food in a stylish setting. Waits can be long, so try to avoid weekends if possible. 524 Court Street, Carroll Gardens NY 11231.
Beer Table: If you are looking to skipThis Park Slope bar’s menu is heavenly…yes I said heavenly. No Coors light or Budweiser drinking here please, nothing but delicious specialty drafts, plus a dozen or so bottled beers…if you insist. The menu changes daily, which is my excuse for having to return to this cool spot over and over and over and over again. I believe they serve food here, I just never got around to sampling any of it. 427 B 7th Avenue, Park Slope NY 11215.
Villbate Pasticceria and Bakery: “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” For the best cannoli…ever, visit this Bensonhurst bakery and expect to gain a few pounds. From cheesecake to gelato, this heavenly shop feels like a little piece of Italy landed on 18th Avenue. If you want some of these goodies but can not make it to Brooklyn, then you are in luck because Villbate now offers shipping nationwide. Once you try their cookies, cakes and other sugary concoctions, you will wonder how you went without it all this time. 7001 18th Avenue Bensonhurst NY 11204.
Coney Island Bialys and Bagel: Celebrating 90 years of supplying Brooklyn and now the country (they also deliver) with the classic New York breakfast. Grab a bag of their regular water bagels, which include no preservatives or additives. Coney Island B & B boils their dough, therefore you get to enjoy a softer and tastier bagel. 2359 Coney Island Avenue Gravesend NY 11223.
The crowd at the Salty Dog prepare for another wild night in Bay Ridge.
Nightlife
Clover Club: Mixologist Julie Reiner offers Cobble Hill residents a sheik and sophisticated lounge. Patrons step up to the large mahogany bar and order the Clover Club cocktail, which is a blend of gin, dry vermouth, lemon and freshly made raspberry syrup. Cobble Hill; 210 Smith Street; 718-855-7939
The Hideout: This popular Fort Greene establishment offers a dizzying array of uniquely named drinks, such as the snow mosquito and Whiskey Fig Fizz Dazzle. The crowd is mostly young professionals, and patrons dress up nicely to match the drinks prices. Fort Greene; 266 Adelphi Street; 718-855-3010
Five Leaves: Funded by the late Heath Ledger, this nautically themed oyster bar has locals ordering up tap beers and fine wines. The crowd is laid back, and it has become a celebrity spot already. Greenpoint; 18 Bedford Avenue; 646-510-6467
Stonehome Wine Bar: This lively establishment offers roughly 200 wines by the bottle, and 35 by the glass, artisan beers and spirits are also on tap, the stylish crowd enjoys Latin beats and hip-hop in the background. Fort Greene; 87 Lafayette Avenue; 718-624-9443
Salty Dog: This firehouse turned bar, is a favorite to the Bay Ridge locals. The bar offers cheaply priced beers and mixed drinks, all sporting events are broadcast on their many televisions. Live music most weekends, with an occasional $5 cover charge. Bay Ridge; 7509 3rd Avenue; 718-238-0030
South 4th Bar and Grill: A laid back local favorite that offers all the essentials to a frugal drinker, cheap beer, no dress code and a jukebox. This hole in the wall offers its patrons free wireless internet as well. Williamsburg; 90 South 4th Street; 718-218-7478
