Toasting Brooklyn’s Western Waterfront

Brooklyn has been called many things…

The “new” Manhattan

The “real” New York

The “best” Borough

However you see it, Brooklyn has a ton of pride and personality. The style is vintage. The real-estate is brownstones. The pizza is authentic. The culture is conscious. The waterfront is unparalleled.

Brooklyn is BIG! From Coney Island, to Bushwick, to Bay Ridge – this island is home to nearly 2.6 million New Yorkers.

We’ve already covered our love of the neighborhoods Dyker Heights, Red Hook, and Coney Island.

Now, let’s discuss our passion for heading to the western waterfront communities of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and DUMBO.

I work in Williamsburg. Which means that I don’t really spend that much time getting to explore. It’s on and off the L-Train three times a week. But, when I’ve spent time exploring the area, there are a ton of things to love about this neighborhood.

For Manhattanites, one of the biggest things to love about The Brooklyn waterfront is the view of the New York skyline. When you’re “in” the skyline, you don’t get to “see” the skyline. So, crossing the East River gives amazing views that we don’t often get to enjoy.

There are also plentiful backyards and gardens in Brooklyn that simply don’t exist in Manhattan. So, it’s a great place to get away from the noise of traffic and spend an afternoon truly “chilling.”

Brooklynites are also a little more authentic than Manhattanites, in a VERY BROAD and general sense. There is a definite culture of vintage clothing, recycling, classic vinyl, borrowed books, flea markets, and shopping small. You won’t see as many chain retailers as you do in Manhattan, and you’ll find even more small businesses and artisans.

Waterfront Parks

For views like these, check out Greenpoint Beach, North 5th Street Pier and Park, Bushwick Inlet Park and Beach, Domino Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Picnic spots are boundless in Brooklyn!

That food tho….

Greenpoint, Williamsburg and DUMBO are KINGS of New York when it comes to food. Definitely check out the breweries, the pizza, the Italian, the chocolates, the bakeries, the kosher delights, and the delis! And, naturally, you have to check out the Time Out Market and Smorgasburg!

Shopping and Art

West Brooklyn is amazing for specialty finds in both stores and street art. Where else but Williamsburg can you find fair trade coffee next to at North Face by Gucci? Grab some vintage, photos, one-of-a-kind pieces and memories. Then, head to Bushwick for the most amazing street art west of Berlin!

There are many ways to get there! Our favorite is taking the NYC Ferry! But, you can also take the subway, busses, and taxis to get to the West Brooklyn neighborhoods of Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and DUMBO. Enjoy the views, the food, the shopping, and the sight-seeing. You won’t regret taking a deep breath and break in Brooklyn.

More Posts About NYC

• Toasting Coney Island, Brooklyn
• Toasting Gardens and Green Spaces in New York City
• Toasting Spring 2021
• Pizzas, Parties and Poetry in Greenwich Village
• The American Museum of Natural History
• Christmas in Midtown, Manhattan
• Holiday Spirit in NYC
• The NYC Zoos
• Tea Tasting in Soho and the Lower East Side
• The New York Botanical Gardens
• Halloween in New York City
• Exploring Queens: Long Island City
• Exploring Downtown Manhattan: FiDi
• Exploring Brooklyn: Red Hook
• The Best Observation Decks in NYC
• Exploring Queens: Rockaway Beach
• Exploring Our Neighborhood: Midtown East
• Exploring Central Park
• New York Awakening from COVID Slumber
• Wandering and Wondering in NYC
• Midwest Manners, California Idealism, New York Passion
• On the Move During COVID-19

Should I Come to New York in 2021?

YESSSS!!!! If you live in the U.S.A., then go get your vaccine and come visit! As of April 1, quarantine and testing will no longer be mandated. Quarantining for a few days is still recommended, but we are reaching the end of the formal testing, paperwork, and quarantines for domestic travelers! Huzzah!

***UPDATE*** On April 1, 2021  New York will no longer be requiring quarantines for domestic travel. International travelers will still be required to quarantine. All travelers will need to fill out a NYS traveler form upon arrival. 

You’ve waited patiently, and New York is still here! Start planning your trips!

As always, don’t forget to Toast The Moon to all of your international travels by visiting our store, and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and the ‘gram to catch all of our latest posts and adventures!

Stay in your region this year, stay safe, stay distant, and be like the NYC statues – wear your masks! We’ll see you on the other side.

Cheers,

Noah and Majhon