An Afternoon in Brooklyn

On my last dozen visits to New York City, I neglected one of the most well-known suburbs. I’d only crossed the river twice before, once to have dinner at Bubby’s (location now closed) with my family a few years back and again this past summer when I had dinner with my coworkers in Red Hook. I’d walked across the Brooklyn Bridge before, but the quick turnaround prevented me from counting it as a visit.

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So why hadn’t I been? Part of it was due to a lack of time to commit to exploring there and also because I had negative connotations about the hipster-heavy neighborhoods like Bushwick. But on my most recent trip, I had the flexibility of making my own schedule and finally wanted to see what the fuss was about.

I knew Brooklyn was a big area, so I started with the place I knew the most about: Williamsburg. A short subway ride from my hotel in the Meatpacking District under the East River later, I had a solo Sunday brunch at Cafe Mogador Williamsburg.

I’d been to the East Village location ad was in the mood for some Mediterranean style eggs. The sudden rainstorm came on my short walk from Bedford Avenue and I made it just in time. I sat there for a while after I was done, watching people run for cover on the busy street.

While this area was once among the roughest slums in the city, as referenced in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, today it’s a suburb popular with young couples and families. After breakfast, I had some time to kill, so I walked the neighborhood checking out the murals and street art. It’s one of my favorite things to do when I travel (as evidenced in posts from Melbourne, London, Toronto, Miami and others).

I did a quick walk around Artists & Fleas, a market for vintage clothing, jewelry and handmade gifts, before waiting for Brooklyn Brewery to open. I was the first person through the door, grabbing a ticket for their much-loved tours and three tokens for beers.

I found myself a spot to sit and read while I enjoyed a dark sour beer only found at the brewery, perfect for a Sunday session. On the tour, I learned about the brewery’s history, the first in the borough, and how it came to be such a recognized brand. Like my visit to Anchor Brewing, I loved how a brewery has survived through many years, long before the craft beer trend.

My afternoon in Williamsburg was great, despite the rain, and I hope to explore more of the other boroughs on my next trip!

If You Go

If you want to spend your own day wandering around Williamsburg, there’s no shortage of things to do. There are dozens of great restaurants here so check out Time Out’s list. Grab an Australian coffee at Northern Territory before going on a tour at Mast Brothers Chocolate. Bowl at Brooklyn Bowl and have dinner at The Meatball Shop with a drink at Brooklyn Winery.

What are your tips for visiting Williamsburg in Brooklyn?

For local experiences in New York City’s neighborhoods, including Brooklyn, check out Urban Adventures tours.