They say trends start in New York City, but New Yorkers know that the epicentre of trendiness is south of Manhattan. Once considered merely worthy of a day trip to visit your cool but aloof cousin who moved to Williamsburg to simultaneously pursue her feathered earring business and dreams of making it in indie musical films, Brooklyn is now a destination worth dedicating an entire trip to. But whether you have a week or just 24 hours to explore New York’s best borough, there’s more than enough to do in the neighbourhood that over 2.6 million people call home.
Early Morning: Walk The Brooklyn Bridge – Built in 1867, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first structure traversing the East River to attach Manhattan to the then-suburban borough of Brooklyn. Though the iconic bridge is often packed with commuters, spectators and tourists, see the Brooklyn Bridge during its peak (and before rush hour) at sunrise. Stroll the pedestrian pathway, take in the views from all directions – including of the Statue of Liberty – and make sure to pause to read a few of the historical plaques to get a sense of Brooklyn’s modern origins. [Photo courtesy nycgo.com/Julienne Schaer]
10am: Prospect Park – Designed by Central Park’s legendary landscape designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, this expansive green public space is, arguably, better than the original Manhattan park. Home to a zoo, botanical garden, lake, ice skating rink (in winter), bandshell for free concerts (in summer) and much more, it would be easy to spend an entire weekend wandering Brooklyn’s outdoor home base. In inclement weather, head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which has covered conservatories and greenhouses to explore in all seasons. [Photo: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, courtesy nycgo.com/Tagger Yancey IV]
12.30 p.m: Lunch At Glady’s – Stroll past boutiques, cafés and the beer garden on Franklin Avenue to Glady’s Caribbean, a neighbourhood staple serving up jerk chicken, pork, lobster and seitan (there is some truth to those vegan Brooklyn stereotypes) along with curried goat, oxtail stew and a slew of tropical sides, like rice and peas. If you’re in the mood to drink, an extensive selection of rum from Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda and several more Caribbean islands will help chase down the tingling spice from your meal.
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2pm: Window Shop On Bedford Avenue – The longest street in all of Brooklyn, Bedford Avenue is at its peak in the Williamsburg neighbourhood, where the sidewalks are ceaselessly teaming with eccentrically dressed locals. Stop in to Spoonbill & Sugartown to browse independent magazines and books, Artists & Fleas (weekends only) for crafts and antiques by a slew of vendors, and Amarcord Vintage for trunk-show-style retro designer clothing. Veer down Metropolitan or Driggs for more shopping, and eventually head west to the East River for one of the best Manhattan skyline views. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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4pm: Sip A Pint At Brooklyn Brewery – The borough’s namesake brewery may be world-renowned, but it’s hard to beat drinking their signature lager on tap in the industrial Brooklyn space where all the brew is made. A pizza truck typically parks outside the beer hall, which allows all types of outside food, should you be getting hungry. Tours of the brewery are also offered to aspiring home brewers or those just interested in how the distinct craft beer is made. [Photo courtesy nycgo.com/Marley White]
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5.30pm: Bowl A Game At Brooklyn Bowl – Easily the trendiest bowling alley in the Tri-State Area, Brooklyn Bowl offers 16 bowling lanes, decorated with plush sofas to cosy up in when you’re not rolling strikes, as well as a full bar and stage that often hosts live concerts, DJs and podcast recordings. Inside the multi-use bowling alley, Blue Ribbon’s food counter doles out mac and cheese bites, gravy-soaked disco fries, fried chicken platters and bourbon-spiked milkshakes. [Photo courtesy nycgo.com/Yvonne Jukes]
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7:30pm: Dinner At Paulie Gee’s – Don’t feel deterred by the long wait for a pie at this dine-in-only wood-fired pizza spot – the patience to earn a seat is worthwhile, and a slew of pubs and coffee shops on the block help pass the time. When you finally get a table, you’re here for pizzas slathered in local ingredients, sometimes in shocking combinations. Think spicy honey with soppressata salami, barbecue brisket and mozzarella, pastrami and Russian dressing – all sourced from Brooklyn purveyors. More classic options, as well as vegan pies, are also served. [Photo: Garrett Ziegler/Flickr]
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24 Hours In… Brooklyn.
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9.30pm: Drinks At Ramona – Effortlessly chic and often packed with beanie-wearers sipping on seasonal liquor-forward cocktails, Ramona is the place to drink in Greenpoint any night of the week. Cosy up with an aged Manhattan or Negroni on tap near a flickering candle, and make some Brooklyn friends, at least for the evening.
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Overnight: Stay At Franklin Guesthouse – Part of the Box House Hotel group, which has recently transformed three historic Greenpoint buildings into hotels with apartment-like suites, Franklin Guesthouse is in the most central location. It’s also home to Bar Glory, a trendy Mediterranean-inspired lounge by the team behind another neighbourhood favourite, Glasserie.
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24 Hours In… Brooklyn.
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9am: Doughnuts at Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop – Wake up with a fresh, homemade doughnut (or several) from Peter Pan, a Greenpoint staple which dates back to the 1950s. If you ask nicely (and have a hearty appetite), go for a bacon, egg and cheese sandwiched between a glazed doughnut, but for a simpler option, the apple crumb or chocolate frosted with sprinkles will do. Coffee is served too, of course, but for another one of Brooklyn’s best cups of java, saunter over to Konditori, a Swedish espresso mini-chain.
Watch Before You Go – She’s Gotta Have It, both the 1986 Spike Lee indie film and the 2017 Netflix series show a side of Brooklyn not always portrayed in mainstream media. Plus, the outfits will offer some seriously stylish packing inspiration.
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Listen Before You Go – Vagabon, a Brooklyn-based indie rock artist who plays sold-out shows at local venues like Greenpoint’s Brooklyn Bazaar and Bushwick’s The Silent Barn.
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