Things To Do in Brooklyn (An Ultimate Guide From a Native)

As a born and raised Brooklynite, the list doesn’t get any more local than this. Brooklyn, while an internationally recognized city, can often be overlooked on a trip to New York City if you only focus on the tourist traps. With that said, there’s way more to Brooklyn than you might think, and having to plan around all 77 neighborhoods sounds stressful without The Brooklynite Abroad’s Ultimate Guide to Brooklyn. There are so many things to do in Brooklyn, and this list took 20+ years of growing up here, knowing where the locals go, top tips & more! Let’s get started with a little backstory.

History of Brooklyn

Brooklyn was originally inhabited by the Lenape, Canarsie tribe, which is where the town of Canarsie comes from today. The Dutch leaders settled in the 1630s, calling it “Breuckelen”, giving inspiration to its name today. 30 years later, the British ruled it remained a farming community throughout the 18th century.

The Battle of Brooklyn on August 27th, 1776, was famously fought over in what is now Greenwood Cemetery and the surrounding area. Even though the Americans lost, George Washington’s courageous fleet to Jersey signified that they weren’t stopping without a fight.

By the 1890s, it became the largest city in the US due to the growth and urbanization, industrialization, and influx of immigrants. By the 20th century, it became a hub for many cultural groups searching for the “American Dream”.

1- Italians in Bensonhurst, Carol Gardens, Bay Ridge & Dyker Heights
2- Orthodox Jews in Williamsburg, Borough Park, and Crown Heights
3- Secular Jews in Flatbush, Midwood, and Sheepshead Bay
4- Caribbean in Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Canarsie
5- Latinos in the Sunset Park, Bushwick, Red Hook, and Williamsburg.
6- Chinese in Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, and Sheepshead Bay
7- South Asians in Kensington, Flatbush, and Midwood.
8- The Irish in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint, and Marine Park

As you can see, not one neighborhood dominates one specific culture, and that is the beauty of the melting pot. Through gentrification and a struggling economy, native Brooklynites dating back generations are facing all-time high levels of displacement. It’s important to support local businesses and support generations of Brooklyn-based communities.

The Best of Brooklyn: Where To Start?

Many popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn are, without a doubt, worth checking out specifically for your first visit. Brooklyn Heights, for example, is a no-brainer as it’s just off the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a beautiful day spent with undoubtedly the best view in New York City and lots of places to eat and explore. It’s a great idea to pair with Chinatown by crossing the bridge and unlocking a whole new culture.

Other neighborhoods like Prospect Park in Park Slope show off Brooklyn’s true charm without needing to travel that far. What’s great is that you can pair these two areas together, and you’re in for a fun day.

The further south you are, the longer the commute is, and the more inconvenient it can be. For example, the MTA train system was built to connect all five boroughs to Manhattan, not all five boroughs to all five boroughs. With that said, it’s very challenging to travel from areas like Bay Ridge to Coney Island, both cities in South Brooklyn. For a trip to South Brooklyn. I’d allocate about 3 to 4 days to explore Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, and iconic landmarks in Flatbush. If you’re spending more than one day, I’d recommend getting a hotel to avoid long travel days.

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is an iconic place to visit. Free, uninstructed views of New York City alone should convince you. The perfect day includes Table 87 pizza, sitting at the park, free kayaking, free rollerskating, free movie nights, you get the point, right? But wait, there’s more! Check out Jane’s Carousel, the Brooklyn Flea Market, the Pilot for fresh seafood on a boat, and the Fornino Pier. If you love mass transit, the transit museum dives into the history of the MTA subway system.

I’d recommend starting at Table 87 near Atlantic Ave and then making your way down the park towards the Brooklyn Bridge. If you’re biking over, no matter which way, drop off the bikes as soon as possible. Crowds are no joke, and it’s not fun trying to bike and keep up with your crew with a bunch of people on the way.

Bonus – Walk the Brooklyn Bridge to Chinatown or take the ferry to Wall Street and visit the sea last carousel for only five dollars.

North Brooklyn: Prospect Park, Park Slope & More!

To start, check out Prospect Park. The same man who developed Central Park, Frederick, Olmsted, and Calvert Vaux also developed Prospect Park. You can notice their striking similarities as it’s a perfect metropolis in Brooklyn. Prospect Park is home to Smorgasburg, paddleboats in the lake, a historic Dutch home, the Lefferts House, which dates back to the time of slavery, and just across the way is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is stunning all year round. Prospect Park is a great home base to travel around different parts of Brooklyn. About five great neighborhoods filled with activities are all within proximity of Prospect Park.

Towns Surrounding Prospect Park

North of Prospect Park is Crown Heights, where you should go check out Brownstone Jazz. They pay tribute every Friday, Saturday & Sunday to Brooklyn’s jazz roots and beginnings before taking the world’s stage. If you have kids, they’ll love the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

West Park of Prospect Park is Park Slope. Check out The Old Stone House, and right behind is the original Brooklyn Dodgers stadium. Craftsman Avenue is a local craft shop perfect to stimulate creativity and come home with a unique souvenir. My favorite restaurants are Bogotá, SONG, and Calexico, which are all along Fifth Avenue.

Southwest of the park is Sunset Park a dominantly Hispanic neighborhood with culture in every corner. Check out the Greenwood Cemetery with history predating the American Revolution, where George Washington’s troops fought against the British. Industry City has fun, free activities if you’re looking for something affordable to do.

South east of the park is Flatbush, home to the historic Kings Theater. It went through a meticulous restoration and reopened in 2015, so if you have time to check it out, maybe you can see a show there too. Moving to East Flatbush, check out the Wycoff House which is the oldest house in Brooklyn.

South Brooklyn: Marine Park, Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay & More

The farther south you get you notice slight differences like crowds, or rather a lack thereof. Prices are more affordable, and there’s a feeling of calmness. Brooklyn is a bustling city, but for many suburbs in the south, it’s a true hidden gem from all the craziness

Marine Park dates back to the 1800s when the Dutch used the land for farming. Other areas, like Queens in New Jersey, were better at yield outputs that pushed Marine Park to reassess the necessity for another farm. Instead, they pivoted and mass-produced homes for immigrant communities to settle into. That’s why, if you’re in town, you’ll notice that almost every single house looks the same. Despite the new homes, they did leave one historic farmland house called the Hendrick I Lott House. Like all historic homes, this too had a gruesome past dating back to the times of slavery. Years later, it became a stop on the Underground Railroad, and you have the chance to see inside the historic site with guided tours.

Marine Park is the largest park in Brooklyn at 789 acres. There are events happening most weekends, bikes available for rent, and a salt marsh that showcases a very diverse and unique ecosystem. Since many people who live here are upwards of second and third generations, you know the restaurants are as wholesome as it gets.

Marine Park has some of the best Italian food in all of New York City. Including Michael’s of Brooklyn, Buckely’s, Pizza Emporium, Pronto Pizza, and Lenny & Johns. Other favorites are Sakura, O’asis Diner & Brennan & Carr.

Bonus- The best local day trip for Marine Park is to Breezy Point, where you can go to private-like beaches, at Jacob Riis Beach.

Coney Island

No doubt, the most iconic New York summers are in Coney Island. From Luna Park to the annual hot dog eating contest, mermaid parade, the freak show, and more, Coney has such a unique charm and is a must-visit for your trip to Brooklyn. While you’re here, you have to try the Nathan’s hot dogs and afterwards check out L&B Spumoni Gardens for a classic Sicilian slice. Coney Island also has a local baseball team, so if you want to go check out the Cyclones, which is named after the landmark roller coaster, the Cyclone.

Pro Tip – The beach right in front of the Wonder Wheel gets really crowded so I’d recommend either taking the train and extra stop to the aquarium or going all the way to Brighton Beach.

Sheepshead Bay

Right next to Coney Island is Sheepshead Bay. It got its name from a specific fish called Sheepshead, a saltwater fish with the distinct flathead human-like teeth. Early Dutch settlers used that as inspiration for the name, and it has stuck ever since.

The whale watching tours are a must. We love going with American Princess Cruises, where you can book from April to November. The guides are experts at finding whales off the coast of Brooklyn. Afterwards, grab some classic seafood at Randazzo’s. The clam chowder is life-changing. If you love hibachi, check out Momo. If you love sushi, E Sushi has the best all-you-can-eat deals. Lastly, if you’re with picky kids, check out Roll N Roaster, a classic staple in Brooklyn.

Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights & Bensonhurst

We’re not done yet! These last few can be paired together. If you have a car, even better, but if not, still doable via public transportation. These neighborhoods are a great way to see the city’s true communities. Your first stop to Bay Ridge. Bay Ridge is ethnically diverse, like all of Brooklyn. Historically home to Norwegians, Greeks, and the Irish, they have the most extravagant cultural parades that are a must to check out to see the local community come together. Owls Head Park is perfect for sledding if it’s a snowy day, and any time of year, there’s plenty of space for a peaceful walk along the bridge. My favorite restaurants are Positano, Pizza Wagon, Kettle Black, Ho’Brah, and the Wicked Monk.

Dyker Heights is right next door with the iconic Christmas lights. The show is between 80th to 86th St. from 10th to 13th Ave, and the best places are 82nd, 83rd, and 84th St. between 11th and 12th Ave. Lastly, Bensonhurst still inherited strong Italian roots, so it’s worth checking out Lioni Italian Heroes for the perfect Italian sandwich.

There You Have It

As a born and raised Brooklynite, this post has been a long time coming. It’s an honor to support all my local favorites that shaped my upbringing. Supporting local and finding these hidden gems takes time. It’s an accumulation of 20+ years of family dinners, date nights, late-night adventures, day trips, and wholesome experiences in my favorite city. Let me know in the comments which place you are most excited to check out, and happy traveling!