Historically, Brooklyn has been home to the offbeat and untraditional. It’s not built along a grid, so it invites travelers to explore as they like through neighborhoods large and small. Brooklyn is also a popular destination for movie and TV buffs given how frequently it appears in our most beloved shows. You can see the police station used in Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s exterior shots as you mosey toward Vanderbilt Street for some Little Cupcake Bakery Brooklyn Blackout Cake, or head over to Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights to check out where much of Luke Cage was filmed (and nab a bagel at Bagel Pub while you’re at it).
Beautiful and less crowded than Manhattan, Brooklyn deserves as many accolades as the most popular tourist areas across the river.
Day One: Coney Island
Home to an aquarium, theme park, beach, minor league baseball stadium, and Nathan’s Hot Dogs, the Coney Island Boardwalk is the epitome of summer fun, and it has a full day’s worth of experiences all on its own.
Start at:
Tom’s Coney Island
1229 Boardwalk
The boardwalk location of the iconic Tom’s Restaurant is just as good as its signature outpost in Prospect Heights, and it features a gorgeous rooftop, where you can enjoy your breakfast with a view of the ocean. Try the Danish or sweet potato pancakes with flavored butters.
Fill your day with:
Coney Island Boardwalk and Beach
Take the D, F, N, or Q train to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue
Ride the Ferris Wheel or roller coaster at Luna Park, or get a tan on the beach. The New York Aquarium is open year round, but Coney Island’s other attractions are seasonal. Coney Island hosts the Mermaid Parade every summer, as well as other fun annual events and markets. Check ahead to see what’s happening when you visit. The beach is free; rides at Luna Park are ticketed per ride. The New York Aquarium tickets are $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children under 13 on value days and $29.95/$24.95 at all other times.
Finish your night at:
Paul’s Daughter
1001 Boardwalk West
In walking distance from both the New York Aquarium and the Cyclone Rollercoaster, Paul’s Daughter is a great choice to finish off your sun-drenched day. Since 1962, Paul’s Daughter has been slinging burgers and grilling up sausages and peppers. Don’t miss out on funnel cake for dessert.
Day Two: North Brooklyn
North Brooklyn is home to more than just Williamsburg — visit Greenpoint to the north and Bushwick to the south for a range of shopping, restaurants, and experiences.
Start at:
Peter Pan Donuts
727 Manhattan Avenue
Peter Pan Donuts has been a neighborhood staple for over 60 years, and every weekend the line is out the door for their crisp on the outside, soft on the inside cake donuts and their fluffy yeast donuts. Their recipe is unchanged, and fresh donuts are added constantly throughout the day. Try the sour cream cake donut or the s’mores yeast donut — and don’t forget a cup of simple and delicious drip coffee to go with it. They also serve bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
Fill your day with:
Five Leaves
18 Bedford Avenue
A Greenpoint brunch staple, Five Leaves’ Instagram-worthy aesthetic is almost as good as its ricotta pancakes. With a range of simple to complex dishes, there’s something for everyone at this sweet bistro. Make reservations in advance — tables go quickly.
Plus BKLYN
490 Metropolitan Avenue
New York’s premiere plus-size boutique and the first store of its kind in Brooklyn is a must for any plus-sized person looking to score some incredible Brooklyn fashion. With a collection curated by plus-size owner Alexis Krase, Plus BKLYN stocks a variety of hard-to-find new styles, as well as plus-size vintage clothing.
Bedford Avenue
While you’re in Williamsburg, don’t forego shopping on Bedford Avenue. With the kitschy Bedford Mini-Mall, iconic jewelry store Catbird, and many other quirky boutiques steps away from each other along Bedford Avenue, you might want to take a second suitcase just for all of your shopping finds.
Finish your night at:
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Avenue or 188 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn’s first dinner-and-a-movie theater often hosts screenings of classic movies and out-of-theater favorites, served with themed drinks and snacks. It’s a great option for any current blockbuster, but it’s also worth checking to see if there’s an old favorite screening when you visit.
