Brooklyn is one borough in New York City that shouldn’t be missed. It has a rich history dating back to the 17th century, when the Dutch settled here and named the village Breuckelen. It later became an important hub for immigration, manufacturing, and shipping, but it wasn’t until 1898 that it officially became part of modern New York City. As you walk through Brooklyn, you’ll still find plenty of traces of its past, including iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and historic neighbourhoods. There are many amazing things to do in Brooklyn to keep you busy for at least one day.
First-time visitors to New York City often spend much of their time in Manhattan. While there are a lot of attractions in Manhattan to get through, Brooklyn offers a completely different side to the city that’s worth exploring, too. Its world-famous skyline, unique food scene, and vibrant neighbourhoods give the borough its own distinct character. Whether you plan to relax in Brooklyn Bridge Park, explore the streets of DUMBO, or simply want to enjoy local restaurants away from the crowds, there are some great things to do in Brooklyn for everyone, at any time of the year.
13 amazing things to do in Brooklyn, NYC
1. Brooklyn Bridge Park
For some of the best views in Brooklyn, you have to stop by Brooklyn Bridge Park. The park sits on what was once a busy industrial shoreline that played an important role in New York’s maritime history. Instead of demolishing the area, it was redeveloped in the early 21st century into this beautiful park. You can still find reminders of Brooklyn’s past while walking through the gardens and enjoying the recreational spaces.
The park is located in DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, so it’s very easy to add to your itinerary if you’re thinking of visiting these neighbourhoods. We took the ferry from Williamsburg to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which took under 10 minutes, so it’s easily accessible from other parts of Brooklyn, too. I’d recommend going closer to sunset to get the best lighting for photos.
2. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
One of the best things to do in Brooklyn is to walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1883, and at the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. It connected Manhattan and Brooklyn years before the borough became part of New York City. Today, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States.
I’d recommend crossing the bridge towards the end of the day, when the lighting is less harsh and it’s not overly busy. Along the way, you’ll have incredible views of Manhattan’s skyline and Brooklyn’s waterfront areas. At a leisurely pace, it should take you no more than 45 minutes to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, but add on some time for photos. If you really want to beat the crowds, arriving closer to sunrise is your best bet for people-free photos and videos.
3. Grab a souvenir at the Brooklyn Made Store
Good souvenirs in Brooklyn can be hard to find, especially if you’re looking for locally made products. Brooklyn Made Store is a great option, though, featuring products created by small businesses and local Brooklyn artists. A lot of their products tell a story about the borough, making them great to take home as keepsakes. Brooklyn Made Store sells everything from baseball caps to hot sauce, prints, t-shirts, and candles. The prices are a little higher than your average souvenir shop in Brooklyn, but it’s worth the cost for such high-quality items.
4. Explore Williamsburg
Williamsburg was once known as a working-class and industrial district along the waterfront, but in the late 20th century, the area underwent a huge wave of redevelopment. Even though many of the factories and warehouses have been converted into restaurants, galleries, and apartments, you can still see traces of Williamsburg’s industrial past as you make your way through the neighbourhood.
Walking around Williamsburg is very different from exploring the streets of Manhattan. You’ll find there’s a much more relaxed atmosphere here, but with no less incredible waterfront views. We had a great time strolling around Williamsburg, stopping at cafes and boutique shops that we wouldn’t have known about had we not been looking for things to do in Brooklyn.
5. Find some street art
Brooklyn has long been associated with creative expression, which is why its art scene is so popular. Many walls and industrial buildings have been turned into open-air galleries, and areas such as Williamsburg and Bushwick are well-known for their attractive murals. The murals in Brooklyn are updated regularly, so even if you’ve been here before, you’ll most likely find that new pieces of art have appeared.
I’d recommend taking a Brooklyn street art tour if you’re interested in learning more about local artists and the street art scene in this part of New York City. It’s considered to be one of the best things to do in Brooklyn, so it’s worth looking into.
6. Take in the views from Domino Park
A great spot in Williamsburg for waterfront views is Domino Park. The park sits where the Domino Sugar Refinery operated, which was once one of the largest facilities for sugar production in the world. Instead of erasing its history, many of the original industrial features of the site were preserved and added to Domino Park.
From the park, you’ll find a breathtaking view across the East River toward Manhattan. We visited midday and noticed a lot of people were also relaxing on the grassy areas of the park or using the path for running. It’s a beautiful place for photos, too, especially near sunset with the skyline glowing in the background.
7. Enjoy the museums in Brooklyn
One of the best things to do in Brooklyn is to enjoy its variety of museums. Whether you’re interested in art, culture, or transportation, there’s something for every type of visitor. The museums in Brooklyn attract much fewer crowds than those in Manhattan, so they can be enjoyed more and at a slower pace.
A big highlight in the museum scene in Brooklyn is the New York Transit Museum, which is situated inside a decommissioned subway station dating back to 1936. The museum tells the history of the city’s public transportation network, and visitors can get up close to historic buses and vintage subway cars. The Brooklyn Museum is also a must-visit, and it’s one of the largest and oldest art museums in the US.
8. Snap a photo on Washington Street
You can’t plan a trip to Brooklyn without taking a photo on Washington Street. Anyone who’s researched things to do in Brooklyn will have come across this iconic view in DUMBO. This cobblestone street frames the Manhattan Bridge between historic warehouse buildings perfectly, making it one of the most popular photo spots in New York City. It’s especially attractive because on a clear day you can also spot the Empire State Building between the bridge’s archway.
To avoid the inevitable crowds here, you might want to plan an early morning trip to Washington Street. We arrived around noon, and the street was extremely crowded. But we did manage to get some nice photos along the sidewalk instead. Although we didn’t capture the Empire State Building in the photos, they turned out well, and we didn’t have to fight for a photo spot either.
9. Jacques Torres Chocolate
Washington Street may get a lot of attention, but it’s definitely worth exploring the surrounding DUMBO neighbourhood, too. If you’re a fan of chocolate, make sure you stop by Jacques Torres Chocolate. The famous pastry chef helped establish the neighbourhood as a foodie destination, opening his first shop in Brooklyn in 2000. The chocolate produced here is known for its high-quality, so don’t expect it to be cheap, but it’s very good. If you do visit the store, you may be greeted with a sample of their famous frozen hot chocolate.
10. Time Out Market New York
Eating out in New York City doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Brooklyn, make sure you take a look at Time Out Market New York. This popular food market is located inside a historic waterfront warehouse in DUMBO, showcasing a variety of standout chefs, restaurants, and food concepts.
There’s a lot of great food stalls here, so don’t be surprised if you’re overwhelmed! It’s not a bad idea to do some research beforehand so you can get an idea about what type of food to expect here. If you have limited time in New York City, Time Out Market is the perfect place to experience a variety of local food concepts in one stop. Alternatively, you can join a Brooklyn food tour so the choices about where to eat are made for you.
11. Stroll through Columbus Park
Columbus Park isn’t often included in visitors’ lists of things to do in Brooklyn, but it’s worth walking to if you have some spare time. It’s a lovely green space that sits in the centre of the borough’s civic district. Surrounding the park are courthouses, government buildings, and historic architecture. Brooklyn Borough Hall is also located here, which is essentially the city hall. Its central location makes it an easy place to stop while exploring nearby attractions in areas such as Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO.
12. Go coffee shop hopping
In Brooklyn, there are independent coffee shops and cafes on almost every corner. Some are even located inside historic buildings and converted warehouses. If you’re looking for specialty coffee shops in Brooklyn, neighbourhoods like Williamsburg and Greenpoint are good places to start. We stopped at Maru Coffee and Devoción, which both focus on expertly crafted drinks and carefully sourced beans. There are plenty of local roasteries to try as well, often doubling as cafes where you can try handmade pastries.
13. Walk around the Greenpoint neighbourhood
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Brooklyn, exploring the Greenpoint neighbourhood should be on your list. This is one of the borough’s most underrated neighbourhoods, so you won’t see too many tourists walking around. In the past, the area was home to a large Polish community, and you can still see traces of that heritage today through family-run restaurants, bakeries, and churches. Greenpoint was also a key industrial centre known for shipbuilding and manufacturing.
This was one of my favourite parts of Brooklyn, and I wish we had spent more time here. There are lots of incredible independent boutique shops, trendy cafes, and waterfront parks to enjoy. On top of this, most of the streets have retained their historic and residential charm, offering visitors a more relaxed side of Brooklyn.
Places to eat in Brooklyn, NYC
Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters
As I mentioned above, Brooklyn is well-known for its coffee scene. One of the best places to go for breakfast in Brooklyn is Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters. It has an industrial vibe inside, and they only source high-quality coffee beans, so you know the coffee will taste great. I’d highly recommend coming here in the morning, when you can enjoy a nice breakfast bagel or English muffin alongside your coffee – however you take it. If you’re not a big coffee drinker, like me, the menu also includes other drinks, like iced matcha lattes.
DeKalb Market Hall
One of the quirkiest places to eat in Brooklyn is DeKalb Market Hall. The market was designed to showcase the diversity of Brooklyn’s food scene, bringing together dozens of food vendors under a single roof. I found it to be the perfect alternative to the Time Out Market, and it was more budget-friendly, too. Handcrafted sandwiches, New York-style pizza, fried chicken, and tacos are just some of the many options available. There’s also plenty of indoor seating throughout the market.
The two stalls we ordered from were Pierogi Boys and Likkle More Jerk.
Peter Pan Donuts
Peter Pan Donuts has been around since the 1950s, and it hasn’t changed much since then. Inside this iconic donut shop, you’ll find a nostalgic atmosphere that’s made it a favourite in the neighbourhood for over half a century. It became even more famous when it featured in Spider-Man: No Way Home, so if you’ve seen this movie, you may recognize it.
There are a lot of flavours to choose from, including classic favourites. The shop is cash-only, though, so remember that before ordering. We were very excited to try Peter Pan Donuts, but unfortunately, we felt like the quality and the flavour weren’t great. While planning a visit here is one of the top things to do in Brooklyn, I’d only suggest coming if you have a gap in your schedule. Maybe you’ll have a better batch of donuts than we did!
Where to stay in Brooklyn, NYC
The Box House Hotel
Everyone knows that New York City isn’t cheap, and that includes accommodation. Even if you plan to explore Manhattan, I’d recommend booking a hotel in Brooklyn to save money. The Box House Hotel is an excellent choice. It’s located inside a 20th-century factory building in the Greenpoint neighbourhood, and many of the building’s original elements have been preserved in the hotel’s modern design. Not to mention, there’s a yellow taxi permanently parked outside the hotel, giving it an even more authentic vintage vibe.
We opted for the double room, and it had a nice view of the Manhattan skyline in the distance. It wasn’t the biggest room, but it had enough space to move around, there was plenty of natural light, and even desk space. Overall, we found The Box House Hotel to be great value for money and not too far from attractions in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Is Brooklyn, NYC worth visiting for a day?
Brooklyn is absolutely worth visiting for a day, especially if you want to experience a more creative and local side of New York City. If you can stretch your time here to two days, that will give you the chance to add more things to do in Brooklyn to your itinerary. With beautiful skyline views, a mix of culture and history, and fantastic food spots, Brooklyn offers plenty of memorable experiences that will likely become a highlight of any trip to the Big Apple. Dare I say, I enjoyed Brooklyn more than Manhattan?
If you have any questions about things to do in Brooklyn, what neighbourhoods to focus on, or where to eat, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can get in touch via email or through the contact form. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram and TikTok as well, where you’ll find more helpful travel tips and ideas about where to plan your next adventure.
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