Things to do in Williamsburg, DUMBO, Red Hook and Coney Island this summer
Diners on the rooftop at Time Out Market New York in Brooklyn's DUMBO. Credit: Time Out Market New York
Brooklyn has a reputation for being a hot spot in New York City with trendy restaurants, shops, things to do and iconic waterfront views. From parks by the river to dining with a skyline view, here are spots to visit by the water this summer in Williamsburg, DUMBO, Red Hook and Coney Island.
WILLIAMSBURG
Play mini golf by the East River at Putting Green ($2-$10, at the west end of North First Street; puttinggreenbk.org). Its holes were created by artists and architects with inspiration taken from climate change issues and ways to battle their impact.
It’s also adjacent to the larger and strikingly unique Domino Park (River Street between Grand and South Fifth streets; dominopark.com), which takes its name from the towering building behind it, a New York City Landmark (built circa 1882) that was once the Domino Sugar Refinery. The park is 5 acres and about five city blocks in size, and uses artifacts from the refinery as urban art. The park features a turf lawn, sand volleyball and boccie among its amenities.
Enjoy a cup of java at Poetica Coffee (416 Kent Ave. at the northwest corner of the alleyway; poeticacoffee.com) or dine across the way at Sea Wolf Waterfront (420 Kent Ave. at the southwest corner of the alley; seawolfbk.com), where seafood and cocktails are menu highlights.
People dine while attending Smorgasburg, a dining event held in Marsha P. Johnson State Park, located in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Credit: Smorgasburg/Eric Demby
Check out the open-air food market Smorgasburg (smorgasburg.com) at Marsha P. Johnson State Park.
For a brew, head over to the Other Half Brewing company outpost (34 River St.; otherhalfbrewing.com) featuring a full bar including 20 lines drafting its own brand of beer, indoor and outdoor seating, a cocktail menu and boozy slushies. Guests at the brewery can order pizza and snacks directly to their table from neighboring Roberta’s Pizza (6 Grand St.; robertaspizza.com).
DUMBO
A view from the rooftop park at Time Out Market in DUMBO. Credit: Time Out Market New York
The Time Out Market (55 Water St.; timeoutmarket.com), is located within Empire Stores, a sprawling former 19th-century warehouse repurposed into a retail and business hub where you can purchase food from a variety of cuisines and beverages. The Time Out Rooftop Park features panoramic views of the city skyline and guests can dine and have drinks on its sunbathed deck.
RED HOOK
The exterior of Sunny's, a bar that dates back to the 19th century, located in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn. Credit: Ian J. Stark
Red Hook is home to Sunny's (253 Conover St.; sunnysredhook.com), one of the city’s iconic bars, dating to the 1890s, featuring live music six nights a week (except Mondays) and $10 margaritas throughout the summer.
Toward the water you'll find the area outlet of the Strong Rope Brewery company (185 Van Dyke St.; strongropebrewery.com). Specializing in lagers and ales brewed from New York-grown hops and malts, the venue has a calendar that includes live music, art shows and food trucks. Guests can sit in the taproom or out back at beer garden tables and enjoy views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.
CONEY ISLAND
A view of the Coney Island Boardwalk near the Luna Park amusement park. Credit: Luna Park Amusements
Experience thrills at Luna Park ($3 or more for rides, 1000 Surf Ave.; lunaparknyc.com), home of the Cyclone wooden coaster (opened in 1927), a New York City Landmark and designated a historic place by the federal government. New additions include Tony’s Express, a family-friendly, ADA-accessible coaster, a log flume ride known as Leti’s Treasure and a 50-foot ropes course dubbed Sky Chaser.
The New York Aquarium (602 Surf Ave.; nyaquarium.com) has sea creatures in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Guests can watch the resident California sea lions perform in the facility’s Aquatheater throughout the year. Admission is $29.95-$32.95 for adults, $25.95-$27.95 for children ages 3-12.
The Coney Island Museum (1208 Surf Ave.; coneyislandmuseum.org) offers a look at the history of the area and the building also is home to the Sideshows by the Seashore Theater. Admission is $5, $3 for kids under 12. The theater features performances by the Coney Island Circus Sideshow (opens May 20; coneyisland.com), a 45-minute, continuously running program featuring aerial acts, fire eaters, sword swallowers and more.
The 2.7-mile Riegelmann Boardwalk (from West 37th Street to Brighton 15th Street in Brighton Beach; nycgovparks.org) is another New York City Landmark (opened in 1923) and is open year-round, with concessions during the warmer months. The original Nathan’s Famous (1310 Surf Ave.; nathansfamous.com) serves its beloved hot dogs and hosts its annual Fourth of July hot dog-eating competition. There also are several fast-food and casual restaurants along Surf Avenue to grab a bite.
The Coney Island Brewery (1904 Surf Ave.; coneyislandbeer.com) is open year-round and features a full kitchen and rotating beers brewed on-site, plus a beer garden that opens in the summer. Its event calendar includes karaoke, bingo, live music, drag shows and a chef-guided tasting meal for $20.
