Home to 2.5 million people, Brooklyn is
the second largest of New York’s boroughs and has plenty to attract
visitors to The Big Apple. Whilst the tourist crowds tread a well-beaten path
through Manhattan, those in the know cross the East River to Brooklyn. With
hipster magnet Williamsburg, stunning views from Brooklyn Heights, live NBA and
more, there is plenty to see and do in New York’s ‘coolest borough’.
Williamsburg
The Williamsburg neighbourhood is
hipster central – the equivalent of the fashionable parts of east London, for
UK readers. It’s very much an advert for ‘new Brooklyn’; that is, a softer
version of what was once considered a tough area of the city.
As you’d expect from an area full of
creative types, there is a thriving arts and music scene here. There is a
plethora of cafes, live music venues, vintage clothes boutiques and restaurants
to enjoy. The backdrop to this creative melting pot is former industrial
buildings, which give the area gritty ambience.
Typical of Williamsburg’s quirky nature
is the Brooklyn Bowl; an enormous
and newly-renovated music venue that combines bowling with live music and
dining, all under one roof. Beer and ale lovers should check out Brooklyn Brewery near Bedford Avenue
subway for a taste of the popular Brooklyn Beer. Tours are every hour, with a generous
happy ‘hour’ in the evening from 6pm – 11pm.
Brooklyn Heights
The best place in Brooklyn to
photograph the unmistakeable New York skyline is the affluent neighbourhood of
Brooklyn Heights. There’s not much to see in the area itself but the views
across the bay to Manhattan are certainly worth it.
Head to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade – an elevated walkway that leads down to
the East River – for an uninterrupted view of the Manhattan skyline. The
promenade was made famous in films like Annie Hall and Moonstruck and is known
as one of New York’s most romantic places.
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| The view of Manhattan from Brooklyn Heights |
The Barclays Centre
Home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, the 19,000
capacity Barclays Centre also plays host to some of New York’s most high
profile gigs. Brooklyn Nets tickets are usually easier to come by than tickets
for their cross town rivals the New York Knicks. If you’re hoping to catch some
live basketball whist in the Big Apple, this may be your best bet. The two New
York teams meet at The Barclays Centre on the final day of the regular season on April
15th 2104.
The Barclays Centre is also soon to be
home to the NHL’s New York Islanders so live ice hockey will soon be added to the
impressive roster of live sport in Brooklyn. Less impressive is its’ exterior;
the arena’s ‘weathering steel’ façade had been likened to a ‘rusty tin can’ by
locals.
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| The Barclays Centre - home of the Brooklyn Nets |
Coney Island
Coney Island isn’t your run of the mill
beach destination; Burlesque at the Beach, Coney Island Tattoo and Motorcycle
Festival and Creepshow at the Freakshow are just a sample of some of the events
held throughout the year!
As well as a sizeable beach, Coney
Island also features a more traditional amusement park known as the Luna Park, which
typically runs from Easter to Halloween. The Cyclone roller coaster and Deno’s
Wonder Wheel are the centrepieces of the Luna Park, which has been credited
with attracting visitors and regenerating the area after it fell into
disrepair. Nowadays, Coney Island is once again a popular place for Brooklynites
to soak up some sun by the sea.
If you’re thinking of visiting New
York, check out Globehunters’ New York flights, departing from UK airports
throughout the year.
Have you been to Brooklyn already? Let
us know what you thought of it below!
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