Williamsburg: waterfront, food, and the Manhattan view
The East River Waterfront Park and Domino Park in Williamsburg give you one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline in the entire city — from the outside looking in, which is a very different perspective from anything you'll see while standing in Manhattan. Combine with a walk along Bedford Avenue for the neighbourhood's restaurant and bar scene, and Smorgasburg on weekends (check the seasonal schedule). One subway stop from Manhattan's 14th Street on the L train.
DUMBO: the famous photo and Brooklyn Bridge Park
The shot on Washington Street with the Manhattan Bridge perfectly framed is one of New York's most photographed views — genuinely worth getting, though the crowds can be thick at midday. Brooklyn Bridge Park, running along the waterfront south of DUMBO, has Jane's Carousel, lawns with bridge views, and connects by foot (or along the park path) all the way to Brooklyn Heights. See our full DUMBO guide.
Prospect Park and Park Slope
Prospect Park's 526 acres — designed by the same team as Central Park — deserve at least a half-day, particularly the Long Meadow and the wooded ravine sections. The surrounding Park Slope neighbourhood is worth an hour of brownstone-street walking. The Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden sit at the park's northeast edge and can anchor a full day. See our Park Slope guide.
Coney Island and Brighton Beach
The southern edge of Brooklyn: Coney Island's boardwalk, the Cyclone roller coaster (operating since 1927), the beach, and the amusement rides at Luna Park. A 40–50 minute subway ride from Midtown on the D, F, N, or Q trains. Brighton Beach, the next stop east, has the Russian and Eastern European food scene (see our ethnic food trails guide).
Brooklyn Heights Promenade
A raised walkway with a continuous, unobstructed view of Lower Manhattan and the harbour — arguably the best eye-level Manhattan skyline view anywhere. Free, open at all hours, and one of the most reliably beautiful things you can do in New York.
Getting around Brooklyn
Brooklyn is served by dozens of subway lines from Manhattan. The key ones: L train to Williamsburg, A/C to DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights, 2/3/4/5 to Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope, D/F/N/Q to Coney Island. The NYC Ferry connects the waterfront neighbourhoods and is genuinely scenic.