Flights to New York

Brooklyn’s bright idea

Book it to Brooklyn to see DUMBO, one of New York’s coolest up-and-coming neighbourhoods.

DUMBO’s name may sound whimsical, but this acronym is surprisingly utilitarian. DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, which is exactly where you’ll find this neighbourhood. With a quick ride on the East River Ferry, or a stroll/cycle across the Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO is easily accessible from Manhattan.

Start your visit to this bustling Brooklyn neighbourhood on the shores of the East River. DUMBO’s history lines the shore in warehouses that supported its commercial production past. Brooklyn Bridge Park has taken that industrial foundation and transformed it into the neighbourhood’s finest green space. This sprawling park of rolling lawns holds a scenic view over the river.

From the vantage point of one of the park benches, always bustling Manhattan looks surprisingly still.  Take a spin on the restored circa 1922 Jane’s Carousel, to see the city from a whole new angle.

Once you’ve seen the river, it’s time to see The River. This refined restaurant consistently ranks as one of DUMBO’s best restaurants, and one of the best places to eat in New York. With a upscale dress code and savoury menu, The River has been serving up luxury at its most delicious since 1977.

DUMBO’s warehouses are also stocked with some of the area’s best eateries. Modern French food and organic Italian fare fill the plates of these former industrial buildings. Seasoned with history, the warehouses are home to amazing dining experiences.

The warehouses here wear many hats, including that of several art galleries. The DUMBO art scene, like its food scene, is fresh and experimental. Spice things up with a visit to St. Ann’s Warehouses, where plays are staged in a former spice milling factory. The all-female artists collective of the AIR Gallery is a breath of fresh air. With regular events and rotating exhibitions, this gallery knows how to change things up.

On of the best byproducts of the area’s artist-heavy demographics are the artisanal goods on sale in the area’s shops. Small boutiques hold a bevy handicrafts and art, perfect to remember your trip to New York City by.

Where creativity lives

See the New York City beyond Manhattan, with a visit to Williamsburg.

Brooklyn’s Williamsburg has now entered its second act. Ten years ago, this neighbourhood was a hotbed of creativity, with artists, designers, and DJs as its primary denizens. Now, a new Williamsburg has emerged, with more elegant and upscale than its original incarnation. See the difference for yourself, with a 10-minute ferry ride from Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Williamsburg’s creative spirit is still alive and well in the area’s many art galleries. Front Room Gallery focuses on photography, video, and installation art by mid-career artists. Far from middling, this exceptional gallery is easy to find thanks to its brightly coloured exterior. At the Music Hall of Williamsburg, the performing arts light up the stage. As an offshoot of Manhattan’s popular Bowery Ballroom, you can trust the Music Hall to have good taste.

Make a splash on the site of one of Williamsburg’s former performance venues at the McCarren Park pool. For years, this enormous pool (three times as large as a standard Olympic pool) remained drained during the summer and hosted concerts in its dilapidated shell. Now, the pool has returned to its former glory and still hosts events on its decks. Throughout McCarren Park’s 35 acres, the tradition of summer pool concerts is carried on in film screenings and music performances that add a little colour to this green space.

Williamsburg’s ever-growing variety of beers are the best feature of the area’s bars. Peruse the bars’ brews for something hip and hoppy, or head right to the source in the Brooklyn Brewery. Take a tasting tour to learn about the making of both the beer and brewery, as guides lead you through Williamsburg’s industrial past through to its current beer scene. After a visit to this brewery, you’ll see why Brooklyn’s Williamsburg is the toast of New York.