Feb 2, 2008
Brooklyn didn’t happen overnight. It’s a city with a deep and cultural history. These are some of the things that set Brooklyn apart, and helped make it what it is today.
- Prospect Park: Found in the heart of Brooklyn, Prospect Park was built in the 1860s and offers Brooklyn a lush environment. Plenty of activities, like tennis and outdoor concerts, will keep you occupied as you take in the fresh air. Prospect Park serves as a constant reminder of how far Brooklyn has come. The land was originally homesteads for the Dutch colonies.
- Battle of Brooklyn: Before it was Prospect Park, it was the location for one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. A moment where the United States declared its independence is forever engrained in the history of Brooklyn, and perhaps encourages the citizens of Brooklyn to have pride in their independence.
- Neighbors Allied for Good Growth: NAG continues the efforts to help grow Brooklyn into a safer community. They first fought against the destruction of the Northside by the waste industry. After winning that fight, they continued their efforts to preserve historical Brooklyn, and reinvigorate the community.
- Old School Italian Food: You can’t talk about Brooklyn and not talk about the Italian food. As Brooklyn was first a haven for immigrants, foreign foods have always reigned supreme in the borough. Italian food has been especially popular, and you can get here just the way mama made it back home.
- Rooftop Films: Each summer the non-profit group shows independent films outdoors on a big screen. They strive to bring together and engage the diverse community of Brooklyn by showing them independent films, producing new films, and coordinating youth media education. Humbly beginning in 1997, they started by showing films on the roof of an apartment complex. Today they have grown to showing films at their own offices and continuing to show movies in outdoor locations with their pop up screen.
- Manhattan Beach: Surrounded on the south and east coasts’ by the Atlantic Ocean, Manhattan Beach is a residential neighborhood that was developed in the 19th century. Manhattan Beach is usually less crowded than Brighton, as it doesn’t have the lure of Coney Island. It’s a quiet beach front area that is Brooklyn’s version of the Hamptons.
- Franklin Street: The corner of Franklin and Greenpoint is the epicenter of Greenpoint’s dining and nightlife scene. With cozy bars and imaginative restaurants, Franklin Street lures everyone out to the hippest and hottest spots. It seems like each day a new boutique, or storefront of some kind is popping up. Reminiscent of Brooklyn’s self-starting-immigrant beginnings, Franklin Street brings together entrepreneurs of all kinds.
- Smorgasburg: Each weekend there is the Brooklyn Flea market and spawning from that, we now have the Smorgasburg, a flea food market. Vendors set up on weekends at the Skylight One Hanson building, as well as other locations. Tourists and locals alike flock to the food market to try fresh foods, old favorites, and new delicious treats each weekend.
- McKibbin Dorms: In 1998 the factory psace that housed textile and garment manufacturing was converted into residential loft space. Suddenly very cheap living space was available and the McKibbin lofts were born, and instantly became a party hotspot. Home to a number of starving artists, and musicians, among others, McKibbin has earned its reputation of being a party place.
- Shanghai Mermaid: Every year, in the month of April, the people at Shanghai Mermaid plan a “pop-up speak easy” party. Tickets are a must, and once you purchase your ticket you’ll learn the secret location of the pop-up party. Usually appropriately themed, guests are not allowed in unless they are wearing the era-themed attire.
Brooklyn is what it is today because of these events, and events that are similar. A style and personality all its own, Brooklyn morphs daily into something new and exciting. Don’t miss out on what makes Brooklyn, well, Brooklyn.