36 Hours in Brooklyn – Jeffrey Cheng

36 Hours in Brooklyn

One of New York City’s five boroughs, Brooklyn has many hidden spots despite its large size.

When visiting New York City, the first place that would probably come to mind is Manhattan. That small island is the heart of the city and has much to offer for a tourist, but Manhattan is only one fifth of the Big Apple. If you leave the hustle and bustle there and cross the Brooklyn Bridge, there are many hidden gems in Brooklyn that are just as equal as places in Manhattan. You may think that there is no difference, but here in Brooklyn, there are attractions that are possibly more convenient, entertaining, and even cheaper than what its neighbor across the East River offers.

Friday

1. 3:30 p.m. Sharpshooting

Test out your sharpshooting skills at Gotham Archery at 480 Baltic Street where you can master the bow and arrow. You can take an archery intro class ($35) to learn all the ropes before officially start shooting bullseyes (or misses) at the targets and book online to skip the wait time. Gotham Archery also gives classes in axe and knife throwing, but we have another place coming up that offers throwing the same deadly weapon.

2. 5:30 p.m. Burger joint

New York City is the birthplace of the fast-growing burger chain, Shake Shack, but it is also the birthplace of another. Black Iron Burger at 234 Flatbush Avenue also started in New York City with its first location in East Village, Manhattan, in 2008. In order to stand out, they use high quality, fresh ingredients that are all house made to create their burgers and other menu items. Price range (of burgers): $10 – $16

3. 7 p.m. Game time

While Manhattan has Madison Square Garden for the New York Rangers and the New York Knicks, Brooklyn has Barclays Center for the New York Islanders and the Brooklyn Nets. Get your tickets ahead of time to see these hockey and basketball teams play at their home field and snack on the concessions if you get hungry again. Aside from team sports, the sports arena also hosts boxing and MMA matches if that is up your alley.

Saturday

4. 11 a.m. Food festival

We recommend to skip breakfast for today because you will need all the room you have at the Winter Smorgasburg on Atlantic Avenue, right across from Barclays Center. Admission is free but still have your wallet ready to indulge in the food vendors. And if you need a break from the deliciousness, the Atlantic Terminal Mall is also right where you are, so feel free to look around and shop a bit.

5. 2:30 p.m. Chop, chop, chop

Remember the axe throwing that was mentioned a few stops back? Well, Kick Axe Throwing at 622 Degraw Street also lets you throw hatchets at walls and for a cheaper price ($35). Again, book online to skip the wait, or wait in their spacious lounge with various table games and a bar. But please stay sober here though; those axes are dangerous. Would not want one lodged in your chest; not even a snap will save you.

6. 5 p.m. Rock climbing

With your body warmed up, head right down the block to Brooklyn Boulders at 575 Degraw Street and try your hands on an indoor rock-climbing wall. Sign-ups are available at the facility but even they tell you to book online for a discounted price ($25 for members, $49 non-members). You have already experienced being Hawkeye and Thor, and now Spiderman, as you learn the basics of rock climbing and receive tips on how to improve for the next time you visit.

7. 7:30 p.m. Sports bar

By now, you definitely will need something to eat and drink after all that axe throwing and rock climbing. The Montrose at 47 5^th Avenue offers game time happy hour from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with their TV screens showing sports games. Their simple menu of sandwiches, chicken, beer, and alcohol is just like watching a game at home, so just eat, drink, and be merry. Price range: food ($10 – $13), drinks ($3 – $8)

Sunday

8. 10 a.m. Walk in a park

The last two days were fun, maybe too much fun, so start Sunday off with a walk in Prospect Park. Exercise a bit as you jog along the paths, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy the nature around you. But do not leave just yet because there are still many other things you can do at Prospect Park.

9. Noon. Café by the lakeside

For lunch, head over to the Bluestone Café at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park. Located right by the lakeside along with two ice rinks, Bluestone offers a variety of sandwiches, drinks, and desserts ($2 – $12). You can also enjoy ice skating at the LeFrak Center too (weekdays $7.25, weekends/holidays $10, skate rentals $7) and if you stay later, you can even try out a curling class at around 8 p.m. if you choose to ($65).

10. 6 p.m. Cajun dinner

End your weekend with a nice New Orleans-inpsired dinner at CATFISH on 1433 Bedford Avenue. Try the Louisiana classics like the jambalaya ($17), duck gumbo ($21), shrimp and grits ($14) or the catfish po’boy ($15). Unfortunately, no crawfish though since it is not in season until the spring and summer.

Lodging

There are many affordable lodging options around Downtown Brooklyn and Barclays Center. The NU Hotel is a boutique hotel on 85 Smith Street and a single room for two costs $107 per night. Other well known hotel brand names nearby are the Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown ($113) and the Hilton Brooklyn New York ($139).