Best Things To Do In Williamsburg Brooklyn
Williamsburg is one of the most popular Brooklyn neighborhoods in New York City! This riverfront locality connects the Brooklyn borough to Manhattan through the Williamsburg Bridge, making it the perfect destination for anyone who wants to get away from Manhattan and experience some awesome and unique places.
The area is known by many for its more hipster roots, which have evolved and elevated throughout the years. While today it’s so much more than a hipster neighborhood, it’s impossible not to recognize this influence on modern Williamsburg’s creative and culturally diverse atmosphere. These unique vibes can be seen on almost every corner of Williamsburg!
Williamsburg is lined with tons of small business boutiques, cool vintage stores, artisan coffee shops, and incredible bars and restaurants. From little street cafes to some of the city’s trendiest eateries and unbeatable skyline views, Williamsburg has it all. That’s what makes it such an attractive neighborhood for both visitors and NYC locals. Whether it’s your first time in the city or you’ve lived here your whole life, there’s something that will make you fall in love with Williamsburg!
The majority of the bustling action in Williamsburg happens all along Bedford Avenue, starting from S4th street and going all the way down to N 12th Street, right in front of Mccarren park. There are a few other centrally located areas: Berry St (a pedestrian street to the east of Bedford Avenue) and Metropolitan Avenue, which crosses Bedford and runs all the way down along the river.
Along those streets and all over the Brooklyn neighborhood, visitors will feel the appeal of the area while admiring artistic graffiti and murals. Just walking around and taking it all in is the best way to start experiencing the local Brooklyn culture and joining in with the unique vibes of the area.
Whether you’re looking for the area’s most fun nightlife, some authentic musical establishment, really good food, or just to relax at the riverside, Williamsburg is a great destination full of secrets to discover! That’s why today I’m sharing a list of the best things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, so visitors can fall in love with the locality as much as we New Yorkers have for years. Let’s get started!
Best things to do in Williamsburg
Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge was first opened in 1903, and it immediately became one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Since then, this landmark has been one of the major bridge crossings in the East River, connecting the neighborhoods of the Lower East Side in the Manhattan borough and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
The Williamsburg Bridge has several vehicular lanes, a walkway, and a bike path. Additionally, three major subway lines go through two transit tracks and connect to Manhattan, making it easy to go back and forth. If you choose to cross the bridge either by walking or biking across, my advice is to do it from Williamsburg, Brooklyn and head to the Lower East Side, Manhattan during sunset.
This way, you’ll get some of the most epic views of Manhattan and the beautiful sunlight at the end of the day. Experiencing the bridge is definitely one the best things to do in Williamsburg!
Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is a popular open air market located in Williamsburg. Although it's a seasonable destination in Williamsburg, you’ll love it if you’re there during the summer months.
This outdoor fair is a favorite of both Brooklynites and Manhattanites, who love meeting up with friends outside while eating some great local food and enjoying some fun games. It’s a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike! The market opens every Saturday from April to November, from 11am to 6pm, at Williamsburg’s East River Park.
Best Bars & Restaurants In Williamsburg Brooklyn
There are just so many great and trendy restaurants in Williamsburg. It’s definitely a strong point of the neighborhood! Enjoying a Sunday brunch or a friend-packed dinner is one of the funnest things to do in Williamsburg, and you have tons of great options to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:
Aska: This is definitely more of a fine dining place, so keep that in mind and come prepared for an experience. Aska is the passion project of the well known Swedish chef Fredrik Berselius, who was raised in Stockholm and now lives and works in Brooklyn. The restaurant originally opened to rave reviews and earned a Michelin star before Berselius decided to move to the new location, after which the success continued.
Today, Aska has an incredible two Michelin stars and offers a seasonal tasting menu that combines the chef’s Scandinavian roots with a focus on using local ingredients. Definitely make sure you book a table well in advance, as spaces are limited in the restaurant and it’s a very popular destination!
Marlow & Sons is another great foodie establishment in Williamsburg. In fact, it’s so good that you won’t need any other reason to go back to the neighborhood once you have eaten here! The restaurant is a pro at farm to table meals, and delicious dishes like their crispy rice bowl make a quick trip to Williamsburg definitely worth it.
If you go at night, make sure you sit in the main back area, especially if you’re trying to impress that special someone. The vibe is cozy, cool, and reminiscent of the fun casual bars and local restaurants you‘ll find around France or Spain. Overall, it’s just a super fun place to go for a meal that will make you feel good!
Julliette is a French style cafe and restaurant with an exquisite indoor space that will immediately transport you back in time and across the Atlantic to Paris. Its inviting rooftop houses a cocktail bar, where you can sit among some very fabulous vegetation.
Brunch is served 7 days a week, and menu options include everything from French toast to eggs, burgers to healthy dishes. It’s the perfect place for a simple yet elegant meal, so make sure to put it on your list of the best French wine bars and restaurants in Williamsburg!
Llama Inn serves amazing Peruvian food and cocktails with some fancy twists. Peruvian cuisine is well-known for its ceviches and fish dishes, so I recommend you to choose some of those either for brunch or dinner! If you’ve never tried Peruvian cuisine and you’re interested, Llama Inn is a great place to get started.
Meat lovers will definitely want to check out Peter Luger Steak House! The restaurant is an old-school Micheline starred eatery that's a must-visit in the area if you are craving a good juicy steak! You can’t go wrong getting a filet or ribeye, and even the burger is amazing.
The Holy Cow hot fudge sundae and the key lime pie are a perfect way to finish off your meal. Nothing like a sweet dessert after a tasty steak! This is one of the most famous steakhouses in New York, so if you want to have a truly great meal make sure you stop by while in Williamsburg.
With some great food options covered, the next thing you’ll probably want to look for is the perfect cocktail place. Luckily, Williamsburg has some great options for this too!
The 1st place we recommend in the neighborhood is Maison Premiere.
Have you been to New Orleans before? The city is well known all over the world for its tasty food, live music and one of a kind cocktails.
If you have never been or can't go back just yet, head over to Maison Premiere. This place is the perfect destination to bring back your happy New Orleans memories and let you experience some of its flair without leaving New York.
While it’s a great bar and restaurant to visit all year round, during the warmer months they have a gorgeous garden in the back where you can enjoy being outside in the fresh air while having some shade to relax in as well.
Enjoying a drink al fresco on the weekends is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Williamsburg, and I always try to do this as much as possible. So step in and enjoy how you will be transported right into the Big Easy when you see the lush green and wrought iron decorations.
While all of the drinks sounded great, we loved two cocktails in particular: The Lambeth Walk Fizz and the Inverness! The presentation of the drinks is definitely top-notch, and there are some uniquely NOLA ingredients (like absinthe!) that you won’t find in a lot of NYC bars. Make sure to snap a few pictures with the drinks, as they’re perfectly Instagrammable!
In terms of food, we only ordered some oysters (since we ate brunch right before), but the avocado toast seemed to be a popular choice among many of the other customers. When we go back, I’m definitely going to be ordering that!
The atmosphere at Maison Premiere is cozy, yet always fun and lively. The cocktail bar brings in a diverse crowd, mostly younger but you’ll always find a nice range. The place has a sort of magnetism to it: maybe it’s the distinctly old-New Orleans appearance of the building, but almost everyone we saw walking by stopped in to take a look or get a drink.
Depending on when you go there might be a bit of a wait, so without a reservation avoid peak times to be safe.
If you’re visiting Williamsburg as part of a NYC weekend trip and you want to enjoy the classic Manhattan skyline, I recommend spending your Sunday in Brooklyn! Specifically, in the Westlight, at the top of the William Vale hotel, where you can have a fabulous rooftop experience. It will probably be crowded and definitely has more of a Manhattan feel than many other Brooklyn places, but the skyline views are totally worth it!
If you want more of a low-key glamor, Hotel Delmano is the place to go. One of my favorite bars (not only in Williamsburg but in all of NYC), this is a great place to spend a Saturday night. The bar has a sexy and mysterious vibe that seems to rub off on everyone who visits, so definitely put this on your list of things to do in Williamsburg if you have a date. The drinks are delicious and the atmosphere is pretty unique!
Brooklyn Bowl is always a fun and entertaining. This bowling alley and music venue has cool bowling lanes, live music and good food.
Williamsburg Vintage Shops
While there are lots of great options for it, Williamsburg isn’t all about eating and drinking! For those interested in a leisurely day of shopping, there are a few places that you have to check out...
Grand Street is the perfect place to do some shopping in Williamsburg. Here you’ll find all kinds of stores, from vintage clothing to unique carpets to candles handmade all over the world. It’s a true shoppers paradise, especially if you are looking to add one or two (or three!) outstanding pieces to your fashion or home decor collections. I always make sure to bring a tote bag (or two) with me so that I can bring home all of the new finds I pick up from Grand street.
Spending the Sunday afternoon wandering around the neighborhood and finding treasures is always a great idea! Find some local shops or businesses that bring incredible handmade pieces by artisans from all over the world. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding the perfect unique item to complete your home decoration!
If you are obsessed with home decor and have been pinning colorful pillows and unique carpets on Pinterest (guilty!) make sure you head to Heirloom, where you’ll be able to bring those unique vibes right to your apartment. They have a unique collection with lots of very beautiful pieces.
The prices for their vintage and handmade items might be a bit higher than those you will find if you go right to the source in Morocco or Istanbul, but you don’t have to fly across the world to get them! Plus, the store goes to lengths to guarantee the origin of their items, so you know you’re getting the real deal when you shop here.
Heirloom also offers cleaning and repair services for the pieces you already own, so there’s no excuse not to check out the store while you’re in Williamsburg!
Antoniette is one of those awesome vintage clothing stores where you’ll always find at least one treasure you didn’t even know you needed. The store doesn’t only offer vintage clothing either: they also have a great selection of indie style modern pieces. If you want to add a bit of flair to your personal style, this is a great place to start!
Leif is another well known store in Williamsburg. It's the perfect place for everything you think you might need this summer: from that cute weave tote to beautiful ceramic pieces, there’s a huge range to be found here. Every time I have visited the store, I’ve loved almost all of their products.
It helps that many have international origins and are organically crafted with responsible sourced materials. Last time I stopped in, a great selection of candles caused me to spontaneously stock up for the next year (or more!). Leif is always on my to do list when I’m planning a trip to Williamsburg.
Even if Grand Street is the best area to find treasures in Williamsburg, it’s not the only one! Alter is one of the best places to shop in Brooklyn, and it has been one of my go-to stores this summer. I first discovered it while shopping in Greenpoint, and I was thrilled to learn that they have a second location in Williamsburg on Graham Avenue.
You’ll find some amazing deals there, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget but still want to grab a new piece or two. When it comes to finding both wardrobe essentials and those full-of-character statement pieces, Alter always has you covered!
Ferry Ride
The NYC Ferry is a great way to commute from one New York area or neighborhood to another. Oftentimes it is underused, however, as it wasn’t until recently that the city developed a whole fleet and added more stops through the city. The Williamsburg neighborhood is included in that list, with a stop that puts you right in the middle!
I always find that getting to ride the boat while looking at some of the best landmarks of the city is one of the best things to do in Williamsburg, New York. Ferries rides cost the same as the subway or bus, and it comes with the added bonus of avoiding all of that awful train traffic and those city crowds. If you ask me, there’s just no comparing the fresh air and views from the ferry with the subway.
Get a chilled juice or wine on board and truly make the ride an unforgettable experience!
Domino Park & East River
For those heading to Williamsburg during the gorgeous summer months, you won’t want to leave without spending some time chilling in one of the neighborhood's parks while enjoying the amazing Manhattan views. This is also one of the best things to do in Williamsburg if you are traveling or visiting with kids . Make sure to check out the East River State Park as well as Domino Park!
Williamsburg is definitely one of the more unique neighborhoods in all of NYC and Brooklyn, so don’t miss a chance to discover some more of the area in your next visit to New York. In the summer the neighborhood truly comes alive, with lots of vintage street vendors, ice cream and taco trucks, as well as those Output rooftop parties on the weekends.
If you are a New Yorker and have been to Williamsburg plenty of times, don’t write it off yet! There’s probably a new street to stroll down and undiscovered stores to shop all over the area. I know I have plenty of exploring left to do next weekend!
If you find somewhere new and awesome, let me know in the comments! I always love to hear about new places!
A Few Additional Tips On Things To Do In Williamsburg Brooklyn
There it is, this is my complete list of the best things to do in Williamsburg Brooklyn. For travelers and tourists who are visiting the area for the 1st time, I’m including some extra tips and recommendations below:
Languages
English is the official language in the city (of course!), but New York City's diverse history has brought many different communities and cultures to the city throughout the years. This definitely makes it easier for foreigners to find someone that speaks their language and can help them communicate. Some of the largest communities in the area nowadays include the Spanish, Chinese, and Italians.
Transportation Tips
There are three close airports to Williamsburg, Brooklyn: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark International Airport (EWR). If you’re flying into New York City, you’re almost certainly going to be arriving at one of these three.
Going from the airport to the Williamsburg area itself can be relatively easy, although it is often very pricey. Taxis and Uber rides can cost anywhere from 50 dollars to 100+. Taxis offer a flat rate to and from the airport, while Uber prices can easily fluctuate significantly. Buses, trains, and subways offer more affordable fares, but the commutes are longer.
Williamsburg is a very walkable and accessible area. Walking or biking will get you anywhere you want in the neighborhood. You can also make use of local transportation. If you are coming from or staying in Manhattan, Williamsburg is one of the closest Brooklyn neighborhoods to the borough.
Getting there is pretty easy via subway, even if you’re not an experienced rider. The subway system may seem intimidating at first, but there’s a reason native New Yorkers use it so much. Once you know where you’re going (Google and Apple Maps make this easy by telling you the name of the stations you want) it’s just a short hop across the river.
You can get to the Williamsburg area from Manhattan or Brooklyn via the J, L, M or Z trains. From Manhattan, I recommend taking the subway (L train specifically) to Bedford Avenue station, which will get you right into the middle of the action. If you are coming from Manhattan, you could also bike or walk over the Williamsburg bridge (a less crowded version of the Brooklyn bridge, but with the same unbeatable views of the city) if the weather isn’t too hot or cold.
Best Time To Visit
Spending a few days in New York City is always a great idea, no matter the season or the time of the year! Every season offers its own set of charming experiences: sunny warm skies during the summer, Christmas celebrations during the winter, gorgeous weather and all the colors of nature during the fall and spring. But if I had to choose the best season to visit, it would probably be Spring.
Not only are the temperatures in the city nice, but there’s always plenty of fun things to do and the city is completely revitalized. After a long winter, New Yorkers love to celebrate the beginning of the Spring and the upcoming summer months. The best part is that you’ll beat the unbearable heat and humidity of the summer months, will get more affordable hotel prices, and won’t have to wait too long in lines!
The heavy crowds come mostly from June to August and during the Christmas holidays. These times of the year can be super fun too, especially if you’re looking to socialize and enjoy meeting new friends!
Hotel Recommendations
There are plenty of hotel options in the Brooklyn area. Some might be right in the Williamsburg neighborhood, while others are located just a few minutes away and within easy travel distances. The Williamsburg area also has plenty of vacation apartment listings to choose from, if you prefer to have a bit more privacy and more of a home feeling.
Just keep in mind that New York is the city that never sleeps and there is a constant stream of tourists booking their trips, which means you'll get better deals the earlier you make your bookings. This is especially true if you are visiting during peak summer season. Make all of your plans and booking well in advance so you can make your dream trip happen!
A few great hotel options to consider are:
New York Moore Hostel in East Williamsburg
General Travel Tips
Travelers visiting NYC for the first time need to check out the Explorer Pass and the New York Pass, which offer discounted rates on admission fees to many museums, city attractions, and places of interest. This includes famous must-visit things like The Empire State Building, One World Observatory and The Statue of Liberty!
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I hope you enjoy your time in NYC. If you have been to the area before, let us know in the comments below what are your favorite things to do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! And if there is an NYC topic that you’d love to hear more about, drop a comment and let us know what we should write about next!
Besitos from the Brooklyn Brewery,
Laura