IgoUgo

Brooklyn Journals

Best of IgoUgo

New York: Living in Brooklyn

A travel journal to Brooklyn by kylebarber

Beneath the cherry blossom treesMore Photos
Quote: Since I've been sharing info on all the great places I've been to, it makes sense to tell you why Brooklyn is where I keep coming back home.

New York: Living in BrooklynBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Quote: The best thing about Brooklyn, like of all New York City, is its character. You can love it or hate it, or both at the same time, but you cannot deny that Brooklyn has a definite spirit and character that is unmatched by most other cities in the United States or, in fact, the world. Everywhere you turn, the history and sense of community of Brooklyn is bubbling over.

Quick Tips:

If you are visiting New York City, make sure to set aside two days to see Brooklyn. While there are plenty of sights and attractions in Manhattan to fill up a two-week vacation, seeing Brooklyn will offer you a richer and more complete picture of what life is really like in the Big Apple.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxis are fine quick trips in manhattan, but if you're going to see Brooklyn you'll have to learn to use the subway.

Junior'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote: This local institution resembles a very large family style restaurant (say Denny's) with a dark interior. People don't come in for the decor, however, and certainly not for the slow and error-prone service. What they do look forward to is the humongous servings of cheesecake and other homemade desserts. This cheesecake doesn't compare with the richer, heavier slice of heaven served up in Manhattan by the Carnegie Deli, but connoisseurs will want to trek out to Brooklyn (or the newly opened Central Station location) to sample the smooth and creamy treat, baked in a crust with a hint of almond. Though the area can get dicey late at night Junior's is open 24 hours.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 22, 2025

Junior's
386 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 852-5257

Banania CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote: This relatively new restuarant along Smith Street has developed into a local favorite, with many brave Manhattanites venturing out into the wilds of Brooklyn for quality food. Cute twists on standard bistro fare that make for good conversation as well as a yummy meal. I'm not a pork fan, but the chop with the apple preparation is quite succulent. Leave room for dessert, as each treat we've sampled so far has been of superior quality.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 22, 2025

Banania Cafe
241 Smith St Brooklyn, New York 11231
(718) 237-9100

Totonno'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote: Do you like pizza? Then why haven't you been to Totonno's yet? Arguably the best New York style pizza in the world, you really have to travel a great distance to decide for yourself. But truly it is worth the time and effort, plus the inherent 'adventure' in visiting dilapitated Coney Island. The crust is heavenly, and the mozzarella is true. Just don't eat too much if you're heading over to the Cyclone later on...

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 22, 2025

Totonno's
1524 Neptune Ave Brooklyn, New York 11224
(718) 372-8606

Harvest RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Harvest"

Quote: First of all, avoid this place for Sunday brunch. The wait to be seated can be over an hour and a half, and then you'll have to get the waiter's attention. But the long lines are a testament to the quality of food and the friendly service. Harvest serves up hearty American fare like macaroni and cheese and meatloaf, along with more adventurous offerings such as pecan encrusted chicken and broiled fish with citrus based salsa. The desserts are good, and you'll feel at home in either dining room or out in the backyard patio.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 30, 2025

Harvest Restaurant
218 Court Street Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 624-9267

PatoisBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote: Patois is not just another French bistro knockoff to entertain the growing yuppie population of Carroll Gardens. It features fine cooking of simple French and American entrees in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Straightforward dishes that might normally elicit a yawn are so yummily prepared at Patois that they seem downright exotic. Desserts are on par with the great food, and the cute cocktail tiki hut out back is a fun way to pass the time while you wait for a table.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 30, 2025

Patois
255 Smith St Brooklyn, New York 11231
(718) 855-1535

Grimaldi'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Grimaldi's Pizzeria"

Quote: Not quite as amazing as Totonno's out in Coney Island, Grimaldi's Pizzeria offers the best pie you can get without traveling far. Formerly known as Patsy's, this pizzeria that hides underneath the Brooklyn Bridge is not to be confused with the subpar Patsy's that now operates in Manhattan. Grimaldi's is the real deal, with hearty sauce and authentic mozzarella cheese. The crowds waiting to get in can be big, but they keep the line moving pretty quick.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 30, 2025

Grimaldi's
19 Old Fulton St. Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 858-4300

The New York AquariumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation"

Quote: Most Brooklyn natives might not think of travelling all the way out to Coney Island to visit the local aquarium, but the current facility is a modern, creature-friendly zoo that can compete head to head (or tail to tail) with the likes of SeaWorld. Run by the Wildlife Conservation, who also administer the Bronx Zoo and other institutions across the nation, the Aquarium has a focus on respecting wildlife and promoting conservation. A large theater houses both dolphins and sea lions that perform regularly scheduled shows that frequently result in wet audiences. Small beluga whales are also on display in a large tank, which is no problem as these friendly creatures gravitate towards the windows to check you out in return. Sharks and octopusess (octopi?) elicit the expected oohs and ahhs from children, whereas older aquatic fans will be happy to park themselves on a bench and watch the penguins frolic while munching on dolphin shaped french fries.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 30, 2025

The New York Aquarium
Boardwalk & W 8 Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 265-3400

Prospect ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote: Built by the same fellows who brought us Central Park in Manhattan, Prospect Park is equally important to Brooklynites who need a nature break form the hustle and bustle of the city. The huge park, which dates back to 1865, houses a number of attractions and wide open spaces throughout its 526 acres. There is a small children's zoo, a boat house, skating rink, playgrounds, carousel, tennis courts, immense lawns and fields, patches of forest, and nearby you'll find the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. If you like rollerblading, the sloping hills will provide more of a challenge than Central Park and considerably smaller crowds.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 30, 2025

Prospect Park
Eastern Parkway and Parkside Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11238
(718) 965-8951

Brooklyn Heights PromenadeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote: There are so many spectacular views from the island of Manhattan, but you'll need to come over to Brooklyn to have the best view of Manhattan's own skyline. The Brooklyn Heights Promenade, or Esplanade, showcases its rival borough with an amazing panoramic view of Manhattan's southern tip and Lower East Side. The Esplanade itself itself is a pretty, tree-lined walkway that covers the noisy Brooklyn Queens Expressway below. Despite the persistent noise, this romantic spot nightly attracts plenty of lovers, and those who simply love the city of New York.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 30, 2025

Brooklyn Heights Promenade
above the Brooklyn Queens Expwy Brooklyn, New York

Coney IslandBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Cyclone
Quote: Coney Island is not a typical amusement park for taking the family out for a day. Each thrill ride is owned and operated by different companies or individuals, and the open field of Coney Island is surrounded by project housing. But if you're a history buff who enjoys seeing a glimpse of the way New York City used to be before its current mallification, you'll want to come out to Coney Island for an afternoon.

The rusting shells of abandoned thrill rides haunt the quiet, narrow seashore. You can still enjoy the ancient Wonder Wheel attraction, which towers over everything in sight and offers great views on clear days. And the Cyclone doesn't disappoint roller coaster enthusiasts who love the unpredictable rickety ride that a wooden coaster provides. Of course in between all the thrill rides and carny games you can stuff your face with a wide variety of junk food, including the original Nathan's hot dog. Better yet is to make a quick detour over to Totonno's for the the best pizza in New York City.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 26, 2025

Coney Island
Surf Avenue (along Long Island Sound) Brooklyn, New York 11224
718 372 5159

Brooklyn MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Brooklyn Museum of Art"

Quote: One of the largest museums in the country, this local favorite is often overlooked by tourists who are preoccupied with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. But if you are particularly interested in Egyptian history or art, I'd recommend checking out this too-often neglected gem. It also features a wide variety of temporary installations including the much talked about cutting edge modern art exhibitions.

The museum is noted for showcasing the arts of sometimes neglected cultural groups, particularly tribes from island nations. And almost everyone in Brooklyn has enjoyed one of the First Saturdays open house evenings at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, when admission is free and folks are treated to live music, snacks, and feature films. I think the highest recommendation for the museum, however, is that you can enjoy a world class institution with much more manageable crowds of people than the Met or the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 26, 2025

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11238
(718) 638-5000

Brooklyn Academy of MusicBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote: The Brooklyn Academy of Music, or BAM, is one of the top cultural attractions in the borough. Their beautiful opera house (dating back to 1861) seats over 2000 people comfortably, and provides high quality entertainment that draws crowds from across the river. BAM often presents works that are highly experimental or from traveling repertory companies that might not find an appropriate venue in Manhattan. Recent successes include the sell-out performances of Ralph Fiennes and the Almeida theater company of England performing two of Shakespeare's lesser known plays. In the author’s humble opinion these productions were vastly superior to any recent Shakespearean mountings on Broadway.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 26, 2025

Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Ave Brooklyn, New York 11217
(718) 230-3338

Brooklyn BridgeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote: Created in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is still one of the most amazing sights to see in all of New York City. Besides being an architectural wonder, the Brooklyn Bridge offers amazing views as you walk across its 6,000 foot span. A one-way trip across takes a little over a half an hour, and there are interesting plaques along the journey which detail the complicated construction of this amazing bridge. Subway stops are available on either end of the bridge. A walk across the bridge's promenade takes about 40 minutes; it's well worth it.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on November 26, 2025

Brooklyn Bridge
Park Row, near Municipal Bldg Brooklyn, New York

The Brooklyn Botanic GardenBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Brooklyn Botanic Garden"

Beneath the cherry blossom trees
Quote: For almost a century the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has provided a natural respite from the city, housing over 12,000 varieties of indoor and outdoor plants. The 52 acre park is perfect for strolling, offering a nice combination of manicured rows and stretches of wild foliage. The large multilevel atriums showcase a number of habitats and their respective plant life. An interesting attraction is the Garden for the Blind, which features plants that have unique textures and are highly aromatic.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 by kylebarber on April 26, 2025

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Ave Brooklyn, New York 11225
+1 718 622 4433

About the Writer

kylebarber

kylebarber
Seattle, Washington

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