An ethnically diverse neighborhood with an industrial waterfront, Sunset Park is the place to experience real life in Brooklyn. Instead of chain stores and trendy loft buildings, you’ll find mom-and-pop stores, dumpling shops, schools, and brownstones—all part of Sunset Park’s old-school New York vibe.
Sunset Park is a family neighborhood, and that’s clear from the moment you step off the subway. See stroller-pushing families shopping at the localcarnicerías, and crossing guards helping kids along Fifth Avenue. To get an authentic feel for daily life there, take public transit, stop by during the day, and wander the distinctly Brooklyn, brownstone-lined side streets. Don’t miss a walk through the area’s namesake green space, Sunset Park, for views of Lower Manhattan.
Sunset Park is a great place for spontaneous travelers—explore at your leisure, and find lots to see along the avenues.
Skip the trip to Manhattan and get a taste of Chinese culture on Eighth Avenue—the strip rivals New York’s Chinatown.
Foodies should check out Fei Long Supermarket, an Asian grocery store with a wide selection of specialty products.
Bounded by 36th Street to the north, 65th Street to the south, and Ninth Avenue to the east, the neighborhood stretches west all the way to the Brooklyn waterfront. The most convenient way to get to Sunset Park is by subway. Take the N, R, or W train and get out at one of the four stops in the neighborhood: 36th Street, 45th Street, 53rd Street, or 59th Street.
There’s really no bad time to visit Sunset Park, though it’s most fun to walk through the neighborhood when the weather is pleasant, typically in late spring, summer, or early fall. For dinner at the Latin American restaurants on Fifth Avenue—or the dumpling houses on Eighth Avenue—go in the early evening for fewer crowds.
Situated on the waterfront in Sunset Park, Industry City is a vibrant space for makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Discover everything from shops and art galleries to some of the best food in Sunset Park—from barbecue to ice cream, you’ll find it at Industry City. Before visiting, check the Industry City website for special events such as concerts and tastings.