A Guide to Brooklyn’s Sights
With almost 2.5 million inhabitants, Brooklyn is New York’s most populous district. Up until 1898 it was an independent city and has managed to maintain its own personality. Traditionally it was a neighbourhood made up of immigrants and their influence can be seen in the streets. Over the last decade, Brooklyn has become a fashionable among young people tired of Manhattan; this has dramatically transformed the Brooklyn cultural scene. Here are a few of the must see places in Brooklyn.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE- One of New York’s biggest icons. When it opened in 1834, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel wire suspension bridge and also the world’s longest suspension bridge. We recommend crossing the bridge on foot and enjoying the magnificent views of New York. If you have a sweet tooth a stop at The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory under the bridge is a must.
CONEY ISLAND- If you want to experience a part of New York where time appears to have stood still then a visit here is definitely on the cards. On a rickety boardwalk overlooking the Atlantic you can find the attractions of Luna Park complete with fortune tellers, rollercoasters and cotton candy. The New York Aquarium is also located at Coney Island.
PROSPECT PARK- Brooklyn is absolutely full of parks and green areas. Of all of them, Prospect, is the most attractive. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux who also designed Central Park, Spreads over 237 hectares it houses a skating rink, lake, the Brooklyn Zoo and many other things.
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDENS- Another highly recommendable visit if you are in Brooklyn is the Botanic Garden. Founded in 1910 it is made up of a number of specialised gardens. During spring the gardens are especially beautiful, when the cherry trees are in blossom and the gardens are tinged with pink. Other prominent zones worth visiting are the Shakespearian garden, the Japanese Garden and the Greenhouses.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS PROMENADE- This promenade is situated in Brooklyn’s more upscale neighbourhoods. From the promenade the views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and South Manhattan are simply stunning even more so at nightfall. If you have a little more time on your hands you can also visit the New York Transit Museum in a disused station.
BROOKLYN MUSEUM- One of the biggest in the U.S.A. The Brooklyn Museum permanent collection consists of over 1.5 million pieces from all over the world. The Egyptian and African collections as well as paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries are the stand out exhibitions.
It goes without saying there are many other things to see and do in Brooklyn but it all depends on how much time you have to explore. If you discover something we need to add to our list, let us know.
