36 Hours in Red Hook
Frantz Edouard
City University of New York College of Technology
Red Hook in Brooklyn was once known as Roode Hoek because of the color of the soil and the shape of the land. Originally, the Dutch called Red hook home due to the geography of the land such as the low – lying space, surrounding streams, and marshes leading to the sea. Today, Red Hook is a peninsula surrounded by water: Buttermilk Channel, the Gowanus Bay, and the Gowanus Canal (Besonen, 2016). The neighborhood has become known for its ability to deliver entertainment, especially through its wide arrange of seafood eats.
Friday
1) 10:00 A.M. – Taking a ride on the Ferry
For a nice relaxing scenery in Red Hook from Wall Street, take the New York Water Taxi (free on weekends), which skirts from Pier 11 to the IKEA store in Brooklyn. While on the water Taxi, you can feel the wind in your hair and enjoy the amazing views of the New York City Sky Line. It’s a 20 minute boat ride without dealing with the hassle of cars or public transportation.
2) 10:30 A.M. – Shopping at IKEA
The only IKEA shopping store in NYC located in Red Hook, Brooklyn has fine choices in ready to assemble furniture and housewares inside of a warehouse like space. The prices are very honorable and the items are great for customers who enjoy decorating with fine household items. If you don’t want to build the item the yourself then the item can also be purchased already assembled.
3) 3:00 P.M.- Going Kayaking
During the warm summer months, Red Hook Boaters host free kayaking (no reservation required) Red Hook Boaters is an organization that provide free activities in Kayaking in Brooklyn. All equipment is provided such as paddling and safety tips. The first thing you do when you arrive at the scene is adding your name to the list then take a kayak out for a small paddle to expedite the cove.
4) 6:00 P.M. – Puppetry Arts
Every Saturday during the summer, The Annual Red Hook Family Festival located in P.S. 15 host awesome Puppetry Arts from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. (free admission) open to the public for all ages. Lunch will be provided and is great for people who would like to volunteer and help out with the festival. The festival includes puppets, mask creating, face sculpting, and cotton candy.
Saturday
4) 9:00 A.M. – Baked
Take the 57 or 61 Bus to Van Brunt/Walcott Street and head to Baked Goods coffee shop located within Red Hook. They are opened from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. during the weekdays and 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. during the weekends. For morning people try the Stump town coffee and espresso ($3.95), various muffins, American styled scones or the famous Pumpkin Chocolate Chip loaf for the price of $5.95.
5) 2:00 P.M. – Lodging
For many travelers, The Comfort inn remains a good option in Red Hook, even though there are still few close by hotels. The Comfort inn (17 Seabring Street, 718-222-3200), one night starting at a reasonable price of $85 dollars/night. Offers bed-and-breakfast, free wifi and excellent space for parking. There’s also a beautiful view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the hotel which is perfect during the summer when there’s a festival at night or Fire Works during the Fourth of July.
Sunday
6) 12:00 P.M.- Get your Grub on
If you are looking for a delicious, tasty, mouth watering place to get your grub on then look no further for the Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The prices are very reasonable and the food is very delicious. The best dish preferable would be the New England Clam chowder made with fresh shucked clams, mussels and pork. Best place to bring your kids, friends and or loved ones.
7) 2:00 P.M.- Jazz it up
If your kids have a taste in smooth jazz, introduce them to rhythms at the annual Red Hook Jazz Festival, which takes place in June all summer long, you don’t spend nothing at all but time listening to jazz songs.
8) 4:00 P.M – Free on screen Flicks
For free near the waterfront throughout the summer. Friends and families can come out and enjoy mostly family-friendly related movies on the annual summer Red Hook Flicks located at The Valentino Pier.
9) 6:00 P.M – Dance your life away
If you like to move your body to all types of music then the community in Red Hook have social gatherings for all ages such as the Red Hook Fest and Dancing on the Greenway created by the Dance Theater Racketeer. Its free, its fun and its a way of making connections for all ages
Food courtesy of Brooklyncrab.com
Red Hook Skyline courtesy of google images
Images courtesy of Comfortinn.com
Spellen, S. (2015). How Red Hook and the Buttermilk Channel Got Their Names. Brownstoner. Retrieved from: http://www.brownstoner.com/sponsored/how-red-hook-and-the-buttermilk-channel-got-their-names/.
Red Hook with Kids: Best 25 Things to Do in this Waterfront Corner of Brooklyn. (2014, October 17). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from https://mommypoppins.com/red-hook-with-kids-best-25-things-to-do-in-this-waterfront-corner-of-brooklyn
New York Water Taxi. (2017). Retrieved May 23, 2017, from https://www.nywatertaxi.com/ikea
