Brooklyn Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Brooklyn Bridge Park showing a city, a bridge and a river or creek
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Museum which includes interior views and heritage elements as well as a small group of people
Brooklyn featuring night scenes, a city and skyline
Brooklyn

Brooklyn Travel Guide Video

Feel the energy of this bustling neighbourhood and sample the latest offerings of this great borough, all set against the backdrop of the iconic Manhattan skyline.

Brooklyn is the hub of all things creative. Characterised by thriving arts and music venues, and home to contemporary fashion outlets, bars and restaurants, this borough offers you the best of cutting-edge New York.

Brooklyn’s history maybe hints at its current trend-setting status. It only became part of New York at the end of the 19th century, and its population was faced with tough living conditions and high levels of crime. Far from keeping people away, this rugged history has attracted everyone from families to students and young professionals, and it is now New York’s most densely-populated borough.

You’ll find the streets of Brooklyn buzzing with life, lined with street vendors and pavement cafés. For the best vintage clothes and collectibles, don’t miss the many flea markets and shops in the Williamsburg area. In particular, Bedford Avenue offers many charming cafés and boutiques. Or why not head to Greenpoint to visit Five Leaves Café, Bar and Oysters, designed by the late Heath Ledger, for a bite to eat? From gourmet restaurants to the award-winning Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (don’t forget to try a scoop) via some of the best Italian pizza, pasta and gelato, Brooklyn caters for all food tastes.

Brooklyn’s beautiful parks offer a perfect way to work off some of this calorific indulgence, or simply to relax. The borough’s Prospect Park was designed by the same team that was responsible for the city’s iconic Central Park. Or alternatively, visit Sunset Park where you’ll have the chance to explore Brooklyn’s own Chinatown. For the more adventurous, and season and weather permitting, take a dip in the public pool at McCarren Park or spend an evening at the outdoor cinema.

If you choose only one activity in Brooklyn, make it a walk across the famous Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan. With a span of nearly 2 kilometres, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the New York skyline. Why not stop in the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park? Or wander around the prestigious Dumbo area to view multi-million dollar developments? This is true luxury New York style!

Brooklyn also showcases a vibrant art scene, with a vast choice of independent galleries both in Williamsburg and across the borough. This provides a platform for all the emerging talent that Brooklyn is so famous for. Alongside, you’ll find many spaces dedicated to established internationally-recognised artists and photographers. Make sure you don’t miss the fascinating Brooklyn Museum with both its long-term installations and ever-changing programme of exhibitions covering art and culture from across the centuries.

EVEN Hotel Brooklyn by IHG
EVEN Hotel Brooklyn by IHG
4 out of 5
46 Nevins Street, Brooklyn, NY
The price is NZ$273 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$273
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Brooklyn. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,430 reviews)
"Love that they were considerate enough to include a yoga blocks, mat and foam roller in the room. I didn’t use them this time but definitely staying here for my next tournament in Brooklyn."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

EVEN Hotel Brooklyn by IHG
Hotel 1080 Brooklyn
Hotel 1080 Brooklyn
3.5 out of 5
1080 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY
The price is NZ$149 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$149
7 July - 8 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Brooklyn. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (322 reviews)
"Wonderful front desk staff . Very helpful and accommodating. Needed my tv fixed and Maintenance guy fixed it quickly. This hotel is good for a short stay. Room was nice also. No refrigerator in room , no telephone in room ."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Hotel 1080 Brooklyn
Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown by IHG
Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown by IHG
3.5 out of 5
300 Schermerhorn Road, Brooklyn, NY
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$231 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$231
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Brooklyn. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,634 reviews)
"Everything good"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aura Hotel Brooklyn
Aura Hotel Brooklyn
3.5 out of 5
56 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Brooklyn. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,092 reviews)
"The place was clean. AC was great!!"

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Aura Hotel Brooklyn
Charming 2-bedroom Brownstone with Bar and Balcony in enchanting Brooklyn
Charming 2-bedroom Brownstone with Bar and Balcony in enchanting Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Stay at this vacation home in Brooklyn. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Barclays Center Brooklyn and Brooklyn Cruise ...
7.4/10 Good! (3 reviews)
What a beautiful home!
"Great place, full of heart, amazing neighborhood. Strongly recommend!"

Reviewed on 23 Jun. 2025

Charming 2-bedroom Brownstone with Bar and Balcony in enchanting Brooklyn
Charming 3-bedroom apartment with WiFi, AC in Brooklyn
Charming 3-bedroom apartment with WiFi, AC in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Stay at this vacation home in Brooklyn. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Barclays Center Brooklyn and Brooklyn Bridge are located nearby.
Terrible host
"Scammed us. Be very careful."

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2025

Charming 3-bedroom apartment with WiFi, AC in Brooklyn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Brooklyn

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 54%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots of unique shopping on Atlantic Ave and also on Smith Street

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

So much diversity. Stay off the tourist trails and immerse yourself in the area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Take the ferry - anywhere. Also check out Queens just over the bridge for great dining options and park by the waterfront.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Would recommend staying in Brooklyn and using subway to go to Manhattan. Much nicer cleaner area.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Brooklyn is a killer location - still mom & popish & 15 minutes from the city. 2 very enthusiastic thumbs up.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

We stay there for about a week. During the day, it was peaceful and rather nice. Every second night, there will be loud bangs coming from stairs from the streets. One can only assume they are gun shots. Do feel unsafe walking at night

Cities near Brooklyn