Insider's Guide to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and NYC!
Neighborhoods
Williamsburg is a hip neighborhood in Brooklyn that draws the young and the fashionable to its chic boutiques, trendy cafes and buzzy restaurants. Street art brightens residential thoroughfares and repurposed factories, while the waterfront provides stunning views of Manhattan and seasonal venues for outdoor concerts and food markets. Dance clubs, happening bars and music halls liven up the nightlife scene.
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Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a hip neighborhood in Brooklyn that draws the young and the fashionable to its chic boutiques, trendy cafes and buzzy restaurants. Street art brightens residential thoroughfares and repurposed factories, while the waterfront provides stunning views of Manhattan and seasonal venues for outdoor concerts and food markets. Dance clubs, happening bars and music halls liven up the nightlife scene.
Trendy Dumbo's cobblestone streets and converted Brooklyn warehouse buildings are the backdrop for independent boutiques, high-end restaurants and trendy cafes. Near the waterfront, St. Ann's Warehouse, in a former tobacco factory, is the heart of a thriving performance and gallery scene. The north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park features historic Jane’s Carousel as well as picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline.
422 moradores locais recomendam
Dumbo
65 Plymouth StTrendy Dumbo's cobblestone streets and converted Brooklyn warehouse buildings are the backdrop for independent boutiques, high-end restaurants and trendy cafes. Near the waterfront, St. Ann's Warehouse, in a former tobacco factory, is the heart of a thriving performance and gallery scene. The north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park features historic Jane’s Carousel as well as picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline.
Sightseeing
The most recent attraction and addition for what to do in Williamsburg was opened to the public in 2018. Just north of the Williamsburg Bridge, the former Domino Sugar Refinery was converted into a 5-acre public park with many attractions.
The park features an elevated walkway, playground, taco spot, fountain and seating steps, beach volleyball, and amazing views of the Manhattan skyline along the East River along the Williamsburg waterfront.
The park is named after the former sugar factory that was here, hence the name. You can still see traces of the past here as the architects and designers of the park (who also created the High-Line in Chelsea) purposefully left up some of the old factory equipment to pay homage to the history here.
Domino Park is also dog-friendly if you’ve got a furry friend with you on your trip to Williamsburg! Or, if you fancy eating with a view, this. is one of the best picnic spots in Brooklyn.
432 moradores locais recomendam
Domino Park
15 Kent AveThe most recent attraction and addition for what to do in Williamsburg was opened to the public in 2018. Just north of the Williamsburg Bridge, the former Domino Sugar Refinery was converted into a 5-acre public park with many attractions.
The park features an elevated walkway, playground, taco spot, fountain and seating steps, beach volleyball, and amazing views of the Manhattan skyline along the East River along the Williamsburg waterfront.
The park is named after the former sugar factory that was here, hence the name. You can still see traces of the past here as the architects and designers of the park (who also created the High-Line in Chelsea) purposefully left up some of the old factory equipment to pay homage to the history here.
Domino Park is also dog-friendly if you’ve got a furry friend with you on your trip to Williamsburg! Or, if you fancy eating with a view, this. is one of the best picnic spots in Brooklyn.
Less crowded than Manhattan's Central Park, Prospect Park offers the same gorgeous, giant green space for hanging out, sports, exercise, some of the best picnic spots in Brooklyn, casual strolls plus some of the other Prospect Park activities there are to offer from the zoo to historic museums.
Prospect Park is an urban park in Brooklyn, New York City. The park is situated between the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, and Windsor Terrace, and is adjacent to the Brooklyn Museum, Grand Army Plaza, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Hours:
Sunday to Monday: 5AM to 1AM
3418 moradores locais recomendam
Prospect Park
Less crowded than Manhattan's Central Park, Prospect Park offers the same gorgeous, giant green space for hanging out, sports, exercise, some of the best picnic spots in Brooklyn, casual strolls plus some of the other Prospect Park activities there are to offer from the zoo to historic museums.
Prospect Park is an urban park in Brooklyn, New York City. The park is situated between the neighborhoods of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, and Windsor Terrace, and is adjacent to the Brooklyn Museum, Grand Army Plaza, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Hours:
Sunday to Monday: 5AM to 1AM
One of the most iconic things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is the Williamsburg Bridge. Besides being an easy way to get you to and from Williamsburg from lower Manhattan, the bridge is a NYC monument in its own right.
The bridge has an absolutely stunning view of the city and there are many things to do in Williamsburg that are just under the bridge.
You can walk, drive, bike or take the subway across but if you want to appreciate Williamsburg and all its beauty, take a walk across and visit the restaurants and shops when you get into Brooklyn.
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Ponte de Williamsburg
70 Williamsburg Bridge Bicycle PathOne of the most iconic things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is the Williamsburg Bridge. Besides being an easy way to get you to and from Williamsburg from lower Manhattan, the bridge is a NYC monument in its own right.
The bridge has an absolutely stunning view of the city and there are many things to do in Williamsburg that are just under the bridge.
You can walk, drive, bike or take the subway across but if you want to appreciate Williamsburg and all its beauty, take a walk across and visit the restaurants and shops when you get into Brooklyn.
Food scene
Another one of the best things to do in Williamsburg for entertainment and nightlife is the bar + arcade combo, Barcade! There are a few locations around the city and we are lucky enough to have one in Williamsburg.
This uber cool hang out spot has a full-service bar with great brews on drafts plus an impressive collection of vintage video games from Pac-man to Q*bert and pretty much anything else you can think of plus a collection of old school pinball machines.
Grab some tokens and take your beer around as you try to score the highest points!
Business Hours
Mon-Thurs: 4pm-2am
Fri: 4pm-4am
Sat: 12pm-4am
Sun: 12pm-2am
Happy Hour
Mon-Fri: 4pm-6pm
$2 off beer, wine, and well
SHOT SPECIAL: Victory Classic pint and shot of well whiskey (Broadhorn) for $10
587 moradores locais recomendam
Barcade
388 Union AveAnother one of the best things to do in Williamsburg for entertainment and nightlife is the bar + arcade combo, Barcade! There are a few locations around the city and we are lucky enough to have one in Williamsburg.
This uber cool hang out spot has a full-service bar with great brews on drafts plus an impressive collection of vintage video games from Pac-man to Q*bert and pretty much anything else you can think of plus a collection of old school pinball machines.
Grab some tokens and take your beer around as you try to score the highest points!
Business Hours
Mon-Thurs: 4pm-2am
Fri: 4pm-4am
Sat: 12pm-4am
Sun: 12pm-2am
Happy Hour
Mon-Fri: 4pm-6pm
$2 off beer, wine, and well
SHOT SPECIAL: Victory Classic pint and shot of well whiskey (Broadhorn) for $10
Smorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in America, attracting thousands of people each weekend to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Jersey City, Los Angeles, and Miami to eat from dozens of local vendors. It launched May 21, 2011, as a spinoff of Brooklyn Flea (founded in 2008), and has since launched dozens of small businesses and attracted millions of visitors. The New York Times dubbed Smorgasburg “The Woodstock of Eating.”
Smorgasburg expanded in June 2016 with a Sunday market for 70 vendors in downtown Los Angeles that attracts 10,000 people weekly. In 2019 a Friday market at the Oculus at the World Trade Center opened, followed in May 2021 with a weekly Saturday market in Jersey City as well as a Smorgasbar Beer Garden on the Jersey City waterfront. In March 2022, Smorgasburg Miami opened in the Wynwood Walls district attracting 10,000 people on Saturdays. Smorgasburg also operates pop-ups in Osaka, Japan, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Williamsburg Location Hours of Operation:
Saturdays: 11AM - 6PM
Definitely do not miss this opportunity during your stay! Great food variety and an awesome view.
777 moradores locais recomendam
Smorgasburg
90 Kent AveSmorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in America, attracting thousands of people each weekend to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Jersey City, Los Angeles, and Miami to eat from dozens of local vendors. It launched May 21, 2011, as a spinoff of Brooklyn Flea (founded in 2008), and has since launched dozens of small businesses and attracted millions of visitors. The New York Times dubbed Smorgasburg “The Woodstock of Eating.”
Smorgasburg expanded in June 2016 with a Sunday market for 70 vendors in downtown Los Angeles that attracts 10,000 people weekly. In 2019 a Friday market at the Oculus at the World Trade Center opened, followed in May 2021 with a weekly Saturday market in Jersey City as well as a Smorgasbar Beer Garden on the Jersey City waterfront. In March 2022, Smorgasburg Miami opened in the Wynwood Walls district attracting 10,000 people on Saturdays. Smorgasburg also operates pop-ups in Osaka, Japan, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Williamsburg Location Hours of Operation:
Saturdays: 11AM - 6PM
Definitely do not miss this opportunity during your stay! Great food variety and an awesome view.
This is hands down one of the best taco spots in Brooklyn, which started after their Jackson Heights location sort of blew up in popularity. Over and over again I heard how incredible this place was, so much that I ventured out to Jackson Heights to give it a try. The line was wrapped around the block for the truck and once I was finally able to order and take my first bite, I understood why.
Now, if you’re looking for the best food in Brooklyn, you don’t have to go to Jackson Heights to taste these incredible tacos. The line still appears just as long in Williamsburg but trust me, it is worth the wait – and usually, the wait isn’t that long. (If you go right when they open you can slide in and get your tacos quickly)
There are four items on the menu and while all are incredible, your first experience has to be the Birria Taco with a side of consommé. The tortillas are perfectly crunchy and the dip in the consommé makes for the absolutely perfect bite.
This is also one of the best places to eat in Williamsburg if you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive meal.
Hours:
Mondays - Thursdays: 4PM–1AM
Fridays & Saturdays: 2PM–1AM
Sundays: 2PM–12AM
15 moradores locais recomendam
Birria-Landia
491 Metropolitan AvenueThis is hands down one of the best taco spots in Brooklyn, which started after their Jackson Heights location sort of blew up in popularity. Over and over again I heard how incredible this place was, so much that I ventured out to Jackson Heights to give it a try. The line was wrapped around the block for the truck and once I was finally able to order and take my first bite, I understood why.
Now, if you’re looking for the best food in Brooklyn, you don’t have to go to Jackson Heights to taste these incredible tacos. The line still appears just as long in Williamsburg but trust me, it is worth the wait – and usually, the wait isn’t that long. (If you go right when they open you can slide in and get your tacos quickly)
There are four items on the menu and while all are incredible, your first experience has to be the Birria Taco with a side of consommé. The tortillas are perfectly crunchy and the dip in the consommé makes for the absolutely perfect bite.
This is also one of the best places to eat in Williamsburg if you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive meal.
Hours:
Mondays - Thursdays: 4PM–1AM
Fridays & Saturdays: 2PM–1AM
Sundays: 2PM–12AM
This wouldn’t be a complete guide to the best restaurants in Williamsburg without including the infamous Peter Luger, one of the most famous steakhouses in NYC. It’s your classic, old school, NY steakhouse complete with all the thrills that come with classic steakhouses; none, which in my opinion is half the charm.
Must orders? The wedge salad because really are you eating at a steakhouse without starting out with a Ceasar or wedge salad?
The porterhouse steak for two is the next thing to appear on your table. While the price tag is high, the quality is worth every penny. It’s covered in butter and salt and arrives completely pre-cut.
Get the creamed spinach for your sides and you have yourself the classic American meal. Still craving more? You can’t go wrong with their hot fudge sundae for dessert.
Keep in mind this Williamsburg restaurant is a cash-only establishment. Be sure to hit up the ATM in advance. Also, you’ll want to make a reservation in advance.
503 moradores locais recomendam
Peter Luger Steak House
178 BroadwayThis wouldn’t be a complete guide to the best restaurants in Williamsburg without including the infamous Peter Luger, one of the most famous steakhouses in NYC. It’s your classic, old school, NY steakhouse complete with all the thrills that come with classic steakhouses; none, which in my opinion is half the charm.
Must orders? The wedge salad because really are you eating at a steakhouse without starting out with a Ceasar or wedge salad?
The porterhouse steak for two is the next thing to appear on your table. While the price tag is high, the quality is worth every penny. It’s covered in butter and salt and arrives completely pre-cut.
Get the creamed spinach for your sides and you have yourself the classic American meal. Still craving more? You can’t go wrong with their hot fudge sundae for dessert.
Keep in mind this Williamsburg restaurant is a cash-only establishment. Be sure to hit up the ATM in advance. Also, you’ll want to make a reservation in advance.
Conselho para os viajantes
Transporte
The NYC subway will be your best friend!
It takes about 18 minutes to go from the Loft to 14th Street Union Square (Manhattan) - 9 minute walk to the L train and a 7 minute train ride (4 stops) to Union Square!