New York City Places

Williamsburg

For much of the 20th century this industrial area on the East River was home to a mix of Latin Americans, Poles, Hasidic Jews, and factories. Then, as Manhattan rents rose in the 1990s, artists, misfits, and indie rockers migrated across on the L train to transform the neighborhood into a creative bohemian center.

Today Williamsburg's main drag of Bedford Avenue is a veritable catwalk of fabulously dressed starving artists and wealthy hipsters on their way from the L train to a range of stylish bars and clubs, artists' studios, vintage stores, and costly boutiques. Meanwhile, the area's young families and migrating Manhattanites head to one of the many posh restaurants near the Williamsburg Bridge. Note that the shops and attractions listed here are spread out, so be prepared to walk a few blocks on generally safe (though sometimes graffitied and abandoned) blocks filled with former factories.