{"id":25541,"date":"2024-08-12T11:29:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T11:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/?p=25541"},"modified":"2024-12-09T20:19:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T20:19:24","slug":"9-hidden-gems-in-brooklyn-you-must-see-as-told-by-a-local","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/9-hidden-gems-in-brooklyn-you-must-see-as-told-by-a-local\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Hidden Gems in Brooklyn You Must See (As Told by a Local)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From Coney Island and Bushwick to Park Slope, Flatbush, and Crown Heights, there\u2019s so much more to Brooklyn than a bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBreukelen\u201d was a Dutch farming village established over 400 years ago, and the borough\u2019s long history of welcoming immigrants from around the world has created an amazingly diverse destination unlike any other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most visitors to New York only scratch the surface of what Brooklyn has to offer \u2014 walking Brooklyn Bridge<\/a> or visiting the trendy DUMBO neighborhood and Williamsburg \u2014 this guide will take you on an insider\u2019s tour of Brooklyn. Live like a local for a day on your next visit here with these nine hidden gems in Brooklyn you (probably) haven\u2019t seen yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: <\/strong>Short on time and want to see the highlights? Our NYC bus tour<\/a> can provide an overview of the boroughs beyond Manhattan, including Brooklyn, with a local guide to share insider tips and stories you wouldn’t hear otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now without further ado, here are the top hidden gems in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Prison Ship Martyrs\u2019 Monument at Fort Greene Park<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Credit: Anushila Shaw<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Take in a slice of Revolutionary War history at the Prison Ship Martyrs\u2019 Monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 150-foot Doric column sits on top of a 100-foot wide base with 100 steps. Inside the base is a crypt holding some of the remains of nearly 12,000 American prisoners of war who were captured and died on British prison ships during the American Revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Credit: Anushila Shaw<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The monument is located in Fort Greene Park, a former fort from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Fort Greene was converted into the first public park in Brooklyn in 1847 and designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park and Prospect Park.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Credit: Anushila Shaw<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Insider tip: <\/strong>While the park offers lots of room for activities with a basketball court, tennis courts, and a playground, the best time to visit the park is in the evenings, especially in the summer, to walk among the fireflies in the grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm<\/h2>\n\n\n
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This one\u2019s a throwback \u2014 way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Brooklyn Historical Society, before the 20th century, Brooklyn was once one of the country\u2019s leading vegetable producers. While there\u2019s virtually nothing left of Brooklyn\u2019s rich farmlands left on the ground, Brooklyn Grange<\/a> is bringing back Brooklyn\u2019s farming tradition on the borough\u2019s rooftops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grange is an organic, sustainable rooftop farming company with USDA certification. The company owns and operates three rooftop farms in Brooklyn and Long Island City that, between them, produce over 80,000 pounds of vegetables. Brooklyn Grange also bottles its own hot sauce and honey from their pepper plants and bee hives. That\u2019s right: farmstand honey produced right here in modern-day, urban Brooklyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can visit one of their rooftop farms at the Sunset Park location in Brooklyn during a scheduled open house. Or, if you prefer, contact them for a private tour. Brooklyn Grange also offers workshops, rooftop yoga, farm dinners, and the opportunity to purchase produce online, via a local retailer or as part of a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Pop-up farmers and flea markets in Brooklyn<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Credit: Anushila Shaw<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Brooklynites love to hunt through local flea markets and farmers markets for hidden treasures and fresh foods. There are over 20 farmers markets in Brooklyn alone that take place on a weekly basis. The events connect the city directly with farmers, butchers, bakers, and jam makers from upstate New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the full list<\/a> if you\u2019re ready to start market-hopping.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Credit: Anushila Shaw<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to farmers markets, visiting flea markets around Brooklyn is a great way to explore Brooklyn neighborhoods and shop sustainably. These are a few of my favorites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n