Manhattan has always been the borough of choice if you want to live a life of luxury, glamour, and opportunities. However, the emergence of a solid rival has shaken this seemingly uncontested rule.
Over the past decades, Brooklyn has risen to become one of the hottest places in NYC with its iconic brownstones, hip and trendy culture, historic landmarks, affordability (at least, compared to Manhattan!), and eclectic neighborhoods.
So you’re planning to move to Brooklyn? Get ready to immerse yourself in entertainment and action! Below are eight fun things you should know about this awesome borough when planning your move.
1. Check Out Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is an outdoor food market that features amiably cheap but delicious snacks. Truly a bang for your buck! You can find this paradise at East River State Park on Saturdays and Prospect Park at Breeze Hill on Sundays.
More than 100 vendors work hard to feed 20,000 visitors during weekends. Although it’s most active during summertime, Smorgasburg is open all-year-round. Enjoy a myriad of flavors, from brick oven pizzas to steaming hot Cantonese noodles. You can even pick up food for a picnic!
2. Brooklyn is Meant to be Cycled
This sentiment is true not only Brooklyn but the entirety of NYC in general. New Yorkers always advise newcomers not to bring a car for good reasons (difficult parking, congested streets, and more than ample public transportation). With the Big Apple’s striking skylines, tree-lined roads, and refined attractions, sightseeing the metro by bike is a priceless experience. Worried about cycling through the city for the first time? Check out the handy Brooklyn Bike Tours to familiarize yourself with getting around the borough.
3. Drop by Greenwood Cemetery
Hold up, isn’t this unusual? Visiting a cemetery in a fun things-to-do guide? Well, you’re right for the most part, but don’t lump Greenwood Cemetery in with ordinary graveyards. Considered the most scenic burial ground in Brooklyn, it’s far from depressing or eerie. Stroll along the meandering pathways, and you’ll appreciate its bubbly koi ponds, 600,000 graves, beautifully-molded landscape, gothic architecture, and elegant atmosphere. This haven is your go-to whenever you want to escape the noise and bustle of New York City.
4. Brooklyn is a City in Disguise
How so? Well, if Brooklyn isn’t a borough, it could easily qualify as the fourth largest city in the country! With a dense population of roughly 2.6 million people, the borough proves to be self-sufficient, filled with all the necessary establishments, and boasts a thriving economy. But everyone knows New York City wouldn’t be the same without Brooklyn, so it’s better to keep it that way.
5. The Great Coney Island
A fun guide about Brooklyn would never be complete without its summer capital, Coney Island. A peninsular neighborhood, this place combines the best of everything. It is part beach, part amusement park, and part carnival festivities. Have fun lounging on the glistening sand, stroll the famous boardwalk, enjoy the crashing waves, or get your adrenaline pumping on America’s first roller coaster, The Cyclone! When visiting Coney Island, don’t forget to bring sunscreen!
6. Experience Time Travel
Your face might be screaming with skepticism right now, but it’s true. You can travel through time in Brooklyn. Want to know how? Easy! Just head to downtown Brooklyn and enter the famous Transit Museum. It’s the country’s largest public institution dedicated to preserving the treasured history of New York’s urban transportation.
Built on an old (but definitely reinforced) subway station, blast into the past as you board cars, trolleys, and cabins from long ago. You will even find signposts that are more than a hundred years old! Vintage maps, routes, and ads are still present and intact in the museum. As someone from a modern era of bullet trains and magnetic tracks, you’ll be surprised at how people were so innovative back in the day. Transit Museum is truly the only one of its kind.
7. Visit the Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic structure that connects the two greatest NYC boroughs, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Not only newcomers but even locals are still easily caught up in its alluring beauty. The bridge’s history goes way back that a Cold War bomb shelter was found hidden underneath for decades.
8. Botanic Garden’s Fragrance
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a paradise amidst the jungle of concrete in New York City. Its fresh air permeates with the mesmerizing scent of flowers. Take Instagram-worthy shots with picture-perfect beauties, like Cranford roses, Japanese Mahonias, classic daisies, and winterberries. When life feels suffocating, take a breather and visit this refreshing place.
A Tip to Make Your Move Easier
Relocating is never easy in New York City. If you’re already set on moving to Brooklyn, make sure to hire affordable but reliable movers. The key to doing so is to do your research. Don’t be shy to ask questions to avoid getting scammed.
Hurry up. Brooklyn is waiting for you!