Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a world in and of itself; residents sometimes don't go into Manhattan for
days or even weeks at a time. With 2.5 million people and growing, from well-to-do new
parents seeking stately brownstones in Carroll Gardens to young band members wanting
cheap rents near gigs in Williamsburg, this outer borough has long surpassed Manhattan
in the cool and livability factors in many people's minds. From sandy beaches and breezy
boardwalks at one end to foodie destinations at the other, and with a massive range of
ethnic enclaves, world-class entertainment, stately architecture and endless shopping
strips in between, Brooklyn is a rival to Manhattan's attractions. The
Brooklyn Tourism
& Visitors Center
(
718-802-3846;
www.visitbrooklyn.org
;
209 Joralemon St btwn Court St &
Brooklyn Bridge Blvd;
10am-6pm Mon-Fri;
2/3, 4/5 to Borough Hall)
, in Brooklyn
Heights, is an informative place to begin.
Coney Island & Brighton Beach
NEIGHBORHOOD
About 50 minutes by subway from Midtown, this popular pair of beach neighborhoods
makes for a great day trip. The wide sandy beach of
Coney Island
has retained its nostal-
gic and kitschy wood-plank boardwalk (partly destroyed and replaced after Hurricane
Sandy) and famous 1927 Cyclone roller coaster, despite a sanitized makeover of the
amusement park area including a handful of new adrenalin-pumping thrill rides. For bet-
ter or worse, its slightly sleazy charm is a thing of the past and developers plan to trans-
form the area into a sleek residential city complete with high-rise hotels. The
New York
Aquarium
(
www.nyaquarium.com
; Surf Ave & W 8th St; adult/child $15/11, with 4-D theater show
$19/15; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 7pm Sat & Sun May-Sep; ; F, Q to W 8th St-NY Aquarium)
is a big hit with kids, as is taking in an early evening baseball game at
Key Span Park
,
the waterfront stadium for the minor league
Brooklyn Cyclones
(
www.brooklyncyclones.com
)
.
A five-minute stroll north along the boardwalk past handball courts where some of the
best in the world compete brings you to
Brighton Beach
('Little Odessa'), where old-
timers play chess and locals enjoy pierogies (boiled dumplings filled with meat or vege-
tables) and vodka shots at several boardwalk eateries. Then head into the heart of the
'hood, busy Brighton Beach Ave, to hit the many Russian shops, bakeries and restaur-
ants.
Williamsburg, Greenpoint & Bushwick
NEIGHBORHOOD
There is a definite Williamsburg look: skinny jeans, multiple tattoos, a discreet body
piercing, shaggy hair for men, maybe some kind of retro head covering for women. Den-
