13 Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC

The Brooklyn district is a must-see on your list of things to see and do in New York. It has been the "hipster capital" of the world for decades: it is full of cafés, shops and restaurants that were once old factories and are now the gastronomic epicentre of New York.

Brooklyn is one of New York's trendiest neighbourhoods. A borough with an industrial past and a strong cultural identity that is well worth a visit. Here are the must-see sights in the area. Welcome to Brooklyn!

In a city like New York, where there is no shortage of major tourist attractions, one of the first places you have to visit is the famous Brooklyn Bridge. You've probably seen it countless times on television, but crossing it is impressive and the views of the East River and the New York skyline are fascinating. You can cross it on foot or on a bike tour of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Book a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge and don't miss a single detail of this engineering marvel, which opened in 1883 and spans the river connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan from the neighbourhoods of DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn to the Civic Center neighbourhood in Manhattan. In fact, from here you'll have the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

The Barclays Center is a huge stadium in the heart of Brooklyn, just around the corner from BAM. With a capacity of over 17,000 spectators, it is famous for being the "home" stadium of the Brooklyn Nets (NBA) and the New York Islanders (NHL) since 2012.

The Barclays Center has also hosted boxing championships and musical events (in fact, some of the world's best artists have performed here, including Celine Dion, Ariana Grande and Marc Anthony). If you want to attend an NBA game during your visit to New York, don't miss the Brooklyn Nets. The season starts in late October and ends in mid-April.

Why I recommend going to the Barclays Center

People come to New York to have a great time, and even if you're not a big sports fan, watching an NBA game in the United States is a real show of music, partying, dancing and, above all, basketball. Are you ready to see the best players in the world up close? Here's how to get tickets for the NBA in New York.

One of the best things to do in Brooklyn, especially if you're travelling to New York in summer with children, is to book a tour of the Boroughs and Coney Island, the neighbourhood where New Yorkers go to relax outdoors and enjoy the beach when the weather is nice.

• Stroll along the boardwalk: one of my favourite things to do in Coney Island is to walk along the boardwalk, feeling the Atlantic breeze on my face and smelling the ocean. It's a fantastic feeling!
• Luna Park: a mix between an old-fashioned fair and an amusement park that still has its original attractions, such as the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone roller coaster. Nearby, you'll find a freak show typical of the 1920s and 1930s. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time among bearded women, dwarves and other typical characters.
• Visit the New York Aquarium: it's the only aquarium in the city located on the seafront. Its aim is to show the importance of preserving aquatic ecosystems. You can see sea otters, sharks and penguins, among many other species. When you enter, check the feeding times and don't miss out if it coincides with your visit. Children will love it!

Dyker Heights is a residential neighbourhood in Brooklyn that would be nothing special if it weren't for the fact that its residents go all out when it comes to celebrating Christmas by decorating their houses and gardens with hundreds of garlands, baubles, coloured lights and other decorations. And when I say everything, I mean everything!

Some opt for elegant, discreet lights, while others fill their gardens with all kinds of lights, inflatables and Christmas figures that sing carols and move around.

It's a real competition that began in the 1980s and has become an annual event, with some families even paying decoration companies to surprise curious onlookers. This is a tradition not to be missed in Brooklyn if you are travelling to New York at Christmas. In fact, you can book a Christmas tour of Dyker Heights to learn all the details and history of this unique tradition.

Another must-do is discovering the artistic culture of Brooklyn's Bushwick neighbourhood. And there's no better way to do that than by booking a street art tour. On a tour lasting approximately an hour and a half with a local artist who knows the techniques of graffiti inside out, you'll admire all the murals in the neighbourhood. A real open-air exhibition!

You'll also learn all about the history of the neighbourhood and the evolution of this artistic movement, and discover a completely different side to New York City.

Keep in mind that if you've already done this activity before, you can do it again, as there's an annual event where artists from all over the world gather to paint their works, which remain until the next edition, when other artists create new works on top of the previous ones.

And if the street art tour isn't enough for you, you can book a graffiti workshop where you can create your own artwork and take home a souvenir. You'll work with a real graffiti artist and learn all the tricks of the trade.

An ideal plan for adults, but also for the kids in the family. Go for it with this original and fun plan. It will be one of those adventures that will leave your friends speechless!

Hipsters and New York's most conservative Jewish community coexist in Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Jewish neighbourhood. However, each has its own space and lives its own life: the hipsters in Williamsburg and the Orthodox Jews in South Williamsburg, which you reach by crossing under the Williamsburg Bridge.

This place is like walking through a different world, austere and simple. There aren't many charming places, and the buildings seem a bit more neglected compared to the other part of the neighbourhood. This is where the Hasidic Jews (a branch of Orthodox Judaism) live, who arrived from Hungary fleeing World War II.

During your walk through South Williamsburg, you'll see that the restaurants and shops have signs in Hebrew, as do the typical yellow school buses. If you can, I recommend popping into a kosher shop and buying some sweets or bread rolls. They're really tasty!

Travel responsibly

If you want to get the most out of your visit, I recommend booking a tour of Williamsburg, as it is a very close-knit community that is very respectful of its way of life and traditions. Visitors are not given much attention, but it is advisable to act considerately during your tour of South Williamsburg (especially when taking photographs in which residents may appear).

The contrast between the different ways of life can be shocking, but even if you find their clothing, hairstyles or other details striking, try not to stare at them curiously or follow them to take photos, so as not to make them feel uncomfortable. Being respectful of others is also part of responsible travel.

There is no shortage of restaurants in DUMBO where you can stop for a bite to eat. Next to Grimaldi's pizzeria, famous throughout New York for its pepperoni pizza, you'll find Time Out Market, a food hall with more than twenty food stalls where you can try different dishes without leaving Empire Stores, the picturesque building that houses it and bears witness to Brooklyn's industrial past in the 19th century.

This is the perfect option if you're travelling in a group and want to avoid the endless debate about where everyone wants to eat, as there's a little bit of everything: Italian, Japanese, Thai, Lebanese food, bagels, burgers, vegetarian food, sweets, etc. Some of the best chefs chosen by Time Out New York share this 2,400 square metre space.

Another option is to book a food tour in Brooklyn and discover the main culinary delights of the area. You can also go to Time Out Market at 55 Water Street, which brings together some of New York's most skilled bartenders in three bars, where they will prepare delicious cocktails for you to toast your trip. And if, in addition to filling your stomach, you fancy a drink with a view, make a note of the best rooftop bars in New York.

What was once an industrial area full of factories and warehouses is now one of the trendiest spots in New York. In the late 1970s, bohemians and artists settled in DUMBO and changed the soul of the neighbourhood, which became the epicentre of new artistic movements that attracted wealthy new residents due to its proximity to Manhattan.

When you arrive in DUMBO, the first thing you'll want to do is take a long walk and lose yourself in its streets. One option to get the most out of your visit is to book a photo shoot in Brooklyn with a photographer.

You'll be struck by how the perfect combination of old industrial architecture and cobblestone streets, where the old train tracks are still visible, has been preserved alongside the most modern design and luxury spaces in the neighbourhood.

What to see in DUMBO?

What better way to delve deeper into not only Brooklyn but also the Bronx and Queens than by booking a tour of contrasts through these three neighbourhoods, where you will discover all the secrets, interesting facts and anecdotes of these three areas alongside a ** tour guide**.

The tour, which lasts approximately 6 hours, is available every day of the week first thing in the morning and will immerse you in the diversity and culture of Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. It's also ideal if you're tired of long walks, as all travel is by air-conditioned vehicle.

Another thing to do in Brooklyn is to spend an evening at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), a multi-arts centre that for over a century has been home to adventurous artists with daring ideas who have surprised audiences. They work especially with emerging artists, but also with innovative artists who have already made a name for themselves. Even actors of the calibre of Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich have graced the stages of the BAM.

The main building is located near the Atlantic Avenue underground station. Barclays Center is the headquarters shared by Rose Cinemas, which specialises in arthouse cinema, the Howard Gilman Opera House and Lepercq Space, a multipurpose venue for shows.

If you like innovative and alternative art, take a look at their official website, where you'll find some really cool and different cultural offerings. And if you'd rather continue your itinerary by visiting one of New York's best museums, don't miss the Brooklyn Museum.

One of my favourite places in DUMBO for its impressive views is Main Street Park, one of the best parks in New York, which you can reach by booking the New York sightseeing bus. On one side is the Brooklyn Bridge, on the other is the Manhattan Bridge, and in front is the East River and the Financial District skyline. You won't be able to stop taking photos!

But, to tell the truth, I don't just like it for this reason, but because it's home to Jane's Carousel, an authentic 1920s carousel that was restored to its original splendour and has been part of the Brooklyn landscape since the 1980s when it was brought here from Ohio.

Main Street Park with children

If you're visiting New York with your family, this is the perfect place to take the kids to have fun and have some fun yourself. Jane's Carousel is for all ages, so don't be shy and hop on one of the cute horses for just two dollars. It's also a perfect plan if you're travelling as a couple and want to surprise your partner with a romantic evening.

Brooklyn Beach

On the other hand, in Main Street Park there is a small rocky beach known as Pebble Beach. There is a kind of grandstand where you can sit for a while to rest, look at the photos you have taken so far and also enjoy the panoramic view of the city. If you are travelling to New York in summer, this place will be key for the hottest days of July and August in New York.

Another thing to do in Brooklyn during your visit, especially between August and October, is to rent a kayak to paddle along the East River. You can find more information on the official website. If you're looking for more special plans like this, don't miss this list of essential experiences in New York.

Another option in Brooklyn is to take a stroll through the Brooklyn Flea Market in DUMBO on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to October. This is a vintage market offering a wide variety of products (clothing, furniture, books, jewellery and crafts) lovingly displayed by more than 150 local vendors and artisans.

If you love flea markets and are travelling to New York in winter, this space is transformed into the Winter Flea, an antique, craft and food market that is open between November and March. Shopping lovers, here you will find the best things to buy in New York.

Why I like this market

This isn't your typical flea market where items are piled up haphazardly. Instead, everything is carefully presented to catch your eye and tempt you to take home a unique souvenir, whether for yourself or your family. There are some truly unique items!

If you don't leave here with a super cool vintage jacket, you'll at least leave with a full stomach. Here you'll try some of the best tacos, hot dogs, lobster rolls and Sicilian cannoli in New York. It's one of the best places to eat in Brooklyn.