Downtown Brooklyn Travel Guide

New York

Downtown Brooklyn showing heritage elements and a bridge
Downtown Brooklyn featuring a bridge and a city
Downtown Brooklyn showing a city and a bridge
Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn featuring a bridge and heritage elements

Brooklyn’s signature medley of old and new provides the backdrop to this revitalized district, where you’ll find fresh arts venues behind historic streetscapes.

Experience the lively pace of Downtown Brooklyn, a centrally located neighbourhood formerly known for the towering high-rises of its business district. Today, Downtown Brooklyn has refreshed its tree-lined streets and ushered in a lively arts community. Go shopping in outdoor malls, see what’s playing at a performing arts venue or watch a sports event at a local college campus. Select from a wide range of tastes at Downtown Brooklyn’s collection of acclaimed restaurants and vendors.

Get a sense of Downtown Brooklyn’s historic architecture at Brooklyn Borough Hall, one of the borough’s oldest and most important heritage structures. Other architectural landmarks include the heritage-listed Federal Building and Post Office and towering One Hanson Place, formerly the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower. Check out the eclectic mix of stores represented by the Fulton Street Mall. This open-air mall has a wide range of chain stores, independent boutiques and discount outlets.

Stroll along Downtown Brooklyn’s leafy thoroughfares, where pretty old brownstones line the streets. Make your way to the neighbourhood’s cultural precinct to find an exciting programme of daily events, shows and exhibitions. Visit the Theatre for a New Audience, BRIC Arts Media House, Brooklyn Academy of Music or New York Transit Museum. Art installations, live shows and special events are regularly held at MetroTech Commons. See what’s showing at Barclays Centre, which regularly hosts basketball and boxing matches.

Breathe the fresh air at Cadman Plaza Park. Walk between parks all the way from Brooklyn Borough Hall to the Brooklyn Bridge. Head to the northeastern corner of Downtown Brooklyn and Bridge Plaza to observe river and skyline views.

Taste flavours from around the world at Downtown Brooklyn’s cafés and restaurants. Visit Michelin-starred establishments or get acquainted with local vendors serving freshly made snacks.

Downtown Brooklyn is located in the northwestern section of the borough of Brooklyn. Reach the area easily via many subway and bus lines. Alternatively, stay in one of Downtown Brooklyn’s hotels and explore the neighbourhood on foot.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Brooklyn

Hyatt Grand Central New York

Hyatt Grand Central New York

4 out of 5
109 East 42nd Street, at Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY
The price is £174 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£174
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,824 reviews)
"The room was very nice. The bed was comfortable. The shower was very nice. I would stay here again for sure."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

4 out of 5
811 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is £176 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£176
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,031 reviews)
"Central area of Newtork and conveniently go to any place."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Hotel St. James

Hotel St. James

2.5 out of 5
109 W. 45TH ST., New York, NY
The price is £132 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£132
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,187 reviews)
"The facility lost water around 4pm there waa none for the rest of the night. When it came back on the was no hot water for the rest of the day. Checked on the next morning. Facility is fine, the staff is very friendly. I dont think the loss of water or lack of hot water is common there."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Hotel St. James
Lotte New York Palace

Lotte New York Palace

4.5 out of 5
455 Madison Ave, New York, NY
The price is £428 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
£428
16 Aug - 17 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New York. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,573 reviews)
"Amazing staff and service! Esp the bell staff. The courtyard and summer bar were amazing. Beautiful Hotel! Room service was divine"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Lotte New York Palace
Arlo Midtown

Arlo Midtown

4 out of 5
351 West 38th Street, New York, NY
The price is £144 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£144
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,755 reviews)
"I stayed here during a quick work trip to NYC, and it exceeded my expectations. The staff was welcoming, the location was perfect, and the room was spotless. I’d definitely return—thanks for the great stay."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Arlo Midtown
THE NEW YORKER HOTEL BY LOTTE HOTELS

THE NEW YORKER HOTEL BY LOTTE HOTELS

4 out of 5
481 Eighth Ave., New York, NY
The price is £148 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£148
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,685 reviews)
"Very clean and nice room. Excellent view and location. Expensive but on par with other properties in the area. Will be back."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

THE NEW YORKER HOTEL BY LOTTE HOTELS
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Brooklyn

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Lower East Side

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Travellers love Lower East Side for its fantastic nightlife, and you can see more of New York by jumping on the metro at Essex St. Station or Delancey St. Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Orchard Street Shopping District and Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Lower East Side
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Financial District

4.5/5(112 area reviews)

Enjoy the important monuments in Financial District. Brooklyn Bridge is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Wall St. Station (William St.) or Broad St. Station to see more of New York.

Financial District
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Williamsburg

4.5/5(44 area reviews)

Noted for its cafes and live music, there's plenty to explore in Williamsburg. Top attractions like Brooklyn Brewery and Music Hall of Williamsburg are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Metropolitan Av. Station or Lorimer St. Station (Metropolitan St.) to see more of the city.

Williamsburg
SoHo - Tribeca showing a city

SoHo

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in SoHo. Spend some time visiting top spots like Singer Building, and catch the metro at Prince St. Station or Spring St. Station to see more of the area.

SoHo
Greenwich Village which includes a fountain

Greenwich Village

4.5/5(41 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like 5th Avenue while getting to know Greenwich Village, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or W 4 St. Station to see more of the area.

Greenwich Village
The High Line Park showing a garden, street scenes and a city

Chelsea

4/5(111 area reviews)

Chelsea is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Madison Square Garden and Chelsea Hotel. See more of New York by jumping on the metro at 23 St. Station (8th Av.) or 23 St. Station (7th Av.).

Chelsea


Downtown Brooklyn Travel Guide

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