Itineraries for Your Trip to Brooklyn
3 Days in Brooklyn for First Timers
There’s nowhere else quite like Brooklyn. Though my 6-year stint living in New York City began in Manhattan, it wasn’t long before I made my way south. The borough’s combination of old-school character and cutting-edge arts, dining, and nightlife scene made for a totally irresistible blend.
Today, Brooklyn is more polished (and gentrified) than when I first relocated to the borough, but it still offers that magic mix of classic New York sensibility and boundary-pushing edge. Discover its wide-ranging neighborhoods, food, and local charm on this 3-day itinerary.
New York weather tends toward extremes—watch the forecast, and prep accordingly.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
There are few better introductions to Brooklyn than the 1.1-mile (1.8-kilometer) walk along the [Brooklyn Bridge]. Setting off from Lower Manhattan, you get to stretch your legs and soak up the ambiance as you approach the borough—while admiring spectacular views of the (New York Harbor)(https://www.viator.com/New-York-City-attractions/New-York-Harbor/overview/d687-a21118#overview) and Manhattan skyline.
If you’ve worked up an appetite, you’re not alone—it’s tradition to head to nearby Grimaldi’s and feast on classic New York pizza. If you’re after a more eclectic experience, it’s a 10-minute cab ride to ever-trendy Williamsburg. Set off on a walking tour to indulge in pierogi, barbecue, and, yes—pizza.
Graffiti and street artists from around the world flock to Brooklyn to adorn the borough’s walls and surfaces with their colorful, sometimes short-lived, works—and a walking tour is the ideal way to discover them. Set off through mural-bedecked Bushwick with a guide, and learn how to spot various artists’ signature styles.
Afterwards, extend your cultural day out with a trip to the Brooklyn Museum (a local arts destination since 1897), about a 20-minute cab ride from Bushwick. Or, if the weather behaves, extend your time in the great outdoors by exploring Prospect Park or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Compared to Manhattan (which measures 23 square miles, or 60 square kilometers), Brooklyn is a whopping 71 square miles (183 square kilometers). You can see more of the borough’s variety and highlights on a half-day bike tour—and look forward to visiting neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Red Hook, and Fort Greene in one jaunt.
Afterwards, let loose like the locals do on a very Brooklyn bar crawl. Make your way to Williamsburg, and enjoy a celebratory final night exploring gastropubs, cocktail lounges, and popular drinking dens.
