Explore Brooklyn: Visit Spots Beyond Manhattan

“Think you’ve seen New York? Think again. While Manhattan steals the spotlight, Brooklyn is quietly waiting with hidden gems, art-filled streets, and a flavor of its own that you won’t find anywhere else. Ready to go beyond the postcard views?” “explore Brooklyn: visit spots beyond Manhattan”

If you have been to New York a few times, then it is time to visit other areas. I can imagine that you think “mind your own business”, but it is from a feeling of enthusiasm about a nice area that I make this comment. So, I hope that after reading this blog you will be as excited as I am and that you will explore Brooklyn on your next visit. 

Transportation

Walk over the Brooklyn bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo. The Williamsburg bridge from Manhattan to Williamsburg (The Domino Park).

Bike: You can bike across the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, or Williamsburg Bridge. There are dedicated bike lanes, and it’s a scenic way to travel between the boroughs. Citi Bike is a bike-sharing program with stations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. 

Ferry: NYC Ferry offers a scenic ride across the East River. You can find routes and schedules here  

Subway or train, from different stations you can get from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The OMNY (One Metro New York) contactless fare payment system is available at every subway station.  It does not matter which way the card or device is facing. simply tap your own contactless credit or debit card, smart device, or OMNY card on the OMNY reader. Long Island Railroad stops at the Atlantic Terminal.

Other possibilities: Bus, Taxi, Uber.

What to visit

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a borough of New York City at the westernmost end of Long Island in New York. Since the 2010s, parts of Brooklyn have evolved into a hub of entrepreneurship, high-technology startup firms, postmodern art, and design.” Wikipedia 

Dumbo

In my first blog about New York, I told you to visit Dumbo. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Of course, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the highlights of NY and great to take the most beautiful pictures.  Dumbo is on the other side of the east River. It is a “hip” neighborhood, a former industrial area with lots of interesting buildings, art galleries, terraces, and a magnificent view on the Manhattan Skyline. 

Domino Park  

Domino Park is a 5-acre public park in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. The park is a tribute to the diversity and resiliency of the Domino workers, their families, and their neighborhood.  

It spans a quarter mile along the East River near the Williamsburg Bridge, at the former Domino Sugar Refinery site.  

Lovely fountains, an elevated walkway, a fog bridge and stunning views of the river. And (for us interior design lovers) a shop around the corner to look at is Beam. With brands like Ferm Living, Louis Poulsen and Ethnicraft you will definitely find inspiration for your home. 

Fort Greene Park – Greenmarket

Fort Greene Park is worth a visit but try to make a combination with the Saturday Farmers Market.  

Washington Park between Dekalb & Myrtle, Brooklyn [map] 
(Located along the southeast corner of Fort Greene Park) 
Open Saturdays, year-round 
Market Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

“Located outside the entrance of historic Fort Greene Park and surrounded by chestnut trees and centuries-old brownstones, the bustling Fort Greene market serves a diverse community of young, urban professionals and multi-generational Fort Greene families who gather every Saturday, year-round, to mingle and shop for everything from micro greens to affordable staples like potatoes, onions and vegetables grown in Orange County’s famous black-dirt region. Fresh seafood, cheese, orchard fruit, baked goods, a variety of sustainably raised meat, and dairy products are available as well as wine pressed from Long Island grapes” 

On the site you can find which farmers are expected at this week’s market.

Clinton Hill – Pratt Institute  

Because my daughter, son in law and grandchildren live in Clinton Hill, it is a neighborhood I know a little bit better. Are you for some reason at Clinton Hill take a walk in the park of the Pratt Institute. This private university for engineering, architecture, and fine arts has a beautiful small park with lovely trees, plants and of course art. 

Architecture

The Brooklyn Tower 

Brooklyns tallest building, is this tower at 9 DeKalb Avenue. The mixed-use of clad in bronze and glass offers 500 residences above a retail base. The retail entrance will be on Flatbush Avenue Extension.  

Williamsburg Savings Bank 

The former bank is now known as the Weylin, an event space since 2014. The beautiful colors are of the materials of the facade of marble, limestone and sandstone. The design is by the Architect George B. Post and opened in 1875.  

Brownstones 

Brooklyn is known for its Brownstones. It is a brown colored sandstone and used in the United States and Canada, usually for townhouses.  

They are characterized by their uniform facades, high stoops, ornate detailing, and of course, their signature brown sandstone. 

Bonus Tips

• Brooklyn is named after our Dutch city of Breukelen. Breukelen in the Netherlands dates to the 7^th century. Brooklyn was founded in the 17^th century. 
• If you are with (grand)children, there are beautiful playgrounds all over Brooklyn. And like in Dumbo you want them to stay for a long time because you have such a beautiful view to enjoy. Jane’s Carousel is another highlight. Spinning around on the horses with merry-go-round music remains very exciting for children. And the playground in Domino Park is the opposite, a next generation modern playground.

Next time more about shopping in Brooklyn, Museums, and well-known names such as the VanderBilts and Tupac! 

For now, Explore Brooklyn: Visit spots beyond Manhattan and enjoy!