36 Hours in Cobble Hill

This area of the borough is more focused on a relaxing feel. With its breathtaking views by the pier, local bars, unique shops, and multicultural restaurants it is quickly growing in popularity. There is always something to do, and we only have 36 hours.

FRIDAY

1. Take a walk, 3pm

One of the first things you will want to do is take in the beautiful outline of Manhattan. Head over to pier five at the Brooklyn Bridge Park where you can relax and have a picnic, play sports, or just enjoy the atmosphere. You can take a walk at the start of the pier to Ample Hills Creamery if you get too hot. Try their unique Snap Mallow Pop flavor. A broken down rice-krispie treat made with marshmallow ice cream that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you cool.

2. Let’s roll, 5pm

Walk north to pier two for an energizing break. Here lies a roller rink. It is open late until ten pm on Fridays. Admissions is usually $5, and skate rental is normally $6. There are different events every day of the week. Sometimes during the week days, they have free skate sessions, or discounted hours. It makes for a great date night. It also has around five acres of space for other activities such as sports, so it is an outdoor facility. Be aware, if the weather is bad they may close down for safety. So check the forecast.

3. See the skyline, 6pm

Take a walk south towards pier six down the Brooklyn Heights Promenade where the Manhattan skyline is brightly lit in the evening. Along the path you can see the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

4. Give me a slice, 7pm

To cure your hunger, stop at Fornino at pier six. Open until nine on Fridays, this restaurant boasts a beautiful rooftop seating area that is hard to pass up. A trendy pizzeria that offers sandwiches, salads, and wood-fired pizza pies. Try the Al Roker large pie for $26, with rosemary, tomato, fontina cheese, picante, and caramelized onion. Sandwiches range from $8 to $10 with simple ingredients. There is even macaroni and cheese to satisfy the picky eaters.

 

SATURDAY

5. A piece of bread, 9am

A couple of blocks from the hotel is a small French bakery called Bien Cuit. With the smell of fresh bread looming outside it is difficult not to go in. With a wide range of breads, pastries, cookies, and drinks there is something for everyone. For breakfast the almond croissant is a must. Pair it with a hot tea or coffee beverage and it will set you off for a perfect day. Feel free to take a loaf of miche home while you are there to use for sandwiches later.

6. Exchange some clothes, 11am

For some shopping that won’t tear through your wallet, just one block over is Buffalo Exchange. An upscale thrift store where you can find vintage and new clothing at a pretty decent price. They tend to have what’s in season, and you can sell your old clothes as well.

7. Just some light reading, 1pm

Just a short block over on Court Street is a small charming book store called BookCourt that offers new and old books. If you are looking for something to read, this is the place. While it is small you are sure to find something interesting in the massive walls of books.

8. Everything in jars, 3pm

A small walk down Atlantic Avenue, and you hit Sahadi’s Market. This middle eastern market has been in business since the late 19^th This location in particular has been there since 1948. With different kinds of middle eastern cheeses, olives, nuts, and spices this makes for a nice spot to pick up a unique lunch.

Photo credit, Newchownyc.com

9. The purrfect spot, 5pm

After a busy morning of shopping it is nice to take a break. Just one block to the west of Sahadi’s there is the newly opened Brooklyn Cat Café. You sign a small waver at the door, pay $5 per half hour, and you can sit and relax with some cats and kittens. You can go up to the counter inside and order packaged drinks, and snacks from local businesses, or coffee which will be delivered from the Atlantic Bagel Café next door. It offers a unique experience to the typical cafe, and it helps socialize the cats. All are vaccinated and spayed/neutered, and available for adoption through Brooklyn Bridge Animal Coalition. What’s better than coffee and a cat?

10. Beer me please, 7pm

Take a nice walk down Kane street towards the water and you will come to The Hop Shop. A bar with loads of craft beers, and a menu of hot dogs it is a one stop for a Saturday night. Different sauces, and toppings come on these “Hop Dogs” they start at $3 and can go up to $8. With a back patio and an open air seating in front it is a great place to watch the sun go down, and hang out all night.

SUNDAY

11. French brunch, 10am

For a hip Parisian brunch you will want to go to Bar Tabac on Smith street. With the exception of American Express, they are cash only. They offer a true French experience with quite a few of the staff from France, and the décor is made to make you feel like you are in Paris. If the weather permits, sit outside with a Bloody Mary ($5.95), and enjoy the house eggs “Bar Tabac” for $9.95, which are made with ratatouille and merguez sausage. There is the occasional live music on the weekends, and that just makes it the perfect brunch spot.

12. A sweet thing, 12pm

Head over next door to One Girl Cookies for a light snack. With a range of cookies, cupcakes and brownies it is the perfect end to a great brunch. The whoopie pies for $2 are well worth the stop.

LODGING

Nu Hotel in Brooklyn on Smith Street is recommended. It is within walking distance to most of the locations above. Plenty of beautiful modern suites with chic clean décor and street views. A standard Queen room comes with a queen bed, and currently going for $500 a night average.

REFERENCES

Nu Hotel Brooklyn. 2016. Retrieved from http://www.nuhotelbrooklyn.com

The Hop Shop. 2016. Retrieved from thehopshopbrooklyn.com

Celebrate Saturday at Brooklyn’s new cat cafe. Gagliardi, Marcia. (May 5, 2016) Time Out Magazine. Retrieved from www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/celebrate-caturday-at-brooklyns-new-cat-cafe-050156

Ample Hills Creamery. 2016. Retrieved from Amplehills.com

Pier 2 Roller Rink. 2016. Retrieved from brooklynbridgeskating.com

Fornino. 2016. Retrieved from fornino.com

Sahadi’s Offers a World of Things That Can Be Put in a Jar. Cotto, Andrew. (May 7, 2016) New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/nyregion/sahadis-offers-a-world-of-things-that-can-be-put-in-a-jar.html

Nu Hotel. 2016. Retrieved from Nuthotel.com