Brooklyn: A must-visit neighborhood in New York

What is Brooklyn?

• Brooklyn is one of New York City’s five boroughs, along with Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Brooklyn stands out as the most populous borough, with more than 2.5 million residents out of nearly 8.4 million for all of New York City, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Brooklyn occupies the southeastern part of New York City, covering an area of about 183 km² (71 sq mi). The borough is bordered by the East River to the west, Queens to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean and Jamaica Bay to the south.
• With such a large population, the borough offers tremendous cultural and social diversity. It’s also a vibrant neighborhood, both economically and culturally. Any visit to New York should include time in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn’s neighborhoods

The borough itself divides into several neighborhoods. Here are the main ones worth visiting:

• DUMBO: Located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, this neighborhood has been completely revitalized. You’ll find fashion boutiques, bars, and restaurants throughout. This is also where you can take one of New York’s most iconic photographs: the view of the Empire State Building framed by the Manhattan Bridge.
• Bushwick: Located in the northern part of the borough, this neighborhood is famous for its giant murals painted on building walls. It’s an open-air art gallery. The murals change regularly.
• Williamsburg: Situated between the East River and Bushwick, Williamsburg has an authentic neighborhood feel with a real sense of community.
• Greenpoint: This former industrial neighborhood earned the nickname “Little Poland” in the late 19th century. Today it’s a trendy area with vintage shops and hip cafes, though its Polish heritage remains strong.
• Tip: Join our guided tour of Brooklyn. This tour covers the highlights of Bushwick, Williamsburg, and DUMBO in a single visit.
• Red Hook: This neighborhood borders New York Bay, facing the Statue of Liberty. Though less accessible by public transit, Red Hook is gaining popularity thanks to its views of New York. Explore it efficiently with our Brooklyn bike tour.

What to see in Brooklyn

Given the size of the borough, you can’t see everything in one day. Here are the main attractions:

• The Brooklyn Bridge: This iconic bridge connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of New York and make a grand entrance to the borough. On the other side, explore Brooklyn Bridge Park, a waterfront park along the East River.
• The Manhattan Bridge: New York’s second most famous bridge! The pedestrian walkway offers sweeping views of the Financial District skyline.
• Brooklyn Museum: This is New York’s second-largest museum, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its impressive collection spans from ancient Egypt to French Impressionist painters.
• The New York Transit Museum: A museum dedicated to New York’s transportation history. You can even board vintage subway cars.
• Prospect Park: This vast park was designed by the same architects as Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. It opened in 1867 and covers 2.13 km² (0.82 sq mi), compared to Central Park’s 3.41 km² (1.32 sq mi).
• Coney Island: At the southern tip of the borough, discover New York’s beach destination! This long beach is beloved by New Yorkers and visitors alike. Coney Island is also home to Luna Park, a popular amusement park.
• On Sundays, consider attending a gospel service in the neighborhood. Visit the Brooklyn Tabernacle for an alternative to gospel services in Harlem.

Practical information

Getting there: From Manhattan, take subway lines A, C, B, D, N, Q, W, R, J, M, Z, F, 2, 3, 4, or 5. From Queens, the G line is your only subway option. The borough is also served by NYC Ferry.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Brooklyn famous?

Brooklyn is famous for its many attractions, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Prospect Park, the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood, Coney Island, and Bushwick's street art scene. The borough is also known for its cultural diversity, with a large immigrant population from around the world and a thriving arts scene.

What is the most well-known neighborhood in Brooklyn?

DUMBO is by far Brooklyn's most famous neighborhood. The view of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street is one of New York's most iconic photographs. DUMBO also opens onto the Brooklyn Bridge, New York's most celebrated bridge.

Brooklyn in photos

Borough map