My Grandfather settled here when he emigrated from Slovakia and raised a family including my Dad. It's nice to see how Williamsburg has been gentrified with chic stores and great little restaurants. I really love coming back to my family's old neighborhood.
My son has lived in north Wmsburg, off and on, for the past 5 yrs. N. Bedford had a much greater range of shops and eateries 5 yrs ago; I'm told that the trendier part is now farther south. Still, there are lots of good places to have breakfast and dinner on and within a block of this strip. We just returned from a visit and stayed in an airbnb apartment rental right off McCarren Park ... great location for walking to restaurants on Bedford, Metropolitan, and Grand.
Williamsburg is such a departure from Manhattan. It seems hip yet laid-back, accessible yet urban, and trendy yet too-cool-for-trendy. A ton of great little shops and restaurants. We enjoyed our stay in Williamsburg to visit family.
Dense area of shops, restaurants, bars and some local business.It is pricing up as the more affluent move in. Nice area.
SEA and BROOKLYN BOWL are two places I visit for a lively night out with my adult family and/or friends. If you are in a dancing mood...head over to BEMBE or Viva Toro (featuring a mechanical bull) for some caribbean and/or south american sound.
A little bit unusual as far as I remember, but don't recommend it for entertainment. Rather old. Can be interesting if you are looking to spend time in the unusual cafes and bars.
This 'alternative' neighbourhood in Brooklyn reminded us - visitors from the UK - of the North Laine area of Brighton, with it's contemporary craft shops cheek by jowl with vintage clothes and jewellery, 'foodie' shops, and informal restaurants and coffee shops. We took the East River Ferry up from Dumbo but sadly it was a misty damp day so we didn't get the views of Manhattan that we should have done. However when we got there we found lots to interest us and plenty to tempt us to part with our money! A great place for 'alternative' Christmas shopping.
Having lived in NY for 7 years in the Nineties and now having a son in Williamsburg it is one of our favourite places to visit and this Christmas was no exception. Williamsburg has "up & come" and is a delightful place to visit, with great shops (now boasts a J. Crew and Urban Outfitters!) fabulous restaurants & coffee shops and brilliant bars. Away from the Manhattan madness and so easy to get to it is a joy to stroll round the streets, stopping for coffee or lunch at one of the many eateries as the mood takes you! I would definitely recommend staying on this side of the East River and visiting the Manhattan side if more bustle and the usual tourist stuff is required!
This is agreat place to wa;lk around so many things to see here. There are lots of clubs and restaurants and of course Peter Luger's steakhouse. You will enoy Pies and Thighs with the best fried chicken or Barcade to paly retro video games. Just a great place to wander around and take in all the sights.
Really enjoyed our visit to Williamsburg. There were no big high street chains and it was a welcome change from 5th Avenue. Numerous boutiques for varying budgets and great lunch venues (Sweet Chick anyone?? Chicken on Waffels!)Easy to get to on the L train from Union Square.