Guidebook for Brooklyn
Parks & Nature
McCarren Park
776 Lorimer StIt can be fun to watch the hipsters hang out and play softball.
East River State Park
90 Kent AveMust-see, amazing views of the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
Full Circle Bar
318 Grand StSkee ball (free on Wednesdays last time I checked)
Old-school Williamsburg haunt. Makes you feel like it's 2002 and the neighborhood's just beginning to turn.
50 locals recommend
Iona
180 Grand StOld-school Williamsburg haunt. Makes you feel like it's 2002 and the neighborhood's just beginning to turn.
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N 11th StIf you're into beer this is a good stop
Manhattan-style nightlife. Sometimes a cover but the outdoor space is worth it.
150 locals recommend
The Woods
48 S 4th StManhattan-style nightlife. Sometimes a cover but the outdoor space is worth it.
Infamous. I hesitate to recommend because of its reputation, but it might be worth a stop. There is sometimes good live music.
521 locals recommend
Union Pool
484 Union AveInfamous. I hesitate to recommend because of its reputation, but it might be worth a stop. There is sometimes good live music.
Trophy Bar
The neighborhood dive
Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 N 6th StOne of the reasons Williamsburg is famous
Food Scene
Rye
247 South 1st StreetCan get pricy but very solid southern food with great ambiance
This shop has amazing raw cheeses from Europe and local farms as well as other specialty foods.
132 locals recommend
Bedford Cheese Shop
265 Bedford AveThis shop has amazing raw cheeses from Europe and local farms as well as other specialty foods.
Dotory
353 BroadwayDecent Korean food very close by
Taco Santana
301 Keap StExtremely inexpensive (and very good) Mexican food
Baby's All Right
146 BroadwaySlightly better Korean, slightly further away
Traif
229 S 4th StOnly non-Kosher food, kind of a cute concept
Shopping
L.A.B Brooklyn
144 Driggs AveThis place is cool
There is still an independent bookstore on Bedford Avenue? It must be cool.
84 locals recommend
Spoonbill & Sugartown Books
218 Bedford AveThere is still an independent bookstore on Bedford Avenue? It must be cool.
Sandro
106 N 6th StParis rock 'n' roll style. Pretty awesome.
Essentials
It's Whole Foods. Nice healthy option for an inexpensive lunch.
800 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
214 3rd StIt's Whole Foods. Nice healthy option for an inexpensive lunch.
Brooklyn Harvest Market Union Ave
204 Union AveBasic and inexpensive, fine for basics
Walgreens
210 Union AveClosest drug store. Has other basics.
Getting Around
Hewes St station
Hewes Street subway (10 minutes to Manhattan, 45 minutes to JFK)
Everything Else
City Acres Market
11 BroadwayUpscale grocery score if you're against Whole Foods