While there’s much to do in each of the five boroughs, Brooklyn has a habit of impressing us with just the right thing, as if speaking directly to our innermost curiosities and delights. Get to know Brooklyn through some of our colleagues’ favorite things to do and places to be.
Courtesy, The Center for Fiction
The Center for Fiction
15 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene
What it is: Exactly as it’s billed—and more. CFF is a bookstore, café, lending library and event space. It also offers book groups and workshops, making it an all-purpose stop for the City's readers and writers.
Why I love it: There’s a wall-sized photo mural of Toni Morrison in the stairwell, an image in which she somehow manages to be both critical and encouraging, which perfectly embodies the spirit of the space. Also, this one time I saw Ottessa Moshfegh and John Waters in conversation there.
What’s nearby: Downtown Brooklyn's cultural scene: BAM, Mark Morris Dance Group, Theatre for a New Audience and more. Greenlight Bookstore, another personal favorite, is a short walk away.
When to go: Anytime, but check CFF's calendar for items of personal interest. —Jonathan Durbin
Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo: Paola Chapdelaine
The Green-Wood Cemetery
5th Ave. and 25th St., Sunset Park
What it is: The Green-Wood Cemetery is one of New York City’s most notable (and most beautiful!!!!) cemeteries.
Why I love it: Where else can you say you hung out with Jean-Michel Basquiat? Green-Wood is more than just a resting place for the deceased; it’s one of the first “rural cemeteries” in America, part of the 19th-century rural cemetery movement. The goal was to make burial grounds more inviting—think garden meets cemetery. Instead of going to a cemetery or burial ground solely for a funeral or to visit a loved one, the movement made it more socially acceptable to stroll, hang out and take in the scenery the same way you would at a park or picnic.
You can even (literally) take your deepest, darkest secrets to the grave here. There’s an art installation near the main entrance by Sophie Calle called Here Lie the Secrets of the Visitors of Green-Wood Cemetery, where you can write your secret on a piece of paper and drop it into the slot of a grave. They even cremate the secrets!
What’s nearby: The next time I visit, I will check out the Morbid Anatomy Library. If you want to continue your parklike day, Prospect Park is nearby.
When to go: Any day before 5pm when they close. I also recommend allowing plenty of time, since the cemetery is quite large and there’s so much to see. —Brittany Petronella
New York Transit Museum. Courtesy, Black Paw Photo
New York Transit Museum
99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights
What it is: A museum…for transit! Seriously though, the New York Transit Museum is run by the MTA and lives inside a decommissioned subway station. It’s full of amazing historical artifacts that trace the history of NYC’s public transportation system: vintage subway cars and buses, old turnstiles and tokens and tons of retro ads and designs.
Why I love it: It’s such a fun way to explore the history of the iconic NYC subway. You are invited to literally walk through decades of preserved subway cars, “time traveling” by stepping inside them. Sit in a 1940s rattan-seated subway car and jump ahead to the 1960s and see the original ads in the next car.
What’s nearby: You’re right between Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights. One of the best things to do before or after the museum is grab a coffee and one of NYC’s best croissants from L'Appartement 4F, then stroll along the Brooklyn Promenade for gorgeous Lower Manhattan skyline views.
When to go: Anytime it’s open! —Rachel Taylor
Courtesy, Randazzo’s Clam Bar
Randazzo’s Clam Bar
2017 Emmons Ave., Sheepshead Bay
What it is: Randazzo’s is a classic Italian seafood spot on a little inlet in the south Brooklyn waterfront. For more than 60 years, it’s drawn diners for fresh shellfish, a family-friendly vibe and its celebrated marinara sauce.
Why I love it: First off, there’s the sign: a giant red lobster with “Clam Bar” spelled vertically on its body and holding the word “Randazzo’s” in its claws. Then there’s the fact they have a guy shucking clams at the front of the restaurant, in plain sight. The food, particularly the raw clams and oysters, fried calamari (with that sauce), seafood soups and simple pastas, is winning too.
What’s nearby: Walking along the marina waterfront is always nice, and Manhattan Beach is also in easy walking distance.
When to go: Warm summertime weather is best, especially if you want to do some neighborhood strolling—or swimming. —Andrew Rosenberg
Courtesy, Sterling Records
Sterling Records
121 5th Ave., Park Slope
What it is: This is a great neighborhood shop with a focus on vinyl. They also stock CDs, books, T-shirts, puzzles—all sorts of gifts for the music lover.
Why I love it: The vibes are chill and welcoming. They have a deejay spinning tunes on the tables, so it’s a good place to hear new or new-to-you music as well as to buy. Fun fact: one of the owners is also one of the founders of Maker Park Radio in Staten Island.
What’s nearby: Sterling Records is on 5th Avenue in north Park Slope, so the world is basically your oyster in terms of coffee shops, restaurants and bars—as well as loads of other shops like the nearby Beacon’s Closet, Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store and The Ripped Bodice bookshop.
When to go: It’s open every day noon–6pm, except Thursday and Friday, when it’s open till 8pm. —Liz Daggar
Sunny’s Bar. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Sunny’s Bar
253 Conover St., Red Hook
What it is: This local bar is one of the best-kept secrets of modern Red Hook nightlife and has been in the family of the late Sunny Balzano (his wife runs it now) since 1890. After past incarnations, one as a restaurant and another as a longshoremen's bar, Sunny’s has settled nicely into its current life as an intimate waterfront saloon.
Why I love it: Expect a homey atmosphere, weekly country and bluegrass jam sessions and other charms.
What’s nearby: With so much to explore in this neighborhood, we recommend making a day out of it. From restaurants and the waterfront (insider tip: take the NYC Ferry) to art spaces and cafés, the top three not to be missed are Pioneer Works, Red Hook Tavern and Widow Jane.
When to go: Spring and summer are the best months to experience this area. Sunny’s is open seven days a week, but check other venues’ websites as some places are closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and tours (of Widow Jane, a distillery) may only be offered during the weekends. —Jen Davis