Named for its large park—which offers great views of the Hudson River—Sunset Park was a thriving manufacturing hub from the turn of the 20th century until the end of World War II. It was also home to the Bush Terminal, the largest shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing complex in the US at the time.
Starting in the 1970s, Chinese, Indian, and Latino immigrants began to populate the neighborhood. To explore this diverse community, head to the area’s Saturday flea market, visit Industry City (a marketplace for local artisans and producers on the site of the old Bush Terminal), or take a foodie tour of the neighborhood.
Sunset Park is spread out on the slope of a very tall hill; be prepared to do a significant amount of walking, uphill and down, if you want to explore the various parts of the neighborhood.
Head to the park itself, toward the top of the hill, for views of the waterfront and the Manhattan skyline.
Sunset Park is a residential neighborhood. Restaurants and shops are clustered along the area’s main avenues.
Sunset Park sits to the south of Red Hook and Park Slope. To reach the area by subway, take the N, R, or W trains from Manhattan to 45th St. or 53rd St., Brooklyn, or the D train to 9th Avenue. Alternatively, take a bus along 5th Avenue from Park Slope.
To make the most of the neighborhood’s restaurants and street life, head to the area during the weekend. The park the neighborhood is named for is a popular sunset-watching spot, especially in the summer months.
With immigrant populations from South and Central America, Italy, India, China, Korea and other parts of the world, Brooklyn is an excellent place to try foods from all around the globe. Make a reservation at one of the borough’s many award-winning restaurants, or join one of the many themed food tours that take visitors and locals alike to delicious spots across the borough. Options range from trips to craft breweries to neighborhood walking tours to artisanal pizza crawls.