Guidebook for Brooklyn
Food Scene
Amazing cocktails, delicious hash browns at weekend brunch, Monday burger night, Wednesday oyster special.
55 locals recommend
Fort Defiance
347 Van Brunt St Amazing cocktails, delicious hash browns at weekend brunch, Monday burger night, Wednesday oyster special.
Not just a fantastic lobster roll, but also a fabulous dollar oyster happy hour during the week.
65 locals recommend
Red Hook Lobster Pound
284 Van Brunt StNot just a fantastic lobster roll, but also a fabulous dollar oyster happy hour during the week.
Fantastic views of the harbor while you eat, plus fun games for the kids while you wait for a table--because you will be waiting. It's a popular spot.
82 locals recommend
Brooklyn Crab
24 Reed StFantastic views of the harbor while you eat, plus fun games for the kids while you wait for a table--because you will be waiting. It's a popular spot.
Best roast pig in NYC and live music on the weekends. Come early. The line goes around the block.
101 locals recommend
Hometown Bar-B-Que
454 Van Brunt StBest roast pig in NYC and live music on the weekends. Come early. The line goes around the block.
Decadent and delicious. People come from Manhattan to have their whoopie pies.
54 locals recommend
Baked
359 Van Brunt StDecadent and delicious. People come from Manhattan to have their whoopie pies.
The Black Flamingo
281 Van Brunt StNice spot to hang out.
Lucali
575 Henry StPopular pizza spot. Bring your own bottle.
Pok Pok NY
117 Columbia Street Destination Thai food.
Drinks & Nightlife
Sunny's
253 Conover StTrivia night on Thursdays, Irish music on weekends. Come on Sunday afternoon for Irish trad jam sessions.
7 locals recommend
Rocky Sullivan's
46 Beard StTrivia night on Thursdays, Irish music on weekends. Come on Sunday afternoon for Irish trad jam sessions.
Botanica
220 Conover StBeautiful space, innovative drinks.
Arts & Culture
Open studios and live music on Second Sundays. Pioneer Works is a major draw to Red Hook.
79 locals recommend
Pioneer Works
159 Pioneer StOpen studios and live music on Second Sundays. Pioneer Works is a major draw to Red Hook.
Waterfront Museum
290 Conover StParks & Nature
An amazing view of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty, surrounded by excellent outdoor murals. Also check out redhookboaters.org for the schedule of free kayaking in the harbor.
40 locals recommend
Louis Valentino, Jr. Park and Pier
Coffey StreetAn amazing view of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty, surrounded by excellent outdoor murals. Also check out redhookboaters.org for the schedule of free kayaking in the harbor.
The ferry goes to Governors Island on weekends. Enjoy free miniature golf, bicycle rentals, outdoor fun.
249 locals recommend
Governors Island
The ferry goes to Governors Island on weekends. Enjoy free miniature golf, bicycle rentals, outdoor fun.
Essentials
Fairway Market Red Hook
480-500 Van Brunt StNates Pharmacy
376 Van Brunt StLocal independent drug store.
Local liquor and wines, hard-to-find spirits, excellent wines, including many under $12.
8 locals recommend
dry dock wine + spirits
442 Van Brunt StLocal liquor and wines, hard-to-find spirits, excellent wines, including many under $12.
Sightseeing
The wait to get to the top of the Empire State Building is ridiculous. Skip the ESB and head to Top of the Rock to get your view of the city, if that kind of thing matters to you.
759 locals recommend
Rockefeller Center
45 Rockefeller PlazaThe wait to get to the top of the Empire State Building is ridiculous. Skip the ESB and head to Top of the Rock to get your view of the city, if that kind of thing matters to you.
Take the ferry at Pioneer Street to Brooklyn Bridge Park, or just take the bike/jogging path all the way up the waterfront (a 1.5 mile walk or run). The park is fantastic, there are sometimes free movies, and you can walk across the bridge.
1505 locals recommend
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge PromenadeTake the ferry at Pioneer Street to Brooklyn Bridge Park, or just take the bike/jogging path all the way up the waterfront (a 1.5 mile walk or run). The park is fantastic, there are sometimes free movies, and you can walk across the bridge.
Entertainment & Activities
Free Olympic-size swimming pool, open late June to early September. You need to bring a combination lock for the locker, but I can lend you one.
11 locals recommend
Red Hook Pool
155 Bay StreetFree Olympic-size swimming pool, open late June to early September. You need to bring a combination lock for the locker, but I can lend you one.