Fun Things To Do In Brooklyn -- Brooklyn NY Attractions

Out of the five New York City boroughs, Brooklyn is has the "cool" reputation. Manhattanites often mock the "bridge and tunnel" crowd as they call those of us who commute from the outer boroughs, but if you're from Brooklyn, you get a pass. Indeed, as you walk past the rows of historic brownstones, you can practically hear "Stayin' Alive" pounding through your feet, just as it did for John Travolta in that opening scene of the iconic Brooklyn film, Saturday Night Fever. But even if Brooklyn doesn't automatically put visions of the BeeGees in your head, there are plenty of things to do and see in Brooklyn — and a lot of history to be explored. Here are some fun things to do in Brooklyn. 

1. Walking Across The Brooklyn Bridge: Crossing the bridge is not only exciting in itself, but is a great way to see the Manhattan skyline, especially if it's a clear day. You get great views of the East River, as well as the Statue Of Liberty and Empire State Building. To walk, it's best to start on the Manhattan side. First, check out the waterfront shops by nearby Southstreet Seaport. Then head over to the entrance near City Hall, by Park Row and Centre Street. Make sure you stay on the walking path and beware of bikes because you can easily get run over. The walk itself is fairly easy, but long as it takes about an hour -- especially if you stop to admire the views, which trust me, you will. At the Brooklyn side, there are plenty of good restaurants to relax in and celebrate your "victory." To walk back, go to Prospect Street and Cadman Plaza East or Johnson and Adams Streets. No, you can't buy the bridge, but no joke, I really did see someone hawking pieces of it. To get to City Hall, take the 4, 5 or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall.

2. Prospect Park: This is Brooklyn's answer to Central Park. I'll admit, I haven't been here in years, but I remember going with my grandmother, who's lived in Brooklyn for most of her life. The vast stretch of green is the perfect place for ball games and barbecues, which you'll inevitably see many families enjoying. There are also hiking trails, tennis courts, stables, a carousel, boats and the Lefferts Historic House. In the 585 acre expanse, there's sure to be something there that you'd like! To get there, take the B or Q, or the F, which stops at a different point at the park.

3. Brighton Beach: This is about as close as you'll get to Russia without actually going there. The neighborhood is mostly comprised of Russian immigrants and is, of course, a great place to try authentic cuisine. If you have a lot of energy, I highly suggest spending the evening at one of the nightclubs, like Imperator. I went to this one a couple of years ago for a friend's birthday and it was one of the most enjoyable and surreal nights I've had. Though these establishments are called "nightclubs," they're more like catering halls with an edge. At about $80 a person, it's best to go with a large crowd, so you can experience the full effect. Dress is semi-formal, so when you first sit down, it may feel like you're at a wedding. But that quickly ends as you're served literally about 50 courses of meats, fishes, vegetables and salads, piled as high as your head. After eating, there's dancing to a live band. Then around midnight, the clubs put on these oddball shows which are a cross between the circus and a burlesque act. We stumbled out of the Imperator around 3 a.m., stuffed to the gills and exhausted, but it was time well-spent. To get there, take the B or Q to Brighton Beach.

4. Coney Island: If you're looking for nostalgia here, you'll no longer get it. Astroland amusement park is gone and the beachfront area is being refurbished and modernized. Yet Coney Island still persists, especially during the summer. You can walk by the water or check out the various "sideshow" acts like the "All Men Burlesque." With so many changes underway, it's best to check the calendar on the official Web site (linked below) to see what's open. But even though it may not be the Coney Island your grandparents remember, it's still a part of Brooklyn's history. To get there, take the D, Q, N or F to Stillwell Ave.

5. New York Aquarium: If you're in Coney Island, check out the nearby aquarium. They have a wildlife conservation program and are constantly introducing new exhibits. My friend, who is a teacher and worked there several years during her college days, says it's a great place to take kids because they have many interactive programs.