This post covers 13 great things to see and do in Williamsburg, Brooklyn today, tomorrow, or any day.
As a Brooklynite who's into great food, live music, street art and all-around cool vibes, I love spending time in Williamsburg.
Below I share some of the best things to do in The Burg (one of the neighborhood's nicknames, along with WillieB, B'Burg, and Billyburg).
Whatever you call it, it's a part of New York City to spend some time in to see what life is like beyond Manhattan.
Williamsburg is pretty big but luckily most of the things you might be interested in are pretty close to each other.
This post also has a half-day itinerary so you can make the most of your time in Williamsburg.
BEST PLACES TO GO IN WILLIAMSBURG
Before I tell you the great places to see, I want to share some history with you.
Indulge me...I love history as well as watching the transformation of cities over time and Williamsburg has a rich past.
In the Dutch days, Williamsburg was part of Boswijck, a Dutch town now called Bushwick (another cool place to check out!).
Williamsburg was eventually swallowed up by the city of Brooklyn, which then became part of the City of New York.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Williamsburg was a destination for immigrants. In the 1930s, orthodox European Jews settled south of the Williamsburg Bride.
The 1960s saw an influence of Puerto Ricans and immigrants from other parts of Latin America.
The neighborhood had been industrial for decades, but in the '70s and '80s, industry left NYC and the area along the waterfront was left with big empty warehouses and loft-like buildings.
When artists got priced out of SoHo, they moved across the East River to Williamsburg.
The neighborhood became a colorful blend of artists and bohemians, locals with Latino heritage, and the enclave of Hasidic Jews on the southern border.
In the 1990s young people flocked to the area, as housing was cheap.
But then investors turned the abandoned warehouses into upscale apartments with amazing views of Manhattan.
Today, you'll hear people talk about Williamsburg as a hotbed of "hipsters" (people who are wearing JUST the right clothes, listening to JUST the right music, and who make me feel less than cool!)
That doesn't stop me - nor should it stop you - from checking what Williamsburg has to offer
Stroll the streets hunting down the latest mural art, dine on awesome food, and have your mind blown by the jaw-dropping skyline views from the many parks that run along the East River.
Now...let's go to Williamsburg!
See Great Street Art
I'm a big fan of street art, especially murals. New York City has some of the best street art in the world and a lot of it can be found in Williamsburg.
One location to check out is the corner of Bedford Ave. and North 9th Street.
Also, you may find some excellent works on Moore Street and Wythe Avenue.
Read about other places to see street art and graffiti in Brooklyn.
To see murals by world-famous street artists in NYC, join our pay-what-you-like street art and graffiti tours.
Get Stunning Free Skyline Views of
While this wasn't always the case, the Brooklyn waterfront, from Brooklyn Heights to Williamsburg and beyond, has a whole lot of green space.
Williamsburg's parks offer outstanding views of Midtown Manhattan and the East River.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park is one of the neighborhood's bigger parks and perfect for picnics.
Domino Park, the site of the former Domino Sugar refinery, is smaller but has fun activities like beach volleyball.
There's a playground, which is perfect if you are traveling with kids. Traveling with Fido? There's even a dog run!
Eat at Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is a top destination in Williamsburg and each weekend somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 locals and tourists attend this food market.
With over 100 local food vendors selling cuisine with innovative twists, attending Smorgasburg is a super way to spend an afternoon - and admission is free!
In the warmer months (April - September), it is held on Saturdays at the Marsha P. Johnson State Park, at 90 Kent Ave. (at N. 7 St.).
In the winter (October- March) it is held on both Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm, at 25 Kent Ave. on the 8th Floor.
They have a small satellite location at the plaza outside the Oculus in the World Trade Center on Fridays.
The vendors aren't always the same, but if Dough is there, you must try the exquisite Hibiscus doughnuts with beautiful dark fuschia frosting.
Relax in McCarren Park
McCarren Park is a focal point of the neighborhood with plenty of things to do all year long.
The park has baseball, tennis courts, two pools, softball fields, and other recreational activities.
Each summer, McCarren Park shows free outdoor movies as part of the city's Movies Under the Stars program.
Read more about the series and others in our Summer Guide to NYC.
Have a drink at a rooftop bar
For phenomenal nighttime views of the Manhattan skyline, you can't do much better than one of Williamsburg’s rooftop bars.
Two of the best are in hotels.
The Ides is on the 6th floor of the Wythe Hotel and Westlight is on the 22nd floor of the William Vale Hotel.
The first two of these hotels are boutique hotels and not cheap, but certainly less expensive than some of the upscale hotels in Manhattan and more chilled out!
These aren't the only rooftop bars in town. Some have excellent views with less expensive drinks.
Read our post on affordable rooftop bars with skyline views.
Enjoy the Nightlife
People from all over New York City come to Williamsburg to dance, drink and make merry!
Williamsburg has lots of dance clubs (I suggest Bembe and Baby's All Right). Plus, the bar scene is endless.
From wine bars to cocktail lounges, dive bars to craft breweries, it’s hard to choose!
My favorite bar is Union Pool (in the video below).
It's laid back, the drinks are cheap, the jukebox is awesome and there's a backyard.
When you get hungry, the food vendor truck in the back is more than happy to serve you!
You can find a watering hole to suit your style from this list of best bars in Williamsburg.
Take a Free Brewery Tour
In the past few decades, Brooklyn has been at the forefront of the development of craft beers.
The Brooklyn Brewery was ahead of the pack when it opened in 1988.
The Brewery's unique beers can be found in at least 25 states and 20 different countries!
They offer free tours on Sundays every hour, on the hour, between 1 pm and 6 pm.
These tours are brief and meant to give you an idea of the behind-the-scenes brewing process. Sorry, no free beer tasting included!
The tours are first-come, first-serve- no reservations necessary. Click here for more information.
Shop for Vintage Clothing
Williamsburg is known for its vintage and gently-used clothes stores.
If you like your clothes with a hint of the past, check out Awoke Vintage and 10 Ft Single by Stella Dallas.
Amarcord is for haute couture clothing, accessories and jewelry so prices are generally in the triple digits.
I like shopping for 'gently-used' clothes. It's nice to save on modern-day clothing from familiar brands.
Three of the best are Beacon’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads Trading. You can bring in clothes to sell and trade as well!
Visit a One-of-a-Kind Museum
If you are like me and appreciate odd, atypical artifacts, the City Reliquary Museum will delight you!
This somewhat quirky, but very interesting museum highlights items from New York City’s past.
The collection has not-so-weird items like Statue of Liberty postcards and old subway tokens (they are extinct now!).
But they also have really strange, one-of-a-kind items like paint chips from the L train platform and a set of dentures found in Dead Horse Bay.
Hey, that last item isn't all that shocking. Dead Horse Bay in South Brooklyn by the ocean is a hot spot for treasure hunters!
The City Reliquary is located at 370 Metropolitan Ave. Its hours are Thurs - Sun, 12 pm- 6 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Tickets
- General Admission:$10
- NYC residents with valid ID: $8
- College students with current valid ID; Educators; Seniors (65 and up): $5
- Children 12 & Under: Free
- Employees of museums foreign & domestic: Free with ID
Take a Walking Tour
There are several tours of Williamsburg including walking tours, food tours, street art tours, and bike tours.
Here are two well-regarded tours:
Williamsburg Walking Tour
This 2-hour walking tour offers an overview of the neighborhood.
Your guide will cover the history and culture of Williamsburg while taking you to see some of the most notable sights.
You’ll see vibrant street art, the spectacular waterfront, boutique-filled hipster streets and more.
Tour Details:
- Offered every day at 3 pm
- Adult $ 32 / Child (under 15) $ 20
- More information and purchase tickets.
Williamsburg Food Tour
This 3-hour tour introduces you to the sights and tastes of the neighborhood.
You will sample 6 different foods, including some of the best pizza in NYC!
In between tastings, your guide will share the history of the neighborhood while taking you to see the stunning waterfront, large-scale street art, and the ‘hipster’ scene.
Tour Details:
- Offered Saturdays at 12 pm
- Adult $78 / Child (ages 4-11) $68 / Under 3 years of age are free
- Includes 6 food tastings and water
- More information and purchase tickets.
Hear Live Music
Some of the best small music venues are in Williamsburg. They attract both top alternative bands as well as up-and-coming performers.
You can find shows every night of the week and at all price ranges, even free!
Check out these venues for well-known bands:
- Brooklyn Bowl (a music venue AND a bowling alley!)
- Brooklyn Steel
- Music Hall of Williamsburg
When I want to hear music but don't want to dish out money for pricey tickets, I go to the very popular Pete's Candy Store.
You will see unknown and unsigned bands. But who knows? They may be the big stars of tomorrow!
Let your sweet tooth run wild
Everything on the menu is to die for at Martha’s Country Bakery. Have a slice of cake - they have 20 kinds, like Carrot, Red Velvet, and Chocolate Mousse.
They also have 10 kinds of cheesecake, 21 flavors of cupcakes, 11 types of pies, cookies, gelato, strudel, the list goes on and on.
I especially like their cookies like Linzer tarts, rugelach, ice box, and lace cookies.
Wash it all down with a Cafe Au Lait, Dirty Chai, or a New York Cream!
Catch a flick at the Nitehawk Cinema
The Nitehawk Cinema is a full dine-in movie theater showing films from all genres and serving up comfort food done right.
Take your pick from indies, blockbusters and the occasional cult classic shown at midnight.
I love their themed series with movies from many different decades!
The menu has small plates like Shrimp Cocktail and main dishes like Fried Chicken Sandwiches with pimento aioli and citrus slaw. See a matinee on the weekend before 3 pm and enjoy a brunch menu.
Plus the cocktail menu is creative and affordable.
And yes, they have movie standards like popcorn and candy!
Half-day Itinerary for Williamsburg
Here’s an itinerary that will take you two to three hours that's perfect for any time of day.
It can easily be extended into the evening and we noted on the map some local music venues and movie theaters.
If you can swing it, go on a weekend day, but that’s not to say nothing is going on in Williamsburg every day of the week!
As I wrote above, there are plenty of restaurants, unique shops, excellent street art, and spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.
While the destinations are wonderful, strolling the neighborhood and soaking in the vibe is enjoyable as well.
Getting here
The itinerary starts at the Bedford Avenue L train subway station (See directions above).
Once you exit Bedford Avenue, you will be in the heart of Williamsburg.
1. Bedford Avenue
Stroll south on Bedford (against the traffic) to get a feel for the neighborhood along its “main street”.
If you haven't eaten breakfast yet, grab a bagel at Bagelsmith (189 Bedford Ave) or a doughnut at the phenomenal Doughnut Plant (198 Bedford Ave). Try the Creme Brulee!
When you get to Metropolitan Avenue, turn left and walk down one block to Driggs Avenue. Turn left and head north (against the flow of traffic).
Walk along Driggs Avenue for ten blocks and do some window shopping along the way.
If you are looking for “gently used” contemporary clothes (as opposed to vintage clothes), Buffalo Exchange at 504 Driggs is a great stop.
2. McCarren Park
When you reach McCarren Park, head on in. Walk around and sit on a bench for a bit. There’s a dog run that’s always fun to watch.
On Saturdays, there is a green market with fresh produce, meats, cheese, and more sourced locally from upstate New York or Long Island.
When you are done in the park, head back in the direction you entered.
Use the map provided and walk one block along North 12th Street, to Bedford Avenue.
Head south on Bedford, against the traffic flow.
3. Kobra mural
At the corner of Bedford Avenue and North 9th Street, you can see the famous mural of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat painted by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra.
If you want to see more street art, North 6th Street between Bedford and Kent Avenues is a good stretch to see some.
For street art aficionados, check out these pay-what-you-like street art and graffiti tours.
4. North 6th Street
For three blocks as you walk toward the river, do some window shopping. Keep your eyes out for street art murals that pop up from time to time.
If you want to wander the surrounding streets, go ahead. But don’t stray too far, as the next stop is a waterfront park with a jaw-dropping view.
5. Marsha P. Johnson State Park
This popular park is the perfect place to sit and watch the water and, of course, take pictures of the Manhattan skyline.
On the weekends from April to September, sample great local food at Smorgasburg.
6. Head back to Manhattan
If you are ready to head back to Manhattan, you can hop on the East River Ferry next to the park. Read more about the NY Ferry.
Feeling adventurous? Walk over the Williamsburg Bridge. The entry to the pedestrian path to the bridge is #8 on the map.
When you cross the bridge you’ll be in the Lower East Side, another great neighborhood to visit.
Not ready to wrap up your time in Williamsburg?
If you want to stay for some after-dark fun, have a sunset cocktail at a rooftop bar.
Hear live music, go dancing, or have dinner and watch a movie at the same time!
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