With its thriving art, lively food scene and world-class entertainment venues, Brooklyn is a dynamic destination with plenty to see and do. From hipster-friendly Williamsburg to affluent Brooklyn Heights, there will be a neighbourhood here to suit your needs. Rent a car in Brooklyn and you’ll be able to explore all the attractions in this part of the city or head further afield to explore New York’s other boroughs.
Views from the bridge
Without doubt the most famous sight in this part of New York is the Brooklyn Bridge. Opened to the public in 1883, this iconic landmark sees 100,000 cars pass between its soaring towers each day. The bridge – with its iconic suspension system - offers unbeatable views of the Manhattan skyline, but try to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the busiest crowds.
Be sure to pay a visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park under the bridge. It boasts six piers, which are home to sports facilities, picnic areas and even beaches. It’s the perfect place to enjoy lunch or an ice cream while taking in the scenic waterfront vistas.
Exploring Dumbo
The former industrial neighbourhood of Dumbo is easy to reach from the Brooklyn Bridge. Here you’ll find trendy restaurants, art galleries, book stores and boutiques, many of them housed in warehouses that date back to the late 1900s or early 2000s.
Brooklyn Flea Market is held here at weekend, with locals and tourists flocking to browse vintage clothing, records and sample the tasty offerings from food vendors. Speaking of food, Dumbo is also home to Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, a real Brooklyn institution that uses coal fired brick ovens and a top-secret recipe to create its famously delicious and authentic pizzas. It’s a real must for any foodies visiting Brooklyn.
Art and gardens
At the heart of Brooklyn lies the Botanic Garden, a green urban space spanning 52 acres in Prospect Park. It hosts a Cherry Blossom Festival in spring. Don’t miss the Steinhardt Conservatory with its striking glass dome, where you’ll find a bonsai museum and orchid house.
Combine your visit to the garden with a trip to the nearby Brooklyn Museum, one of the biggest museums in New York City. It’s home to a varied collection of artworks and artifacts, with highlights including its collection of Egyptian antiquities as well as paintings by American artists including Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe.
Day trips
If you have time during your stay, travel to southwest Brooklyn and soak up the carnival atmosphere at Coney Island. Home to arcades, hot dog stands and even a traditional wooden rollercoaster, this seasonal attraction has been delighting visitors since the days of its first amusement park in 1895.
With Brooklyn car rental, you can also take the short drive to Long Island, home to beautiful beaches where you can spend the day swimming, surfing or sunbathing. Nearby attractions include Sands Point Preserve, also known as Hempstead House, which was the inspiration behind the setting of F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
With a rental car, all this and more is within easy reach when you visit Brooklyn.
