- Mr Plane Guy
- Oct 21
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 22
Things to Do in Brooklyn, Bagels, Bridges & That Street Everyone Photographs
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
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Why Everyone Ends Up Falling for Brooklyn (And Why It’s Full of Things to Do)
Discover the best things to do in Brooklyn, from walking the iconic bridge to street art tours, bagel spots, and where to stay for luxury-for-less views of Manhattan.
Everyone tells you to start in Manhattan and sure, it’s iconic, but Brooklyn is where New York actually breathes. Think bagels, bridge walks, cobblestone streets, rooftop cocktails, and more street art than you can fit into one camera roll.
It’s the part of the city that feels a bit less showy, a bit more “I just grabbed a coffee and accidentally stumbled into a gallery.”
If you’re staying in the city, hop over the East River and spend a full day exploring. You’ll see why things to do in Brooklyn is one of my most searched travel guides (and why I keep finding excuses to come back).
🚲 Plane Tip: See More of Brooklyn on Two Wheels
👉 Join the Brooklyn Sightseeing Bike Tour explore 20+ neighbourhoods with a local guide, from DUMBO to Prospect Park and Red Hook. Free cancellation. Pay later.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, Still the Best Thing to Do in Brooklyn
If you visit New York and don’t walk the Brooklyn Bridge… did you even go?
Start early (sunrise if you can handle it) to dodge the crowds and get that perfect skyline shot looking back towards Manhattan. You’ll need about 30–45 minutes to cross if you stop for photos, which you will.
The bridge walk gives you those postcard views for free no filter needed. But if you want to level it up, book a helicopter flight over New York for the ultimate bragging rights. It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the most unforgettable things to do in Brooklyn (and Manhattan, technically).
Once you’re across, reward yourself the Brooklyn way with a coffee and a bagel from Butler, Bluestone Lane, or % Arabica. You’ve earned it. That’s what I call a Plane Breakfast of Champions.
Here is my walk over Brooklyn Bridge, now trigger warning I do swear, sorry due to some light rain!
That Famous DUMBO Street, The Most Photographed Spot in Brooklyn
You’ve seen it all over Instagram, the shot where the Manhattan Bridge perfectly frames the Empire State Building. It’s on Washington Street in DUMBO, and yes, it’s just as photogenic in real life.
📸 Where to Get That Famous Brooklyn Bridge Photo
If you came to Brooklyn for the iconic skyline shot, the one where the Manhattan Bridge perfectly frames the Empire State Building, here’s exactly where to go:
Location: Washington Street between Front Street and Water Street,
DUMBO. It’s a short 5-minute walk from York Street Subway Station (F Line) or about 7 minutes from High Street–Brooklyn Bridge Station (A/C Lines).
Walk down Washington Street towards the water and you’ll see it, the red-brick warehouses on both sides, the steel-blue Manhattan Bridge in the centre, and the Empire State peeking through in the distance.
Best time to go: Early morning for soft light and fewer crowds. Sunset for that golden glow (and skyline shimmer)
Nearby Insta-spots worth a detour:
Jane’s Carousel – for dreamy waterfront shots with Manhattan in the background
Pebble Beach – down the steps near the carousel, amazing bridge reflections on the East River
Butler Café – great “coffee and cobblestone” vibe
DUMBO Walls – colourful street murals perfect for a creative backdrop
But DUMBO isn’t just about the photo. It’s full of life, street musicians, little galleries, and the smell of fresh espresso drifting from every corner. After your photo session, wander down to Jane’s Carousel, a stunning 1920s merry-go-round sitting right by the water. It’s one of those surprisingly magical things to do in Brooklyn you’ll actually enjoy, even without kids in tow.
🎬 Plane Approved: Brooklyn TV & Film Tour
See Brooklyn through the lens of Hollywood on the Brooklyn TV & Film Locations Tour.
You’ll visit filming spots from 2 Broke Girls, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, explore the New York Transit Museum, and finish with classic boardwalk views at Coney Island.
It’s a 6.5-hour guided tour packed with Brooklyn’s best photo stops free cancellation, flexible booking, and a Plane Worth It way to see the borough in style.
🎬 Plane Tip: Want to see Brooklyn like a movie star?
👉 Join the Brooklyn TV & Film Tour bridge walks, Transit Museum, Coney Island & more. Free cancellation. Pay later.
Then it’s lunchtime and you can’t go wrong at Time Out Market New York. Every stall is curated by local food writers, so you’re basically guaranteed to eat something incredible. Pro tip: head upstairs to the rooftop terrace for one of the best skyline views in the city, the kind of view that makes you wish you’d booked another Plane Day in town.
Brooklyn Bridge Park One of the Coolest Things to Do in Brooklyn
After Time Out Market, wander down into Brooklyn Bridge Park. This stretch of waterfront is one of my favourite things to do in Brooklyn, locals picnic, joggers actually look happy, and the skyline views of lower Manhattan are ridiculous.
Grab a coffee, find a bench, and people-watch with the Empire State and One World Trade Center twinkling across the river. It’s New York, but slower, the kind of place that reminds you to breathe (and maybe open the Notes app for life plans you’ll never follow).
If you want to do more than stroll, GetYourGuide has some incredible premium experiences here:
Private sunset sailing tours under the Brooklyn Bridge 🌅
Luxury wine and rooftop cocktail experiences 🍸
And even private photo tours ideal if you want the “Brooklyn aesthetic” without awkwardly asking a stranger to take 87 versions of the same shot.
Sort by “price high to low” for the luxe options you know I’m all about Luxury Escapes for Less and the occasional Plane Treat.
Plane Tip: I’m all for luxury for less and in New York, that means skipping individual tickets. The Go City Explorer Pass bundles 100+ attractions into one smart app. Think Empire State views, ferry rides, museums, and even The Edge, for roughly half the usual cost. Big-city fun, small-city prices.
Street Art, Bagels & Bushwick Energy Creative Things to Do in Brooklyn
When you’re ready for a change of scene, head deeper into Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Bushwick are where you’ll find the best street art and bagel shops this side of the Atlantic.
If you’re short on time, book a Brooklyn Street Art Tour on GetYourGuide. You’ll explore huge murals, hear stories behind the artists, and grab a few bagel-and-coffee pit stops along the way. It’s one of those things to do in Brooklyn that feels authentic and totally Instagram-worthy.
And if you’ve got more than a day, I’d recommend adding a trip to Coney Island rollercoasters, nostalgia, and seaside chaos done the New York way.
Plane Tip: Where to Stay in Brooklyn
If you’re staying overnight, the Hilton Hampton Inn Downtown Brooklyn is a hidden gem modern rooms, great breakfast, and an easy walk to DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Super easy to get into Manhattan in less than 10 minutes!
Looking for a Brooklyn base that doesn’t break the bank? ✈️
Stay stylish in Brooklyn and skip the Midtown madness. The Hampton Inn Downtown Brooklyn puts you near the bridge, the skyline, and the subway, all for a fraction of Manhattan prices.
👉 Check latest prices and availability here before rooms disappear faster than a New York bagel at brunch! Or if you really want to stay in Manhattan then do take a look at Arlo NoMad and there's also a little discount code if you book it direct!
How to Get to Brooklyn from JFK, Fastest Routes & Plane Tips
It’s easy to reach Brooklyn straight from JFK. The simplest route is the AirTrain + Subway (Lines A, E, or F) you’ll be in Brooklyn in about 60 minutes for under $10.
But if you’re landing late or just don’t fancy wrestling your suitcase through the subway, book a private transfer from JFK to Brooklyn through GetYourGuide. You’ll glide straight to your hotel, no subway stress included.
For more airport help, I’ve covered all the details in How to Get to Manhattan from JFK plus flight inspiration in my JetBlue Review and Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy Review.
🗽 Top 5 Things to Do in Brooklyn
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge – Start at Brooklyn Bridge Park and cross into Manhattan for unbeatable skyline views.
Explore DUMBO – Grab a coffee, take that famous photo, and wander the boutiques, galleries, and street art.
Relax at Brooklyn Bridge Park – Picnic spots, skyline benches, and the best people-watching in NYC.
Eat at Time Out Market New York – 20+ of the city’s best chefs under one roof, plus rooftop skyline views.
Discover Bushwick Street Art – Take a guided tour to see world-famous murals and get those Instagram-worthy wall shots.
Final Boarding Call for Things to Do in Brooklyn
Brooklyn isn’t the side trip, it’s the main event. From bagels to bridge walks, rooftop cocktails to street art strolls, this borough gives you the New York everyone actually wants to live in.
It’s the perfect mix of creative chaos and calm coffee energy. One minute you’re snapping skyline shots in DUMBO, the next you’re deep in Bushwick debating which mural wins.
So next time you land at JFK, skip the Manhattan rush. Cross the bridge, grab a bagel, and see what all the hype’s about.
Brooklyn’s boarding, don’t miss your Plane. ✈️
Related Reads: Plane Good Blogs
If you liked this, you’ll love these other Plane Good Blogs, guaranteed to keep your travel inspo flying high:
Things to Do in Manhattan (coming soon)
How to Get to Manhattan from JFK (coming soon)
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About Me
a former airline insider (Virgin insider even, that sounds so wrong) who’s swapped the jump seat for the window seat. I share honest reviews, travel hacks, and a few behind-the-scenes stories.
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