I love how every little neighborhood in Brooklyn has it's own character and style. One minute you are surrounded by factories, next you're amongst colorful row houses, and within a few minutes, you'll be wrapped up in mansions that go back to the early 1800s. It's what I love most about living here. There's constantly so much to take in, and you're never given the chance to really get bored. If you happen to get bored, just hop on over to another neighborhood and explore. Things are always changing.
Dough. This place has the best donuts in Brooklyn. Hands down! A lot of cafes sell their donuts now, but you're missing out if you don't go to their first location right in Bedstuy Brooklyn. Everything is made there and is always fresh!
I absolutely love going thrifting here. It's more expensive than leaving town to go thrifting, that's for sure. But still, there are so many little shops, and so much to purchase secondhand and love. I feel like the list for kids' clothing is pretty short though. I adore Lulu's Then and Now. If you're here and need to purchase a few things, I highly suggest shopping here. There are lots of new things plus some vintage. And usually everything is in pristine condition.
Momufuku has delicious ice cream, great coffee, and weird (good weird) tasty pastries.
I can always count on Black Forest for a delicious meal and beer with kids or without. It's huge and spacious. Plus, it's located right next to Atlantic Terminal, where you will find just about every reliable train. So it's a go-to if you want to enjoy a meal, but don't want to veer too far off.
As a plant lover, I think I enjoy the purchasing portion of owning a plant the most. Homecoming effortlessly mixes my love for coffee, flowers, and plants. They also have a well-curated home knick knack section as well.
(source: habanaoutpost.com)
Habana Outpost is a hot spot for the warmer months. If you're visiting Brooklyn during that time, then you have to grab a bite here. Even though I love the food, it's not really the food you come for. It's decked out in everything yellow, orange, green and blue. It's a complete splash of color, true eye candy. This is a picture of their eco bathroom. They have outdoor movie night, kids' events, and they're always playing good music.
Prospect Park– It's like Central Park, but for Brooklyn. Maybe even better? Depends on who you ask.
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens– Visit in the spring when the blossoms are blooming.
Ample Hills Creamery– My husband thinks it's the best ice cream in Brooklyn. I kind of agree.
L Train Vintage– Super duper inexpensive vintage pieces located in a warehouse. You will thank me!
Baby's All Right– A chill venue that hosts some of the best artists and events in New York.
East River Ferry– Perfect for a day trip.
Jane's Carousel– Carousels aren't just for kids.
Madiba– Best and only South African food I've had in New York.
The Brooklyn Children's Museum– So many great rooms and activities for little hands.
I really have so many great things to do and see in New York! I feel like I'm just tapping the ice with this list. But I hope if you do visit, you will find this list helpful, also delicious and fun, depending on what you're doing. Enjoy! LaTonya
Credits: Author: LaTonya Staubs, Photography: Peter Staubs (unless otherwise noted). Photos edited with The Signature Collection.
Love your recommendations and photos!
xx Leesa & Kate
Travel inspiration? www.wanderlustchronicles.com.au
There are a lot of good places for coffee and delicious food in Greenpoint. I really enjoyed Scalino G.P. It’s an Italian restaurant and the food there is amazing!
SO happy to see a Brooklyn guide that doesn’t center around Williamsburg! Great job, LaTonya 🙂
This is great. I know there are so many hot spots in Brooklyn but I always get so overwhelmed. This is just what I needed.
What a fun treat. As a former Brooklynite, I wish I had done some more exploring while I was there. I just discovered Dough in Flatiron- it’s heavenly!
What an insightful article! Your photos really captured the essence of Brooklyn, it’s as if I am on the trip with you. Thank you for sharing this!
Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
I love this travel guide! Now I really need to go back and visit!
I’m from the Philippines and I will definitely try out these recommendations next year when I go to Brooklyn! Thanks for this awesome post! More travel guides to New York please. I enjoyed this one <3 🙂
http://ainwanderland.blogspot.com/
wow!!! now all i want to do is run off to new york and hit all these places! but im stuck here at work. dang it! but thank you so much for sharing this- and i love hearing from latonya!
You make me want to travel to Brooklyn right away! Even though I live on another continent I so much wish I could visit New York some day!
I just love love love this post with so many great recommendations; I am keeping this for my next trip there, thank you!
I saw a bit of Brooklyn last summer and absolutely loved it! Williamsburg was pretty fun, with a bunch of cool shops and restaurants. I appreciate the recs given here; I’d be more than happy to visit again!
http://itsjpei.wordpress.com/
Yay Brooklyn! I’ve been in Willimasburg for about 9 months now and I love it! I moved here to help start a cupcake cafe, Sweethaus. LaTonya, you should definitely bring your kiddos by for a sweet treat! (135 Metropolitan btwn wythe and berry 🙂 I’ve added some of these spots to my list of places to explore!
Planinng a 3 months trip in USA so travel guides are the best posts for me right now, as i feel overwhelmed with all the places i wanna go!
I’ve been to New York only once for my 23rd birthday (about 5 years ago). We stayed at a friend’s place in Brooklyn. I must agree with you, the place was great all on it’s own even before I stepped onto Manhatan island. We were staying in Brooklyn Heights (?). I remember my friend’s appartment was slented so bad you could leave a pen on the floor and it would roll all the way down the lenght of the place. I’m from Canada’s Capital (Ottawa) so, that was a really big change of pace. I also remember this little French restaurant near his place. I’m French Canadian so when the waiter started asking for my order in an accented English, I just answered in French and he was so surprised and pleased he went to see the owner/chef who came out and gave us a lot of goodies for free because we were “cousins” (a lot of French people call Québécois (French Canadians) cousins). Anyway, Brooklyn was great and I’d love to check out your list of hot spots once I go back (my current boyfriend has never been to New York so I’m hoping to convince him to go in the near future).
I live a block away from Dough and it’s so hard not go in everyday for a donut.
As a former Brooklynite, I’ve got to say that if you’re in Park Slope and you’re hungry, just head down 5th Ave to find tons of awesome restaurants and bars. Also, if you wanna go to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, it’s free entry Saturdays before noon (and their bonsai museum is AWESOME). If you’re in a beachy mood, skip Coney Island and take the N or Q to Brighton Beach. It’s a quirky Russian neighborhood with fantastic authentic (non-touristy and affordable) boardwalk eateries.
dani @ http://blog.shopdisowned.com
I’m planning a long weekend in Brooklyn and this has come just in the nick of time! The Botanical Gardens and Baby’s All Right are definitely added to my list (plus your incredible coffeehouse recommendations)!
this makes me want to plan a trip to NY like now!
xx nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
This could NOT have come at a better time! We move a lot and are heading to Brooklyn this summer for three months. I’m not a city girl and have been feeling quite anxious about the big move, as excited as I am about living in New York! I will definitely have to check some of these places out and add them to my ever growing list! Thank you so much!