Top 24 Things To Do In Downtown Brooklyn, New York City

things to do in downtown brooklyn
Sumit
Sumit 
Updated
| 10 min read

Downtown Brooklyn is one of the most spectacular locations in New York City. It is widely known for its beautiful residential and office buildings. A popular tourist draw is Metro Tech Centre – an office complex, which draws travelers from around the world who marvel at its incredible architecture. William Savings Bank Tower is also a New York architectural icon and is a must-visit. Downtown Brooklyn is the epicenter of all civic and commercial activities in the entire region of Brooklyn. Apart from the beautiful buildings, this place is developing into a popular hub for education. Some exemplary educational institutes in Downtown Brooklyn are Brooklyn Law School, Long Island University, New York City College of Technology, etc. Ever since 2004 when the rezoning of this place began, it has only transformed for the better. Looking to pay a visit to this flourishing area in New York? Check out some of the best things to do in Downtown Brooklyn, New York City.

1. Explore the historic Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower

Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower from Hanson Place
Source: Photo by user Beyond My Ken used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Williamsburgh Bank Tower is one of the oldest and tallest buildings in Brooklyn. It was built with the intention of dominating the skyline of Brooklyn. The tower pretty much stood to its expectations for 83 years until the tallest residential skyscraper - Brooklyner - surpassed it in 2010. The building is situated at the intersection of some of the oldest streets. The reason why it is a popular tourist destination is due to its amazing architecture, which is inspired by the modern Byzantine-Romanesque style. This is a stop you can’t miss.

Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower

Address: 1 Hanson Place; Brooklyn, New York 11243

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2. Stroll through Cadman Plaza Park

Cadman Plaza Park - Brooklyn, NY - DSC07561
Source: Photo by user Daderot used under CC0

Cadman Plaza Park or the Brooklyn Bridge Plaza was established in 1940. The park is bordered by Brooklyn Heights on one side and is surrounded by the Downtown Brooklyn neighborhoods on the other. The park is named after a renowned and respected minister of the Brooklyn Congregational Church Reverend Doctor Samuel Perkes Cadman. The park covers an area of 4.13 hectares (10.2 acres) and has a lot of fun activities to do. It also features a common playground for kids.

Cadman Plaza Park

Address: Cadman Plaza E, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Cadman Plaza Park

Opening hours: 6am – 1am (daily)

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3. Have fun solving mysteries at Brooklyn Escape Room


Brooklyn Escape Room is perfect for groups who want to race with time. It is a fun place that offers a full entertainment experience to guests. Located in Downtown Brooklyn near Barclays Center, Brooklyn Escape Room has a room called “The Haunted.” Finish challenges, collect clues, and plan an escape from this spooky room. This is perfect for groups with between two to seven members, and is a great immersive experience for adults and kids over eight years old. If you are in a big group you can also check out group discounts. 

Brooklyn Escape Room

Address: 594 Pacific St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website: Brooklyn Escape Room

Opening hours: 12pm – 10am (daily)

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4. Catch a concert at Barclays Center

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Source: Photo by user Aleksandr Zykov used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Barclays Center is one of the most well-known places to visit in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. It is a multi-purpose indoor arena and hosts numerous events. It is the home arena of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Icelanders, popular National Basketball and Hockey Association teams. It has hosted many popular events such as the MTV Video Music Awards. Your tour would be incomplete if you come to the city and leave without catching a concert at Barclays Center.

Barclays Center

Address: 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website: Barclays Center

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5. Buy fresh fruits and veggies at Green Market

Perfect fall day for green market in Brooklyn!

Posted by Alan Michael on Saturday, 10 November 2018

The Green Market flagship in Brooklyn was founded in 1989 and is the second-largest market program after Union Square. It is located near the entrance of the lovely Prospect Park. Also, it is surrounded by some amazing spots such as Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. The market consists of a diverse range of fresh products that come directly from the local farms. The market is not only crowded by the people living here but also by the travelers both solo and families. This market is a weekly market and opens only on a Saturday.

Green Market

Address: Court St &, Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

Website: Green Market

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Sat: 8am – 5pm (closed from Sun - Mon, Wed & Fri)

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6. Enjoy live jazz at Jazz 966


When in Downtown Brooklyn, travelers must hop over to Jazz 966 for a fun night out. This jazz bar has been around for over two decades and plays some amazing blues, R&B, Afro-Latin jazz, and more. You can enjoy live performances from local musicians as you sip on a glass of wine or down a beer! If you are in a group then don’t forget to ask for group deals on food and non-alcoholic beverages. Make sure you head to this authentic jazz haunt – located inside a Senior Center – in Fulton Street when in New York City! If you like authentic jazz then this is the perfect place to be.

Jazz 966

Address: 966 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Website: Jazz 966

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7. Go shopping at Fulton Mall

Fulton Mall, Brooklyn New York
Source: Photo by user TheTTGuy used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Your to-do list would be incomplete if you do not visit the outdoor Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn. The mall is a popular shopping destination for both locals as well as tourists and welcomes over 100,000 shoppers and visitors a day. The mall has over 250 retailers who provide everything, starting from clothes to toys to electronics. The street mall has stores of some major retailing companies such as Macy’s, Ashley Stewart, Zales, Radio Shack, etc. So make sure you shop till you drop when at Fulton Mall. When you are tired, head to the dining area, which has restaurants and eateries to satisfy individual taste buds.

Fulton Mall

Address: Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Fulton Mall

Opening hours: 10am – 8pm (daily)

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8. Try cheesecake at Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery

Junior's Restaurant WTM3 Gnarly 0184
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gnarly used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Visiting New York and haven’t eaten any cheesecake? Make sure you head to Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery in Downtown Brooklyn to savor some of its famed cheesecakes! Founded by Harry Rosen in the 1950s, Junior’s is known for its fun and chilled environment. Here you can try a number of cheesecakes including Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake, Original NY Plain Cheesecake, and more. Apart from its extraordinary variety of cheesecakes, it also has a full-service bar and a list of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.

Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery

Address: 386 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery

Opening hours: Sun – Thu: 6am – 12am; Fri – Sat: 6am – 1am

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9. Enjoy pub crawl with Crawl Brooklyn


Your nightlife in New York would be incomplete if you haven’t checked out some of the best pubs and bars in the city. Crawl Brooklyn can help you get to some of the most happening pubs in Downtown Brooklyn. With Crawl Brooklyn, enjoy the city’s nightlife like a local. With Crawl Brooklyn, you will visit the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood, which is packed with pubs and bars serving spirits, wines, cocktails, beer, and more. Whether you are alone or in a group, Crawl Brooklyn ensures you experience the best nightlife that Brooklyn has to offer. Book early and get an early bird discount.

Crawl Brooklyn

Website: Crawl Brooklyn

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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10. Check out the artifacts at Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Museum
Source: Photo by user Kim used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Brooklyn Museum can safely be considered to be one of the finest art museums in the city of New York. The museum has exclusive and rare artifacts as well as art collections from different corners of the world such as Egypt, America, Africa, Europe, the Islamic world, and more. The Brooklyn Museum is home to several exemplary contemporary art pieces with an entire wing dedicated to feminist art. The amazing history and beautiful crafts make it a popular tourist destination for visitors of all ages.

Brooklyn Museum

Address: 200 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Website: Brooklyn Museum

Opening hours: Wed, Fri - Sun: 11am - 6pm; Thu: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon - Tue)

Price: 16 USD

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11. Dine with a view at Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Goodbye April, Hello May! To host your event here Call 718-858-8940 to reserve a space @...

Posted by Kimoto Rooftop on Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge is an Asian-inspired rooftop lounge that serves a wide range of food, craft beers, and cocktails. The place is extremely unique and a favorite of most New Yorkers. The place serves America’s favorite dishes with an Asian twist. The dishes are extremely sophisticated yet playful and uniquely served. The place brings out the nightlife in Downtown Brooklyn. Apart from casual eating and drinking, it is an ideal place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions. One simply cannot be in New York and not visit this wonderful place.

Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge

Address: 216 Duffield St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge

Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 3pm – 12am; Sat & Sun: 12pm – 12am, (closed Mon)

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12. See the vintage locomotives at New York Transit Museum

NYC Transit Museum (15568753560)
Source: Photo by user The All-Nite Images used under CC BY-SA 2.0

New York Transit Museum is one of the popular and unconventional museums in the city. The place opened on July 4, 1976, and displays historical artifacts - mainly locomotives - such as the buses and commuter railways which existed back in the days. The main museum is located in Downtown Brooklyn while a smaller satellite is located in Midtown Manhattan. This is a great place to step back, get a chance to sit in some vintage automobiles, and have fun. The uniqueness of the museum makes it a popular attraction for tourists from different corners of the world.

New York Transit Museum

Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: New York Transit Museum

Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 10am – 4pm; Sat – Sun: 11am – 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Free admission

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13. Relish delicious food options at DeKalb Market Hall


Head to DeKalb Market Hall - currently the biggest food hall in New York City. It has 40 vendors offering different cuisines from all around the globe. Some of the popular vendors in DeKalb Market Hall are Eight Turn Crepe, Brooklyn Juicer, Arepa Lady, Daigo Hand Roll Ball, and more. The market hall is 7,500 square feet (697 square meters) and hosts a number of public and private events. If you like to sip some cocktails head to UNDERSTUDY cocktail bar here. You can relish delicious food and cool drinks at this new spot which is a popular tourist haunt.

DeKalb Market Hall

Address: 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: DeKalb Market Hall

Opening hours: 7am – 10pm (daily)

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14. Listen to a live music performance at Brooklyn Academy Of Music

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) (48228024996)
Source: Photo by user Ajay Suresh used under CC BY 2.0

Art and music enthusiasts should not miss Brooklyn Academy of Music - a non-profit music and art center which was founded in 1861 in New York City. The center is a magnificent, U-shaped building and has an open court. The place is known for its progressive and unorthodox performances. The center hosts over 200 stage performances each year. Apart from that, the academy also puts up 75 live performances free of cost every year.

Brooklyn Academy Of Music

Address: 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website: Brooklyn Academy Of Music

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15. Enjoy a game of chess at Walt Whitman Park


The perfect way to unwind on a sunny afternoon is by heading to Walt Whitman Park in Downtown Brooklyn. The park is named after famed journalist and poet Walt Whitman, who had modern values and paved the way for a generation of free-thinkers. The park is beautifully decorated with paths, trees, fountains, benches, and game tables. People belonging to all age groups have something to do in this park. When in this park, do enjoy a game of chess with your friends or family members.

Walt Whitman Park

Address: Cadman Plaza E, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: 6am – 1am (daily)

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16. Watch a performance at BAM Harvey Theater

Majestic Urban Glass BAM Harvey Flatbush Av Fulton St jeh
Source: Photo by user Jim.henderson used under CC0

The BAM Harvey Theater (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is a majestic theater that opened in 1904. The place is known for its wide variety of dramas, musicals, vaudeville, light opera with immensely popular artists such as Katherine Cornell. The place was built with a different intent than for what it stands today. It was initially meant to be an institution for music but later became a well-known hub for different forms of art. The place is a must-visit if you are a lover of art, drama and literature.

BAM Harvey Theater

Address: 651 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website: BAM Harvey Theater

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17. Eat traditional Peruvian food at Pollo D'Oro


If you are a food lover and enthusiast you cannot miss lunching at the award-winning Pollo D’Oro. The restaurant offers delicious and authentic Peruvian dishes all the way from South America but with a sophisticated twist. The eatery has an amazing ambiance and is perfect for a family lunch or romantic dinner. If you are not a meat-eater no need to worry as the menu has a variety of vegetarian options. When you are here don’t miss out on the signature Pisco Sour, an alcoholic cocktail from Peru.

Pollo D'Oro

Address: 306 Gold St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Pollo D'Oro

Opening hours: Tue - Wed & Fri: 12pm – 9:45pm; Mon, Thu: 12pm – 9pm; Sat: 11am – 9:45pm; Sun: 11am – 9pm

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18. Try Mexican specialties at Rocco's Tacos And Tequila Bar


Make sure not to miss out on the amazing tacos at Rocco’s Tacos. Rocco brings you the true taste of Mexico with its exciting range of tacos which you cannot find anywhere else. Also, they serve mouthwatering guacamole and over 200 different kinds of tequila, some of them being exclusive to this restaurant. It is a fun place with a casual setting popular among locals and tourists.

Rocco's Tacos And Tequila Bar

Address: 339 Adams St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Rocco’s Tacos And Tequila Bar

Opening hours: Tue – Sat: 11:30am – 12am; Sun - Mon: 12pm – 10pm

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19. Play golf at Marine Park Golf Course


Marine Park Golf Course was designed in 1964 in Southern Brooklyn. The golf course is known for its prestigious country club, top-quality fields, and fairways. It also boasts some great views. It has wonderfully designed practice areas and driving range. The setting of the trees makes it an interesting golf course for the players. Do not miss an opportunity to tee off at this course if you’re in Downtown Brooklyn!

Marine Park Golf Course

Address: 2880 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234

Website: Marine Park Golf Course

Opening hours: 6am – 7pm (daily)

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20. Enjoy sunset views from Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Source: Photo by user Shinya Suzuki used under CC BY-ND 2.0

The best place to witness a typical New York sunset is Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The place is a pedestrian walkway with a long platform. The promenade runs all the way from Brooklyn to Atlantic Avenue. It is also known as the esplanade and is a marvelous spot to watch the sunset. The walkway is surrounded by restaurants which makes it a perfect dining location as well.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Address: Montague St &, Pierrepont Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Opening hours: 6am – 1am (daily)

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21. Go boating at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park sunset
Source: Photo by user dumbonyc used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Brooklyn Bridge Park is a huge park that is popular with locals and travelers alike The park is still under construction and was first opened in 2010. It has several fun outdoor activities, the most popular being boating and kayaking. The park also provides free kayaking sessions from June to August. Kayak around the park and you can espy popular landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Address: 334 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: Brooklyn Bridge Park

Opening hours: 6am – 1am (daily)

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22. Hang out and have a cocktail at House of Wax


Have you ever sat inches away from a corpse while sipping a cocktail? If you haven’t, you should visit House of Wax in Downtown Brooklyn. The bar is one of the spookiest places in the area and is known for its unconventional setting. It has a petrifying setting with deceased bodies though they’re made of wax. The bar serves exclusive 19th-century cocktails that are unique in taste. Do check out the bar with your friends and get ready to be spooked!.

House of Wax

Address: 445 Albee Square W #4410, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Website: House of Wax

Opening hours: Sun – Thu: 4pm – 12am; Fri - Sat: 4pm – 2am

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23. See the galleries at BLDG 92


BLDG 92 is a popular visitor place as it has a lot of history associated with it. It is also the starting point of Brooklyn Navy Yard Tours. It was built with LEED Platinum and is a three-story building that depicts the past, present, and future of this place. The gallery highlights the works of many artists and designers. You can enter the museum free of cost and look at some of the beautiful artifacts from around the world.

BLDG 92

Address: 63 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Website: BLDG 92

Opening hours: Wed – Sun: 12pm – 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: Free

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24. Try oysters at Grand Army

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Grand Army is known to take both its oysters and drinks seriously. They have a countless variety of oysters from the East and the West coast. The variety of cocktails keep changing seasonally. The oysters are well-cooked, seasoned, and accompanied by some delicious sauces. Also, they have happy hours for one hour on weekdays and two hours on weekends when they sell mouthwatering oysters dishes for just 1 USD. The restaurant is a favorite dining and drinking spot for most tourists.

Grand Army

Address: 336 State St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Website: Grand Army

Opening hours: Tue – Thu: 5pm – 1am; Fri: 5pm – 2am; Sat: 2pm – 2am; Sun: 2pm – 12am; Mon: 5pm – 12am

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Downtown Brooklyn, a perfect holiday destination

Correctly branded as The City That Never Sleeps, New York has endless places to visit at any time of the day. A visit to New York is incomplete without visiting Downtown Brooklyn with eateries, entertainment destinations, and more for all age categories. Enjoy shopping at Fulton Mall, get a glimpse of the city from Kimoto Rooftop Lounge, or visit Brooklyn Academy Of Music - Downtown Brooklyn has it all.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Sumit lived in the UK for 10 years and experienced the hustle and bustle of the urban life. However, the serene Scottish country side is where his heart lies. He is still unable to understand Welsh...Read more

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