What to do with 48-Hours in Brooklyn?

With a multitude of scenic vistas, delicious local restaurants, and amazing cultural experiences on display all throughout Brooklyn, NY—there’s enough things to do to fill out entire weeks of sightseeing adventures.

What to do in Brooklyn ?

That being said, if you only have a couple of days or less in this beautiful city, there are a few places that you should definitely put at the top of your list.

How Best to Explore Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York, connected by a bridge (actually, a few of them) to Manhattan. Whether flying in through JFK, LaGuardia, or driving in by car—once you get to the city itself, there’s tons of ways to get around. That said, before getting in to all the things Brooklyn has to offer—it’s important to first note how best to traverse it. 

The most traditional way to get around Brooklyn is probably getting a MetroCard and hopping on the subway or local bus. Through the underground train you’ll be able to find your way through most all of Brooklyn and adjoining boroughs. That being said, you might miss out on some beautiful sights. While, of course, the city also has a number of ride-share options including Lyft and Uber (not to mention taxis)—one of the more exciting methods of traversing Brooklyn is like a local Brooklynite—by bicycle. 

Whether by Citi-Bike, which you might find for rent at any number of stations around Brooklyn, or from a local bike shop—one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the energy of the borough is to ride around with nothing impeding your view of its landmarks. If that means Citi-Bike, another bicycle rental, an electric scooter, or even a moped—make traveling the thing to enjoy most as you explore, and give yourself the ability to stop at more sights along the path. 

Book your tickets for New York attractions and museums with us here : Activities in New York

What are the best activities in Brooklyn ?

All that being said, with so many options in regards to sights, it’s hard to orchestrate a plan to see the most in this beautiful city in the least amount of time. With that, here is our list to make things easier--

Dumbo & Brooklyn Heights

The first stop on your trip through Brooklyn, day or night, should be Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights. Located along the East River, just beside the famous Brooklyn Bridge—there is no shortage of local restaurants, walkable areas, and a dynamic community to make the city come alive.

Brooklyn Bridge

A must-see for Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge crosses the East River and features a dedicated path for pedestrian traffic located above the driveable road. Lined with planks of wood, this walkable bridge is a perfect way to get a view of Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as the river beneath. Ride a bike, walk, or even take a morning jog across this amazing landmark dating all the way back to 1883—not to mention, whether day or night, the Brooklyn Bridge is nothing if not picturesque.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

At 85 acres, Brooklyn Bridge Park, located just below the Brooklyn Bridge is a beautiful bastion of nature amidst the city. With tons of walking trails, food stands, and amazing views looking out over the bridge, the river, and Manhattan across it—it’s a wonderful place to spend an evening. Another fun thing to visit in the adjoining Empire Fulton Ferry Park is Jane’s Carousel—a relic of a beautiful restoration in 1922.

Williamsburg

Another must-see neighborhood in Brooklyn is Williamsburg, located a little farther North along the East River. Filled to the brim with a buzzing culture of artists, local retailers, and restaurateurs (check out the famous Peter Luger Steakhouse)—this area boasts the stunning restoration and renewal of Brooklyn that has continually occurred over the last few decades. To see the most, walk along Bedford Avenue and soak up everything Williamsburg has to offer.

Prospect Park

A sprawling natural area situated near central Brooklyn—Prospect Park is a favorite for locals. Whether walking the paths, stopping for a quick bagel, experiencing a weekend farmer’s market, or listening to an outdoor concert—there is no shortage of fun things to find in this natural getaway.

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Directly adjacent to Prospect Park are the Botanic Gardens, home to a number of beautiful flowers and plants to spend a lovely afternoon immersing yourself within the smells, colors, and sights.

Brooklyn Museum

Another famous location very close to the Park is the Brooklyn Museum. Featuring a collection of over one-million pieces of art, this museum is New York City’s third largest and well worth a visit. Also, if you happen to be visiting on Thursday—admission is free !

Coney Island

Made famous by its Boardwalk and carnival-like atmosphere complete with Ferris Wheel, Coney Island, a neighborhood on the south-end of Brooklyn is another must-see stop on any travel itinerary. 
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Though it can be especially busy during the summertime, there is a plethora of activities—whether enjoying the amusement park, soaking up the sun on the nearby beach, eating from some local restaurants, or watching daring street-performers as you explore the area—all will make you glad you ventured south to find this wonderful hotspot of activity.

What are the best restaurants and bars in Brooklyn ?

We made you a selection of top bars, rooftops, fast food and restaurants you should go during your stay in Brooklyn. 

Juliette – A Rooftop French Bistro

If you’re in the mood for a little French Bistro tucked away in Williamsburg, look no further than Juliette’s. With delicious, authentic, entrees served in a beautiful indoor garden or rooftop lookout, you can enjoy a wonderful meal along with all the sounds of the city from a stunning vantage point.

Grimaldi’s – Authentic NY Pizza

Nothing says New York like a good slice of pizza—and Grimaldi’s does not disappoint. Located just off the waterfront this local pizzeria serves some mouth-watering pies, calzones along with some delicious beer and wine to wash it down. Go for the food, and stay for the views—you’ll be glad that you did.

What are the best hotels in Brooklyn ?

We selected for you the best luxury hotels in Brooklyn you can stay to enjoy your vacation in this amazing borough of New York City.

The Williamsburg Hotel

In a typical Brooklyn industrial style the Williamsburg boutique hotel will make your stay better ! 

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is definitely the one with the most beautiful view over the New York City skyline. Located just next to the
​Brooklyn bridge it's location is unique to enjoy 48 hours in Brooklyn. 

Conclusion

While it’s hard to condense the sheer number of things to do in Brooklyn in only two days (much less a short post)—it’s always a great idea to plan ahead and ensure a majority of must-see stops and must-eat restaurants are found along the way. Though this list still leaves plenty of room to expand on places like Greenpoint to the North (home of the delicious Peter-Pan Donut & Pastry Shop), there is enough to get you going, and enjoy some very full days of adventure while visiting Brooklyn.

Ready to visit Brooklyn ?

Let us know in comment if you know more cool things to do in Brooklyn !
Book your tickets for New York attractions and museums with us here : Activities in New York

DISCOVER NY CITY GUIDE

VISION Destinations | January 21

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