Brooklyn has so many hidden gems, amazing places to eat, and it is a lot more affordable than Manhattan. If you have extra time on your trip to New York City or are on a return trip and want a new area to explore, Brooklyn has many great sites to keep you entertained. One day in Brooklyn will show you the highlights of this amazing area.
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Table of Contents
History of Brooklyn
Brooklyn has a rich history that begins long before it became part of New York City. Originally inhabited by the Lenape people, the area was later settled by the Dutch. After the English took control of New Netherland in 1664, Brooklyn developed as a collection of small farming towns and communities.
In the 1800s, Brooklyn grew rapidly into a major city in its own right, becoming one of the largest cities in the United States. The opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883 further connected it to Manhattan and accelerated its expansion.
Throughout the 1900s, Brooklyn became known for its diverse immigrant communities, shaping its cultural identity. Today, it remains one of the most dynamic parts of New York City, blending historic neighborhoods with modern growth and a vibrant arts and food scene.
When to Spend One Day in Brooklyn
New York City and Brooklyn offer a different experience depending on which season you visit. Although spending one day in Brooklyn is fun anytime of the year, I recommend visiting in the fall if it is your first visit.
Wintertime, after the holidays until early spring, you will find the best deals on hotels. Summer is the most crowded but has the most outdoor activities. Fall and early winter offer a festive season in the city with Holiday decorations or fall colors. If visiting during the winter, make sure to check out this packing list.
How to Get to Brooklyn
The Brooklyn area has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia International Airport, and Newark International Airport. JFK usually has the cheapest flights and the most international flights. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
You can also check out these shared transfers.
Transportation in Brooklyn
There is no need to rent a car when spending one day in Brooklyn. It will just cost you a lot of unnecessary money in parking and rental fees and it is difficult to get around the area by car.
Rather, opt to use public transportation. You can buy a week-long subway pass for $33. This pass is good on all subways and buses. Google Maps will tell you exactly what subways to use for your destination.
Where to Stay in Brooklyn
The closer you can get to the Brooklyn Bridge, will be the best location to stay. TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Brooklyn here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. The following are some of the best hotel options in Brooklyn.
- The Livingston
- New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
- Fairfield Inn and Suites New York Brooklyn
- Hilton Brooklyn New York
- Hampton Inn Brooklyn/Downtown
- The Tillary Hotel Brooklyn
What to do During One Day in Brooklyn
Day 1: Main Sites of Brooklyn
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
Cost: $22
Hours: Tues-Thurs: 10am-6pm, Fri-Sun: 10am-8pm, Closed Mondays
Start your one day in Brooklyn with a visit to the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1910, the Botanical Gardens are located in Prospect park. This is a fantastic escape for any season as different things will be in bloom. They are best to visit during warmer weather when more is in bloom. During weekdays in the winter (December to February) you can pay as you wish.
Brooklyn Museum
Cost: $20
Hours: Wed-Sun: 11am-6pm, Closed Monday and Tuesday
The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the United States. It contains about 1.5 million pieces of art ranging from ancient Egyptian to contemporary art. Best of all, it is a pay-as-you-wish museum, which means you choose the price you pay!
Prospect Park
Cost: Free
Hours: 5am-1am
After spending time in the museum, head to Prospect Park, a must not miss stop during one day in Brooklyn. This 526-acre park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same designer as Central Park. It contains various trails, sport facilities and Brooklyn’s only lake. Within the park are also the Botanical Gardens, the Brooklyn Zoo, and Smorgasburg, a great places to grab a variety of food.
Grimaldi’s Pizza
Cost: $$
Hours: 11:30am-9pm or 10pm
For lunch, head to Grimaldi’s Pizza, a Brooklyn staple. It is one of the most popular pizza places in New York. They sell whole pies only, no slices, so make sure to visit with a group. Expect a line, but it is worth the wait to grab this delicious coal-fired brick oven pizza.
Brooklyn Navy Yard
Cost: Free
Hours: Wed-Sun: 11am-5pm
The Brooklyn Navy Yard is a shipyard and industrial park located in Brooklyn. This shipyard was a popular and busy spot during World War II, where it commissioned many ships for the war effort. Now, it is a thriving industrial park and tech hub. Visitors can learn about its history in the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center in BLDG 92. Make sure to check out this Brooklyn Navy Yard tour.
Kings County Distillery
Cost: $20+
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sat: 2pm-12am
This distillery is located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and is the city’s oldest operating whiskey distillery. It offers tours and tastings to showcase its variety of whiskey. Visitors can also opt just to pop in to try a tasting flight. It is a great way to take a break in the afternoon.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1883. If you have the time, taking the mile-long stroll along the bridge offers one of the best views of Manhattan and the surrounding area. It is a great option to wrap up your one day in Brooklyn.
Noodle Pudding
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues-Sat: 5pm-10pm, Sun: 5pm-9pm, Closed Mondays
The best place to grab dinner during one day in Brooklyn is Noodle Pudding. This delicious Italian restaurant is located in Brooklyn Heights near the Brooklyn Bridge. No credit cards are accepted, so make sure to have cash. They consistently have the best homemade pastas!
More Than One Day in Brooklyn
Day 2: Other Top Hits
If you have more than one day in Brooklyn, check out the following places. You can also go at a slower pace on day one. You can also check out this DUMBO tour, Bushwick Street Art tour, Coney Island tour, and food tour. You may also want to check out the Brooklyn Winery.
Brooklyn Brewery
Cost: Varies
Hours: Mon-Thus: 4pm-9pm, Fri: 2pm-4pm, 7:30pm-11pm, Sat: 12pm-12am
The Brooklyn Brewery was started in 1988 and is one of NYC’s most well-known craft breweries. It helped spark the modern beer scene in the area. They have a wide variety of beers you can sample in their tasting room.
Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is the 5th largest library in the United States. Spend some time browsing the books and walking through the stacks. Visitors love checking out the gold-leaf entryway.
Coney Island
Coney Island is the perfect place to spend time during the summer months. This legendary seaside resort area is famous for its boardwalk, public beach, and historic Luna Park amusement park. Visitors can ride the wooden Cyclone roller coaster or eat at Natha’s Famous. The beach is free, but visitors will have to pay for any rides.
Dyker Heights
If spending one day in Brooklyn during the Holiday season, make sure to head out to Dyker Heights to check out the Christmas light displays. It is famous for its massive inflatable Santas, motorized carousels, Nativity scenes, and lights.
New York Transit Museum
Cost: $10
Hours: Thurs-Sun: 10am-4pm
If you have more than one day in Brooklyn, you will not want to miss the New York Transit Museum. Located in a 1936 subway station, this museum contains various artifacts of transportation including subways, buses, and other trains all from the state of New York.
Time Out Market New York
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-10pm
The Time Out Market New York is a great option to grab some food. This upscale food hall features some of the city’s best chefs and restaurants under one roof. The rooftop terrace offers some of the best view of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge.
Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sun: 12pm-11pm
The Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain is located in a restored 1920s apothecary. This old-school soda shop is popular for their egg creams, a drink of milk, carbonated water, and flavored syrup (no eggs). They also serve some small bites to eat and a large variety of sundaes.
Juliana’s
Cost: $$
Hours: 11:30am-3:15pm and 4pm-9pm
Juliana’s was created by the original owners of Grimaldi’s Pizza. Many prefer it to Frimaldi’s and it is just as popular. There is usually a wait, but the line moves fast.
Final Tips for One Day in Brooklyn
There are many things to keep you busy during one day in Brooklyn. It is an amazing borough of New York to explore, especially during a return trip. Make sure to also check out all of the historic sites in New York City or plan to take some day trips to explore more of the surrounding area.
1 thought on “One Day In Brooklyn Itinerary: Spectacular Sites and Bites”
Hey there,
We are going in June and staying in the Murray Hill? area. (Sherbourne Hotel) Can you send me a link for that area please? I’ve only visited once briefly. We’re doing the hop on off, Central park biking and a show.
Thanks Francesca
Judy