The Best Attractions in Brooklyn

[spacer height="20px"] Manhattan is no longer the only borough on the radar of New York City visitors. Tourists as well as Manhattanites have been migrating to the hip borough for a few years for a good reason. Brooklyn offers many great attractions, some of New York City's best restaurants, tranquil greenery and the kind of views you can only see when you actually leave Manhattan. When in New York City, do not limit yourself to the tried-and-true island of Manhattan and venture out to its cooler cousin. [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Botanic Garden [spacer height="20px"] The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a true NYC gem. It offers tranquil green paths, beautiful flowers, lakes, a fragrance garden, a place for children to learn about plants and flowers and about the most stunning cherry trees that blossom in the spring. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located at 990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Mondays (but open Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Columbus Day, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) Closed Labor Day [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Bridge Park [spacer height="20px"] After you make the mandatory walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, stop by the Brooklyn piers and the adjacent Brooklyn Bridge Park. This park offers the most amazing views of Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. When you stop strolling or lounging in the plush grass, there are many activities to do at the piers, including beach volleyball, soccer, multiple playgrounds, food trucks, ice cream and many more. Finish your day at Brooklyn Bridge Park by visiting Fornino at Pier 6 for a wood-fire pizza, beers and a rooftop patio with stunning views. [spacer height="20px"] Brooklyn Museum [spacer height="20px"] The third largest museum in New York City, the Brooklyn museum boasts with a great collection of classical and modern art. The museum is located right between Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on the edge of Prospect Park. Fun fact: The sculptures on the outside of the majestic structure were designed by Daniel Chester French, the creator of the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Brooklyn Museum is located at 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052 Opening hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday - Sunday: 11am–6pm Coney Island [spacer height="20px"] Coney Island is actually a peninsula, located at the South-East end of Brooklyn. The beach and boardwalk at Coney Island serve as a frequent setting in movies and offer some much needed r&r opportunities just a subway ride away. The beach tends to be crowded in the summer, but it's worth a visit, if you're looking for that old New York vibe. Located at Coney Island is also the famous Luna Park. The Luna Park offers awesome thrill rides and roller coasters, kiddie rides and tons of other fun attractions. While you're down there, don't forget to sample a hot dog from Nathan's. [spacer height="20px"] Bushwick Collective [spacer height="20px"] It's worth it to venture out off the beaten path into Bushwick. The industrial-looking neighborhood exudes a classic Brooklyn attitude and is full of some of the best street art in New York City. The Bushwick Collective is a non-profit outdoor gallery of graffiti and street art, preserving the cultural integrity of the neighborhood and its vibrant history of self-expression. You can wonder around Bushwick by yourself and then visit the trendy Williamsburg for a bite, or you can take a guided Alternative Street Art tour with Inside Out Tours (included in New York Pass). To see the street art in Bushwick walk around Troutman Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue. [spacer height="20px"] Prospect Park [spacer height="20px"] Central Park's smaller sister is located in the heart of Brooklyn, surrounded by the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and lots of lovely residential neighborhoods. The 585 acre park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and includes spacious lawns, bushy walkways and refreshing lakes for the perfect afternoon getaway. When inside Prospect Park, you can get lost and feel like you're in the woods, fully escaping the busy nature of the city that surrounds it. In the Summer, Prospect Park hosts the famed food market, Smorgasburg every Sunday. In the Winter, the LeFrak Center in Prospect park serves as an outdoor ice-skating rink.