Each of Brooklyn's neighborhoods has its own allure, but which ones are right for you? To help you choose where to visit, we've created a handy guide to the borough's nineteen areas, from Williamsburg to Coney Island and everything in between.
Williamsburg
An industrial neighborhood turned creative mecca, this popular choice for visitors generates worldwide buzz with its irresistible nightlife and chic boutiques, restaurants, and art scene.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Williamsburg Travel Guide
Greenpoint
Predominantly Polish Greenpoint has begun absorbing the spillover of Williamsburg, its trendsetting neighbor. Family-run corner stores and Eastern European restaurants abound, but you'll also find fantastic boutiques and bars.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Greenpoint Travel Guide
Bushwick and East Williamsburg
Older homes and mom-and-pop shops in these neighborhoods coexist with DIY music venues and happening bars and eateries. Street art and avant-garde galleries are daytime draws; at night, huge warehouses open for edgy dance parties.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Bushwick and East Williamsburg Travel Guide
Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights
Though undergoing rapid change, Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights retain their mostly residential ambience. Up-and-coming bars and ethnic eateries that reflect the flourishing diversity are reasons to visit.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Brooklyn Travel Guide
Fort Greene and Clinton Hill
Tree-lined residential streets and historic architecture provide the backdrop for sophisticated dining and mellow nightlife in these side-by-side neighborhoods. The Brooklyn Academy of Music anchors the borough's performing arts scene.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Fort Greene and Clinton Hill Travel Guide
Prospect Heights
Adjacent to Park Slope, with easy access to Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Barclays Center, Prospect Heights is a must for culture lovers. Cool cocktail bars and locavore restaurants thrive here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Prospect Heights Travel Guide
Park Slope and Prospect Park
Family-friendly Park Slope entices with historic streets, brownstone stoops, specialty shops, and well-regarded restaurants. Adjoining Prospect Park hosts copious festivals and summer concerts.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Park Slope and Prospect Park Travel Guide
Gowanus
Creative types enliven this neighborhood once bustling with factory workers, near Park Slope. Quirky museums, performance spaces, and innovative food and drink keep things hopping.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Gowanus Travel Guide
DUMBO
The chic area known as Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass seduces with cobblestone streets, boutiques, arts spaces, and killer Manhattan views.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s DUMBO Travel Guide
Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn
The borough's oldest neighborhood, Brooklyn Heights, pleases with its varied architecture and enchanting promenade. The Brooklyn Historical Society mounts outstanding shows, and Downtown is a convenient transportation hub.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn Travel Guide
Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill
These delightful neighborhoods are perfect for strolling. Brownstones, redbrick row houses, and cozy cafés lend the picturesque duo a small-village feel. Antiques stores and bright boutiques are plentiful.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill Travel Guide
Carroll Gardens
The area owes its down-to-earth atmosphere to its Italian-American base. Innovative restaurants and boutiques share the streets with old-style bakeries and butcher shops.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Carroll Gardens Guide
Red Hook and Columbia Waterfront District
These waterfront locales win points for their artsy vibes, knockout views, and destination bars and restaurants. Their remoteness only adds to their attraction.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Red Hook and the Columbia Waterfront District Travel Guide
Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, and South Slope
A deep sense of community characterizes these areas near Prospect Park. Their bars, restaurants, and shops exude local energy, and Green-Wood Cemetery is an oasis of greenery with historic cachet.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, and South Slope Travel Guide
Ditmas Park and Midwood
Victorian homes and landscaped front yards impart a suburban air to these areas south of Prospect Park, but their historic districts, bars, and wide range of restaurants radiate big-city appeal.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Ditmas Park and Midwood Travel Guide
Sunset Park
Home to Brooklyn's Chinatown, multi-ethnic Sunset Park also has a rapidly developing waterfront. This neighborhood is a contender for the borough's next exciting frontier.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Sunset Park Travel Guide
Bay Ridge
Waterfront parks and stunning views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge set the scene for the architectural charms of Bay Ridge's residential streets and its diverse restaurants.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Bay Ridge Travel Guide
Brighton Beach and Coney Island
Golden sands, a fabulous boardwalk, amusement park rides, restaurants, and retro nightclubs make for a giddy good time at these beachside playgrounds.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Brighton Beach and Coney Island Travel Guide