The 20 Best Things to Do in Brooklyn

Find the Best Views of Manhattan

One of the best parts about visiting Brooklyn is enjoying the views of Manhattan across the East River. All along the waterfront from DUMBO to Williamsburg, you can find plenty of rooftop bars, where you'll find amazing views of the skyline. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and the William Vale are two trendy spots, but you can also enjoy the view from one of the waterfront parks or take the East River Ferry across for more dynamic skyline-watching.

Play a Few Rounds of Shuffleboard

If your trip to Brooklyn inspires you to embrace your inner-hipster, it doesn't get more ironic or fun than a trip to the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Gowanus. This 17,000 square-foot Florida-themed bar has 10 full-sized shuffleboard courts and an on-site food truck. The sport has become so popular in Brooklyn that the club runs its own league and competitions. It is a bar, so the venue is not family-friendly and does have a strict 21+ only rule. Also, courts fill up fast, so make sure you make a reservation.

Explore the Borough By Bike

If you want to get around like a true Brooklynite, renting a Citi Bike, or going through a traditional bike shop, is a great way to see the borough. You can design your route based on what you want to see, like biking across the Brooklyn Bridge, or opt for a more organized bike tour. Many tour operators like Brooklyn Bike Tours have tours themed around graffiti or beer or can even guide you all the way to Coney Island. If you're not sure you're ready to bike alone in New York, a bike tour is a great way to ease into it.

Go Dancing at the House of Yes

If you're looking for a semi-scandalous experience to summarize the heart of Brooklyn's club scene, the House of Yes is it. In Bushwick, right next to the Jefferson Street stop, this nightclub is known for its grand burlesque and circus-themed productions and patrons that put everything and more into their outfits. All guests are encouraged, but not required, to wear costumes, which is a great reason to hit the thrift shops like L Train Vintage earlier in the day. All dance parties are typically 21+, but you can check the online calendar for any upcoming "all ages" shows. You can either buy tickets at the door or online.

Get Pizza and See Art in DUMBO

DUMBO, a once-industrial neighborhood turned trendy, artsy hot spot, has spectacular views of Manhattan and New York's beautiful bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge. It's the first neighborhood in Brooklyn you'll find after walking the Brooklyn Bridge. It combines old warehouses, interesting shops and restaurants, and pricey high-rise apartments. You can find art galleries and occasionally big neighborhood art shows here. And DUMBO is home to the famous pizzeria Grimaldi's, Jacques Torres chocolate shop, St. Ann's Warehouse (which hosts edgy theatrical performances), and numerous other artsy venues. 

Visit the Brooklyn Navy Yard

One way or the other, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see when traveling to Brooklyn. It's not just an enjoyable experience for tourists, many born-and-bred New Yorkers find themselves still charmed by the bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge connects two great New York City boroughs, Manhattan and Brooklyn, and you can walk it, drive it, bike it, or just admire it from afar from multiple vantage points around the city.

There's even a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge, above the roaring car traffic, so it's a wonderful stroll. If you're rushing, it should only take about half an hour to walk across the bridge, but most people should account for a whole hour, especially if you think you'll need a lot of time to take photos.

Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge connects two great New York City boroughs, Manhattan and Brooklyn, and you can walk it, drive it, bike it, or just admire it from afar from multiple vantage points around the city.

One way or the other, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-see when traveling to Brooklyn. It's not just an enjoyable experience for tourists; many born-and-bred New Yorkers find themselves still charmed by the bridge.

There's even a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge, above the roaring car traffic, so it's a beautiful stroll. If you're allotting a specific amount of time for the walk, here's a breakdown of how long it takes to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Go Retro at the New York Transit Museum

This unique museum housed in a decommissioned subway station in downtown Brooklyn has a collection of vintage subway cars. You'll feel as if you stepped into a time machine as you peruse the cars dating back to 1907. The museum tells the stories and history of mass transportation in New York City through its exhibits and collection of memorabilia. 

If you have kids in tow, be sure to attend one of the many public programs for children. They also host tours, art shows, and other events at the museum. Don't forget to allot time for visiting the gift shop, which has some of the best NYC transit-themed souvenirs.

See Art at the Brooklyn Museum

Get artsy at the Brooklyn Museum. Before entering the museum, you must pause to stare at the mesmerizing fountain that shoots water up from the pavement. In addition to a fun fountain, this prestigious art museum has an extensive collection of Egyptian art in its permanent collection, as well as contemporary art. The rotating exhibits have included David Bowie, Basquiat, Georgia O'Keefe, and many others. On the first Saturday of the month, also known as Target First Saturdays, the museum is free to the public from 5 to 11 p.m.

Spend the Day in Williamsburg

Williamsburg has changed a lot in the last twenty years. In the early '90s, it was a place for artists priced out of Manhattan, and it soon transformed into the epicenter of Brooklyn's hipster culture. However, the edgy hood is in a constant battle with mainstream culture. There was a lot of buzz when Williamsburg got its first Starbucks, and now it's home to Brooklyn's first Apple Store and Whole Foods, which boasts an incredible food hall. Despite the influx of chains, Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg's main shopping street, is still filled with many local shops and restaurants, and the area works hard to maintain its indie feel. 

See a Movie

Nitehawk Cinema, Williamsburg's dine-in theater, with a second location in Park Slope near Prospect Park, features a wide range of cinematic treats, from rarely seen 35-millimeter films to new independent features. If you want to check out other movie theaters where you can eat and drink, get a ticket for a show at Syndicated in neighboring Bushwick. This movie theater and restaurant has both first-run and retro movies and often features themed weeks and trivia nights. Downtown Brooklyn is also home to an outpost of the Alamo Drafthouse, another movie theatre where you can order food while you enjoy the show.

Hop the Waves in Coney Island

Coney Island is just a train ride away from Manhattan, but it feels worlds apart. Busiest during the summer months, Coney Island feels equal parts beach escape and kitschy carnival. In the summer, you can spend a day on the sand soaking in the rays on the beach, free to the public, or enjoy a stroll on the iconic boardwalk. Home to an aquarium, an amphitheater, a minor league baseball team, and tons of great eats, this scenic stretch of Brooklyn should be on every Brooklyn travel itinerary.

Smell the Flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is not to be missed. Depending on the season, you can walk through beauty in the Cherry Esplanade, Cranford Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Shakespeare Garden, or Herb Garden, among many others. It's a great place to take some brag-worthy photos, too. The idyllic 52 acres of the blooming Brooklyn Botanic Garden is not to be missed. Depending on the season, you can walk through beauty in the Cherry Esplanade, Cranford Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Magnolia Plaza, Shakespeare Garden, or Herb Garden, among many others. It's a great place to take photographs or enjoy the quieter side of Brooklyn.

Visit the Animals at the Prospect Park Zoo

The Prospect Park Zoo is open year-round and includes a petting zoo and several exhibit areas. If you're traveling with your family, this zoo is the perfect size for little children and has wonderful exhibits for the little ones indoors and outdoors. Check out the quirky ​gophers, wonderful rabbits, and farm animals.

Take in a Show at BAM

This theater has quite a history, originally built in 1904 as The Majestic Theater, it was transformed into a movie house in the early 1940s, which shuttered in the 60s. After almost two decades of being closed, the theater was restored and reopened in 1987, and now it is the BAM Harvey Theater. BAM Harvey Theater is a Brooklyn institution and is a must-visit. It currently hosts productions throughout the year, including visits from the Royal Shakespeare Company and classics by famous playwrights like Henrik Ibsen and Oscar Wilde.

See a Show at the Bell House

If you don't have evening plans, head to the Bell House in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. Check out their calendar for a list of shows and events. The Bell House is a great place to see concerts and comedy. It's also where live game shows from NPR and WNYC, Ask Me Another, are recorded. You can get tickets to watch the show and apply through the official website if you're interested in being a contestant.

Explore Street Art in Bushwick

You can spend the day in the world's best museums in Manhattan, but you should know that the warehouse walls of Bushwick are filled with some of the best art in NYC. You can start your street art tour at the Bushwick Collective on Troutman Street at Saint Nicholas Avenue, where colorful murals are painted on the walls of the neighboring blocks. Although this stretch of Bushwick is known for street art, there are also other notable murals on the Bushwick/East Williamsburg border near the Morgan Avenue L stop. You can stop in at Friends NYC on Bogart Street for some vintage threads and a great collection of new clothes and jewelry, or, if you need a pick-me-up, try the super-strong Ethiopian coffee at Bunna Cafe.

Enjoy an Evening in Greenpoint

​Greenpoint is so cool that there's a laundromat that doubles as a bar, and an old Polish banquet hall was transformed into a bazaar where you can play ping pong, listen to your favorite bands, and enjoy some karaoke. Greenpoint, still a vibrant Polish community, is also home to numerous hipsters. From a lazy afternoon at the scenic Greenpoint Waterfront to window shopping on Manhattan Avenue and grabbing a retro breakfast at Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop, a visit to Greenpoint should be on your list of places to see on your next trip to Brooklyn.  

Soak in the Sun at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park, nestled on the shore of the East River across from lower Manhattan, has spectacular views, with a vast vista of New York Harbor, the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, lower Manhattan, boat traffic on the East River, and of course, views of the Statue of Liberty. And there's more: Brooklyn Bridge Park is a cultural and sports venue with a lively calendar of concerts, summer outdoor movies, outdoor exercise classes, chess instruction, kayaking, and more. 

Hear Chamber Music on a Barge

Music fans will enjoy watching a concert on a charming old barge renovated into New York City's only floating concert hall, called BargeMusic. Bargemusic has a calendar of chamber music. It was founded in 1977 by a violinist who created a concert hall on a 100-foot steel barge from 1899 that used to be a working vessel. Enjoy hearing music at this unique venue. For those traveling with kids, Bargemusic has a free concert series for families, which typically takes place on weekends and offers a great introduction to classical music for kids.