A Perfect Day in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Published 05/18/2021
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has seen its share of transformations over the years. Known for an influx of contemporary artist émigrés, the neighborhood still preserves 1800s-era landmarks and remnants of the DIY punk scene. Home to a large Hasidic population, Williamsburg also features thriving Latinx, Italian and Polish communities—to name a few.
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Williamsburg is packed with things to do. We pared down our favorites into a compact itinerary that you can tackle all in one day. Featuring record shopping to art gazing to must-try New York slices, this guide will help you soak up the neighborhood’s culture and history, from morning coffee to late-night cocktails.
1
Williamsburg Bridge
1
Brooklyn
Completed in 1903, the whimsically pink (once red, but faded from the sun) Williamsburg Bridge connects Williamsburg to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Save for commuters, most people make their way across the mile-long bridge leisurely, by biking, skating or just strolling and taking in panoramic views of the City. The initial incline can be steep for new bikers, but the speedy, freeing descent makes it all worth it. Tip: Citi Bikes are available for rent on the Brooklyn side right at the entrance to the bike lane, and on Ridge and Rivington Street, a few blocks from the Manhattan entrance.
2
The West Coffeehouse & Bar
2
379 Union Ave. Brooklyn
Rouse yourself with a locally roasted cup of coffee at the West Coffeehouse & Bar, named after vaudeville actress Mae West who was born in Williamsburg in the mid-1800s. Owner Esther Bell is also a filmmaker, and her creative sensibilities infuse the café’s operations, evident in both its innovative menu items and messages of equality and community support on their Instagram. Offering takeout service and outdoor seating, you can place and pick up your order from the street-facing window. Not only do they serve coffee and beverages like lemonade with activated charcoal, you can also get cans of beer and growlers to go.
3
City Reliquary
3
370 Metropolitan Ave.
Candy-colored vanity bulbs and a blue, red and yellow awning lend a carnivalesque feel to the City Reliquary museum. Find packed-in relics from the 1939 World’s Fair and antique Statue of Liberty figurines as part of its permanent collection. The museum began when founder Dave Herman started displaying quirky objets d’art in his apartment window—think a set of dentures found in Brooklyn’s Dead Horse Bay. Now the space tells the history of NYC with other, near-forgotten remnants of the City, like subway tokens and paint chips from the L train platform.
4
L’Industrie Pizzeria
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254 S 2nd St.
L’Industrie, established in 2016, may not have been around for as long as some Brooklyn strongholds, but it still boasts some authentic chops; its owner is from Florence, Italy, and clearly has a love for innovation. The spot is perfect for takeout, though there are a few outdoor tables. The burrata is their signature slice. Every Wednesday they post their sandwich of the week on Instagram. Pork sandwich with broccoli and provolone, anyone?
5
Desert Island
5
540 Metropolitan Ave.
Desert Island is a haven for indie comics and zines by emerging local artists. Fitting the neighborhood’s spirit, the store has the retro, DIY vibe: they publish their own comics anthology, Smoke Signal, semiannually and also hold the annual Comic Arts Brooklyn festival in collaboration with Pratt Institute.
6
Quimby's Bookstore NYC
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536 Metropolitan Ave.
Adjacent to Desert Island is Quimby’s, which focuses more on literature than comics, but stocks equally experimental titles; you’ll find alternative periodicals that don’t get shelf space at mainstream shops. These two bookstores go hand in hand; if you visit one you won’t be able to resist peeking in at the other.
7
Rough Trade
7
64 N 9th St.
Rough Trade is more than a record shop: it’s also a performance space and record label with a vast inventory. The first Rough Trade opened in London in the mid ’70s. Since then the label has put out an impressive catalog, including seminal albums by The Strokes and The Smiths. They hold in-store performances, which for now, you can watch on their Instagram.
8
Artists & Fleas
8
70 N 7th St.
Open only on weekends, Artists & Fleas is a market with more than 45 vendors, including craft makers, designers and vintage apparel and accessories sellers. You never know exactly what you’ll find on a given day in the warehouse space: perhaps these darkly charming ornaments, or some Toxic Avenger–themed hot sauce.
9
Street Art
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130 N 5th St. Brooklyn
With murals throughout the neighborhood, Williamsburg is a veritable outdoor art museum. Some of these pieces have become fixtures, like the “Mona Lisa of Williamsburg” overlooking Bedford Avenue, and the depiction of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol in boxing gloves by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. Another memorable work, pictured, is by the artist Brolga and depicts boxer Muhammad Ali. The mural was done in conjunction with Joe’s Pizza on North 5th Street and Bedford Avenue and stands 20 feet high. Roam the neighborhood to find your next favorite artist.
10
Domino Park
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300 Kent Ave.
Named after the historic former Domino Sugar Refinery that overlooks it, this five-acre waterfront park features space to dine, picnic, skate and play, along with breathtaking views of the East River. Every detail of the park is well thought out, from the fog bridge that gives visitors a dramatic view of the old syrup tanks to the manicured bocce ball court and pristine dog run. For the best views, stroll along the elevated walkway, cantilevered off of columns that were once part of the sugar refinery. The walkway is ADA accessible.
11
Hotel Delmano
11
82 Berry St.
Not actually a hotel, the Delmano is a speakeasy-style cocktail and raw bar that serves small plates. The candlelit space—outdoor seating is currently available—is ideal for intimate conversations fueled by their specialty cocktails, like the Rattlesnake (rye whiskey, lemon, egg white, absinthe rinse) or the Brooklyn Beauty (local gin, St. Germain, lemon, club soda). You could easily make a meal out of rosé, oysters and charcuterie, or just stop by for a nightcap. The saloon-like, old New York ambience is reason enough to visit.
12
The Hoxton
12
97 Wythe Ave.
Located on Wythe Avenue, the Hoxton fits seamlessly into its Williamsburg surrounds. The open-concept lobby will warm you right upon entry with its fireplaces throughout. Rooms are cozy tastefully decorated: minimal and design-forward with views of the Manhattan skyline.
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The William Vale
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111 N. 12th St.
The William Vale hotel draws a lot of attention for its towering height and striking architecture. Rooms are understated and modern, and many have small balconies for gazing out at the skyline.
Explore more Williamsburg accommodations on our hotels page.
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