Of New York City’s five boroughs, Brooklyn is the most populous. Home to over 2.5 million people, the wildly eclectic city within the city provides visitors to The Big Apple with a bevy of options to consider. More hip than ever, Brooklyn has fast become a desirable Manhattan alternative, not just for residents who want a break on rent and mortgage payments (although real estate is not exactly cheap in the borough) but for the millions upon millions of tourists who visit Gotham every year.

From hipster and artsy neighborhoods to ethnic enclaves, terrific restaurants and heritage architecture, Brooklyn has crazy allure. So forget the big name Manhattan landmarks the next time you visit New York City and give Kings County a chance. As a veritable city, Brooklyn has singular character and charm. These wonderful attractions will enrich your stay.

Brooklyn Museum

A marvelous example of Beaux Arts architecture to begin with, the Brooklyn Museum is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. More than half a million people visit the 560,000 square foot facility every year. With a collection that spans the age of antiquity to modern, contemporary art, the Brooklyn Museum is a world class gem.

Brooklyn Historical Society

The multi-purpose Brooklyn Historical Society is a library, museum and cultural center on a mission to preserve the borough’s rich history and heritage. A collection built up over a century and a half includes more than 200,000 items.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

A notable landmark in the Crown Heights section, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum dates back to 1899. Subject to a recent overhaul of epic scope, the public facility is the first green museum in New York City. Contrary to popular opinion, the eclectic museum is perfectly suitable and enjoyable for children of all ages.

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Now famous as a haven for the avant garde, the Brooklyn Academy of Music was once home to the Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn. The institution is a remarkable hall that has seen the likes of Philip Glass, Enrico Caruso, Ingmar Bergman and the Kirov Opera perform and present works.

DUMBO

Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, or DUMBO, is relatively new in name as a Brooklyn district but from a historical perspective, has been a mainstay in the borough. Once known as Fulton Landing, the name DUMBO became fashionable in the late 1970s as a way to deter hyper-development. Today, post-gentrification, the little ‘hood is a gem, with a significant arts scene and perhaps above all else, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.

Coney Island

Coney Island evokes instant recognition and a flood of symbols to most people, whether they have been to the Brooklyn community of 60,000 people or not. A famous amusement park, the Cyclone roller coaster, Brighton Beach, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and regular roles in film and literature make the destination a veritable icon.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Near Crown Heights, Prospect Park and Park Slope, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a wonderful attraction with easy access to some of the best the borough has to offer. The Botanic Garden is well worth a few hours of your time, with thousands of plants and flowers on display and a history that dates back to 1910. Over 700,000 people visit the facility every year.

New York Transit Museum

The former Court Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights is home to one of the most unusual museums in New York City. For anyone who find romance in a Big Apple subway ride, the Transit Museum is a cool Brooklyn stop.

Green-Wood Cemetery

One of the most impressive U.S. National Landmarks has been a staple in Brooklyn since the early 19th century. A gorgeous and intricate main gate signals to visitors that Green-Wood is not your typical cemetery. Notable burials here include Leonard Bernstein, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. and Henry Steinway.

Prospect Park

Another Brooklyn landmark on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Prospect Park was the result of another successful collaboration between Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the landscape architects behind Central Park. From Prospect Park Zoo to the Boathouse, Long Meadow and Prospect Park lake, the recreation space is a brilliant tourist attraction.

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