Many people like to get as far away from their home as possible for vacation. However, that’s changed in light of COVID-19, so we’d like to help you see your city in a whole new way. For example, having a staycation in Brooklyn has never looked more rewarding. Whether you’re going out by yourself, with your favorite person, or with a small group of socially-distanced friends, there are plenty of things for you to do.
Brooklyn Bridge
Is there anything that sets you apart more as a New Yorker than walking the Brooklyn Bridge? Probably not, but so many New Yorkers are busy with their day-to-day lives that they forget all about it. Next time you take a staycation in Brooklyn, we suggest going to the bridge and seeing it with new eyes. It’s truly a thing of beauty, and it’s free!
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
There’s nothing better than getting off the beaten trail and exploring a tranquil botanic garden. Here you can find Japanese culture inside a garden that’s removed from the rest of Brooklyn. It’s not that it’s really that far away, of course. But when you’re deep inside the most relaxing place in Brooklyn, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away.
Green-Wood Cemetery
If you want to truly get away from it all, while still enjoying some of the grandest architecture ever conceived of, you must plan a trip to Green-Wood. This is one of the few places in the borough that receives an equal share of visitors from locals and tourists, and there’s a good reason for that. Not only is the area home to some of the city’s most noteworthy residents but it also has a lot of unusual history.
Prospect Park
Here’s another free stop in Brooklyn! Prospect Park may not look quite like it used to thanks to social distancing, but it’s still one of the best parks in the city. Whether you want to take a walk, have a picnic, or play tennis, this is a great place to go. Enjoy your time even more by turning off your cellphone before you enter the park’s grounds.
Brooklyn Promenade
Going for a walk on the Brooklyn Promenade is always a stop on a tourist’s wish list. Because of this, many New Yorkers don’t get to see what all the fuss is about. Instead of sitting it out this year, include a brief stop at the Brooklyn Promenade on your staycation list. Once you get a look at the wondrous views, you’ll never again find yourself wondering why so many tourists flock there.
Sunday in Brooklyn
At some point on your travels, you’ll have to stop to eat. And what better place is there than Sunday in Brooklyn? They’re currently featuring outside dining, are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and feature one of the best brunches in the entire area. Make sure you stay long enough to fully enjoy your selection. If you are a foodie and dig al fresco dining and festival atmospheres, read on…
The Brooklyn Crab
If you are longing to go to a seaside town, try heading out to the Brooklyn Crab restaurant. They have different varieties of seafood, drinks, & fun, and it is considered the perfect staycation hang. They have pickup and outside dining, and for the best al fresco and staycation experience, take a Monday or Tuesday off from everything to catch the action from their all-day oysters for a buck and $4 Narragansett special.
The Time Out Market
Located in the DUMBO location in Empire Stores, the two-storied Time Out Restaurant offers a kaleidoscope of culinary choices. From Japanese comfort food at Bessou, to elevated Mexican cuisine from Ivy Starkfried, their curated lineup of local food is something you don’t want to miss. And while you’re chowing down in this sprawling food establishment, you can experience breathtaking vistas of the New York skyline and Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges from one of the most perfect vantage points around.
Coney Island
Coney Island is a Brooklyn neighborhood that is also an iconic entertainment destination and amusement park. Not all of this wondrous place is reopened at present. However, you can still enjoy a fantastic day of swimming and walking on the boardwalk. As time passes, more of this beloved landmark becomes available, so be sure to keep up to date.
The William Vale
This staycation idea borders on what you would get if you went on vacation in reality - that idea would be the 24-hour staycation in Brooklyn at the William Vale. With views of the East river and Manhattan, the Vale has, among other exciting things, a 60-feet rooftop swimming pool and an accomplished chef overseeing the dining preparations. This towering behemoth is located on North 12th and Wythe and sits on the edges of hipsterville close to McCarren Park.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Finally, we have the Brooklyn Bridge Park for those who prefer their parkland in the city. You’ll be able to see a wide array of unusual things in the 85-acre expanse. Perhaps the most suitable of all is Jane’s Carousel, which is a fully restored merry-go-round for the 1920s. If that’s not your thing, you’re certain to like the riverside esplanades. With the scenic Manhattan views in the background, there’s really nowhere else like it.
Final Thoughts
Taking a staycation might seem like it’s little more than an excuse to lounge around your house. You can have so much more than that, though, and we hope we’ve inspired you to take action. When it comes to Brooklyn, there’s quite simply so much to do and see that we know our list will help!
If you’re ever looking to get a little away from Brooklyn, you can book a private boat tour with New York Harbor Tours to see NYC from a whole new perspective.
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See New York City on a private boat tour while you float along the Hudson River.