If you’ve never been to New York City, prepare to be pleasantly overwhelmed.
Will you figure out which direction uptown and downtown are during your trip? Probably not.
Will you pay exorbitant prices for basic amenities? It’s almost guaranteed.
Will you be confronted with some of the most inspiring sights in the world? The forecast says yes.
Visiting New York City for the first time is sort of like clinging to the tail-end of a rocket. You’re trying to hold on while also glancing around in wonder.
One of the toughest challenges for newcomers is figuring out where to go. While Manhattan (called the City by locals) should be your focus, you might also want to wander into New York City’s other four boroughs: the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Let’s focus on Brooklyn for now. Here’s why it should be on your radar when you stay in the Big Apple.
Brooklyn is (slightly) cheaper
It’s not cheap—that’s for sure.
But compared to Manhattan, many neighborhoods in Brooklyn are a lot more affordable than their counterparts across the river.
Keep in mind that areas like Williamsburg and Greenpoint are priced like Manhattan, along with most hotels and restaurants in Downtown Brooklyn.
But if you want some serious savings, then you can push even further into Brooklyn. I’m thinking about areas like Carroll Gardens, Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, and even Red Hook. Just make sure you’re okay with walking a bit.
Brooklyn’s subways are more spaced out than Manhattan’s—and the train rides into the city are going to take longer if you’re not on the express.
Arts & culture is very homegrown
Brooklyn has a reputation for its hipster population.
Neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bedstuy), Bushwick, and Midwood (which borders Queens) have seen a huge influx of new shops, restaurants, bars, and other projects.
Some of them are really cool, like Syndicated Movie Theatre and new clubs like the Brooklyn Mirage. But not all projects from New York City transplants are worth writing home about.
In Brooklyn, you’ll also get a feel for another side of the ‘real New York’. One that you might not notice if you stayed in Manhattan.
So, what do I mean by the ‘real New York’? I’m talking about projects that were created by locals and for locals. Tourists are more than welcome, too!
You’ll find dozens of homegrown establishments throughout Brooklyn, including in its ‘hipster’ areas. Check out The Narativ House x Brooklyn Kettle, BierWax, Adanne, and Paperboy Prince Love Gallery if you want to experience and support Brooklyn projects, specifically.
The great outdoors
Nobody goes to the Big Apple with the hopes of getting into nature.
And even though Central Park should be on your bucket list, Brooklyn has way more open space. If you’re prone to feeling a little claustrophobic, then Manhattan should be a day trip for you. (Seriously, it’s very congested.)
Brooklyn is home to several large parks and cemeteries. (Did you know that Brooklyn’s cemeteries were designed for park-like walks? Green-Wood even hosts events.)
Prospect Park is the most famous park. It’s massive and includes an art gallery, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The Brooklyn Bridge Park and Fort Greene Park are also popular for those in the downtown area.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the borough, you can find unique green spaces at your disposal.
For example, my in-laws live in Bay Ridge, which is home to Owl’s Head Park—it’s a beautiful and hilly park with a great view of lower Manhattan. Also, Bay Ridge is increasingly accessible for tourists, giving you a viable spot for cheap rentals. Assuming you’re okay waiting for the R train, of course.