After 20 years of living in Manhattan, we made the move to America’s third largest city, the borough of Brooklyn. After we moved, I practically made a job of learning all there was to know about this large and diverse borough. Today we comb through the neighborhood known for its beards and tattoos to peep the newest of Williamsburg. In other Brooklyn posts, you can find my reviews of Greenpoint, DUMBO, Fort Greene, and Bushwick.
Where is Williamsburg
Williamsburg borders the East River on the east, Greenpoint to the north, Bushwick to the west and Stuyvesant Heights to the South. The BQE runs right through the center of the neighborhood making it a good dividing marker. On the east side of the BQE, the best of Williamsburg can be found from S. 5th to N. 12th Streets and from Bedford Ave to the water. Waterfront development along the East River has really taken off in the last 3 years and Kent Ave. is changing at lightning speed. It is now brimming with new construction and fancy apartments with spectacular views.
Traditionally, the primary commercial district in Williamsburg runs along Bedford Ave and overflows to N. 6th and N. 7th Streets. This is mostly because the L train stops right on Bedford Ave and N. 7th St. However, as Kent Ave. has continued to develop, more and more retailers are drawn to the neighborhood and unique boutiques can be found on most of the side streets.
Other subway stops in Williamsburg include the G train to Metropolitan or the J/M/Z to Marcy Ave. In addition, there is a ferry that runs from Wall St./ Pier 11 in Manhattan to North Williamsburg at N. 6th St. or South Williamsburg at S. 10th St.
The Best of Williamsburg’s Waterfront
The long awaited development of Williamsburg’s waterfront has most recently become the star of this neighborhood. If you only have a few hours to spend in Williamsburg, I recommend you head straight for Kent Ave. Starting at the South 5th St., Domino Park is the city’s newest and most acclaimed park. Opened in mid 2018, the 6 acre park lies under the Williamsburg Bridge at the Domino Sugar Refinery site. The park includes lounge chairs, a playground, interactive water designs, a volleyball court and a taco shop called TacoCina. Watch out for the Williamsburg outposts of Roberta’s from Bushwick and Oddfellows ice cream coming soon right outside of the park!
Continuing North along the waterfront, you can appreciate the NYC skyline from the varied paths and mini parks along N. 4th Street, Charlotte Beach on N. 7th Street, and Hurricane Point on N. 11th Street. There are also plenty of waterfront spots as you continue north to Greenpoint.
Don’t miss a stop at the nations largest open air food market, Smorgasburg. With over 100 local food vendors, definitely arrive hungry, plan to stay for awhile, and get your Instagram ready! The traditional home for the market is in the park at N. 7th Street. Hours are 11:30-8pm Wednesday through Sunday. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the company encourages you to order from one of the 10 vendors online in advance and pick up your order at Kent Ave and N. 6th St. In either case, I recommend taking your food to Charlotte Beach to eat on the rocks.
The Best of Williamsburg – West of the BQE
There is no shortage of good food in the heart of Williamsburg which lies between the BQE and the East River. Some of my favorites include Sunday in Brooklyn’s wood burning oven and melt in your mouth pancake stacks, Fette Sau‘s plethora of house smoked BBQ meats, and charming Peruvian favorite Llama Inn.
Bedford Ave (from Metropolitan to N. 12th St) is chock full of independent boutiques and big name shops. In addition, Wythe Ave. has recently developed as a nice mix of boutiques, restaurants and converted warehouse spaces turned residential. Of course stop at N. 7th and Kent for the always cool, designer and vintage market, Artists and Fleas (closed summer 2020 due to COVID restrictions).
North Williamsburg has recently experienced an explosion of super cool hotels with happening rooftop bars and breathtaking city views. For a restorative staycation, an afternoon at a trendy pool, or an evening at a beautiful outdoor rooftop bar, consider spending time at one of the hotels on Wythe between N. 10th and N. 12th. The William Vale, The Wythe Hotel, The Hoxton, and the Williamsburg Hotel are all great choices with slightly different vibes. For a quirky afternoon check out the Museum of Pizza at the base of the William Vale.
When indoor movies become a thing again, elevate your movie going experience at Nitehawk Cinema.
Plush lounge chairs, a menu full of fresh and local ingredients, and independent films is a combo that can’t be beat for our best of Williamsburg list.
On a hot summer’s day, Mc Carren Park and pool is at the top of our best of Williamsburg list. Reopened in 2012, this king sized outdoor pool is a hot (ahem…cool) spot in BK. We go at least once a summer (except summer 2020 when the pool remained closed). If you can get past the long list of rules required for entry into all NYC public pools, McCarren Park pool is clean, well organized, and has both a wading pool and a diving board.
The Best of Williamsburg – Near the BQE
If you are taking the G train or the J/M/Z train into Williamsburg you will end up on East side of the BQE. Most people head west immediately, however there are a few places to note before you go. Just one block from the G stop at Metropolitan is one of the most unique spots in NYC. Crest Hardware is not just your average hardware store. It serves the community as a neighborhood general store but also hosts an annual hardware inspired art show as well as a pumpkin carving contest. However, don’t miss the opportunity to say hello to Franklin the famous pot bellied pig and Finlay the parrot while you are there. Ask Finlay to make the sound of a fax machine!
If you are with teens, Desert Island Comics, also on Metropolitan should be added to your list. Grab a copy of the latest edition of the Smoke Signal, their own all – illustration newspaper.
The next worthwhile stop heading west on Metropolitan Ave, is the City Reliquary. Ok this one is technically on the west side of the BQE but worth a mention as you head East. I love this quirky little community museum filled with NYC artifacts. Their permanent display includes hundreds of different versions of the Statue of Liberty. As of print, the museum is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Otherwise, normal business hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6pm.
One more spot worth checking out right near the BQE is a favorite of the artists in my house. The Brooklyn Art Library is the home of a special place called the Sketchbook Project . Here you will find library shelves that are lined with tens of thousands of sketchbooks from artists all over the world. With the help of the librarians, you are free to search for sketchbooks using key words by subject or location of author. You can even add your own sketchbook to their library! Open virtually now due to Covid. Otherwise Wed. – Sunday 10-6.
What a great day!!! Love all the new spots, must do this myself!!!!