From waterfront promenades to Victorian streets, Brooklyn keeps changing character, offering travelers fresh discoveries long after familiar landmarks come into view.
Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough, home to more than 2.7 million people. If it were a separate city, it would rank among the largest in the United States. It is impossible to get to know in a single weekend: quiet streets lined with historic homes give way to industrial waterfronts, while Caribbean bakeries, creative studios, museums, and concert venues operate side by side.
Kathryn Lurie has lived in Brooklyn for 19 years, yet the borough continues to reveal new sides of itself to her. She grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to New York to study journalism, worked at The Wall Street Journal for ten years, and joined Reuters in 2019, where she leads the global social media team.
Brooklyn’s defining feature is the distinct character of its neighborhoods. Even a familiar route can lead to a new park, café, theater, or architectural detail that you had never noticed before.
Getting Around Brooklyn
Brooklyn has an extensive subway network, making it easy to travel between neighborhoods without a car. Walking allows you to see how quickly the urban landscape changes from one block to the next, but the subway remains the main mode of transportation for longer trips.
Another option is the NYC Ferry. Ferry routes offer views of the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and New York Harbor. Comfortable shoes are essential for exploring: in Brooklyn, almost every route naturally turns into a long walk.
Bus service is also playing an increasingly prominent role. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the MTA are implementing a plan to speed up bus travel, with transit-priority corridors, expanded bus lanes, and all-door boarding. The changes are expected to affect major Brooklyn avenues as well.
Exploring Brooklyn: From the Waterfront to Victorian Neighborhoods
A visit to the borough can begin in Brooklyn Heights. Tree-lined streets, classic brownstones, and a waterfront promenade come together here, offering one of New York’s most striking views.
At the foot of the slope lies Brooklyn Bridge Park. Former cargo piers have been transformed into a large public space with lawns, paths, and recreation areas. From here, you can see the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and New York Harbor.
Nearby is DUMBO, whose name stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. Its cobblestone streets and converted warehouse buildings recall its industrial past. Today, it is home to tech companies, creative studios, restaurants, and cafés, yet the neighborhood has retained its factory-like character. DUMBO is also home to St. Ann’s Warehouse, known for its theater, music, and international productions.
For time in nature, head to Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux after they completed their work on Central Park. The park opened in 1873. It is smaller and more compact than its Manhattan counterpart, making it convenient for running, walks with children, birdwatching, or picnics. Along its eastern edge is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which comes especially alive in spring when the cherry blossoms bloom.
Every neighborhood has its own character, and no matter how long you live here, there is always something new around the corner.
– Kathryn Lurie
To see a side of Brooklyn that feels unusual for New York, visit Prospect Park South and neighboring Ditmas Park. Victorian homes more than a century old have been preserved here, with porches, stained-glass windows, and large trees lining the streets.
Another important green destination is Green-Wood Cemetery in the western part of the borough. Its 478 acres, or 193 hectares, include hills, avenues, and sculptures. It is a National Historic Landmark and the burial place of composer Leonard Bernstein, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and politician William “Boss” Tweed. In atmosphere, Green-Wood Cemetery often feels more like a sculpture park than a traditional cemetery.
Brooklyn Museums and Cultural Spaces
Brooklyn’s museums cover a wide range of subjects, from ancient art to the history of urban transportation. The Brooklyn Museum, one of the largest art museums in the United States, holds collections of Egyptian artifacts and contemporary art, and hosts major exhibitions dedicated to current cultural themes.
The New York Transit Museum is housed in a decommissioned 1936 subway station. Here, visitors can see historic train cars, trace the development of New York’s transportation system, and learn how the network used by millions of people every day was built.
Theaters, Concerts, and Performances
Brooklyn has long been considered one of New York’s cultural centers. The Brooklyn Academy of Music, known as BAM, has presented theater, dance, opera, film, and music for more than a century. The venue holds an important place in the artistic life not only of the borough, but of the entire city.
Nearby is Barclays Center, which hosts well-known touring musicians and is home to the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty basketball teams. Following its restoration, Brooklyn Paramount has once again become one of the city’s notable concert venues. Kings Theatre attracts major artists and stands out for its historic interior.
In northern Brooklyn, Brooklyn Steel is known for concerts by indie and alternative performers. National Sawdust combines contemporary architecture with programs of classical, jazz, and experimental music.
In summer, part of the concert scene moves outdoors. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! hosts free concerts, dance performances, and community events at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park.
Where to Eat in Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s dining scene is as diverse as the borough itself, featuring cuisines from around the world, classic establishments, and new chef-driven concepts.
L’Industrie Pizzeria in Williamsburg is known for its classic pizza by the slice.
Laser Wolf offers Israeli dishes cooked over fire and views of the city skyline.
Industry City in Sunset Park brings together dozens of independent food businesses, breweries, and makers in a complex of former factories.
Aunts et Uncles in Prospect Lefferts Gardens serves plant-based dishes with Caribbean influences.
Gertrude’s in Prospect Heights specializes in seasonal Jewish American cuisine.
Sofreh is known for Persian dishes.
Café Spaghetti in Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill offers handmade pasta.
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain preserves the atmosphere of a classic American diner with egg creams, ice cream, and desserts.
Junior’s in Downtown Brooklyn remains famous for its rich, creamy cheesecake, which has attracted visitors for generations.
Brooklyn at a Glance
The borough’s largest university is Brooklyn College, with approximately 14,500 students.
Brooklyn is best explored without rushing: stroll along the waterfront, turn off a main street into a quiet neighborhood, and stop by a museum or a small restaurant. It is the constant change in neighborhoods, architecture, pace, and people that makes it one of New York’s most fascinating places.