Downtown Brooklyn Travel Guide

New York
Downtown Brooklyn featuring a bridge and a city
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

Empire Hotel
Empire Hotel
4 out of 5
44 W 63rd St, New York, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £149 per night from 27 May to 28 May
£149
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this boutique hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,231 reviews)
"Amazing stay, the location was perfect! The room was great. The only issue was the water pressure in the shower and the sink in the bathroom. They both were very little to none. The shower grout was cracked and busted, the ceiling looked like there was past water damage and a quick fix was done. ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Empire Hotel
The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
4 out of 5
790 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is £161 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£161
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and on-site parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
5.4/10 (4,243 reviews)
"Great!"

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
4 out of 5
481 Eighth Ave., New York, NY
The price is £175 per night from 12 May to 13 May
£175
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,360 reviews)
"Across from Penn Station!"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
Paramount Times Square
Paramount Times Square
4 out of 5
235 West 46th Street, New York, NY
The price is £174 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
£174
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy WiFi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7/10 Good! (2,191 reviews)
"Great location - no frills"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Paramount Times Square
Hotel Edison Times Square
Hotel Edison Times Square
4 out of 5
228 W 47th St, New York, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £181 per night from 27 May to 28 May
£181
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, WiFi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (4,091 reviews)
"Very good service altough on site service fee (additional fee) is very high!"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Hotel Edison Times Square
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 £187 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£187
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,315 reviews)
Nice location modern great bar
"Ive stayed here three times now ans other than trying to get to front of hotwl for valet parking i have no complaints. Wedid do buffet breakfast one morning at 49 dollars pp it was very underwhelming. Save your money. Otherwise great stay"

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Hyatt Grand Central New York
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. One World Trade Center 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 McCarren Park Pool and Brooklyn Brewery 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 featuring street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people

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 The Apartment, 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

More to explore for Downtown Brooklyn


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