Neighborhood Guide: Downtown Brooklyn

As the 3rd largest central business district in New York City, Downtown Brooklyn can be seen as the middle ground between Manhattan business and Brooklyn charm. The area has managed to do what many other gentrified neighborhoods could not. Federal buildings and luxury rentals have managed to coincide harmoniously with local attractions such as the Atlantic Terminal Mall, Borough Hall Greenmarket and a number of ethnic restaurants.

Transportation

With a multitude of federal and university buildings, Downtown Brooklyn is easily accessible by different modes of transportation. Every major train line less the 7 train runs through the area. The Long Island Railroad serves the area as well at the Atlantic Terminal.

Major stations include Jay Street-Borough Hall, Court Street-Borough Hall, Hoyt-Schermerhorn and Atlantic Avenue-Pacific Street stations. If you are driving, Downtown Brooklyn is the outlet point for both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. With a well connected network of smaller streets, the area is also very bike friendly.

Local Attractions

German Dance company performing Vollmond at Next Wave Festival

 

There are a number of area attractions in Downtown Brooklyn. The first attraction is one you may accidentally overlook. The Brooklyn Bridge itself is visited by thousands of people everyday. People enjoy walking, jogging and bike riding across the bridge while many others simply capture the view by taking photos and gazing out from one of the benches.

Another popular sky gazing venue is the Brooklyn Promenade. You can enjoy bike riding or a long walk staring out at Manhattan's South Street Seaport and the East River. Nearby are Brooklyn favorites of Grimaldi's Pizza and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

A few minutes away is the regular Borough Hall Greenmarket. The market has occurred 3 times per week for the last 25 years. Dozens of farmers attend each day with a variety of fresh fish, baked goods, organic fruits, vegetables and reputedly the best goat cheese this side of town.

For the occasional artistic attraction, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a nationally recognized theater in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Located on Lafayette Avenue, BAM features the Howard Gilman Opera House, Rose Cinemas and the Hillman Attic Studio for rehearsal space. The academy hosts two major annual events of DanceAfrica and the Next Wave Festival.

Dining

Fried Twinkies at Atlantic ChipShop

If one borough was chosen to represent New York City's "melting pot" ideal, Brooklyn would be that borough. From the Poles of Greenpoint to the large West Indian population of Flatbush, Brooklyn has become known for its great array of ethnic food choices.

On Atlantic Avenue, there lies the Atlantic ChipShop which was recently featured on the Travel Channel. The serve classic British food such as fish and chips with a twist including fried macaroni and cheese, fried pizza, fried burgers and of course, the fried twinkie. Other British favorites of haggish and Shepard's pie are popular choice as well.  

Ki Rolls with caviar & gold flakes at Ki Sushi

If you are searching for lighter fare, try Ki Sushi nearby the New York Transit Museum. Listed as one of the best restaurants for a date on yelp.com, it is duly noted that "If your date does not go well, it's not the restaurant it's you".

Besides coming for their fresh fish and great atmosphere, the caviar and gold flaked ki sushi roll is reason alone.

Shopping

There are two major shopping areas in the neighborhood. Fulton Street Mall, located on Fulton Street between Boerum Place and Flatbush Avenue serves 100,000 shoppers daily. With stores such as Macy's Downtown Brooklyn, Modell's, Children's Place and Zales the area has a host of stores for different needs. The shopping district is also home to the New York style cheesecake king, Junior's Restaurant.

The other major shopping area is Atlantic Terminal Mall located on Atlantic Avenue between South Elliot Place and Fort Green Place. The terminal is a great one stop shopping experience. It has the LIRR station and trains underground and notable stores of Target, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, Pathmark and the Department of Motor Vehicles. The shopping center also has restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Chuck E. Cheese for children.
 

Residential

Brownstones of nearby Brooklyn Heights

Downtown Brooklyn has seen a boom of luxury condominiums and rentals in the last few years. While Brooklyn as a whole including nearby Brooklyn Heights is known for its brownstones, the influx of younger residents have created the demand. Many popular luxury rentals in the area have found their niche markets.

Unique architecture design at The Toren

Brooklyn Gold has attracted music lovers and families alike with their built-in sound systems, ipod docking stations and outdoor terrace BBQ space for event hosting. Over at the newly built condominium, Toren, residents and passersby are enjoying their view of the architectural design with angled glass. The building is an added

attraction to the area with its creative distinction often seen only in Manhattan buildings. At The Brooklyner, many residents are simply pleased with their open Manhattan skyline views. At 51 stories high, The Brooklyner is the tallest Brooklyn building to date.

From every diverse neighborhood of Brooklyn, Downtown has brought together a piece of each. From music to food and shopping, Downtown Brooklyn is a popular area with an eclectic mix of attractions for all.