Brooklyn Journals

New York: Living in Brooklyn

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Brooklyn by kylebarber

Beneath the cherry blossom trees Photo - Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York More Photos
Quote: Since I've been sharing info on all the great places I've been to, it makes sense to tell you why Brooklyn is where I keep coming back home.

New York: Living in Brooklyn

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

Quote:
The best thing about Brooklyn, like of all New York City, is its character. You can love it or hate it, or both at the same time, but you cannot deny that Brooklyn has a definite spirit and character that is unmatched by most other cities in the United States or, in fact, the world. Everywhere you turn, the history and sense of community of Brooklyn is bubbling over.Quick Tips: If you are visiting New York City, make sure to set aside two days to see Brooklyn. While there are plenty of sights and attractions in Manhattan to fill up a two-week vacation, seeing Brooklyn will offer you a richer and more complete picture of what life is really like in the Big Apple.Best Way To Get Around:...Read More

Junior's

Restaurant

Quote:
This local institution resembles a very large family style restaurant (say Denny's) with a dark interior. People don't come in for the decor, however, and certainly not for the slow and error-prone service. What they do look forward to is the humongous servings of cheesecake and other homemade desserts. This cheesecake doesn't compare with the richer, heavier slice of heaven served up in Manhattan by the Carnegie Deli, but connoisseurs will want to trek out to Brooklyn (or the newly opened Central Station location) to sample the smooth and creamy treat, baked in a crust with a hint of almond. Though the area can get dicey late at night Junior's is open 24 hours.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 22, 2000

Junior's
386 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 852-5257

Banania Cafe

Restaurant

Quote:
This relatively new restuarant along Smith Street has developed into a local favorite, with many brave Manhattanites venturing out into the wilds of Brooklyn for quality food. Cute twists on standard bistro fare that make for good conversation as well as a yummy meal. I'm not a pork fan, but the chop with the apple preparation is quite succulent. Leave room for dessert, as each treat we've sampled so far has been of superior quality.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 22, 2000

Banania Cafe
241 Smith St
Brooklyn, New York 11231
(718) 237-9100

Totonno's

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
Do you like pizza? Then why haven't you been to Totonno's yet? Arguably the best New York style pizza in the world, you really have to travel a great distance to decide for yourself. But truly it is worth the time and effort, plus the inherent 'adventure' in visiting dilapitated Coney Island. The crust is heavenly, and the mozzarella is true. Just don't eat too much if you're heading over to the Cyclone later on...

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 22, 2000

Totonno's
1524 Neptune Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11224
(718) 372-8606

Harvest Restaurant

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Harvest"

Quote:
First of all, avoid this place for Sunday brunch. The wait to be seated can be over an hour and a half, and then you'll have to get the waiter's attention. But the long lines are a testament to the quality of food and the friendly service. Harvest serves up hearty American fare like macaroni and cheese and meatloaf, along with more adventurous offerings such as pecan encrusted chicken and broiled fish with citrus based salsa. The desserts are good, and you'll feel at home in either dining room or out in the backyard patio.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Harvest Restaurant
218 Court Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 624-9267

Patois

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
Patois is not just another French bistro knockoff to entertain the growing yuppie population of Carroll Gardens. It features fine cooking of simple French and American entrees in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Straightforward dishes that might normally elicit a yawn are so yummily prepared at Patois that they seem downright exotic. Desserts are on par with the great food, and the cute cocktail tiki hut out back is a fun way to pass the time while you wait for a table.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Patois
255 Smith St
Brooklyn, New York 11231
(718) 855-1535

Grimaldi's

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Grimaldi's Pizzeria"

Quote:
Not quite as amazing as Totonno's out in Coney Island, Grimaldi's Pizzeria offers the best pie you can get without traveling far. Formerly known as Patsy's, this pizzeria that hides underneath the Brooklyn Bridge is not to be confused with the subpar Patsy's that now operates in Manhattan. Grimaldi's is the real deal, with hearty sauce and authentic mozzarella cheese. The crowds waiting to get in can be big, but they keep the line moving pretty quick.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Grimaldi's
19 Old Fulton St.
Brooklyn, New York 11201
(718) 858-4300

New York Aquarium

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation"

Quote:
Most Brooklyn natives might not think of travelling all the way out to Coney Island to visit the local aquarium, but the current facility is a modern, creature-friendly zoo that can compete head to head (or tail to tail) with the likes of SeaWorld. Run by the Wildlife Conservation, who also administer the Bronx Zoo and other institutions across the nation, the Aquarium has a focus on respecting wildlife and promoting conservation. A large theater houses both dolphins and sea lions that perform regularly scheduled shows that frequently result in wet audiences. Small beluga whales are also on display in a large tank, which is no problem as these friendly creatures gravitate towards the windows to che...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

New York Aquarium
Surf Avenue at West 8th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11224

Prospect Park

Attraction

Quote:
Built by the same fellows who brought us Central Park in Manhattan, Prospect Park is equally important to Brooklynites who need a nature break form the hustle and bustle of the city. The huge park, which dates back to 1865, houses a number of attractions and wide open spaces throughout its 526 acres. There is a small children's zoo, a boat house, skating rink, playgrounds, carousel, tennis courts, immense lawns and fields, patches of forest, and nearby you'll find the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. If you like rollerblading, the sloping hills will provide more of a challenge than Central Park and considerably smaller crowds.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Prospect Park
Eastern Parkway and Parkside Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11238
(718) 965-8951

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
There are so many spectacular views from the island of Manhattan, but you'll need to come over to Brooklyn to have the best view of Manhattan's own skyline. The Brooklyn Heights Promenade, or Esplanade, showcases its rival borough with an amazing panoramic view of Manhattan's southern tip and Lower East Side. The Esplanade itself itself is a pretty, tree-lined walkway that covers the noisy Brooklyn Queens Expressway below. Despite the persistent noise, this romantic spot nightly attracts plenty of lovers, and those who simply love the city of New York.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 30, 2000

Brooklyn Heights Promenade
Above The Brooklyn Queens Expwy Between Remsen And Orange Streets
Brooklyn, New York

Coney Island Beach, Boardwalk, Amusement Parks

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Coney Island"

Cyclone Photo - Coney Island Beach, Boardwalk, Amusement Parks, Brooklyn, New York
Quote:
Coney Island is not a typical amusement park for taking the family out for a day. Each thrill ride is owned and operated by different companies or individuals, and the open field of Coney Island is surrounded by project housing. But if you're a history buff who enjoys seeing a glimpse of the way New York City used to be before its current mallification, you'll want to come out to Coney Island for an afternoon.The rusting shells of abandoned thrill rides haunt the quiet, narrow seashore. You can still enjoy the ancient Wonder Wheel attraction, which towers over everything in sight and offers great views on clear days. And the Cyclone doesn't disappoint roller coaster enthusiasts who love the unpredi...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 26, 2000

Coney Island Beach, Boardwalk, Amusement Parks
Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11224
(718) 372-0275

Brooklyn Museum

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Brooklyn Museum of Art"

Quote:
One of the largest museums in the country, this local favorite is often overlooked by tourists who are preoccupied with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. But if you are particularly interested in Egyptian history or art, I'd recommend checking out this too-often neglected gem. It also features a wide variety of temporary installations including the much talked about cutting edge modern art exhibitions.The museum is noted for showcasing the arts of sometimes neglected cultural groups, particularly tribes from island nations. And almost everyone in Brooklyn has enjoyed one of the First Saturdays open house evenings at the Brooklyn Museum of Art,...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 26, 2000

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238
(718) 638-5000

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
The Brooklyn Academy of Music, or BAM, is one of the top cultural attractions in the borough. Their beautiful opera house (dating back to 1861) seats over 2000 people comfortably, and provides high quality entertainment that draws crowds from across the river. BAM often presents works that are highly experimental or from traveling repertory companies that might not find an appropriate venue in Manhattan. Recent successes include the sell-out performances of Ralph Fiennes and the Almeida theater company of England performing two of Shakespeare's lesser known plays. In the author’s humble opinion these productions were vastly superior to any recent Shakespearean mountings on Broadway.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 26, 2000

Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11217
(718) 230-3338

Brooklyn Bridge

Attraction

Quote:
Created in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is still one of the most amazing sights to see in all of New York City. Besides being an architectural wonder, the Brooklyn Bridge offers amazing views as you walk across its 6,000 foot span. A one-way trip across takes a little over a half an hour, and there are interesting plaques along the journey which detail the complicated construction of this amazing bridge. Subway stops are available on either end of the bridge. A walk across the bridge's promenade takes about 40 minutes; it's well worth it.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 26, 2000

Brooklyn Bridge
Access At Tillary Street And Boerum Place
Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction

Beneath the cherry blossom trees Photo - Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York
Quote:
For almost a century the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has provided a natural respite from the city, housing over 12,000 varieties of indoor and outdoor plants. The 52 acre park is perfect for strolling, offering a nice combination of manicured rows and stretches of wild foliage. The large multilevel atriums showcase a number of habitats and their respective plant life. An interesting attraction is the Garden for the Blind, which features plants that have unique textures and are highly aromatic.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 26, 2002

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
900 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225