Explore the magnificent culture of locals spread throughout the Brooklyn Waterfront.

Though recent years Brooklyn, New York, has been transforming into a popular landmark among tourist. There are so many things you can do these days from bike riding to eating delicious cuisine. As Brooklyn grows so does the culture surrounding it. Submerge yourself in art galleries, unique restaurants, museums and creative events that can only be found in the Brooklyn Waterfront.

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Friday

1) 3:00 P.M. Culture of the Food Truck Nation

Head to 56 Jay street and explore the varieties of cultural food Dumbo Food Truck Lot has to offer. The menu is different everyday. On Fridays you will have the opportunity to taste Thai noodles from Mamu Thai Noodles. How about stopping by the next truck, Sweet Chili which allows you to create your own platter with items such as green mango, honey chili pork. The owner of this truck, Lisa, tries to tell a story with every dish she created.

2) 4:30 P.M. New Culture, New Life

Will you like to see something awesome? How about Erie Basin which has a nice selection of vintage jewelry such as rings, brooches, tie clips and other delicate small items. When you walk in the space itself is a blank canvas. The floor has a black glossy color with all the walls painted white. Erie Basin contains pieces from the 18th to the 20th century. All around the area you will find boutiques which are known for their strong identities.

3) 10:00 P.M. Connect with a New Crowd

En your Friday at Grand Ferry Tavern is the perfect place for a late dinner night is a comfortable tavern just off the East River. They offer an impressive beer and cocktail selection and their seafood is always fresh. Visit during the hours of 5pm-7pm for their Oyster happy hour. This provides you with a platter of oyster for half-price along with a vintage vibe mixed sauce of Brooklyn. This throwback bar is filled with a hipster population. The outside of the bar is plain while the inside is a cool dark wood, filled with vintage decorations and classic jazz and rock music. Grab the opportunity and get their signature Manhattan #2308 which features their own single barrel 101 Proof whiskey.

Saturday

4) 10:00 A.M. How do Locals get their Produce?

Find out why the Brooklyn Grange is the leading rooftop farming business in the U.S. For $10 make a reservation to take a tour at the Brooklyn Grange. The tour gives an inside look to urban agriculture and sustainability. After you’ve finished studying the crops, the group pops over to the Brooklyn Grange’s farmers market for a taste of their fresh produce and hot sauce. One of their main mission is to be able to produce nutritious food by also helping the environment which contributes to our culture.

5) 12:30 P.M. Sweet Tooth?

Craving for some desserts? Head to Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies and try some of their exquisite pies. For $18 you can get an 8 inch pie to feed 4 people. For $6, Unique to Red Hook, their Swingles come in a variety of flavors such as The Classic, Raspberry, and the Raspberry Blonde Swingle, all in where the key lime flavor really shines. When you enter you will notice the place is very bright and customer friendly. The place is full of decorations that bring out the waterfront culture in this place. From photographs of fisherman, paintings, Drawings and fish toys hanging around the walls. It is also known as one of the two commercial bakeries in the U.S that juices fresh key limes in house. They are open everyday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

Photo Credit: Jose Castillo

6) 2:00 P.M. You can’t Cross the Sea by Just Standing There

The Waterfront Museum is a hidden gem containing maritime history and culture. The museum is located in 290 Conver ST at Pier 44. It was founded in 1985 and the Museum is the actual Barge that once carried Goods from the Ocean to the train tracks of Brooklyn and New Jersey. Saturdays is free admissions from 1:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M. Once aboard, visitors can view the captain’s original living quarters and the tools they used in their everyday life. The museum holds special events and activities such as contra dance, pirate shows, a showboat circus, river songs, theater, opera and much more. Best thing of all it is completely free on a Saturday.

Photo Credit: Jose Castillo

7) 6:00 P.M.  Rest

Tired? Why don’t you stop and take a rest by Pier 44 Waterfront Garden. The park is meant to be a quiet refuge on the waterfront. The park is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the view of the harbor, statue of liberty and the ferries passing by. The people who visit here sit and contemplate the New York harbor with its mix of industry and maritime activity. Although an unofficial park, it has slowly become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Before you leave the place make sure you take pictures of the breathtaking views of the statue of liberty and the harbor.

8) 11:00 P.M. Tonight we are not Sleeping

Ready to listen some local music? Then Sunny Bar is your place. There is often fantastic music at sunny and particularly enjoyed the bluegrass folk and country jam which is good for the soul and mind. The bar has retro vibes with its decorations of flea market quality ornaments. Sunny Bar has live performances almost every night. Their menu consist of low price beers and the servers are also very generous with the pours of alcohol served in old juice glasses and canning jars. There are different rooms with different music playing without competing without competing with each other. Allow its musical spirit to flood over your soul and make you a better person. While you’re at it, go outside and get a view at Lady Liberty in the harbor beyond, and remember how precious your freedom is. The bar is open from 11:00 p.m to 4:00 am on a Saturday.

Sunday

9) 10:00 A.M. Scared Yet??

Stop by the Navy Yard located at 63 Flushing Avenue at Carlton and Flushing and explore the culture that BLDG 92 offers through their year round exhibition Brooklyn Navy Yard: Past, Present and Future”. The place also offers a rotating gallery currently featuring photos of the naval yard’s USS Constellation fire. Admission is free and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. If you would like to enjoy a tour and feed yourself with knowledge than arrange a tour for only $8. Enjoy the unique architecture that Navy Yard has to offer.

10) 12:00 P.M. Smoked Barbecue!!!

Enjoy some lunch at Dinosaur Bar B Que which opens from 11:30am to midnight everyday. Things have change drastically in the last decade as an obsession with real wood-smoked barbecue has taken hold of the city’s carnivores. Note the reclaimed wood, the chandelier made of bottles, the vintage pinball machine on the wall. The place also offers live night music from genres such as jazz swing.

11) 2:00 P.M. New Culture, New Life

Will like to try a new activity? How about rock climbing? Come to Dumbo Boulders which opens during the weekends from 9am to 8pm. You will be able to purchase the $10 “Day Pass” which gives you access to rent a pair of climbing shoes and other equipment. This is a great price considering most indoor gyms who offer this activity charge around $28. The boulders all have different difficulties which is great for both beginners and those with experience.

12) 4:00 P.M. Learn more…

Ever heard of the Inuit and Arctic culture? Visit Look North Gallery to enlighten yourself though its gallery. Explore unique sculptures that represent the different communities such as the Whale Cove, Savoonga, Blaker Lake and many more. There are also different and rare prints hanging around the wall from different artist. One of these prints is “Women Speak of Spring” by Kenojuak Ashevak which is being sold for $1800. The museum offers a variety of exhibitions. Currently they are holding the Polar Light: Greenland, a climate change awareness project.

13) 6:00 P.M. Creative Clash of Cultures

Whether you are familiar with Asian or Mexican culture  or even if you would like to be introduce to it, visit Good Fork. The restaurant serves traditional market-driven fare with an Asian-inspired twist: farm-raised chicken, for example, comes with a black-bean butter sauce, and sides include kimchi rice and Korean shrimp-scallion pancakes. Their menu prices ranges from $11 to $30. The restaurant has a secret area where you can sit and enjoy lunch outdoors. Good Fork is open from 5:30 to 10:30 pm.

Photo Credit: Jose Castillo

Lodging

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a brand new hotel recently placed around this area. The hotel offers beautiful views of the park and Brooklyn Bridge. Inspired by the East River and Manhattan Skyline views, each room is designed for comfort with pure natural elements. For $291, enjoy a good night sleep with comfortable and excellent service.

Resources
Look North inuit Gallery, (n.d) Retrieved From
http://www.nycgo.com/museums-galleries/look-north-inuit-art-gallery-red-hook
Waterfront Museum, (n.d), retrieved May 14, 2017 From
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60827-d309720-Reviews-Waterfront_Museum-Brooklyn_New_York.html
Sunny Bar Events, (n.d), retrieved May 14, 2017 From
http://www.sunnysredhook.com/events