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Brooklyn Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Brooklyn travel guide?

Then you’re in the right place!

Brooklyn is one of the most vibrant and diverse boroughs in New York City.

Located just across the river from Manhattan, it’s easy to get from Brooklyn to Manhattan or vice versa. This makes Brooklyn a great place to stay or visit on your trip to New York City.

There are so many cool places to visit in Brooklyn, from interesting museums to picture-perfect neighborhoods to beaches and amusement parks, and more. Brooklyn is also known for its great dining, shopping, and nightlife.

You should definitely make time to explore Brooklyn while in New York. Whether you’re interested in art, food, culture, activities, or nature, there is something for everyone in Brooklyn.

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Brooklyn in NYC, including a local’s guide to Brooklyn and advice on what to do and what to see in Brooklyn.

Note: This ultimate Brooklyn guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Brooklyn Map

Use this Brooklyn tourism map to begin planning your trip to this incredible destination!

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

Brookyln Travel Guide

New York City Travel Tips

Best Brooklyn Tours

Explore local culture with a Brooklyn tour guide through these unique NYC excursions:

Click here for a full list of Brooklyn tours!

Hotels In Brooklyn

Click here to browse the best Brooklyn hotels!

Prefer self-contained stays?

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use the map below to search for local stays. It’s set to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, but you can easily change the location to your specific destination:

Getting Around Brooklyn

Most of the neighborhoods in Brooklyn typically visited by tourists — like DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Bushwick — are very walkable. This is one of the best ways to get around as it’s free and allows you to feel the beat of the borough!

Love cycling? Citi Bike stations are all over Brooklyn, and offer a budget-friendly way to get around in an eco-friendly way that also allows you to see the sights.

In terms of public transportation, the best way to get around Brooklyn is via subway, which gets you anywhere you may need to go for just $2.75 — no need to wait in traffic.

Additionally, Brooklyn (and the rest of NYC) is connected via other public transportation options like buses and even ferries. While buses are operated by the MTA, just like the subway, you’ll want to download the NYC Ferry app to see schedules and buy tickets for the ferry.

Prefer a private car service? Uber and Lyft are plentiful in Brooklyn, though do note that cabs tend to be much cheaper. You can hail a cab on many main streets, which is the cheapest option, or use an app like Arro or Curb to order one.

Driving? It’s much easier to find parking in Brooklyn than it is in Manhattan, though you can always use the SpotHero website and app to snag super discounted parking spots. This is especially recommended if you end up driving into Manhattan, where finding parking is a nightmare.

Renting A Car In Brooklyn

Need a rental car for your Brooklyn trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

Their comparison tool does the homework for you, so there’s no need to have up 10+ tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. Actually, you can save up to 70% using their tool!

Brooklyn Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Brooklyn tour. When visiting Brooklyn — or anywhere else in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Brooklyn travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.

Brooklyn Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Brooklyn.

Q: What food is Brooklyn known for?

Like all of New York, Brooklyn is known for its diverse ethnic cuisine.

Some of the most famous foods to try in Brooklyn include a hot dog from Nathan’s Famous at Coney Island or a cheesecake from Junior’s Restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn.

If you’re looking for the best pizza in Brooklyn, many people will suggest the legendary Grimaldi’s, which is popular with tourists because of its convenient location in DUMBO near the Brooklyn Bridge.

For a classic Brooklyn dessert, head to Brooklyn Farmacy, an old-school soda shop in Carroll Gardens, and order an egg cream.

Q: What are the top things to in Brooklyn?

There are so many great things to do in Brooklyn.

One of the most popular activities is walking or biking across the Brooklyn Bridge. This attraction is one of the many reasons why New York is so famous.

If you have limited time in Brooklyn, you can cross the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, and spend an afternoon or day exploring the DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights neighborhoods.

Note that if you’ve already walked the Brooklyn Bridge and want to try something different, you can walk across the Manhattan Bridge from Chinatown into DUMBO.

If you have more time, some other can’t-miss activities in Brooklyn include visiting the Brooklyn Museum, strolling through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or hitting the amusement park and beach at Coney Island.

Q: What are some non-touristy things to do in Brooklyn?

If you want to explore Brooklyn like a local, there are many non-touristy things to do in NYC in the borough.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park, is a popular place for locals to relax. Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon lounging on the grass while doing some people-watching.

If you love shopping, don’t miss Brooklyn Flea, the famous weekend-only flea market in DUMBO. This is the place to go for vintage clothing, art, home decor, antiques, and collectibles. Bonus: It’s a great spot to find some of the best NYC souvenirs, too!

For street art and graffiti, don’t miss Brooklyn’s trendy and artistic Bushwick neighborhood. Graff Tours even offers graffiti workshops where you can make your own street art!

Q: What are some must-visit Brooklyn neighborhoods?

Brooklyn is made up of dozens of diverse neighborhoods, each one with something unique to offer.

Two must-visit Brooklyn neighborhoods are Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. Both are located just beyond the Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn Heights is filled with picture-perfect brownstones on tree-lined blocks, while DUMBO is a former industrial area that is now filled with restaurants and shopping.

Williamsburg, once a hipster haven in the early 2000s, is worth visiting for its great selection of restaurants, cocktail bars, and boutique shopping.

Meanwhile, Bushwick is described as what Williamsburg was 15 years ago, and is filled with street art and warehouse art galleries. You’ll also a find a lot of late-night parties and clubs here if you’re looking for things to do after midnight in NYC.

Park Slope is a picturesque, family-friendly neighborhood that is adjacent to Prospect Park. Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill are two more areas with a local neighborhood feel.

Q: What are the best places to visit in Brooklyn?

Looking for the best places to visit in Brooklyn? Here are some of the top places to check out!

The Brooklyn Museum is an incredible art museum that rivals the Met. Another extremely unique museum in Brooklyn to check out is the New York Transit Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the New York City subway and bus system. As these are indoors, they also make for great rainy day NYC activities.

For foodies, DeKalb Market Hall should not be missed. This massive food hall is home to over 40 vendors. In the summer months, the outdoor Smorgasborg food market is another great place to visit in Brooklyn.

If you have kids, be sure to visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, which is sure to be a hit. Another one of the best places to visit in Brooklyn with kids is Luna Park at Coney Island.

Q: How far is Brooklyn from New York City?

Brooklyn is actually located within New York City! It’s one of NYC’s five boroughs along with Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

Q: How much spending money do you need for a week in New York?

The average traveler spends about $240 per day in New York City on accommodations, transportation, food, activities, and other travel expenses.

That being said, there are certainly ways to save money in the city — like staying in hostels, considering Couchsurfing, cooking your own meals, sticking to public transportation, and enjoying some budget-friendly NYC activities.

Q: Is Brooklyn safe to travel?

Overall, Brooklyn is a safe destination for travelers, especially if you choose a safe neighorbood frequented by tourists like DUMBO or Williamsburg. Of course, as with any destination, it’s important to be vigilant and take basic safety precautions.

For example, avoid isolated areas such as Prospect Park at night. When taking the subway, it’s always best to choose a subway car with more passengers in it rather than an empty one.

Finally, while pickpocketing is not that common in New York, you’ll want to make sure that you keep a close eye on your belongings to avoid pickpockets, especially in crowded areas around major tourist attractions.

Q: How long can a tourist stay in New York?

Most visitors from abroad who are allowed to enter the United States — the country New York State is located in — can stay for up to six months. Entry requirements and allowances vary depending on where you are from, so definitely check the US government website.

Q: Do I need a travel visa for New York?

Visa requirements vary depending on where you are from. You can visit the US government website to see if you need a visa and what type.

Q: Where is Brooklyn?

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City, which is located in the southeastern part of New York, a state located in the United States. Along with Queens, it sits on Long Island’s western end.

Q: Are credit cards accepted in Brooklyn?

Credit cards — particularly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around Brooklyn, though it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Brooklyn?

Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Brooklyn.

Q: What is the local currency in Brooklyn?

The local currency in Brooklyn is the US Dollar (USD).

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