Ian's Guidebook
Entertainment
Metrograph
7 Ludlow StLES Art-house cinema
Williamsburg Cinemas
217 Grand StMainstream cinema for a night out in Williamsburg
The best value in all of New York! This burlesque show makes for a fantastic night out; discounted rush tickets available and all seats in the house are great. Highly entertaining beautiful spectacle in the neighborhood.
18 locals recommend
Théâtre XIV - The Home of Company XIV
383 Troutman StThe best value in all of New York! This burlesque show makes for a fantastic night out; discounted rush tickets available and all seats in the house are great. Highly entertaining beautiful spectacle in the neighborhood.
Sightseeing
Enjoy the beach in the warmer months or take a trip on the NYC Ferry year-round.
224 locals recommend
Rockaway Beach
Enjoy the beach in the warmer months or take a trip on the NYC Ferry year-round.
Known as “Marsha P. Johnson State Park” this is a great place for city views and picnicking in Williamsburg
451 locals recommend
East River State Park
90 Kent AveKnown as “Marsha P. Johnson State Park” this is a great place for city views and picnicking in Williamsburg
Great little park in Williamsburg with access to the NYC Ferry ($2.75)
30 locals recommend
North 5th Street Pier and Park
105 River StGreat little park in Williamsburg with access to the NYC Ferry ($2.75)
The best people-watching in NYC! A true crossroads for all walks of life. Highly recommended for young people looking to have a picnic on the cheap.
946 locals recommend
Washington Square Park
Washington SquareThe best people-watching in NYC! A true crossroads for all walks of life. Highly recommended for young people looking to have a picnic on the cheap.
Red Pearl
202 Bedford AveCute little shop a few steps from the L Bedford stop—great for unique gifts of all kinds
Irving Square Park
Weirfield StreetNearby park to relax in—also contains a dog park!
Neighborhoods
Historic Bedstuy features lovely brownstones and a nice community feel where kitchen gardens and bakeries abound.
145 locals recommend
Bedford-Stuyvesant
Historic Bedstuy features lovely brownstones and a nice community feel where kitchen gardens and bakeries abound.
Between BedStuy, Brooklyn, and Ridgewood, Queens, Bushwick has a unique blend of new and old. It’s best known for its working-class, bohemian feel and vibrant artistic community. Since moving here, I can say I feel right at home among fellow creatives and artistic entrepreneurs.
223 locals recommend
Bushwick
Between BedStuy, Brooklyn, and Ridgewood, Queens, Bushwick has a unique blend of new and old. It’s best known for its working-class, bohemian feel and vibrant artistic community. Since moving here, I can say I feel right at home among fellow creatives and artistic entrepreneurs.
Historically Jewish and Eastern-European, Williamsburg has been on the “comeup” for the last several decades. Bedford Ave, the Main Street, features a lively bar and restaurant scene. Here is where you will find the best views of lower Manhattan, and mainstays such as a Whole Foods and Apple store.
997 locals recommend
Williamsburg
Historically Jewish and Eastern-European, Williamsburg has been on the “comeup” for the last several decades. Bedford Ave, the Main Street, features a lively bar and restaurant scene. Here is where you will find the best views of lower Manhattan, and mainstays such as a Whole Foods and Apple store.
Balancing old and new, Greenpoint is home to as many Polish-owned businesses and residents as young professionals from all over. It has a distinct neighborhood feel while being close to Manhattan and just up the street from bustling Williamsburg. There is lots of antiquing and thrifting to be done here.
119 locals recommend
Greenpoint
Balancing old and new, Greenpoint is home to as many Polish-owned businesses and residents as young professionals from all over. It has a distinct neighborhood feel while being close to Manhattan and just up the street from bustling Williamsburg. There is lots of antiquing and thrifting to be done here.
Food scene
Love this place! Great French restaurant in the heart of BedStuy with professional wait staff and good food/drinks. Makes a great first stop in the neighborhood to see what it has to offer
Chez Oskar
310 Malcolm X BlvdXi'an Famous Foods 西安名吃
96 8th AvenueDim Sum Bar
167 Grand StMaya Fusion Cafe
1337 Bushwick AveNearby tacos
Zinc Bar
82 W 3rd StCute, themed bar with an emphasis on queer events located nearby in BedStuy
50 locals recommend
All Night Skate
54 Rockaway AveCute, themed bar with an emphasis on queer events located nearby in BedStuy
Danny's Pizza
241 Bushwick AveBest pizza I’ve had in the city
Good Bar
Great dive in Greenpoint
Taqueria Ramirez
Tacos tacos tacos
The West Brooklyn
379 Union AveCheap drinks—great first stop for a night out, right at the L
Traveler advice
Getting around
Two blocks from the J line
The accessibility of the flat can’t be beat! Only a two minute walk from the J line in Bushwick, you’re a 25 minute ride from lower Manhattan and 30 minutes from JFK air train at Jamaica station.
Ways to save
Ferry touring
One of the best ways to sight see is by taking the ferry! It’s fast, affordable and fun year-round! From the apartment, take the J to Marcy Ave. walk to the south Williamsburg port and pick up a ticket for only $2.75. One transfer included and goes from 90th street in Manhattan to Wall Street, DUMBO, and even out to Far Rockaway via governor’s island (aka, Statue of Liberty views!). Not to be missed
Don't miss
Planning your trip
For recommendations on what to do in all of NYC by borough and neighborhood, check out “nycgo.com” — suggested guides are available for curated experiences by sociocultural group (eg. “The Latino/Asian/Black/LGBTQ+ Experience in NYC”) as well as tips based on season of the year and basic navigation for planning your stay.