​Explore Brooklyn: The Ultimate Guide

Brooklyn is more than a borough — it’s like its own world. From quaint neighborhoods with historic architecture to cutting-edge culture and waterfront escapes, it’s the perfect place to call home, even if just temporarily. Whether you’re planning a first-time visit or scouting out your next home, here’s a guide of things to do and see in Brooklyn.

Why Brooklyn Belongs on Your Radar

Brooklyn blends the best of city life and neighborhood charm. You’ll find world-class museums, coffee shops, street art, indie boutiques, and green spaces — all woven into distinct enclaves like Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, DUMBO, Park Slope, Red Hook, and more.

For many urban nomads, creatives, and digital workers, Brooklyn also offers co-living spaces, furnished rentals, and flexible-lease housing that make it easier to move, explore, and settle in without long-term commitments.

7 Things to See in Brooklyn NYC

1. Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn Bridge Park

One of the most iconic things to see in Brooklyn is the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise or sunset. On the Brooklyn side, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers piers, lawns, playgrounds, and sweeping skyline views.

2. DUMBO & Jane’s Carousel

Once underutilized industrial land, DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is now a cultural hotspot. Don’t miss the old red-brick warehouses, the pebble-stone streets, and Jane’s Carousel, floating above the East River with perfect views.

3. Brooklyn Museum + Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Nestled beside one another in Prospect Heights, these two institutions offer art, nature, and seasonal spectacles like cherry blossoms. The Botanic Garden spans more than 52 acres and is particularly magical in spring.

4. Street Art & Murals in Bushwick & Beyond

Bushwick is known for its large-scale murals and creative studios. Many works are visible from public streets, so a walking tour is perfect. Keep an eye out for shifting murals in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville, too.

5. Golconda Skate Park (Fat Kid Spot)

Under the BQE in Downtown Brooklyn lies Golconda Skate Park, locally known as the Fat Kid spot — a transformed DIY skate space that’s now a celebrated urban public skatepark. 

6. Historic Neighborhood Strolls

Walk through Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and Brooklyn Heights for tree-lined streets, brownstones, and hidden gardens. The Brooklyn Heights Promenade offers one of the most striking vistas of lower Manhattan and the East River.

7. Red Hook & The Waterfront

Red Hook retains a working‑dock feel with waterfront parks, art galleries, and the Red Hook Winery & distillery. Explore the Pioneer Works cultural center, and take in sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty from Louis Valentino Jr. Park.

6 Things to Do in Brooklyn

1. Visit Markets & Food Halls

On weekends, the Brooklyn Flea + Smorgasburg hosts vintage, handmade, art, and furniture vendors. Smorgasburg offers food vendors in Williamsburg (Saturday) and Prospect Park (Sunday). Local farmers markets, pop-up food events, and street fairs appear regularly — check the local listings!

2. Walk or Bike Historic Neighborhoods

Divide Brooklyn into walkable districts:

• Williamsburg / Greenpoint: waterfront walks, cafes, boutiques
• Bushwick: street art, experimental galleries
• Bed-Stuy / Crown Heights: culture, historic architecture, evolving food scene
• Park Slope / Gowanus: easy access to Prospect Park, emerging brewpubs
• Sunset Park / Bay Ridge (if you want to go farther): beaches, boardwalk, ethnic food scenes

3. Explore Parks & Open Space

Check out Prospect Park, designed by the same team as Central Park.  It offers woodland, meadows, a boathouse, playgrounds, and a bandshell for events. Also, explore McCarren Park’s open play spaces or the battlefields and cultural arts center at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy. Hot day? Plan a pool day at Betsy Head Park in Brownsville. 

4. Go to Museums & Cultural Spaces

Visit the New York Transit Museum which sits in a decommissioned subway station and highlights transit history. Or, go to the Brooklyn Academy of Music to indulge in film, theater, and music. Interested in local art? Stroll through local galleries and art collectives, or time your trip around a community event like the West Indian Day Parade. 

5. Indulge in Food & Nightlife

Brooklyn is a food lover’s dream. Sample regional flavor and try Caribbean, Latin American, and West African spots in Flatbush, Crown Heights, and Bushwick. Or, opt for a staple at an authentic Jewish deli. If you’re into the craft beer scene, visit one of a number of breweries, rooftop bars, or local music venues. 

6. Try a Unique Experience

Think outside of the box and join a hip-hop or street art walking tour to get local context on culture and murals. Or, take a ferry ride from DUMBO to Wall Street or St. George (Staten Island) — great for skyline views. Finally, attend weekend concerts or outdoor film nights in Brooklyn parks. 

Co-Living in Brooklyn 

One of Brooklyn’s strengths is the growing ecosystem of co-living spaces, furnished apartments, and flexible leasing — attractive for remote workers, creatives, interns, students, and people not ready to commit to the city long-term.

What is Co-Living & Why Does It Matter?

Co-living provides private rooms in fully furnished homes with shared common spaces. It often includes utilities, internet, cleaning, and community events all bundled into one payment. 

Brooklyn’s co-living market emphasizes:

• Flexible lease lengths, from one month to a year
• All-inclusive pricing (no surprise bills)
• Furnished units so you can move in with just a suitcase
• Built-in community through shared living and events

Neighborhood Considerations for Living

If you want co-living or flexible housing, some neighborhoods are especially favorable:

• Williamsburg / Greenpoint: popular with creatives, good transit, nightlife
• Bushwick: more affordable, artsy, under-the-radar
• Bedford-Stuyvesant & Crown Heights: central, culturally rich, increasingly desirable
• Gowanus / Park Slope / Prospect Heights: balance of calm and access to parks

When choosing, prioritize proximity to subway lines or ferry routes to make commuting easier.

Tips for Finding the Right Option

Search co-living platforms — Many platforms like Roomrs list availability, pricing, lease terms, and photos.

Check “all-in” pricing —  Ensure utilities, internet, common area cleaning, and amenities are included.

Visit in person (or via video tour) — Check for storage, privacy, noise, and shared space vibe.

Ask about flexibility — Can you extend or shorten your contract?

Look for community features — Events, shared meals, coworking lounges can help you feel connected.

Tips for Exploring Brooklyn on a Budget

• Check first‑Friday museum nights or free days (Brooklyn Museum often has free evenings!)
• Use local event calendars, neighborhood Instagrams, and “What’s On” newsletters to catch small, low-cost events.
• Walk or bike between neighborhoods — much of Brooklyn’s charm lies in its streets.
• Use ferry or water taxi routes as scenic transit options.
• Get insider tips on free or donation-based activities (parks concerts, open studios).
   

Brooklyn offers the best of both worlds: rich cultural discovery and a real sense of community within its neighborhoods. Whether you're visiting for a few days or planning to set roots in one of NYC’s coolest boroughs, knowing what to see, do, and eat can transform your experience.

If you're exploring options for co-living, fully furnished, or flexible housing in Brooklyn, let Roomrs be your guide. We specialize in matching you to vetted, move-in-ready homes where you can focus on exploring, connecting, and thriving — not dealing with furniture and utility setups. Ready to find your Brooklyn home base? Check out our listings or drop us a note — and stay tuned for more guides on neighborhoods, move-in tips, and local must-sees.